To Build or Not to Build?

Every time I walk into our master bedroom I get frustrated that we don't have a headboard.  The frustration comes from a number of places, the wall looks bare without one and I can't justify spending $900 on a salvaged looking headboard.  That's where the question comes from...to build or not to build? 

I have personally never build anything expect for a canvas and that was a challenge in itself. However, when I makeup my mind about something, you can't change it.  I tend to try and take on things without any experience, I figure that's the only way to get experience is to venture into the unknown.

Yesterday I decided "what the hell" let's look up a headboard plan, trust that it's right and roll with it.  After an hour trip to Home Depot and some measuring and sawing I had begun my adventure.  No blood, sweat, or tears only one thumb smashing and the headboard was built.  Yes, of course I had to crowbar a couple of pieces out but all in all it was a smooth process.  I spent under $100 and around 6 hours on the headboard.  Below are some pictures of the process.  I will be staining tonight and will post additional pictures this week.

Lesson Learned: You can do anything you put your mind to.....It's true.

Van Gogh Art hits the Streets of Fort Worth

A group of teenagers are getting a new direction from graffiti to legal street art.  Fort Worth is getting some street cred. brightening up the walls with Van Gogh and making life changing decisions.

see video here

A glimpse of art on NBC's "Chase"

"Paint the Lies" was used in NBC's show "Chase" to symbolize Daisy's secret past that tormented her on a daily basis. The painting is a facade, a more pleasurable, outward appearance to conceal the secret that is eating Daisy inside.

                                            "Chase" - "Round Up" can be watched here

"Paint the Lies" by Suzanne Swift Brown

Please see the episode called "Round Up" on NBC's site to watch the show.

Encaustic Wax Painting

 encaustic painting by Bonnie Liebowitz

Do you like burning candles? How about painting with wax? I actually have tried to use wax on one of my paintings Thunderstorms in the Forecast.  If you walk up to the painting and smell it you will smell cinnamon apple.  I call it my "scratch and sniff" painting, not really but you could refer to it as that.  However, pouring candle wax on a painting is not exactly controlled.  Encaustic wax is an ancient form of mixed media which Bonnie Liebowitz has modernized.

Encaustic wax painting is a method of manipulating wax on a canvas using a torch like blow dryer. However, the more traditional way is explained below:

"encaustic involves melting wax with a resin to create encaustic medium. Pigment is then added to create encaustic paint. The paint or medium is brushed on when it's hot and each layer is fused to the surface with a heat gun, torch, or iron. "

The Encaustic Center here in Dallas offers many workshops with instructors and materials.  If you are interested in taking a workshop or just a day in the studio with supplies see the links below.

Within Up There
By. Bonnie Liebowitz

The Encaustic Center offers affordable workshops some taught by Bonnie here in Dallas

Another cool website that has weathered, fashioned art is called CherScapes

Thanks,

  Suzie 

Happy Hour Art Show @ JBlacks

Come join a Happy Hour Art Show at JBlacks Feb. 23, 2011 @ 6pm

2409 North Henderson Avenue, Dallas, TX 75206

Can't wait to see you there!

-Suzie-

Aurora 2010

Video by Hal.  Art installation in Pilot Grove Church

Last week I wanted to do something different.  Be outside and not be at a bar.  We ended up going to Aurora 2010 an Arts Festival at Heritage Village.  A number of artist used an array of art mediums to create a trippy type atmosphere.  Walking into the historic village you  are immediately enticed with the neon light installations on the outside of the houses.  The music by the artist kind of made it feel like a surreal Christmas movie, almost creepy walking in and out of buildings from the late 1800's.   

Photo by Alexandra Olivia
Light Installation by David Neale at the Millennium House

In the School House (below) we sat at the desk in the dark listening to a faint tape of children laughing.   There were a couple of interactive pieces that stood out as well, including a fog box with florescent lights.  The elements of fog and bright lights made it impossible to see which created a claustrophobic feeling.  All of pieces successfully challenged each sense.

image from Dallas Heritage Village website

Not only was Aurora free but it was so entertaining, visually exciting.  There were art installations in almost every historic structure, live music, and wine.  I definitely recommend venturing out to outdoor art festivals.

Suzie Brown

SALVAGING JUNK

I love, love, love hand-me downs especially when it comes to furniture.  Something about an old chair, the style, the history, the POTENTIAL.  Mixing and matching antiques with new pieces always makes for a great pair as well as some extra room in your spending budget. I have found that salvaging old furniture is definitely a trend one of the most famous stores in Dallas is Again and Again located off of Henderson. 

Image from Again and Again gallery

So, lets try and salvage some old furniture.  The things you will need include, a fabric of your liking, spray paint, staple gun, hot glue gun, a fabric border, fine sand paper, screw driver, Phillips head and a go-getter attitude. I have seen chairs from elegant (above) to trendy (below)



Image from Blue Artichoke Interiors



1) You will need to remove the screws holding the cushion to the chair.   You can either remove the fabric and use this as your measurement or you can just replace the fabric by laying it over the existing design.  Either way, remove the cushion. 

2)  If the wood needs a little spiffing up, you can lightly sand off any old finishes and place the chair on some plastic in your garage and spray paint the wood, I prefer an off white or a funky color. let the wood set to dry for a couple of hours and touch back over if you need to but let this set for about half a day.

IN THE MEANTIME....

3) remove the seat from the chair and with a screwdriver remove the staples or tracks holding the fabric to the seat board.

4) Cut some sheets of battling to fit the wooden seat (depending on how soft you would like the seat).

5)  Cut the fabric 3 to 4 inches larger then the seat to fit over the battling, than place your cushion on the inside of the fabric and begin wrapping it like a present.  Staple in the middle of one edge, as well as the opposite side by pulling the fabric.  Continue stapling all the way around

6) Once the wood is dry and the fabric is firmly attached to the seat, insert the piece back in the opening and replace the screws that you removed earlier.

and Marvelous!

Image from Ette Studios

Thanks,

  Suzie