Statement Art for Your Walls!

Statement Art for Your Walls!

 

 

You know if you have ever looked for large format artwork that the canvases alone are very pricey once they get to that size.  Well, try this!  I found 2 bulletin boards at Wal-Mart for $10 apiece with frames!  True, they are not real wood frames but if you leave them alone, they will act fine.  These measured a nice 36" x 24".  We had an idea to use a motif found on the internet.  Simple, one color but with impact!
 
First off, mask off the frames then prime with any white paint.  I had some white wall paint with primer built in but still gave it two coats.  We used a 6" roller along with a small foam brush for the edges. Once that is dry you are ready to transfer or draw your pattern onto the corkboard.

Sorry these pictures are so boring and don't even show my funny face!
 

 

Choose a motif or design you have seen from pinterest or on a rug, yardgoods or bedding.  If you don't have the confidence to draw this freehand, then borrow a projector and enlarge the original onto a large sheet of newsprint.  Then you can cut it out and trace it onto your board.  In this case we did it both ways just to see.  If you draw directly onto the cork, use chalk.  The chalk is forgiving and won't show through like pencil can.

 

 

Use chalk to outline your pattern onto the chalkboard.

 

I am getting ready to freehand copy a drawing I found, with chalk.  It helps to mark your center but you probably already know that!

 

Fill in the lines, just like coloring!  We used craft paint, two coats, and some nice brushes that are bushy and come to a nice point when you need it to!  Peel off your tape carefully.  I would recommend taking the tape off immediately the base coat dries.  We forgot and waited til the end which required a razor and a pair of eyeglasses and a lot of screaming.

 

Voila!  These boards came with some shenanigan wall hanging but we threw that out and used tiny hook and eyes and some picture hanging wire.  If you notice, these do not match and that is even better to look somewhat alike and yet not entirely.

 



 How To Make a Concrete Statue

 

If you love working in concrete you will enjoy this process.  It is hand-built over an armature with embedded glass and a crown.  These look great standing at attention by your front door or as a garden keeper in your garden.

These are some of the tools you will need.  Carbide file, file, ruler, spray oil, duct tape, rasp, knives, scissors, steel wire, glass nippers.  Others not pictured: glass cutter, MORTAR MIX, water, 2 1/2" PVC pipe, large construction bucket, colored glass to embed, shapes to press into the wet concrete.

 

 

Using a hacksaw or Dremel cutting tool, cut the first 3" off the construction bucket.  This will be your mold for the base for your statue.  Place the rim on a board lined with heavy plastic.  Spray the interior with oil and tape here and there with duct tape so the edges don't move.  You will get a little leakage but don't be alarmed, this can be scraped off later.

Mix a batch of mortar mix to make the base.  Pour into the rim about 1 1/2" high.  Let sit for awhile, maybe a half hour, then stand the 2-foot length of PVC pipe into the center of the concrete.  Make sure your pipe is standing straight (you can use a level).  Cover with plastic and check in awhile to make sure the pipe hasn't moved.  Leave overnight.

Next day, unmold your concrete base.  Clean up the edges if necessary with the rasp.  Add pieces of foam or any rigid plastic to build up your shape on the PVC.  You can wrap some steel wire to make the collar at the neck.  Use liquid nails to secure all these pieces and leave overnight.

The next day you will want to wrap your foam and other added shapes with some wire.  This gives the concrete something to stick to.  Mix a batch of mortar mix.  From that scoop out a little in a cup and add water to it to make your slurry.  Use an old paintbrush to brush the slurry onto all parts of your armature.  Now you are ready to apply your first layer of mortar mix.  Make a patty, press onto the armature, layer the next overlapping this one.  Refine your shape as best you can but if pieces start to fall off, just leave it alone!

Cover with plastic overnight.

 

Next day, uncover, use the rasp, knives, file to refine your shape.  Hose down your piece, coat with slurry.  Mix up your mortar and add your second layer. This is the layer into which you will embed your glass and crown so make the layer thick enough.  Also, with the head, allow enough mortar so you can carve some away for the hair.  Embed your glass after about 1/2 hour so it doesn't rise back at you.  Don't worry at this point about the concrete mess on the glass.  Let it sit two hours, wipe off the glass pieces with a damp sponge.  Next day you can clean it up better.  After about 1/2 hour you can also incise the hair with a sharp stick and stamp your designs into the 'skirt'.  Cover with plastic and let sit overnight.  Next day, uncover and hose it down and file away to refine your shape. You can use the carbide file to refine or a stiff brass brush or even the rasp will work at this point.  The longer the piece cures, the harder it is to work on so try to get all your work done this first day after completion. Clean off the glass pieces.  This can be done with a wet cloth or a stiff brush.  Hose down and cover with plastic every day for a week. 
Then take your little statue around to see where she will look best in your yard!
Any questions, just send me an email at: whitebranchstudios@comcast.net

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