30.3.15

Finding inspirations

I am new to this whole learning about furniture and history behind it.  I have to admit that I started repurposing and painting furniture because I was running out of wall spaces to play with.  There are so many different style of furniture but favorite of mine has been french chairs.  There is something incredibly feminine and regal about them.  I can't get enough of them.  Recently I found a pair of these french dining chairs for $30 at my favorite place in the whole world, The Trading Post.  The caning needed help and the legs need to be reglued but they were just so pretty.  As I was leaving, the owner asked me to take the other two chairs from the set for free.  They were in even more bad shape than the ones I bought.  She said if anyone could fix them, it would be me.  So I came home with all four of them.

 


Here's the deal.  I love to paint.  I have pretty much no problem painting anything...but do you remember I made that promise to my upholstery instructor that I wouldn't paint something if there were over a hundred years old??? Sooooo...these were.  I found out that these chairs were made in the late 19th century French before there was electricity.  They were hand craved out of fruitwood.  I imagine young french apprentices craving out the details and making these chairs by the window since there was no such things as electricity yet.  Isn't that crazy?



As much as I appreciate nicely painted chairs, I am going to just restore these chairs.  My plan is to upholster them in a faded shabby blush and light blue velvet.  I think they will look very nice with the dark wood.  The goal really is to appreciate and show off as much of the details as possible.  Hopefully I will get these ladies done by next week.  In the mean time, I have been doing a lot of doodling and painting.  It is funny because I started this blog to share my passion for art and creativity with other like minded people.  I have to tell you blogging world is a serious business.  I never realized that.  I am in awe of the amount of amazing projects and blog posts people can bang out in a week.  I found myself starting to put pressure on myself to do a project just so I could have something new on the blog.  That is never a good sign.  So I put my upholstery tools down.  Put away my furniture.  Grabbed my camera and had a little photo shoot with my ever ready model, Aurora.


That, of course, inspired me to want to paint something whimsical and springy.  I am not a trained painter.  I have never taken a painting class and it is my dream to be able to really paint.  I have been inspired by Katie Rodger of Paperfashion for awhile now.  She paints the most amazing and whimsical fashion illustrations and she also has mini tutorials on how to paint.  So this is what happened.  Insomnia+inspirations+the girls' Birthday invitations= Me painting on every single envelop.


Here is a magical world where wearing a gown everyday is completely normal.



Everything is inspired by flowers and spending the whole day swinging on a floral swing is acceptable.


You can run down a field of flowers in your ball gown without somebody calling the police.





I had so much fun painting these even though they will be ripped and thrown away within seconds of the kids opening them.  I excitedly asked Bella what she thought of them today.  Her reply was "But where are the ninja dragons??"  : )



Love,
Victoria

24 comments:

  1. awww Victoria they are magical...and you definetly know how to paint. I love the floral whimsical flow of them. It is a shame that they will be torn up and tossed away. Maybe you will paint more as notecards and prints for your new etsy shop. Watercolor is my favorite medium but I have learned to use acrylics like watercolor and I prefer canvas over paper. Keep painting as your heart desires. Happy Spring and Easter blessings to you three xxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kerrie. I want to learn to use water color. I am hoping to take a class this summer. I have been using acrylics just because it is easier for the girls to use too. You have been inspiring me with your art too. Thank you for that.

      Delete
  2. Victoria, don't throw those away. They are just beautiful. Frame them. I am truly amazed at your creative talent. Ever think of turning making some into greeting cards.....maybe even start selling some on Etsy.
    Mary @ Orphans With Makeup

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mary. These are getting mailed to Bella and Aurora's classmates. I do hope some parents will save these for fun. I would love to take classes and improve my skills first. Who knows where all of this will takes me but I am excited to be on this ride.

      Delete
  3. Beautiful chairs. I can see why you don't want to paint them...but they'd be so pretty painted too!

    Love your artwork. So pretty.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Michele. I am so excited for the chairs. I am actually nervous to even upholster them.

      Delete
  4. The chairs are stunning! I have a chair just like that in my bedroom. The cane is a little worn and the seat has been reinforced but I love it! I had a little less respect for its age tho *grimace* and painted it. I don't regret painting it but I completely understand wanting to keep the beautiful original finish. Your paintings are lovely! Your style is just so perfect - I love everything you do!
    Jennelise xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Jennelise! I think the beauty of creativity is to be able to do whatever and where ever our imagination takes us. You have such beautifully painted furniture. I think one of the reasons why I am not painting them is because of the kids. I think the wood finish will withstand dirty hand prints better than paint.

