So sorry to hear about the impending layoff.

I would give it a try, but with the expectation that you won't be able to copy it, but make it your own instead.

Can you get the texture with paper mâché on canvas?

Thanks, Annie.. I did think of trying paper mache but feared I was trying to hard lol!

You are absolutely right, I wouldn't try to copy it -- I'd make it my own with my own paint colors (though I'd stick to these tones, I'd think).

My room is evolving and it will be a much slower go given the layoff (though I am still waiting to see if I'll be called for a third interview for a much better job-- crossing fingers!) This is my evolving idea board. I don't own any of this so it's a very loose idea of where i intend to go. The room isn't big enough for three chairs .. they are all possible directions.

I am sorry to hear about the impending lay-off. I hope it is very short-lived.

I say give it (artwork) a try! :)

I like that sort of artwork, too. There was a similar painting, monochromatic (in shades of cream and taupe), that I had long admired on C&B's website, but it didn't look as nice in person as I had hoped (tones were "off"). There's a good chance that your creation will look even better in person than the Horchow version!

I know nothing about painting, but I think you could create the texture/raised paint edges by using a palette knife, in addition to a paint brush to apply the paint to the canvas. Also, using the paint (acrylic? oil?), straight from the tube (squeezed out onto a palette or whatever you're using), rather than thinning it out, should help achieve the 3-D texture as well. You could draw pencil lines on your canvas as a guide, or just have at it free-hand!

Again, I really know nothing about painting technique(s). But, having recently "faux-painted" our bedroom furniture by "jumping right in" and making it up as I went along, and actually doing a decent job of it(!), I am sure, with your talent, you will create something beautiful!!

PS Love your idea board items!

This post was edited by cat_mom on Mon, Jul 15, 13 at 11:40

I'd create a cohesive (but not solid) base layer across the entire canvas and then tape off the "stripes" to fill in with additional paint/other colors on top. This way you'd achieve the straight lines and have the variations in height as well. You could do additional layers on some stripes.

I'd try it, for sure. Looks like a fun project, especially if you're...funkyart.

You could use a heavy body gesso to create the texture prior to painting.

Ooh.. I don't have much advice to offer on the painting technique other than perhaps try working with a knife. However, I just wanted to say your mood board is fabulous! Cohesive vision and the art will the perfect addition. Good luck!

Well, I always like your taste, so I think you can do no wrong!

I am so sorry to hear about the lay-off. Sigh. We have been through that several times and it's pretty much never fun. The last time it was, since I decided not to care. :) AND, the thought of a much better job? Well, that sounds like maybe it will be all for the best, anyway. My DH loves his current job more than any other, but would not have left his past one by choice. (Small company let go 25% of their workers . . .) For him, it did work out for the best.

I will be thinking of you and putting good thoughts into the universe!

You are very creative so I know you can do it and do it well! I would search around for a cheap but nice condition Used large canvas and paint over existing painting. Then, if you do not like it you have not in invested a lot. I did that in sons first home/remodel as it was an extremely low budget I was dealing with. I needed a painting with a 60's or 70's vintage vibe and somewhat copied a painting I saw online.

OK...I can't draw a stick man....but I say go for it...those stripes almost look like ribbon..could you staple ribbon to the canvas...not sure if it would work but maybe better than tape? Either way, you have nothing to lose.

Got my fingers crossed for that third interview and the better job!

I was going to suggest the same procedure as LazyDaisy suggested. I think you'll be able to achieve the verticle stripes that way. Good luck and I hope you'll post in-progress photos along the way.

Go for it!! Art projects are always fun. Some work some don't but totally worth the try.

Sorry about the lay off hope it is short term.

Try joint compound, thin as needed with water, HGTV had a page on doing a piece such as you want to, I saved the link but just get a 404 error trying to open it. I found a Pinterest page with lots of info on techniques (link below).

Here is a link that might be useful: Pinterest on Joint Compound Art

Thanks for all the encouragement!! I like a number of the ideas and they are all feasible. I do know gesso will provide texture but I am looking for that straight line and layered element. I am considering tape, bandages and paper mache. I have a smaller canvas I can use to perfect the technique.

That being said, a friend recently bought a student work that used gesso to turn the whole canvas into a chrysanthemum. It was GORGEOUS. I'd love to give that a try but well-- she was a fine arts major so I am guessing she has much more talent than I do! LOL

Thank you all too for your wishes regarding the layoff. As I said, I knew it was coming. I don't know when it will happen but based on the convo on Friday, I expect it soon. It WILL work out for the better in the long run. And in the meantime, I will have fun with DIY adventures!! :)

I love that canvas! It is perfect for you room / mood board---- as it is the glue that will tie everything together. I don't know if your intention is to copy it exactly, but perhaps it would be better used as a jumping off point for something with the same colors, the same vertical orientation, but something your own. I like the idea of using heavy gesso on the canvas before you paint. Papier mache is a great idea, but it is messy and once you get the texture you still have to paint it.

Have you thought about getting sheets of tissue paper in those colors, cutting them in strips and kind of wrinkling them longwise and placing them on a prepared board? You'd have to have paste on the board first, as the colors sometimes run when they get wet. But, you might like that! I think the texture of the stripes as strips of tissue or even solid color fabrics would be really cool.

