A Little Spray Paint Makes a BIG Difference

I think the love of spray paint is genetic; I have heard numerous stories of my Grandmother, Virginia, wielding a can of spray paint to jazz things up – more often than not it was turquoise, the official color of the Mize family.

Years later I like to think that Ninny would have been tickled by my love and advocacy of spray paint.  I. Love. It.  There have been some incredible technological advancements in spray paint formulas and you can pretty much find whatever you need at your local Home Depot (or Lowes, or Menards) I have become a huge fan of Rustoleum Universal paint: no need for primer and it adheres to just about anything.  I have not yet found a surface to which it doesn’t stick.  And let me tell you, colors GALORE.

A couple of years ago I bought four white frames from Ikea (another passion of mine – love me some affordable Swedish home goods) And I have finally grown tired of the white against our white walls.  If I could paint the walls I would but the historical preservation society would have my head.  Strictly not allowed in our building.  My solution was to paint the frames, have some mats professionally cut and print out some botanical prints.

Take a gander at my painting set up and journey:

I use an old shower curtain liner as my painting dropcloth

If you aren’t painting in your own backyard or garage (always make sure your painting area is properly ventilated) then be courteous about spray over – there is almost always a mist that settles on things around your project. Don’t paint on community grass or near other people’s cars without proper materials to protect their belongings from paint.

Don't restrict yourself - you can paint ANYTHING. These little birds needed a makeover.

Try to follow the instructions - I am too impatient and usually end up with drips

This is an important tip, but I am one to tell you that its not always possible to follow.  Remember that a few thin coats are always more durable that one thick coat (this requires a lot of patience and time, neither of which I have in spades) Let each layer dry for half and hour to an hour before applying the next coat (yeah, right) Let dry completely before you handle the painted piece (uh huh, whatever.)

Cover ALL angles of your piece

It is incredibly irritating when you think you are done with the spray painting process and then you realized that you forgot the entire inside border of a frame.  Be meticulous about covering all angles.  This one isn’t that hard, just do it.

My little birdie buddies in their new duds

I used hammered bronze and glossy hunter green

The glamorous life of an artist. I am literally waiting for paint to dry.

finished frames ... until I repaint them in hammered gold.

After reassembling all the frames with glass, mats, photos, backing and hanging (I have since figured out fantastic way to hang frames in a quad more easily, stay tuned for that) I have decided that the green frames don’t work with my mats and botanical prints.  I will be taking them apart and painting them with a hammered gold paint within the next couple of days…maybe I’ll finally be content then!

professionally cut mats can elevate inexpensive frames to lovely art pieces