Friday

Black and Blue

Y'all know I love to redo vintage/used/tossed aside/old (shall I go on) furniture, but on occasion, like we have discussed in past blog posts, I have to do a new piece.

Okay, I can hear the sighs from here! No whining please! Don’t be disappointed in me. I’d actually be lying if I said I didn’t like to (occasionally) do a new piece. It’s fun, to just be able to prime and then start painting, skipping over a lot of prep work. Come on people, you feel me, don't you?

As I’m sure you’ve heard me say a thousand times, I’m Goo-Goo over a little shop in North Syracuse called Fireside Unfinished Wood Furniture. It’s a Mom and Pop shop, no frills, bells or whistles, but that's what makes it great. It’s chuck full of unfinished wood pieces, and everytime I walk in there my brain nearly has a spaz attack over all the different pieces I could paint. No really, I feel faint if I’m in there too long.


So, in my Etsy store I sell a lot of pre-made furniture, because I can reproduce it in a variety of styles for a diverse group of people. I buy several different tables from Fireside actually, that are easy to paint and easy to ship. This little telephone stand (which my kids laugh at because “…Mom, who uses a telephone stand for a telephone anyway? Like, Dugh?”) is one of my biggest sellers. I’m sure if you look at past posts you’ll see the variety of ways I’ve painted this table for people. Its FUN!
http://thedecorativepaintbrush.blogspot.com/2010/10/halloween-treat.html
http://thedecorativepaintbrush.blogspot.com/2010/05/telephone-stand.html

Well, when Leslie wrote me about what she wanted her table to look like I was excited to get it started. I love customers like Leslie (yet, they also make me a bit nervous too) and I’ll tell you why.


Leslie is an artist herself, a photographer and writer. She knew exactly what she wanted. She sent me pictures (of her home, other art pieces in the room). She described the colors to me perfectly, it was wonderful. I had a perfect visual as to what she wanted her table to look like. Then, the excitement turned to panic. I hyper focused. She’s an artist. She knows exactly what she wants! What if I don’t produce it? Aaaaagggghhhh!

Do you notice a trend? Artists are filled with a lot of self doubt? Ask any of us, it’s a very common thing. Whenever we do a piece of art work, in any form, we are putting ourselves out there, openly exposed, naked, standing in open judgment, to be looked at and….okay, I’m back sorry about that, I was on a therapists couch for a minute, anyway, back to Leslie, I just wanted to get it right.

Later that night I was painting in my head, as I always do, some people count sheep, I paint, hey, whatever works, right? And that’s when her design came to me.

I’ve gotten in the habit of leaving my phone next to my bed, so when I have these brilliant creative brainstorms at 3:00 am in the morning I don’t have to run to the bathroom (with a flashlight and sticky note) and scribble it down, I just grab the phone, let the glaring light burn out my retina, and (with only one eye open under my covers) I type in what I’m thinking. Once the image/idea is out of my head I can go to sleep. So, after I regurgitated this idea from my brain I fell asleep. Got up the next day and started painting.

This piece came together fast after that. If I’m going to be honest, in the past, the thought of putting black and blue on the same canvas would have freaked me out! I think that was what was holding me back. But lately, especially after this breakthrough, it’s really been working for me. I’ve actually used it in a couple of upcoming pieces as well, and I really like the look. Funny, how your color palette changes over time, kind of like your taste buds? I hated seafood growing up, pregnant with my daughter, couldn’t get enough of it, now I LOVE IT! Life is CRAZY, isn’t it!

Leslie loved with her piece by the way (“Few!” She said, whipping her hand across her brow.) If you get a chance you should check out her websites http://www.lesliecarolwood.com/ http://www.gosoakyourhead.com/. She’s got some really interesting and inspiring things, I’m sure you’ll enjoy them.



Happy Painting!

MARY




http://www.skiptomylou.org/

24 comments:

Pam said...

You had NOTHING to fear! You did a fantastic job.

Amanda said...

Love this fun concept!

DANA said...

Hello! I was browsing around to find some great new people to join my linky parties, and I am now your newest follower! I would love for you to come join in and don't forget to enter my $250 giveaway while you are there!
DANA
http://danajeanward.blogspot.com

Debra@Dejarenew.blogspot.com said...

