I’ve been busy creating something new this Season… original art ornaments. Not just for the tree (although they look great on my tree), I’m hoping my art collectors and “allies-in-art” that I’ve sent these to this month won’t pack them away with the holiday decorations, but find a place to keep them around all year.
Several folks have asked me how I’ve made these, so here are a few snapshots of them in progress from my studio.
I use solid wood blocks that are approximately 3 x 3″ and wrap them “gift style” in 10 oz. cotton pre-gessoed canvas. Six staples (hidden by overlapping flaps) and acrylic matte medium for the glue attaches the canvas to the blocks.
I then paint each block with several coats of acrylic paint – using mostly metallic golds, coppers and reds. I usually “spritz” the last coat of red with water to soften and blend with the metallic undercoats.
After the acrylic dries, I mount mini watercolors on paper that have been sealed with a spray varnish to each side, again with acrylic matte medium as the glue. After that’s dry, I seal the whole thing with a gloss acrylic varnish, and attach a hook and ribbon to finish.
I’ve had a great time working out how to create these and sending them out to over 30 of my art collectors and allies-in-art!
