…pronounced foe-nay (as in Claude Monet); not fox-net (as in the fox is caught in a net).
A couple months ago I found this vintage art at a local resale shop. I paid $5. At the time I bought the piece, I really didn’t have a plan of how I wanted to use it.
As I mentioned last week, I have plans to redo one of my guest rooms. With pennies pinched, I needed to create some inexpensive wall art. Last night I was in the mood to paint so I grabbed my thrift store find from the basement and got to work!
As you can see, the painting was a bit drab. My goal was to brighten the whole thing up. I envisioned a yellow gold frame with a fresh new take on the current artwork using the colors (turquoise, light blue, white and green) I plan on using in my new space.
First, I removed the art from the frame to make painting everything a bit easier. I began by peeling off the paper baking. I then bent up the staples holding in the art. I kept the staples in the frame so I could use them to secure the painting to the frame when I was finished.
Once the art was out of the frame I used two colors of bright yellow craft paint to cover the frame.
After that was finished I used a gold metallic paint on top of the yellow.
I did this step after the sun when down, so I don’t have any pictures. Sorry about that. After I applied the gold I went over everything with a white wash … then a little more yellow, a little more gold, a little more white, etc. I just continued to add layers until I was pleased with the look.
After the frame was finished I moved onto the artwork. I used the original painting as a guide and added brighter colors to the whole piece.
It took many attempts to figure out what was going to look best. Honestly, at one point I almost gave up and threw the whole thing in the trash. I ultimately ending up liking the look of adding dots of color. The finished look reminds me of paintings done by Claude Monet.
This was the painting shortly after I started adding color.
You can see the turquoise and blue in the sky/water and the green I added to the trees. For paint, I just used the cheap acrylic craft paint you can buy at Wal-mart or your local craft store.
After about three hours of working on the piece (and unfortunately not taking any more pictures, as I was both focused and frustrated) here’s what I came up with.
Pretty fabulous, right!?
I’m loving the new look! It went from drab and dusty to fab and fun!
It’s cheerful and bold and I just love it! I think the colors will be a perfect addition to my room redo.
The desk below the art (found at a local antique shop) and the glass vase (found at TJ Maxx for $20) will also be additions to the space.
I’m also really pleased with the yellow gold frame. It couldn’t have came out more perfect! The bright yellow base added a much need pop of color underneath the whitewashed gold.
I also decided to paint the little house purple, inspired by this post I read earlier in the day.
You’ll also noticed the horse and cart were completely eliminated from the pond. Much better.
Until I actually start my room redo, my new piece of artwork will sit on my vintage corbel shelf in my hall.
A lovely reminder that spring and summer are quickly approaching!
So what do you think of my Monet-inspired-upcycled-artwork?
Sad to see one of John Constable’s paintings be called “drab and dusty”. I’m just happy this wasn’t the original and it’s still safely hanging in the National Gallery of Art in London lol Whatever floats your boat I guess
I’m certain the original work is stunning, gorgeous, and a sight to behold. This was an inexpensive replica that was found at a thrift store. So naturally it was showing age and covered in dust. (Making it drab and dusty.) I would clearly never do this to an original piece of anyone’s artwork – famous or not. You don’t have to like this project, but please don’t make assumptions.
xo Michael
I love it! I am a Monet fan; it took me a long time to figure out why; the pictures I like have a quality of serenity to them; it fascinated me that you put the word “calm” in front of your painting. I like Monet’s sunshine, too and your lemon/gold/ whitewashed frame does that , too. I could decorate a room around those colors in a heartbeat!
Your finished work looks very nice – I do like how you used the original painting as inspiration. However, I hope that it was indeed a print and not the original. There are many paintings of my great grandmother’s that are lost to my family through selfish relatives, and I would hate to see her work discarded so instead of returned to us or displayed properly. Please keep this in mind when encouraging your many readers. Thank you.
Very creative idea. I would not have thought to do this. Makes me want to go out and buy a few pictures and paint. Totally going to try it one day.
Saw this on your Pinterest board and had to pop over to congratulate you on a job well done. It’s definitely Monet-ish and is a really interesting way to upcycle drab old art. I’ll have to keep this inspiration in mind the next time I see an old painting that has some charm, but needs a pick-me-up.
Wow! I don’t normally comment, but this is truly beautiful, I had to tell you that. And something i would never have dared doing! but the result is gorgeous! I’m amazed! Congratulations!