DESIGN TIP #2: CREATING YOUR OWN ARTWORK

Art completes every space but often it can be expensive. Well instead of buying art why not become the artist? Even if you are not artistic you can still create an awesome piece that fits with your space and your personality. It's easy and inexpensive. Here are some ideas.


PAINT ON A CANVAS

Supplies you will need: Canvas, Acrylic Paint, Paint Brushes, Painters Tape (optional)
Purchase a canvas at any art supply store. They come in all sorts of sizes so that you can choose the perfect size for your wall. Ranging in price from $10 and up depending on size and brand. Rather then using expensive oil paint, substitute with acrylic craft paint. They come in a variety of colors, blend well and adhere to the canvas just as well as oil paint. You can find acyrlic paint for as low as $1 per bottle at art supply stores. Pick out a few colors that tie in with other accents in the space. You can paint something abstract or you can use painters tape to create borders, lines, blocks or anything you want. Anything goes when it comes to artwork. I suggest doing a practice drawing on paper before you start on your canvas. Now all you need is paint brushes. To the left is a painting that I did for my master bedroom. I used painter's tape to create the lines and separation between the colors. This painting cost me $12 to make and fit perfectly with the theme of the space.


PAPER ART

Supplies you will need: Picture frame, Scissors, Scrapbooking paper (2 solid colors or patterns), Double-sided Tape, Trace paper

Find a pattern that you like, it can be anything! Trace the pattern using the trace paper then cut it out to use as a template. Take small pieces of double-sided tape to hold the template to your scrapbooking paper. After you cut out your pattern carefully remove the trace paper leaving the double-sided tape on your cut-out. Add a couple more pieces of tape to your cut-out and adhere it to the second sheet of scrapbooking paper. Purchase an inexpensive frame or recycle a frame that you are not using. To the left is a paper art that I created. I traced the two leaf patterns from my pillow sham and used two colors that tie in well with the space. These two pieces of art cost me $26.


Creating your own art can be very inexpensive, just watch your local art supply store sale ads for the supplies you need. I always try to buy my supplies on sale. Beside being way cheaper then art you can purchase, you are creating an original piece of art and you get to have fun doing it.

Hopefully this will inspire you to create your own art for your space!

Kristina