Hand-Painted Mail Organizer to Stop Clutter Part 2

Posted on August 21, 2017 by Kitty

Well, I finally finished the mail organizer! Last week, I began painting it after my husband did the shop work. Inspiration was a bit lacking at first. I had to watch a couple of videos to get me started, but I think it worked out fine in the end. This one by theartsherpa was so pretty that I had to copy it. One thing about me is that I love bright, vivid colors. So, I went for a sort of bold statement. After all, I will be seeing this every day and want it to be pleasing.

Mail Organizer Part 2

After finishing the floral parts, I began painting the outside of the organizer. Since the sides are symmetrical, I thought it would be wise for me to keep it simple. When I was a kid, my grandpa got a shelf for me that had been painted in a similar style. I know he really liked it and joked that he was the artist. So, in a way, this reminds me of him.

Mail Organizer Part 2

Finished Mail Organizer

Mail Organizer Part 2

Once I finished the faces, I painted the edges a cheery pink color. Then I added little flowers on the side edges in a darker pink. After painting, my husband took it in the garage and used wood glue to lock everything in place. Once the organizer is through drying, I will put it on top of my counter. Hopefully, my three cats will leave it alone once it is in use. They really enjoy sniffing, chewing, and batting at things so it will be interesting to see how they handle the new item.

Hand-Painted Mail Organizer to Stop Clutter Part 1

Posted on August 15, 2017 by Kitty

Mail is one of those things that just builds and builds until it becomes a paper monster. Whether its spam that should be thrown out immediately or dreaded bills that have deadlines, mail must be organized. So, a mail organizer was conceived. My husband came up with a design that would work for separating bills from everything else. The divider of the organizer has a handle for easy pick-up, and the size is small enough so that it doesn’t take up too much room.

Using medium-density fibreboard (MDF), my husband cut out a nice design and the joints. After I drew hearts on the board, he cut them out using a scroll saw. Then he glued the joints together, keeping the divider out for easy painting. It’s always fun to do projects with him, especially if it helps with organization. MDF is a very absorbent material, so I had to apply a white base-coat first.

Mail Organizer Pt. 1 Mail Organizer Part 1

Using acrylic paint, I applied it to all the surfaces except the bottom. In some areas it took two coats, so it was a bit time consuming. The edges of the material were the most absorbent and needed four coats to cover the board well. MDF must always get a base-coat in order for any design to show. Luckily acrylic paint dries quickly, so I was able to coat it all in one sitting.

Mail Organizer Part 1

After finishing that part, I had a little time left over for adding color. I’m still not 100% sure what I will be painting, but it will hopefully turn out well. Maybe something floral, but it will definitely be dainty. When the painting is done, the divider will be glued in the center, using a clamp to hold it in place. I look forward to finishing it and having a pretty organizer on my counter in place of clutter.

Mail Organizer Part 1

First Time Painting Cardinal Couple in Acrylic

Posted on April 10, 2017 by Kitty

Last winter, I became interested in painting again. Nature has always inspired me to draw and paint, and acrylics make it easier for me than watercolors ever did. So, I decided to watch a few videos and tackle the subject of birds. This is my very first painting with acrylics:
Junco in Winter
I used a magazine cover as my subject and sketched by eye. It was a very rewarding experience, and I learned a lot.

Cardinal Couple

A family member of mine requested that I paint a cardinal. I decided to paint a couple in the spring since it’s that time of year. It took me quite a while to find just the right picture. It really helps to have a reference since I am a beginner. I found the perfect picture online from shutterstock.com. I took my time sketching on the canvas in order to achieve the right proportion, which is the most trying for me. This is just a rough drawing that will be a very useful guide.
Cardinal Couple
The canvas here is 8″ x 10″ and triple primed. The first canvas I used is of much cheaper quality than what I am using with the cardinals. Since the surface is primed, the paint will glide easier and coat more evenly.

There are a few more videos on YouTube I need to finish before starting this painting. David Jansen is a very talented artist who has shown me many great techniques. He emphasizes changing tones frequently in the birds so that they appear more natural. Jansen also points out that by painting the sky/light in one direction opposite of the main action really makes a wow factor. Because I first learned to paint with watercolors, his methods make a lot of sense to me. It’s best to work a small painting like this all in one sitting because of the blending involved. Unfortunately, I don’t have enough time or technique to finish it today. At least the first step is done and the ball can start rolling.