@Friends' - From stock photo to original abstract art. Yes you can-vas!

During one of my of my regular rounds through the local trash heaps I came across these mirror image tree prints on 'canvas'.  It was not woven like a textile, but had a slightly textured matte surface one one side to make it look different than a standard enlarged photo.  Is there a specific name for this type of material? Photo-canvas paper?  Whatever.  The important thing is that the canvases were free.

Front and Back

The prints were a nice size, nice square shape, and had a sawtooth hangar on the back.  I wasn't going to paint anything on them, let's be honest about that right up front.  So I handed them off to the same friend who had done a lovely turquoise painting on another found canvas.

The photo below shows her first lovely result.  This abstract mix of rich colors reminds of the water in an impressionist painting.  Yeah .... I would not have been able to come up with that.

Canvas 1

This was her similarly dreamy treatment of the second canvas.
She used a similar process but with lighter colors.  Pinks and whites instead of reds and dark green.
Note the gold leaf sparkle fun!

Canvas 2

Both canvases now hang in her entryway to brighten otherwise muted beige interior hall.

Happy freestyling, unleash that creativity!

A square canvas gets the turquoise treatment

If you want to buy a large canvas at an art supply store it will cost you a pretty penny.  If luck is on your side you just might find one for free, with something already painted on it.... that you don't mind covering up and making into something pretty.  Example, this large canvas (or imitation canvas?) picture of Charlie Chaplin I found back in early summer.

 The dimensions are something like 30 inches by 30 inches. At first I didn't know what I would do with it, but that doesn't usually stop me from saving something from the landfill if the possibility of creative re-use is in the air.  Soon after acquiring Mr. Chaplin's image I learned that a friend had signed a lease on her very own studio apartment and wanted help decorating it.  Perfect!  I told her about the giant canvas and an idea to do some sort of abstract painting.  She was open to the idea of creative re-use to make a custom piece, so I delivered the canvas, she painted it white to cover up the previous image, and then added shades of turquoise paint to resemble an ocean surface. 

Her living area furniture (2 leather sofas inherited from a former roommate), wall paint, and carpet are all in earthy shades of brown and beige so the bright blue square contrasts and brings in a nice accent color.  The blue painting also brings some interesting texture to an otherwise flat beige wall.  The decorating continues, perhaps with more freestyle inputs.

Happy freestyling-- keep an eye out for free art supplies, someone will want them!

Freestyle A Room, The Challenge, Post 4 - Fabulous fabulous fish art

The original Freestyle A Room Challenge list did not consider artwork. Luckily we came across an awesome piece at someone's front porch sale on our way back from dropping off compost at le dump one sunny weekend.  By this point the freestyled room was occupied by a graduate student who also happened to enjoy scuba diving in the Caribbean, so the theme of this piece was an extra bonus.  When we balked at the asking price the lovely young woman selling stuff told us to just take it, she would rather someone enjoy it than have to throw such a gem in the dumpster.  We happily agreed.

Soon the canvas fish print was up on the wall in its own little sea of blue.

This gold octagon mirror was another freestyle find that got utilized for this challenge.

Happy freestyling, and if the price isn't right it never hurts to ask.

Freestyle Shoebag from Canvas Shelving

A long time ago, in a land far away, I found some hanging canvas shelves on the sidewalk (and then promptly washed them once they got home). We're talking years ago here. I've used bits and pieces for other projects, but lately I've gotten tired of looking at the old plastic bag I store these remnants in.  So I asked my roommates, what would be useful to you that I could make out of canvas that is already in these odd sack-like shapes?

Answer: A bag for shoes! Something to throw in a backpack, sturdier than a plastic bag, and washable, but not important enough that it matters if it gets dirty/lost/ripped.

Shoelaces from shoes on their way to the donation center. 
To be repurposed!

I decided on a drawstring top bag. There are openings for strings at opposite ends. Since the recipient usually travels via bicycle I made the shoelaces/drawstrings long enough that they could be used to tie this simple freestyle canvas bag to the outside of a backpack if need be. 

Large enough to hold a pair of men's sport shoes.

Partially closed bag.

 

There were some random seams required because of the deconstruction-reconstruction process, I used a contrasting color thread just for kicks.  Any other suggestions for how to freestyle these fabric remnants?  An apartment only needs so many shoe bags.