Friday

A Funky Floral Mandala Table

How many times have you started out redoing a piece of furniture and mid way through it just completely takes on a mind of its own? Such was the case with this end table, but I know exactly when my creative process changed gears, this one wasn’t a surprise, it was when my wonderful (online) friend Pam from BeColorful, introduced me to the designs of textile artist Susan Sargent. I immediately fell in love with Susan’s bold designs, especially her flower patterns and knew I wanted to incorporate them into the plan.

See, when I had sketched out this piece originally (and I don’t always draw out my pieces first, just sometimes when I’m stuck) I was going for more of a “country” look but then enter Pam and Susan Sargent.


Immediately I incorporated her flower design, (although not exact) onto the side panel (and yes, I actual free handed it!) but in doing so it changed the mood of the entire piece. I couldn’t do the bandana print or the hen; there wasn’t a country feel anymore it had taken on whole different vibe.


The sides looked great, but I was drawing a blank on the top? That’s when the thought of a Mandala came to mind. Recently, I’ve been playing around with Mandalas in my journals. Have you ever heard of a Mandala? I was reintroduced to them through a webpage called Art-Is-Fun where artist Thaneeya McArdle has created fun coloring pages and designs to inspire you (plus, she has a ton of other fantastic stuff too). So, I knew this piece was calling out for a Mandala, not a real busy one, but a simple one, and that's what I decided to draw on the top.


I did this by using tracers. A few months ago while wondering around our local bargain center I picked up this large box of strange sized file folders (really cheap!). I use file folders to make stencils or tracers. I found a small Mandala that I liked in a chunky graphics book I have that I often use for insperation and drew out the design onto a blank folder. I cut them out and then traced them on the table top. I did this to create a somewhat of a uniformed look.



I then colored in the form with the different patterns that I used throughout the sides of the piece, allowing the flowers to become the center focal piece.



I added a swirly handle for extra fun (Hobby Lobby 50% off $1.50) and my piece was finally complete.




I did decide to keep the cow print and the lone star on the back, a whisper of the previous design, plus in some quirky way it worked.



Have you ever tried creating a Mandala? They are so much fun to color! You’ll have to try them out.





Happy Painting,



Mary







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29 comments:

Deneen@dreaming-n-color said...

You are so talented! This came out great!

Scatter said...

I so love your work. I wait patiently and giggle like a little girl when one of your posts pops up in my reader!

I've got an old piece I've been wanting to do...hubby thinks I should leave it alone (value?)

I'll win him over. After all it was my Mom's!!

Thanks for sharing!

Pam said...

I love it That turned out great...fantastic job.

RAS Jacobson said...

As always, you blow my mind! This is so fantastic. Maybe I can figure out a way to integrate art into my writing classes. maybe you can come in as a guest speaker and bring some slides of your process. I feel a collaboration coming on.

The process isn;t so different: pre-writing = sketching
draft 1 = under-painting
draft 2 = detail work
editing = fixing the minor goofs and cleaning things up
final draft = polyurethane to make sure it shines (same as grammar and spell checker).

Sounds like an awesome lesson plan? Right?

Seriously though, I love your stuff. They just keep getting byetter and better!

SkinnyMeg said...

Wow, you are so talented!! I love the colors, so bright and fun!!! I wish I could paint like that :)

Kathy@ Gone North said...

Oh My Word!!!
That is just, just, just, just FABULOUS!!! (notice I stutter in absolute awe)
LOVE every part of it... the cow legs just made me smile...
Thanks for sharing Mandala... I already went & checked out the website... I am going to try this..
Thanks for sharing...
(will you sell it??? )

Nicole@Thrifty Decorating said...

That is awesome! It doesn't even look like the same piece! Thanks so much for linking up to Thrifty Thursday! :)

Monica said...

Dramatic and spectacular. Just love everything you do.

Mary Mollica, Owner & Artist of The Decorative Paintbrush said...

Thank you so much for all your wonderful accolades! They are so much appreciated!

Suzanne@thriftstoredecorjunky said...

OOO!~ L O V E ~ This one is especially bright and colorful...even for you. lol

Ashley said...

love the bright colors:)

Jan at Jewelry4Change said...

Your table is stunning! I've never tried Mandala... this is very inspiring. :)

Unknown said...

I've never heard of the word mandala...I mean I've seen the designs just never knew what they were called. I luv all of the color you use in your pieces!
Thanks for stopping by and following my wittle ole blog!
Kim

Marie B said...

That is soooooooo cute!!

Cassie Bustamante said...

wow- you worked so hard on that table! it's so fun- great job!

Maria said...

I'm completely infatuated with this project. What an awesome job. Kudos to you!

A Sunny Yellow Window said...

Wow this is so cool, bright n colorful! Found yours through Night Owl Crafting. Nice work here!

nicolette {momnivores dilemma} said...

So bold and fabulous!

Thanks for linking to Creative Juice. Hope to see you back again this week...

At The Picket Fence said...

Mary! This is fabulous! You are so very creative and talented. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful project with us at Inspiration Friday!

Heather

Unknown said...

Love it!

Mary said...

Hi Mary, I just wanted to thank you for sharing your table on Masterpiece Monday, and let you know that I featured you on "My Top Ten Fav Picks" this week at Boogieboard Cottage. Have a nice weekend, Mary :O)

Connys Cottage said...

hello,

that is fantastik.....

greatings Conny

Lucydesignsart.com said...

Could someone please tell me how I was not an official follower of your blog? I've given up on google reader, I'm too far behind, but there are certain blogs I HAVE to check in on and yours is one of them and I'm over on Google Reader and don't see you in my line up! what???? anyway, I'm in now, whew! I guess I just keep up with you mostly on FB. Anyway, didn't mean to write a book but I do LOVE this piece!
Oh, and you're a smart, smart girl...I'm stealing your idea of just putting the "day" instead of the "date" on posts...genius! esp for ppl like me that can go MIA on posting! see ya on FB...

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

This is such a charmer! You really did a wonderful job on it- so creative!! Thank you for sharing this at Feathered Nest Friday this week- hope you will come share again soon! :)

Joslin @ Just Batty said...

WOW! So amazing! I love this table and can't even imagine the before and after pictures are the same piece, wish I had your talent.

Unknown said...

I love this so well I posted a note about it on my blog: http://marycartledgehayes.blogspot.com Nothing like a little vibrant, energetic piece of furniture to brighten the world. Great work. Mary

Unknown said...

look wonderful. I would love to try my hand at mandala. I think the cow print worked nicely because of the b and w checkered part and the black rim on top. the top of the table is my fav part. thanks for your inspiration and great info on your process.
KAT

The Splendiferous Life said...

I love this..I would love to try it but it for some reason makes me nervous...you are very talented..

Ashley said...

so colorful..wow i love it:)

xoxo
ash

http://jaysonandashley.blogspot.com/