Sunday 23 May 2010

Vintage canvas and plastic palettes

I'm holding another workshop at home on Saturday June 26th. This one is making a vintage canvas, which uses the back of a standard wooden framed canvas with a small flat canvas, decorated then wired into the centre space. If you're interested in attending send me an email and I'll give you the details. Here's a few images and details of the finished canvas.










I've also found a use for disused paint palettes. When I hold a workshop that requires the students to use paint, I give them a white, soft plastic disposable plate. When I was cleaning up after one of my workshops I was amazed at some of the colour combinations on the plates. I decided to cut out some shapes, flowers, hearts, circles etc then stitched them onto one of my fabric journal pages. I've been using them ever since. They make great tabs for the sides of the pages too.

Here's an example.



The disused palettes.


The cut out flower.


The flower stitched onto a journal page.


I rather like the look of the next palette showing through the cut out. 
I will probably stitch these two together for another effect.


33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Brilliant! (the canvas AND the flower cut-outs from old palettes). Brilliant.

Jen Crossley said...

Gorgeous Ro you have come to the vintage side LOL.You know I love your colour work as well.

studio pashnada said...

good idea to mount a canvas inside the back of the canvas

also, I've never seen those round texture palettes - they look great all used up like that

Elizabeth Armstrong said...

Ro this is SUPER!
I use paper palettes and I have started collecting them when I am at school after the kids have finished with them! I bought the first batch home on Friday so thanks for the great tip!

Love
Elizabeth

ArtPropelled said...

Great ideas, Ro. I particularly like the back of the canvas piece.

Katiejane said...

What a creative idea! You never cease to amaze me with your imagination and ingenuity. I have saved paper towels that I've used for wiping my brush, but the paper plates are fantastic.
Also, your journal from the previous post is delicious.

femminismo said...

The back of an old canvas is a marvelous stage for artwork. You've done it again with your terrific recycling. And the paper plates are great. I used Styrofoam meat trays as paint palettes, and the same thing happens. They are works of art themselves.

Anonymous said...

Everything has a use! I love your endless recycling ideas with the paint palette plates!

artymess said...

genius ....it's great where inspiration comes from......Lorna

Emma said...

I use china saucers & before I start I wet the old paint & slide it off. Highlighted with gold, I love them.

Your canvases look wonderful, i'll keep a distant eye!

azirca said...

What a great use for the plates... that's recycling at it's best!

Svetlana said...

Ro, this canvas is stunning. If I ever decide to move to Melbourne it would be for arty lessons. Therefore you and Jen would carry part of resposibility. xxx

Jo Wholohan said...

LOVE this Ro!!! So so beautiful and inspiring xx

Corrine said...

Love the canvas, and what a fantastic use for the plates. Lve the journal in the previous post as well.

Jacky said...

Hi Ro, fantastic canvas...love all of those wires, tacks, fabrics etc. and the idea with the used paint palettes is great. Just another personal touch to your journals and classes.

Love the journal below...all of those luscious textiles. Looking forward to catching up at the Bunyip Kitchen on the 19th.

Jacky xox

Julie said...

I wish I lived near enough to come to this workshop but sadly not. I have saved disposable plate palettes too but had never got as far as cutting them up. What a great idea and very effective with the stitching.

Many thanks for your comment on my Sheep Day post. It's amazing how small the world is. I would have loved to have known if I had rubbed shoulders with yor aunt :o)

Kim Palmer said...

Gorgeous canvas Ro, wish I lived closer so I could enjoy the workshop too. Great recycling ideas there, now I'll be hoarding all those old plates here as well, LOL! Hubby's gonna have a fit!

Judy said...

You are so bloomin resourceful

Deborah said...

What a great idea! Your workshop sounds wonderful. Wish I lived closer.

Chris said...

okay, WHAT a great idea. They would make good flowers for a mobile or for a door curtain.

Seth said...

I love the look of the canvas back.

sue said...

Fantastic creativity Ro - as always! Hope you have a room full of merry students who are appropriately in awe of your talents! have fun!

Lovey said...

Beautiful..I love it!

Lovey said...

Ro, this is amazing! I would like to invite you to link up with me at my blog. Come check out what I mean...
http://fabricphotomemories.blogspot.com

Bel said...

What a beautiful piece I so wish I lived in Melbourne to take one of your classes Ro. Your journal in your previous post is the most amazing piece of art, so stunning. You way with colour is very inspiring to me.
Belinda

rivergardenstudio said...

Dear Ro, these are incredible ideas, I love the underside of the canvases! roxanne

Samantha Marshall said...

I just love your canvas. The palette textures are great!!!

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful Vintage style Ro!!!!
I usually use plastic trays that come under meats from the grocery for my palllettes but I just might have to pick up some paper plates for my next class!!! youa re so very inventive and clever!!!!

Mail Art Dramas said...

i love your idea of useing the paint palettes. I just started a blog where i try to recycle as much as possible in my art.

Linda Vincent said...

Wish I could come! If ever I take a trip to the other side of the world I shall make sure it co-incides with one of your workshops!
Just been admiring your fabulous journal in the previous post.....you put so much work into that!!

jackie said...

Nice idea, I like using up all the left over paint etc. Thanks for your comment. After reading the blog of the person who apparently 'invented' the concept of 'slow cloth' I wouldn't dare call it that - I think she hopes to make a lot of money out of articles etc.. Some of us have been v. slow for a long time!!

Heather said...

You have such innovative ideas Ro - the workshop sounds great fun and I love your cut out palette flowers.

Anonymous said...

What a ingenious idea Ro, the back of the canvas, it looks fantastic, so rich and beautiful...The pallete cut-out...you are an inventor...inspiring!
XOXOrly