Barely. So I had an idea. I like to create things but I'm a little lazy, too. If it's going to be too much work, take a month to create, or be too difficult to clean up, I'm less likely to go for it. I like to be creative, but life's logistics demand that I do more than just create for fun.

So my creative endeavors typically end up being 1) inexpensive, 2) quick, 3) relatively easy, and 4) practical. And by "practical" I mean something that will actually end up being used in my house or gifted.

I decided to paint a painting for my wall since it's been blank for 5 years. Along the way I took some photos. My friend Maria decided she wanted to paint something and mentioned it to me. I told her I had some photos of what I just painted and she decided to try it herself. Well, it looks great. Best part is - they look different, both kinda cool, but quite different.

She said "you should do something like this for a living." For a living? That's starting to sound like work isn't it?

In any case, here are the paintings and the step-by-steps. I'll add more projects as I do them, promising to take better/more photos throughout the process. Please let me know what you think and post photos of your projects, too. I'd love to see!!!!



STEP 1:
paint canvas horizontally with gesso, leaving the texture thick. let dry

STEP 2:
turn canvas so it's vertical
paint bottom third of canvas with gesso horizontally, leaving the texture thick. let dry

STEP 3:
paint the top vertically with tans, light browns, light mustard, light blue (I also mixed in gold)

STEP 4:
paint the bottom third (horizontal gesso) in dark reds, browns, maybe a little black (I also mixed in metallic gold)

STEP 5:
then paint a tree or whatever else in dark brown or black