AJ here and I have to tell you about a recent furniture project that combined some of my favorite things: Intuitive art, mixed media and Dixie Belle Paint Company's Chalk Mineral Paint. In fact, I loved the outcome so much that the finished cabinet now resides in my living room and holds my music collection. It is such a wonderful feeling to see one of your own painted pieces put to use in your own home. I want you to have that feeling, too!
My Inspiration for this Project:
Years past, I created a complimentary bombay furniture piece and large canvas art with an Intuitive Art method and knew it was time to use this technique on another piece of furniture. I absolutely love the fun play of color and texture between the bombay and canvas. Stencils and other objects aided in the texture and movement from color to color.
Ok, so let's get to it! This time, I am turning to my towering pile of scrap decoupage papers from previous projects as well as my creative mind and will let the art take shape right before my eyes. I added in some book pages, Satin Clear Coat and Chalk Mineral Paint.
Step By Step:
First, I prepped this cutie cabinet by cleaning with White Lightening and rinsing with clean water and a clean towel. Next up, my Surf Prep Sander did all the heavy lifting with its superior sanding capabilities and its dust-free technology. Experience has taught me that most pieces need to be primed so Bonding Boss in White was my next step. This primer applies so smoothly and has the benefit of an adhesion primer and a blocking primer in one. I really won't paint without it!
Next, I painted a white base underneath where I am going to decoupage. A white paint color will ensure your image is clear and the colors in the paper remain vibrant and true. Dixie Belle Paint has an extensive range of white and off-white colors to choose from. My Affiliate Link is at the bottom of the Blog if you need to shop for any of these supplies.
I also painted the rest of the cabinet in two earthy green colors, Dried Sage and Collard Greens. I loved both colors so asked my Followers over on Facebook which color they prefered. Although many voted for Dried Sage. the majority went with my favorite, Collard Greens, a deep, earthy green with enough color clarity to hold up to the bright colors in the decoupage papers.
OK, back to the decoupaging we go! Just tear the edges to give the paper an organic look. Layer some Satin Clear Coat onto the white painted areas, apply the paper and smooth out with a light touch from your hands, crinkled plastic wrap or another decoupage tool that you prefer.
It is so easy and freeing to do! Just layer, layer and layer some more. Next, I used an Artist Brush with the paint colors Coffee Bean and Antebellum Blue to paint over some of the paper. Mist your brush, apply the paint then feather it out with a fluffy brush to create a soft, aged effect. This is why I love to have some tattered paper edges: to catch and soak in that paint!
Here is a close-up:
Any guesses what I used to create those circles?
I painted the majrotiy of this cabinet LIVE so I am including the LIVE Video Replay from Dixie Belle Paint's Facebook Page in case you want to watch it:
After I finished the base, I sealed it all in with Satin Clear Coat for protection and a beautiful sheen. Then, I stained that sanded-back wood top with Golden Ash No Pain Gel Stain, my current favorite color of stain. If you need some help learning about No Pain Gel Stain, there are many instructional videos on my You Tube Channel and other Social Media platforms. They are all linked below so you can click and Follow me.
Final Look:
Here is the Final Look and i am so happy with the results! This sweet cabinet know lives in my Living Room and houses my music collection.
The "Belles & Whistles" line from Dixie Belle Paint offers a large range of decoupage papers and they are my go-to! I save every scrap for projects like this one. So save those scraps from your other projects and put them to use creating your own intuitive art. You can do this on furniture, canvas, wood boards and anything else you would paint and decoupage.
I'ld love to hear from you so let me know below in the comments if this is something you have done or would try.
Luv and Hugs,
AJ
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