I am a sucker for old painted furniture with
flowers and flourishes....
In my Massachusetts guest room I have small painted tables
on each side of the bed.
I'm not into sweet and pretty.....
I'm into old and fabulous!!!!!
A little dirty.....
A little beat up.....
Lot's of experience.....
Not that I'm projecting or anything..........
I had these two little tables, and they just fit perfectly into the dormer bay of the guest room.....
I wish I could take a class in how to paint flowers.
I'm a rotten artist, and have
floral painter's envy.
That's a new psychological disorder I just invented!!!!!
I keep staring at these, thinking.....
all I need are the right brushes and techniques.....
SOMEBODY HELP ME!!!!!
I don't expect to be able to paint like the artist on the bookcase.....
But there must be some type of remedial
Betsy Painting Class
out there?????
For this type of flower.....
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Maybe an online course?????
A painting flowers for dummies book?????
On another note!!!!
I read in the Wall Street Journal this morning that floral chintz may be coming back!!!!!
It's about #$% TIME!!!!!!!
These patterns are classics for a reason, people!!!!
I mean....
sheesh!!!!!
The styles of the past few years have really fried my goat!!!!
Pretty is called pretty for a reason!!!!!
Because it's pretty!!!!!
On a different note.....
I'm so pleased you all seemed to like the monogrammed toile apron.
I will only have sponsors on my blog that I would use personally.
So, just a short little post, to make up for the give-a-way blog yesterday that didn't have any of my
fabulouso decorating in it!!!!
Later, Gator
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32 comments:
its called Tole painting and there are lots of places with classes ..
I'm sure you'd learn it quickly.
When I was about 13 or 14 I found a book (and wish I could find it again) about an artist's workshop in Connecticut or Maine where painted furniture was the 'new' thing. The book gave very detailed how-to instructions. My poor mum - when she came home from a trip I had painted all her kitchen chairs using the book as a guide. They weren't bad. After reading your post I'm curious about the book - if I find it I'll let you know.
You made my day. I want floral chintz for pillows on my sofa and I can't find any. I am glad the fabric companies are going to comply.
Look up Donna Dewberry. Her work is very similar to tole painting but, it is called one stroke painting. She has books out and I took a class at joann fabrics.
I have floral painter's envy also! I love your old painted furniture and am with you on the return of chintz!!! Yay!
I've never seen furniture like that, so absolutely pretty!
It's about time fabric manufacturers responded to what we crave. Hopefully, we will start seeing some great floral chintz prints this spring. I'm sure there is a market for it.
Betsy! About learning to paint like that-- you might try your local chapter of the Decorative Painters Society. They will probably have a list of local classes, both in MA and FL. Try their website -- www.decorativepainters.org/. And,I took my first painting class at Scottsdale Community College here in AZ, so you might check with your local CC as well. Good luck with that!!
Priscilla Hauser has wonderful instruction books on Tole and Decorative painting. Many years ago I taught classes and took several weeklong seminars from her in Tulsa, Ok. I even have the Accredited Teacher pin with palette and brush!
Oh well I havent painted in YEARS due to other interests, like custom drapery business, interior design and now quilting. Since I dont work anymore I should open the box of books brushes paints etc from the "good old days"
When I see this type of lovely simple strokework on furniture I tell myself "you could do that" but just have not been motivated, perhaps you Betsy will be my inspiration. I have followed you for many years in Traditional Home magazine, always one of my favorite designers!!! LOVE YOUR BLOG! I blog about my quilts and draperies so your blog is very special to me!!!
P.S. I think the reason you are getting "anonymous" signatures is the SELECT PROFILE box. None of the drop-down selections are appropriate for me...I just have my own email address and don't know what to choose
So it's kind of hard to post comments to your blog but I really really want to!
I laughed out loud about the WSJ article- I read it yesterday too and thought- "When did it go OUT of style?", and then wondered if you would pick it up in your BLOG!. I agree its better to decorate pretty- even my husband agrees. I have a big bolt of old Brunschwig chintz waiting for the next project!
Kris in Seattle.
Sounds like you were given lots of great resources from your other followers. Now for a dose of encouragement...if anyone can put her mind to something and make it happen, it's YOU!
Happy painting, dear Betsy!
I am so glad to hear that floral chintz may be coming back. Just a note about painting - there is a blog called Backwoods Cottage and she has done about 10 lessons on her blog about painting flowers. They started around 9/7/12. You might want to take a look - she is self taught.