So funny you said that about the artist thing and the panic. I literally have the same thing. I am glad its a common thing. I have had people ask me to paint walls with some are for them murals I guess. Or sports logos. Or a painting. I get scared every time. ugggg lol...Deb

taradara made it said...

You did great! I love swirly-q's, so you had me instantly!!
Great job!

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

mary-- I love the design and colors! I do some of my best thinking in my almost sleep.
thanks for linking,
gail

Anonymous said...

You, my dear, are my kind of painter! Such beautiful colors, whimsy, and pattern. Each piece brings a bit of personality and fun to life. I look forward to following you, my new friend! Please visit me. I would love to have you follow in return.

Katie @ EyeSpyDIY said...

How cute. I love the color choices!

Nicole@thiscreativeadventure said...

That turned out great. I can do some crafty things but decorative painting is not one of them. You are really talented!osessal

The Splendiferous Life said...

I love this...I have so many things I wish I could paint like you with...

great job.

sherry
http://splendiferousgirlsclub.blogspot.com

Catherine @ Cat on a Limb said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your sweet comment!

It's funny that I visited your blog and this was the first post I saw, since I recently picked up a table that looks nearly exactly like this one (the before picture). So funny!

Your work is amazing! It's so fun to browse through all your posts and see all the designs and fun colors. Great work!

Corinna said...

this is gorgeous!

Kim @ A Brush of Whimsy said...

Wow, Mary! You do amazing work! :)

Boogieboard Cotttage said...

Wow, nice job on your table, you're so talented! Thank you for linking to Masterpiece Monday! Mary :O)

Mandy Beyeler said...

Thanks for linking to Take-A-Look Tuesday over at Sugar Bee Craft Edition - I featured you today! Mandy, www.craftedition.blogspot.com

Johnnie said...

I adore your creations! You are featured this week! Come check out week 7 of Thrifty Thursdays. Blessings!

Johnnie

Anonymous said...

Love your designs, they are so eye catching!

I'm following your blog, facebook and twitter through the blog hop :)

~ Stacey ~

Mom's Daily Insight PR
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Anonymous said...

Wow. I just found you via the Domestically Speaking blog party, and holy moly I am hooked! I believe I just spent 30 minutes to an hour devouring your entire blog, back to front. I kept thinking of my friend Pam from Becolorful, and thinking to send her your link because she would love you as much as I do, and lo and behold, she's already a follower.

You referenced the fact that you get the credit for the "pretty work"... and while I am definitely intimidated by anyone that can do the amazing woodworking that Maggie does, your "pretty work" is definitely stunning. The black and blue table caught my eye (kind of like lightening hitting a transformer!) and the energy from the colors and patterns just kept coming!

Thank you for sharing both yours and Maggie's talents, and I am so glad to be able to follow you both for so much inspiration!

Hello Jessica Lynn said...

Wow!! Very creative!!

I am blog hopping today and thought I would stop by your blog.

I hope you will stop by and follow either or both of my blogs.

Jessicas Lil Corner is my family blog at http://jessicaslilcorner.blogspot.com

So Stylilized is where I am currently offering FREE custom blog designs at http://sostylilized.blogspot.com

Have a very blessed Thursday!! :0)

Debbie said...

New follower. Love your work! Enjoy the day!
Debbie from nofiltermom.blogspot.com

Holly Lefevre said...

I like the colors and the fun spirit of this table. I need an unfinished furniture store - all of ours have gone away (sad). Thanks for linking up to tickled pink. I am a new follower!
Holly
504 Main

Barbara K. said...

Wow! the table looks great :-)
Barbara

nicolette {momnivores dilemma} said...

I love your sense of style...all of your pieces really are cool...

Thanks so much for linking to Creative Juice Thursday!

Can't wait to see new pieces of furniture from you in 2011...

Be Colorful Coastal said...

Of course I love the piece but I was for once more interested in the text. It's like you were in my head. I paint in my head to go to sleep to! I didn't do that until recently. What is that?
Pam @ BeColorful