Saturday, March 5, 2011

Knock Off or Knock It Off #2

Copycat Crafts
Call it ICTMTM ( I Can Totally Make That Myself) Inspired By-itis or Knock Off Fever, all of us creative types have it in some form or another.

I had fun with my first real knock off piece that even got featured over at Copy Cat Crafts, it emboldened me to try again. I may have exhausted my skills!

This time, the inspiration came from Ballard Designs. Both in their current catalog and on their website they have several pieces of abstract art, either paintings or digitally printed glicee prints…and they range from $249 to$459. GULP. I can’t draw to save my life but these aren’t still lifes they’re abstract so no one can tell me that my apple looks like a pumpkin.

I liked these from Ballard:
Breaking Through II Handpainted Canvas
First Light I Giclee Print
Grey Haze Hand Painted Print
because even though our house isn’t contemporary, these are really muted and I think they go with many styles. And they’re $249-$429!

So, I had a canvas (previous DIY art) that had been hanging up that I was tired of, and I had paint, and I even had some Golden Gel Medium molding paste that I bought for reasons that weren’t clear to me at the time. I think an art store was closing.

I covered the whole thing in black paint, then smudged ( sorry all you Fine Arts people whom I do truly respect) some of the Gel Medium goop all over with a plastic knife. Dried that overnight. Then I started splotching ( another technical term) various paints on. I used a combination of pewters, silver, grey, black, white, gold. Whatever I had wherever it went. Added some silver rub n buff in places.
IMG_5060

IMG_5056
Closeup of the layering of molding paste and paints
IMG_5057
Another closeup from another section

I know the Louvre or MOMA won’t be calling any time soon but hey, it was stuff I had on hand and it works for now. Be honest. I can take it…I have chocolate.
Linking Up At: 
UndertheTableandDreaming






The DIY Show Off
Tip Junkie handmade projects
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27 comments:

jandjhome said...

I think it Looks great. I've been wanting to make piece of art. Ive done it before and I loved it. Great work.

Christine said...

Oh yeah--that is totally art! I really love it. Why is it that we doubt ourselves? I love all of the "stuff" you used to make it too...

Chrissy said...

It's wonderful! I totally like it! Great job!!! Have a fab weekend! xxx

sugar Creek said...

I think it's beautiful! Great job!

Antonella said...

You are much braver than I am - you did a great job... Hugs, antonella :-)

Sylvia N. said...

Looks great! I love the colors and layering. You mitt think about dividing your canvas into thirds visually....if you drop the color transition line down to the one third "line" or up to the two thirds "line" it would follow art ideas or balance...there is sone rule of thirds. Look at the first and third original....they have visual breaks at the one third mark....I don't know if the rules make better art....i think you do great with smudge, smear, and layer!

LuLu Kellogg said...

You totally nailed it. I love it!

What can't you do?

Smart chickie!

Love,
LuLu~*xoxo

Grunged, Glittered n' Branded said...

Holy cow! That looks REALLY good! Awesome job!

Michelle L. said...

I think it's very beautiful - reminds me of reflections of a skyline in water...or maybe a forest reflected in a lake...evocative and cool!

SewHappyGeek said...

I love it, and the colours are amazing! Yours look way better than the 'paintings' we saw at a local restaurant the other night. I swear it looked like an art supply store threw up..
Yours are going to go with anything! Well done!

Erin @ Crafts and Sutch said...

Carol! That is awesome! You are an ART-tist :)

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Carol,
Oh absolutely--yours looks fantastic!!! I LOVE it!!!
TRUE art!!!
XO

Caroline @ Artfully Caroline said...

Love it. The texture is great

Jenn Erickson said...

Wow, I like yours more than the originals! Perhaps the MOMA will come a' callin'!

Vicki said...

Carol, I think that is pretty cool. Great job. Love that you used the paste to give it texture.

Karena said...

I think you are a budding artist!! It really looks great and I love the metallics in it!

Do come and enter my Artful Offering!It is truly beautiful!

xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena

Erin said...

I love this idea! I found your blog at the DIY Showoff. I have recreated a few Ballard Design items but nothing as big as this! You did a fantastic job! You've definitely inspired my newest project!!

I'm your newest follower and I'd love it if you'd check out my site, too: http://stillwaterstory.blogspot.com/

Ann @ makethebestofthings said...

I love your version with the silver and gold and chunky texture. Good job! I do this too, repaint over old thrift store paintings to get the right look for my home. The five paintings over my couch all started as something else! I applaud your cleverness.

Jacqueline said...

You had the guts to try what I have wanted to. Great idea to use an old canvas! I am going to get brave now that I saw yours. Great.

Love the box of chocolates too, wish I had one for breakfast!

The Single Nester said...

You did a great job! I keep photos myself of possible knockoff inspirations.

Lorrie Everitt Studio said...

ohh i love this ... and your colours are great! I know you say that this is a "knock off" but it looks "original" to me!

Athena said...

Looks GREAT!! I had to go back an re-look to see which one was the knock off and if you hadn't of told me I wouldn't have been able to tell the difference! WONDERFUL!!!!

Lisa said...

very nice! I love all the texture you created with the paint!

Holly Lefevre said...

I LOVE it..I especially love how you explained it all so technically :)

Homemade art is my favorite and I think this looks magnificent.

Unknown said...

Awesome Art!! Thank you for sharing your great project by linking up to my blog bash K.I.S.S. @ The Tattered Tag. Please remember tomorrow is another fun blog bash, so drop by and link up more of your creativity! :)

Drop by The Tattered Tag

Jenn Erickson said...

Thank you so much for linking up this post to "A Little Birdie Told Me..." Now that you've delved into large format canvas, I look forward to seeing more of your painted creations! Jenn

Holly said...

I'm impressed! I think it looks fab! I've been wanting to try something like this, but haven't been brave enough yet.