Enjoy reading your blog. Linda P. Bakersfield, CA.
Wait, Chintz went out of fashion? LOL, I guess I never got the memo as I still have my cabbage rose sofa and draperies. I love your blog and your style. Thank you for the laughter you add to my day.
Oh Betsy, I have always loved the 30's painted furniture. My grandmother left me an entire bedroom suite of chinese red (Not the style, just that deep...do you remember the color box from Opium perfume a 100 years ago...red with black undertones) furniture with floral painting. I remember 20 or so years ago, when she died, my father going to VA to get it for me and coming back saying "why would you want this old stuff?" Well I'm glad to know I have a comrade in arms...even if, now with unappreciative kids it's scattered in hallways and closets and covered with fabric...just waiting for them to fly the coup and allow me to put it all back together in a guest room. Then they'll have to stay in it because they'll be guests!!! Ha, revenge.
I love the flowers you show here!!! Old is better, agreed! :)
Hugs,
Hey Betsy....When I come to visit Amy in Boston, you can meet up with us and I will teach you how to paint like that....very easy! I started taking decorative painting classes in the 80's and have painted many a rose and flower since then. It is a VERY teachable art form. You would be a natural at it.
Janet xox
The Empty Nest
PS...Hooray for the return of Chintz!!!!!
Oh, Betsy you crack me up! I love that bookshelf but the 2nd pic of the nightstand almost stops my heart........LOL. If you find a easy way to copy the look please let us know. Thanks!
Michael's Arts and Crafts stores have how-to books on that type of painting. It's also called folk art painting. You just need Ceramcoat DecoArt acrylic paints and the right brushes. The books tell you what you need. Someone mentioned Donna Dewberry above, she has a lot of books.
I agree, older is better, lol!
Oh and you don't necessarily have to know how to draw. A lot of those books have the patterns which you can just trace with tracing paper and transfer with graphite paper onto your piece. Easy peasy.
I love painted furniture, especially OLDer painted pieces! Floral chintz too, REALLY...we'll see if it truly comes back. Thank goodness toile isn't going anywhere...love, love, love it!
Hope you're having a GREAT Monday!
Cindy
I also love painted furniture and am glad its coming back into fashion again. In my opinion I think white painted bedroom furniture is the best because it can go with almost any colour interior. http://www.paintedfurnitureco.co.uk/
Oh happy day..chintz on the rebound. What wonderful news! Does that mean we can get rid of burlap and brown leather?
Chintz... oh yeh!!! Also love the tole painting on the furnishings. Love it all!!
Love your painted furniture...a little piece recently came my way and I felt very lucky. You have used my absolutely favorite vintage Ralph Loren print on your dust ruffle, sigh! I am with you where did all of the wonderful florals go and when are they coming back ~ soon I hope.
OH stop it!!! I can't stand it, I love your tables!! I can paint pretty flowers but can't bring things together like you do.............we can't have it all......or can we??
Your Mass. cottage is wonderful, don't you miss it when you go to Flerida??
Just about every type of art is a formula of sorts, it is flair that makes the diff between an artist and a technician and few know the difference. There are tons of books on floral painting, go with acrylics, not oils and have a ball. You may hate the results but most people don't know the difference and will think your flowers are wonderful!!! Go for it!!!
I took a toile painting course years ago, a lot of it is traced, you don't have to if you can free hand, but if not then trace it. You could do it. Loved your little tables and love chints. God Bless, Happy New Years
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I don't know if another commenter told you about Donna Dewberry, I can't draw a stick figure but managed to follow her directions. Look for a direction book at Micheals.
here is a help for the technique.. http://www.tole-expressions.com/tutorials/basic_brush_strokes.html
it just is a hand skill and itcomes by practice.... and the right brushes are important as you said..
I am the worse free hand painter of the world but I once tried my hand at it..
enjoyed it very much..
I was trying to disguise a very ugly shoe stand and to force it to look as a chic dresser - like thingy.. because it was in plain sight..
I even got a vertigo attack trying to paint the bottom front part head down.. but the result was awesome.. so sorry I don't own it anymore..
Hey you do really good work..I love painting furniture...an OBSESSION I would say....your an inspiration
Painted furnitures really looks cool, so unique and of course it is actually one of a kind!
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