Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Red Poppy Gourd Birdhouse

This birdhouse was a special order from my blog friend Alice over at Inspired Tokens. She has a lovely blog as well as beautiful ETSY items..... http://www.inspiredtokens.blogspot.com/ .

I've painted this design before and also showed it once on my blog but I thought this time, we could take a look at what the gourd looked like before it was turned into a birdhouse.
At this point, my husband Chris drilled several holes in the gourd, in the top neck section so the gourd can be hung, the bird hole and 3 drainage holes on the bottom. I then sanded the gourd, put sealant on it, sanded again, painted, sanded and painted again. I know, there is a recurrent theme of sanding on this one, for some reason the skin on this gourd was very flaky and needed several sandings.

I've basecoated the gourd with a light green/white mix and at this point, I'm ready to sketch on my design.

After I drew on the design, I started just basing in some of the colors.....looks pretty sloppy, doesn't it??

Because reds are such a transparent color, I basecoated with a mixture of orange and red.

So that was how the gourd all started....now here is the finished gourd. Many more applications of red, orange, fuscia (yes fuscia) were added, to build up the color of the poppy just the way I wanted it.

On this particular gourd, I've used a new mix of orange and yellow for some really pretty highlights. I liked it so much that I wrote it down so I could remember to use it next time I paint this design.

I do that a lot actually and it is a great thing to do whether you paint or are involved in any other type of art form, if you are trying something new and it works, write it down so you remember next time. Funny, especially with designs I paint over and over again, I started out thinking I would always remember what I did....not so. I write it all down so that each new time I paint a familiar design, I pull out my notes and they help me remember what I did before that I liked or disliked enough to write down.

All I needed was a signature and this gourd was done. Alice, I'll be shipping your gourd out at the end of this week. It has one more step to go through, my husband will spray it with its protective coating tonight and as soon as it is dry, it will be in the mail.

I hope you enjoyed the tour of how your gourd was painted!!!!

21 comments:

Alice Regan said...

It's beeeeeeeeeautiful! And, I'm so very impressed with all the careful steps you take in creating your lovely design on the gourd. It's just simply stunning! Since I purchased this for my sister's birthday...I will have to wait until June to let you know the outcome. Though I know she will be thrilled beyond words. Thank you again for creating this wonderful work of art for me!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Ruth, that gourd birdhouse is great! I love it!
Penny

Donna said...

I love it! Ruth, you do such beautiful work. I love unusual birdhouses.
Donna

Charmingdesigns said...

I have never seen a goard transformation so pretty!! May I ask how you go about getting pretty sides to your blog?? Laurie

THE HOME THAT LOVE BUILT said...

That gourd is precious! A very pretty piece of art!!!

Blessings
Brook

Gail McCormack said...

Wonderful idea Ruth, I love your artwork, good idea to write notes on colours and techniques for yourself, I'm the same as you, I think I'll remember for next time, yet never do

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

That is such an incredible work of art! Love that!

Happy day Ruth!

melissa

Anonymous said...

You are so right Ruth. You think you will remember for the next time but you don't. That happened to me just yesterday on a project I was working on. I love the red poppies. How striking on the gourd. My Mom grows poppies but for the life of me I can't. Must be the awful red clay around here. ~ Lynn

roseroomnz.com said...

I did and the end result is gorgous:) Glad you liked my Fiji photos:) Rachael

Charm and Grace said...

Ruth, I absolutely adore poppies. I am so fascinated by the initial balloon-shaped bud and then how the huge flower opens and stands on such a skinny, furry stem. I think they are exquisite and your painting of the red ones is gorgeous! As usual, I love seeing the process.

Blessings,
Christi
Charm & Grace

Maggie said...

OH MY GOSH RUTH !!!! That birdhouse is beautiful. I love how you show the step by step progress.
Glad you finally received the picture frames safe and sound.

Linda O'Neill said...

Really nice, Ruth...I can just see how pretty that would be hanging in a beautiful garden. The birdies would love it!

Suzanne said...

Beautiful Ruth! I always enjoy seeing the process. Thanks for sharing!

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Ruth, Your gourd is just beautiful and I loved seeing your steps to completion. I am a decorative artist and have also painted many gourds. Sure enjoyed my visit of your lovely blog and viewing your gorgeous work.
Celestina,
La Rea Rose

Anonymous said...

Really beautiful Ruth! I love the step by step - thanks for sharing the process!

Manuela

Ruth Welter said...

Thanks ladies, for your visit and sweet comments.

Mark said...

Hi Ruth,
I'm very impressed with that, great to see you recycling the gourd for the bird house, love the poppies to, I bet the birds will be fighting over who get to live in it.

Cheers Mark

Anonymous said...

It's beautiful, Ruth! I can't wait to see what you're planning for that ceiling tile ... ~ Lynda xox

Naturegirl said...

Great job talented lady! I have posted a purple Poppy and in the next week shall show more colors!
Spring in the desert is awesome!!
sunkissed NG

Ruth Welter said...

Thanks Mark & Anna...

Lynda, should be posting pics of my ceiling tin in the next week or so. : )

Mosaic*Queen said...

Off the charts BEAUTIFUL!!!!!
Michelle