Trends may come and trends may go but this little trend of re-facing thrifted photos and wall art.....the art of taking a photo or painting that someone else has tossed aside and using it as a canvas to create and embellish with my own ideas.....is one that I am here for....and will likely find myself doing for a very long time! I'm excited to share my version of this thrifted Halloween painting trend!
I can see this being used for a creative outlet in so many ways!
Not just for holiday decor such as today's blog...but for gifts...maybe as a tool to work through artist blocks...to do with family members and at parties...and so much more!
It is fun, entertaining and I can promise you I will never shop the thrifted wall art section without being inspired ever again!
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Before: Thrifted Halloween Painting Trend Makeover
I failed to get a photo of this framed art as it was before....except for what you can see here in the picture.
I used this project for one of my meetings in my private group, Curiously Creative. We named her Mabel.....Beatrice Mabel.
There were no markings on the photo but based on her attire we figure it is from the late 1800's early 1900's.
At first I felt a sense of guilt painting over her but as one of my ladies said.....its not like anyone else was going to buy it and hang it in their home...she's a stranger!
That was all I needed to hear!
My Design Plan...Three Things!
I knew three things only:
I wanted her face to be a skeleton as I've never painted a skeleton and I wanted that challenge
I wanted to paint a damask wall paper behind her
I wanted to add little ghost to the damask wall paper
Supplies Used: Thrifted Halloween Painting
Oil Based Pen (white)
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My Version of the Thrifted Halloween Painting Trend
Painting a Skeleton Face
Painting a skeleton face was a lot of fun and quite easy. I tried a few versions on paper to really test out what I liked before transferring to the canvas.
I found it interesting how adding multiple colors such as yellow and gray really added to the overall look of bone.
The teeth were my favorite part!
Damask "Ghost" Wallpaper
The damask wall paper with ghosts turned out exactly as I had hoped it would.
I used a Dixie Belle damask stencil as a guide and then accentuated it with white oil paint pens.
The adorable little ghost kept this whole painting from being too dark....sort of! LOL!
And adding the red backlighting around her head and body really helped to elevate her from the deep dark background!
What I Wish I HADN'T Done...
I love how she turned out!!!
The only thing I wish I would have NOT done.....was paint her dress! I really wish I'd left it original.
I recommend not going as overboard as I did.....and leaving as much of the original wall art as you can.
I have several other photos that I've picked up that I plan to leave their faces and just add floating ghost behind the photograph subjects.
I also purchased an old piece of bathroom wall art that I want to add ghost in the mirror and a black cat curled up on the little bathroom stool.
My Favorite Part...not what you would expect
I had no idea that I was going to lose myself in recreating the frame!
I went to the craft store to purchase bony skeleton hands to add to the frame....as if they were holding it....one from the top and one from the bottom.
However I became completely distracted by the white bone floral pics that I found!
I knew the minute I saw them that I would glue these to the frame and paint them black!!!
I LOVE how this looks!!!
I chose to use the original matting.....and just added a hand drawn spider web with a sharpie marker.
The bony hands and a couple of dark and moody feathers added to the top really complete the piece!
The Finished Look: Thrifted Halloween Painting
She looks amazing nestled in front of my grandkids pictures!
It's as if we added a new family member to the gallery wall! Ha!
She's surrounded by my hand painted apothecary jars filled with giant eyeballs and baby doll parts, my hand painted candlesticks, and even my newly hand painted checkered skull with vibrant gold eye sockets!
This collection of whimsical pieces is all part of my Whimsical Home Decor series. See all FOURTEEN Home Decor DIY Project Ideas HERE!
I know many of you do not celebrate Halloween.
I wouldn't say we CELEBRATE it....but we sure do love a good haunted house and reason to wear a costume...and change up my home decor!
AND....my daughter's birthday is on Halloween so it's always been a fun day here!
No matter what....I hope you are inspired to see used, tossed aside, and donated wall art and photos in a new light!
I hope this latest trend opens up your creative mind to see new opportunities to reuse something old and make it beautiful (or at least fun) again!
More Inspiration: Whimsical Home Decor
I have a love for whimsical home decor and find that it pairs well with so many other projects....even this thrifted halloween painting!
Click on any photo below for more up-close photos and all the design details
While we are talking Halloween...this blog wouldn't be complete with a shout out to my (and Matt's) DIY Halloween Coffin. It's full size y'all...and whimsical...and just plain FUN for a Halloween party or yard decor! I hope you check it out HERE.
Click on any photo below for more up-close photos and all the design details
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