gg's functional art: July 2014

Well it's time I put other projects on hold to update my websites and my art blog. Marketing needs to be higher on my priority list! Yes, it's been a while since I made time to upload photos of new artwork. Like many other artists, I would rather create than ‘market’ … but if people don’t know about it, they aren’t going to buy it. Right?

This is one my most recent creations. I call him ‘Mr. Chartreuse’.

Last year, my hubby and I worked off and on for a year updating our dated 80’s den to a more modern color scheme and décor with various shades of chartreuse and black leather/wood. (That’s another blog posting for another time.) This summer, we’ve transitioned the chartreuse or lime green color out to the deck.

To brighten the brick wall, I decided to paint an extra large toucan to go alone with my other tropical bird decor. ‘Mr. Chartreuse’, was created with acrylic paint on canvas, but sealed with several coats of Liquitex oil sealant.

This protects my work from dust or from fading. I gave up working with oils years ago and a oil sealant to acrylics gives it that ‘oil finish’ without all the negative aspects of working in oils; such as the expense, long drying time, mess, odor, etc.

This is an old birdhouse that had been abandoned in the basement for years. Instead of selling it at a yard sale, I decided to paint and decoupage it with bright altered papers with tropical birds. It now fits in nicely with my bright green and burnt orange furniture.

Last year, during one of my summer art exhibits, I painted several tropical birds on 'functional art' coasters. I have sold several, plus their prints for a year now ~ but have decided to keep a few for a serving tray.

For over 5 years, I have created coaster art for custom gifts and area art venues. Many have purchased these unique 4”x4” hand-painted tiles, to add to their coffee tables or serving trays.