Tuesday 18 January 2011

New Chair

I've been busy getting ready to teach a workshop this weekend, so my journaling a day has missed a couple but I managed to get one page done today. I also revamped an old chair I have in my studio. This is the result.


This is it finished.


This is what it looked like before I started. I was going to cover it with fabric but then decided to paint it. If it didn't work I could always go back to idea one and cover it with fabric.


I painted it with gesso and then attacked it with acrylic paints and just kept going. 


I seem to be obsessed with circles. I spent a day in Elizabeth's studio last Friday and we decided to do a two person version of the painted canvas that I made with my art group. This time we worked on our own canvas whilst we listened to music, at the end of each song we swapped canvases, it was great fun.


This is my piece in progress.


These are our finished canvases. The top one is mine. Elizabeth developed a tree in mine which was wonderful, I loved that idea so added two more, she also added a cute little bird, bottom left, so I added one at the top right. Elizabeth's was a beautiful swirl of colour, very much like lollipops. It was a great day and I can't wait until we can do it again.


My journal spread.



Close up of the painted page.

I'd also like to send out best wishes to all of the people in Victoria now who are suffering from the floods. They have covered over a third of our state. They say you get what you ask for and for the last ten years we have suffered severe drought, so much so that people have been asked to pray for rain, well it worked, well and truly, more than we can handle. 

I'd also like to thank Angelia at 



She very kindly did an interview with me about my life and art, if you'd like to check it out click on the link above.

19 comments:

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

Ro what a fabulous chair, that would cheer anyone to have a seat on it. Love the huge canvases you and El created, the colour and movement! I can easily see your journal become part of an exhibit of your art, beautiful. Now I'm off to check out the interview.

Healing Woman said...

There is hope for my studio yet! Your chair turned out spectacular. It is hard to believe the transition came from just gesso and acrylic. Wonderful creation.

Heather said...

Wow! I love what you did to your chair - so inspirational and invigorating. Love the canvases you and Elizabeth painted and your journal page is beautiful. I enjoyed your interview with Angelia. The people of Victoria are in my thoughts and I do hope conditions improve for them very soon.

Terri Kahrs said...

Awesome eye candy in this lovely post, Ro! LOVE the chair AND the canvases - not to mention that beautiful journal spread. Hugs, Terri xoxo

Elizabeth said...

Your chair is fabulous !! I would suggest taht you coat it with non yellowing polyurethane or hard finish acrylic sealer as this will help it last thru lots and lots of seatings!!!!! It will be the other star of your workshop besides you, of course. Your work with Elizabeth is fabulous. We are forming a small painting group now!! Big Hugs!!

Julie said...

Your chair is fabulous! What a joy to sit on it every day and constant inspiration! I think I will have to try this with a black suitcase of mine, maybe then I'll be able to find it in the baggage hall! ;-) Your painting to music sounds great fun and the results are gorgeous!

Jen xo said...

i just love your chair, it looks so cheery and colorful that it must be very inspiring...
at first i thought it was covered with your painted cloth but i love that you justy painted it...

the flood crisis just seems to go n and on and i suspect the aftermath will too...

ArtfulLee Designed said...

Wow, what transformation. I just love it. What a joy to sit at a desk with a chair like that.
Your collaborative art is fantastic and your journal spread is really lovely
Lee:)

deb said...

Ro you are having way too much fun! Loving your daily journal pages. Fantastic canvases from your play day with Elizabeth. The canvas covered chair is so you, brilliant idea.
Great interview. Ice-cream hmm.
See you soon. Deb xx

Anonymous said...

Wowee, I just LOVE that chair!!! Great design!

Maria said...

Wow, beautiful colorful art! I love your chair and circles. :)

Karen Wallace said...

What a fabulous chair!!!! Hugs Karen

azirca said...

That sure is one fancy seat, almost too good to sit on!

Anonymous said...

always so bright

and cheerful...

Sue M said...

Happy New Year Ro - are you ever going to even have time to actually sit in your chair! You haven't wasted any time enjoying your retirement from the workforce - and I can see your Art career soaring aky high! thanks for your "as-always" inspiration.

Unknown said...

I LOVE your chair!!! What fabulous art you have created!!!

Anonymous said...

Ro, I love, love, love the chair. It is so fun! And the canvases look like something my girlfriend and I would enjoy doing one weekend. Thanks for the continued inspiration.

Anonymous said...

Fantastic and so joyful work. what a pleasure to see. xox Corrine

Robin Olsen said...

Darn--now I'm going to have to go find an ugly old chair to paint. This is fabulous!