She is almost too beautiful!
She will require a very special person and a very special home..... which means I may hold onto her for a very long time until the right person comes along. I have no doubt someone out there is missing her right now and doesn't even know it yet!
If you'd like to create this same look on a piece you currently own.... I've listed EVERY SINGLE product used in an easy "click and shop" section at the bottom of this blog!
If I could give you a window into both my HEART and SOUL..... you would see this.
A world full of dreamy colorful furniture.... both bold and playful.... dressed with ALL my favorite patterns..... dipped in gilded gold...... and sitting proudly on a dancing pair of curvy stout legs!
I spent the better part of my early years trying to be perfect.
What does this have to do with my painting??
Everything...... as I explore new finishes and techniques.
This piece is base coated in a freestyle painting technique that I refer to as color washing.
It is NOT perfect! There are no rules!! It is very liberating for me to be able to express myself in such a way. Just throwing color down and letting it move where it wants to without any form of control! Letting go in the design in that way.... almost makes me feel more powerful than when I feel completely in control. It's the strangest thing! The above photo shows so much movement as the colors combine and marry..... the Plum Crazy moving down into the Blueberry that moves down into the Amethyst..... it just happens so naturally. And check out the Patina reaction on the door hardware?!?!?!?! The patina process is addicting and I highly recommend try it at least just ONCE! If you are interested in learning how it works, check out my patina tutorial (with a leopard pattern bonus)!
I feel certain I will continue to incorporate this style into most of my pieces for quite some time! I put together a round-up of my favorite patina pieces and a video about the patina process HERE.
I must say.... I owe a huge thank you to both Dixie Belle Paint and Redesign with Prima....for helping to feed my creative monster inside with their crazy good products! I just go nuts with their goodies at my finger tips! This whimsical boho gypsy armoire was created using products supplied by their companies. That allows me to stand firm when I say..... they are amazing! It also allows me to recommend them to you with confidence that they will help you to be successful in your projects as well!
I went nuts with colorful waxes on those side panels! I created a raised texture using the Imperial Damask stencil and just free-styled the creamy wax enhancements! I am mind blown at how well the side panels colors blended with the Patchwork furniture transfer on the front panels.... as if they were packaged as a set to be used together! I've listed all products used at the bottom of this blog for you to just click and shop!
Gold! Gold Leaf!
When I die..... I hope Heaven really is lined with streets of GOLD! I used the traditional gold leafing process on all the accents. This is another technique that can be quite addicting. If you've never done it before... I actually teach that in my Metal Leafing class.... and you can purchase that in depth tutorial right here. It takes your project to the next level of drama no doubt!
And STRIPES!
When you have a piece filled with patterns and colors and chaos.... stripes help to balance and calm and ground the piece. I love the addition of the Soft Pink and Honky Tonk Red stripes.... and of course the Drop Cloth and Caviar (black and white) touches ALL OVER! Y'all I teach that too... lol! I think that is why I'm in love with this piece SOOO much - it is a blend of ALL my favorite whimsical techniques.
One last look at the movement between the Plum Crazy and Blueberry above. It just keeps the piece REAL to me. It makes it believable..... by warming it up and giving it a soft and approachable edge..... vs. a "don't touch me I am perfect" vibe. If you like this color washed look as much as I do...... you can purchase that tutorial HERE.
Let's wrap this up with the word LEOPARD. Yep..... just a touch..... goes a long way.
I love leopard almost as much as I do gold.... and I use it whenever I can get away with it. I realize it isn't meant for everyone.... but these are my projects..... LOL..... so there! LEOPARD! (I teach that technique in the patina tutorial as well... bonus!)
Thanks so much for subscribing to my email! I love sharing with you weekly! It's been SOOOOOO hard to not show this to you before today! I look forward to hearing your feedback!
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The products listed here are what I used for this Whimsical Boho Gypsy Armoire! Dixie Belle Paint company offers amazing products that will make all of your projects successful no matter what your skill level! You can also find my favorite products and tools in my Amazon influencer list HERE.
Paint Supplies
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See you next week!
XOXO,
Tracey
