Recently I was at a big box furniture store with Joe and while he was talking with the sales associate, I wandered over to the decor section, specifically to look at the flower art.
There were wall pieces, bouquets, resin art, metallic and wrought iron art.
There three things that were consistent throughout all the flower art pieces.
- Manufactured from overseas
- They were beautiful
- They were overpriced
I don’t mind paying money for hand-crafted art…but not for something that came off an assembly line and the quality felt like it.
As an artist, we like to tell ourselves that we can make anything right?
But when it comes right down to it, the excuses start to come in:
- I can make that, but I don’t have the right supplies
- I can make that, but it will look like it was made by a kid
- I can make that, but I don’t have the space
- I can make that, but I don’t have the time
Should I go on? Does this sound familar?
For me, the last point always hits home and on my way home I was thinking that if I came up with an excuse of “not having the time”, how can I coach my students into “finding the time”.
Finding the Time to Make Flower Art
What’s funny about the process I’m going to describe to you is that it took more time to write this blog post than it did to create the flower art!
I broke it down into another three points (can you tell I love the number 3?)
- the flower art must be done with supplies you have in your home – no trendy supplies needed.
- have it simple enough that you can do it regardless of your skill level.
- give you a process of staying focused to create this without distractions.
Is your Creativity Worth 30 Minutes?
The Right Supplies: I’ll list out what I used to create this project, but really…all you need is a piece of cardboard, cut to 4″ x 4″. Use food packaging, moving box or upcycle existing art instead. A couple of paints and glue/decoupage/matte medium is all you need to paint and stick things together. I ended up upcycling an background page I created in the Book of Backgrounds that I did not like. You do not need to use the same background, but here’s the link if you wanted to check it out.
The Skill Level: The daisy is probably the easiest to look at for shape.. it’s oval in the middle and surrounded by wonky tear drop shaped petals. The colour is yellow and white.
The Space: This project can be done at the smallest kitchen table or even a TV tray. Do they still make those?
The Time: Although there is drying time involved, this can be done in under 30 minutes. To focus on the project, put on your headphones and play some music from Brain.FM or find some “creative binaural beats” music from YouTube. If your household is a busy one, tell your family that unless it’s an absolute emergency, you are “out of service” from 8-9pm (of course use whatever time is convenient for you). You deserve the time to be creative just for you…so the next time you want to go onto social media, just think how much time you’d have for art…the world won’t come to an end if you take a break from it for 30 minutes.
Ready to try this?
Here’s what I used:
Substrate: Book of Backgrounds #23 or you can use any type of cardboard packaging, cut down to 4″ x 4″
Palette: Decoart Media Fluid Acrylics
- Transparent Red Iron Oxide: PR101 – DMFA41
- Quinacridone Magenta: PR122 – DMFA35
- Transparent Yellow Iron Oxide: PY42 – DMFA42
- Phthalo Green-Blue: PG7 – DMFA24
- Hansa Yellow Light: PY3 – DMFA16
- Raw Umber: PBr7 – DMFA37
Prep, Mediums and Finish:
- DecoArt Media White Gesso – DMM18
- DecoArt Media Matte Medium – DMM20
- Americana DuraClear High Gloss Varnish – DS128
Collage Material: I”m using dictionary paper. You can use magazines or newspaper. Anything with text on it or some type of pattern you like.
Brushes: Synthetic round and bristle brush
General:
- Paper Towels/Baby Wipes
- Palette Paper/Freezer Paper/Tempered Glass
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Ruler
Colour Mixing Notes:
- Viridan can be made with Phthalo Green-Blue and Raw Umber
- Alizarin Crimson can be made with Quinacridone Burnt Orange, Quinacridone Magenta and a touch of Phthalo Green-Blue
So you don’t need to have the latest trendy art supplies, a formal studio or hours of time to create art. Find a subject you like, simplify it, turn off your phone, sit down and make it.
It really is that simple.
Is this flower art project you could try?
Would you consider making this project for someone that lovers flowers and by upcycling existing art at your substrate? I’d love to hear from you, please share your thoughts below in the comments.
Yes, I would consider making a piece of art just like this. I would do it in my art journal or even on a bigger canvas board, say 6″ x 6″, and frame it for the wall. It looks great. Thank you for the idea and tutorial. Have a lovely evening. xx
It would look great as a wall piece Dorothy, I hope you give it a try.
I love this creative way to upcycle a background you weren’t in love with. The end result is lovely and looks very complex but you break it down to simple steps. I’m definitely going to try this one! Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
you are very welcome Cathy, I’d love to see a picture once you’re done.
I definitely wanna make this. Really nice!
thank you Diana.
I would definitely do something like this. I have lots of scraps to make something like this. Who doesn’t like flowers. May not have some of the paints you used, but I can certainly improvise.
Glad you enjoyed it. You can use any colour for the flower, even something that isn’t real, such as making it in black and white, or a fluorescent colour if you like that style.
Yes, I would like to create something like thisI love using old book pages tnks
glad you enjoyed the video
yes, i would try this for a friend, love the idea of upcycling a used piece. i love the crumpled centered. I do not have varnish, what can be used in place of varnish?
you can use any type of medium, such as matte medium, gloss medium, decou-page medium in different finishes.
I would love to try this and will. It turned out really nice. TFS
Glad you enjoyed it, thank you.
Thumbs up … definitely am gonna try that one! Love it! … and yes had to do a whole A3 page pucture with these crumbled bits at school ???
LOL… did you have the patience in doing this in school?
I will definitely be trying this one. After making a couple small ones I would like to make a large flower. Daisies are my favorite flower. In your video you mentioned the 5 second rule but I didn’t catch the name of the person. Please tell.
Hi Debbie, would love to see a picture when you’re done. The 5 second rule is by Mel Robbins. She has a YouTube channel and has so much free content there so you can get a better idea of what she’s teaching.
Flowers aren’t really my thing but I will definitely use your techniques!
Flowers aren’t my thing either, but it’s a way to push your creativity out of your comfort zone 🙂
I will definitely try your techniques. I learn a lot from you.
thank you.
YEs – for sure but I would like to do it on a 12 x 12 canvas –
I love to try making it that large…