      Delete
  5. Love the chairs and I know you will restore them to beauties. Your paintings are very pretty to and I think they adorable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I am loving all of your spring inspiring painted furniture!

      Delete
  6. Hello Victoria,

    The chairs are beautiful indeed. I don't think there is any need to paint them. A good cleaning and a little TLC will do. It is nice to see that you are respecting their past and their history.

    Your note cards are amazing. So feminine and full of elegance. I would frame them for they are little pieces of art. Your model is adorable.

    Wishing you a great week.

    Janet



    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Janet. The chairs are in pretty decent shape for their age. All of them needed serious TLC but I think it will be worth it. I just cleaned them and wiped clear wax over them.

      Delete
  7. Ooooh, Victoria, you continue to delight us with your amazing creativity and talents!!! Those invitations should be framed...they're exquisite!
    I'm anxious to see those four chairs in all their glory when you work your magic. I just know they're going to be stunning!
    Mary Alice

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mary Alice. I have to admit I am sad to mail them. : ) As you can see from instagram, I am working on three different sets of chairs at once and nothing is getting done yet! Hopefully I can share with you a finished chair soon.

      Delete
  8. Hi Victoria,
    The chairs are gorgeous and I know you will relove them back beautiful. Love your art work so pretty.
    Kris

    ReplyDelete
  9. Victoria,
    I love your whimsical painterly enchanting style. It dances from a expressive heart that flows through your hands. I love both watercolor and acrylic ... Watercolor gives you the opportunity to capture a translucent feeling with colors more so than with acrylics. I do hope you paint some hand signed notecards.
    As far as the chairs are concerned I think keeping the fruitwood with your upholstery will look fabulous. I personally swear by clear Bri-Wax. It's extremely durable and applies with ease. Looking forward to seeing your finished chairs.
    xoxo,
    Vera

    ReplyDelete
  10. Those beautiful chairs are in good hands. I know you will restore them to perfection.
    Your little Aurora is perfection personified. That image is incredible!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love the idea of painting envelopes.The chairs will be even more beautiful, though I already think they are, despite one missing a seat. I love French chairs too. I need to wear blinders sometimes, because I don't have any more room.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Creativity cannot keep time or a calendar, and banging projects out just to keep up with blogging can quickly insult the muse. Just trust in your heart, and blog when you can. We'll be here to see what you'll share next!
    You will do wonderful things with those handcarved chairs! And it's great that you enjoyed creating such wonderful invitations. A little art in every day does a heart good.
    xo,
    Lin

    ReplyDelete
  13. You are a very talent woman! Love your cards - take pictures or photo copy them at least to help you record your achievements. What lucky little girls to receive these beautiful invitations. Your girls are beautiful. I'm so glad you caught on to the dangers of creating just to fill your blog. Life is busy and stressful enough without imposing such deadlines on yourself. I always love to see a post from you but it's kind of like chocolates - they taste better as a special treat rather than an every day occurrence.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh Victoria, you need not worry if the art you are creating and designing is not in you. Everything you Touch Comes naturally to you, and shows up to greet you. You my dear look at a piece and allow it to tell you what it wants to become and this is the beauty of being you.

    I love your French chairs and your inspiration for them will add all the beauty you imagined for them and will delight in your home with your creative style.
    Love those note card envelopes and they are so amazing in presentation that the receiver will be over the moon in its delivery....keep painting, keep styling, keep up styling and keep letting each piece inspire you because you inspire us my dear.

    Beauty and blessing this Easter holiday.

    Xx
    Dore

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Victoria, Your daughter is adorable, and I love her floral crown. The invitations you painted for her friends are magical, there's something so special about receiving a hand made item. I can't wait to see your chairs.
    Sally

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your children are beautiful. So are those chairs, in a different way, of course. I can't wait to see them finished. Keep painting -- I just paint for myself. I am always pleasantly surprised when someone likes them!

    ReplyDelete
  17. You are so talented, Victoria. I wish I had half of your talent! It's good to leave some furniture unpainted, and those chairs are a good example. Your cards are beautiful, even if you didn't include the ninja dragons ;)

    ReplyDelete