Monday, July 9, 2012



Every so often, I get this overwhelming urge to paint. Im almost always drawing, which is so un-messy it doesn't feel real. There is no mixing of colour, no waste, no trial runs. I have it down to such a precise science at the moment it's lost something tangible. So that when the fished piece is printed, I don't even feel like I did it.

So when I get the urge to Paint, really paint, all other things stop. I cant concentrate on anything else when the bug bites.
I'd been looking at the ugly wooden box my dad made to stop the draft coming down the chimney when we weren't using the fire. There was nothing pretty about it, even the colour put me off going into the sitting room. I had searched high and low for something worthy of going onto that box. To dress it up, but also to sit in pride of place, the hearth protector, the house guardian. I played around with the idea of continuing on with the modonna theme I already have around the fireplace, but I wouldn't trust myself enough to do that. Then, looking through a style magazine from 3 years ago, I zoomed in on a Bestival poster and had my Eureka moment!

The simple shapes, the Owl, of course, The pose, it was all pretty perfect. So I set to work Friday night, priming the box with white. Then spent all day Saturday and Sunday morning, Painting. 
I am beyond chuffed with it, and of course mum loves it. And It just looks so lovely in the sitting room that I would happily sit in there now, with that lovely protective owl watching over me.


(I have always loved painting wood and revamping old furniture...god help the chest of drawers and closet in my room...I have far too many ideas for both!)

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh, I only saw it now! It looks amazing, the owl has such a great energy to it! Painting is messy, but fun, like eating with your hands. And the colours just scream: Shelly. Wonderful :)

I agree with what you're saying about re-purposing old things. I have a fondness of all things damaged, and they always tempt me to give them a new kind of life.

Hugs

Kamila

Shelky Bean said...

Thanks Kamila ! I'm glad you like. He is very bright, and sort of pulls the focus of the room to the fireplace, which is nice.
I was forever repainting chest of drawers and chairs when i was a kid in the summer, itching to start doing it again...more refined now of course, but there is something magical about taking something old and otherwise boring/unloved and making it beautiful again :)
Talk soon
x