GV.. how cool is that!? I think I could do fun things with that technique also-- I am pretty sure joint compound is what was used to create the swirled ceilings in my house. It might be fun to make art to mimic them. Thanks for sharing!

(the swirls are all through the house-- hand painted by my grandfather)

Give it a try! I have created "Mamatisses" for my boys' bathroom. My apologies to Henri Matisse.

Deleted double post

This post was edited by nan53 on Mon, Jul 15, 13 at 17:38

Way cool, funkyart! I have a tub of joint compound waiting for me to get the inspriation, and this thread is moving me in the right direction too. :)

Funky, your house is looking so good! I agree, go for it with the art. I have no doubt you will create something wonderful.

Love your attitude about the lay-off. I am sorry though-no fun.

I have a tissue paper painting on my wall it was very easy did part with tissue paper for layered color texture and part with cheese cloth.

Whatever it really is, that piece looks like strips of old, weathered painted wood to me, with emphasis on texture, secondarily on color. Not being very creative myself, I don't have any suggestions, but the idea of you doing something with joint compound is pretty exciting. It sounds like a great direction to explore.

Right.. it definitely has the look of wood but if it is, I suspect it's very thin. Let's be real-- it's mass produced. I don't think it's grand art which is why I feel comfortable giving it a go. I think I could end up with something I like much better. I want movement, color and size. That shouldn't be too hard, right?

I am going to do something with the joint compound too-- probably for the bedroom.

I havent been inspired to "make" art in a long time.. this is going to be fun! I am just disappointed that I need to wait until I am unpacked and organized.

I would be wary of using joint compound on something as flexible as canvas. I would be afraid that it would crack. Go to your art supply/craft store and check out the gessos and other texture mediums for paint. Also, buy some acrylic artists paints to do the painting.

Here is a link that might be useful: Super heavy gesso

I would suggest the super heavy gesso that terriks posted and I would apply it with a painting knife. I love your mood board.

I enlarged the picture, there are many colours and layers scratched off to give this effect, I would experiment first to
find a way to emulate the effect. I'm almost thinking the coat of gesso is a base and the colours are applied and partially removed, almost like you would apply a band of masking tape so semi dried colour and remove parts of it.

I know some artists use gesso on a masonite board, not on a canvas.

To me it looks like it was created on wood and to get that texture you would need to scrape, sand and do other things that a canvas wouldn't take. I buy boards at Lowes and have them cut to my specs and haven't worked on canvas in years. Many artists work on boards....
For the wrap around look, you could either build sides or ignore it and frame it, what I usually do and frames are cheap enough (Franken Frames) when not dealing with glass and mats.

You could buy a raw canvas sheet of material maybe a few inches smaller than the purchased framed canvas, the exposed framed canvas will give the effect of a matt. Buy some fabric stiffener and spray adhesive from the craft store. Apply layers of gauze or textured fabric onto your canvas material using the adhesive spray (or manual adhesive). When you have it all to your liking apply the stiffener (you can further scrunch areas before this step). After it is dry and hard mount it to your framed canvas with hot glue but avoid coming too close to the sides. Prep the whole thing with canvas primer. Start your painting with dry brushing the paint using the flat side of brush so it skims off the raised surfaces and keep working it from there. Once you reach this stage you canâÂÂt really go wrong. If you donâÂÂt like something simply paint over it.

Thank you all for your suggestions-- what I dont use for this painting, I'll likely use for another. I want to be clear that I dont feel the need to *replicate* this painting. It may very well be slats of wood painted but I am not going for a rustic look.

I want something unique and personal (and hopefully cheaper) that has the same effect of bringing motion, texture and color to my wall. I am definitely going to experiment with gesso and some other materials. I know I started out talking about gauze and tape but I think I want a sleeker look. We'll see.. I'll just have to try a few approaches and see which idea has legs.

Bumble, I was thinking about a board-- but the cost of framing concerned me. How thick a board do you use?

Such great ideas and inspirations.. and I am eager to work with a brush again. I have the creative energy flowing for the first time in a long time... now I just need to carve out some time to play.

About a quarter inch. Some boards will warp, and I don't recall which ones! The last board I bought did, the one before that did not at all...I'm sure they were different boards. But if they warp, you just gesso -several coats-the backside and that will help tremendously.

Framing....look at thin contemporary frames at Franken. You should be able to frame it for under 75- much less if you aren't too picky, and they have good sales too.

if you mount 1/4 inch plywood good one side on a 2x2 frame you would not have to "frame" it but could then carry the paint to the sides. As part of the picture or paint the sides black as a side frame. 2x2's are fairly inexpensive.

Sure you can do it, I have no doubt. Below is a tute on how to do it. I'm a trained artist and here's how I would proceed. Buy a gessoed canvas or gesso a plain canvas, draw lines to indicate your separations in the stripes. Fill in the lines here and there will drywall and overlap a tad in some areas as seen in the original art. Let it all harden and go to town on the tones of color. Make sure you let each color dry before applying one near it. Skip over some spots to let the lower area show through. For me, I'd by a small canvas to practice a bit and then just go for the gusto. You have the desire and that's 90% of creativity. You'll do great, I know you will.

Here is a link that might be useful: drywall art tute

Sorry to hear about your impending layoff. Hope things would improve and you'll find a good job afterwards.

Your idea of creating your own unique art sounds like a great fun! It would certainly be something that's truly your own!