Swan Bliss

 

Swan Bliss

I was tempted to title this Swan Lake. Ultimately, I resisted and named it for the client whom it was painted for. During a recent revamping of the home, I painted a scene onto a plant shelf. About 10 years ago I had the pleasure of painting Tuscan Faux Finishes throughout the home. The interior is now under- going a transformation into a tranquil nature feel. The new palette features dusky aqua and blues mingled with cream to rust to various bark hues.

For the plant shelf, the first challenge was the original varnish protective coat. Once removed and primed, it was ready for its new scene:

The central portion features 2 Swans to represent the home owners, who decades later are still sweetly in love.

Keeping with the gentle nature feel, the willow tree seemed the perfect botanical choice to flank either side. The edges of the scene fade out making way for the rest of the rust brown shelf to be painted

in Verdigris. ( I used the verdigris collection paints by Faux Effects )

Typically our SWFL sunsets are vibrant. However, the muted colors of sunset are more fitting 

to the serene feel of the piece:

Here are more paintings created for the home’s new look ( featured in previous articles ):

Looking for the perfect artwork for your home’s interiors…Let Swan Studios Inc create an original piece. Contact me at Swan Studios Inc

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All Roads Lead to the Beach

All Roads Lead to the Beach 

Wherever you may have lived previously, when you arrive in SW Florida, you headed to the beach. Maybe you came from the great plains or frozen north. In today’s art wall the homeowners came from New York and New Jersey. And the beach... well sometimes the beach is very close to home...Very -Very close to home. From the series of privacy wall murals this one even includes directional signs: 

Your rowboat lands you onto your own private beach:

Colorful yet tranquil:

Relax in the shade:

The most requested beach bird. Everyone loves the adorable sandpipers:

Whatever angle you view the mural from, its stunning:

Let’s create your own oasis. Contact me at  Swan Studios Inc

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Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

#happymothersday #happymothersday2021 

Happiness is a Hammock by the Sea

Happiness is a Hammock by the Sea

All you need is a hammock by the sea, a gentle breeze, a good book, and perhaps some sunbeams to heal the soul. Get away from the noise of everyday life and not worry about what day it is. And you can do it all from your very own lanai!  This week’s get away mural features everyone’s favorite napping place- the hammock. 

The hammock is painted as blue and white stripes to coordinate with the lanai's royal blue trim work .

I love this angle

The tranquil scene is now the back drop for evening cocktails:

A previously painted mural ( not by me ) had been painted with the wrong kind of paint . And well, here's what happened : It disappeared !

Yes are Florida sun is brutal and over time will fade just about anything. But using quality exterior latex and exterior grade acrylics will allow your mural to be enjoyed for many years. 

Let's create your own get away mural created. Contact me at 

Swan Studios Inc

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Extending the Great Outdoors

Extending the Great Outdoors

The world is a beautiful place especially here in SW Florida. Thousands arrive every week to spend a few precious moments basking in our glorious sun, doing rounds of golf on our greens, and just listening and watching all our incredible birds. Lanai life is common. Why be cooped up inside when you can splash in your pool or eat your meals outdoors.  Of course, homes have to have walls. But they don’t have to be plain. Instead, they can be an extension of what you already love. You’ll love the results. Just take a look… 

Before and After: 

The door frame around the glass etched door is painted as well so that the frame work isn't distracting. 

The trellis gives a 3d effect:

The grass line in the mural mimics the grass line at the waters edge as you look out onto the golf course:

For add fun, the foliage is painted beyond the mural wall section:

Mural work wraps you more of what you love. Contact me and let's create your own unique sanctuary.

Contact Swan Studios Inc

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Happy Earth Day

#happyearthday #earthday 

 

Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend

 Every girl loves diamonds! The more bling the merrier. ‘Cuz, it don’t mean a thing if you ain’t got that bling! I’ve created some spectacular and sparkly faux finishes over the course of my faux art career but this one takes the cake. A furniture piece that is metallic and heavily embellished with rhinestones. (Okay the title says diamonds and anyone willing to pay for real diamonds for this much embellishment is welcome to call me- Let’s do it!)

How it’s done:

1)      Select a piece of furniture that you love the shape of. The finish doesn’t have to be perfect.

2)      Sanding may be necessary to remove any old varnish.

3)      Be sure to wipe it down with denatured alcohol to remove the grime.

     4) Use a primer with a great grip. I’ve fallen in love with Valspar Bonding Primer. It dries quickly, gives a great white out coverage, and grips like crazy.

5)      Use a base color coat based on what you ultimately want the metallic to look like. For this I used a warm soft grey. (Remember metallic paints will reflect from the back side as well. Do a test on a board to be sure first)

  6)      I call this “Base coat 2”, a metallic paint coat. I typically do two layers to ensure it lays the way I want it to. Confession, no one had the exact shade I wanted. I wanted somewhere between Champagne and Silver but not quite what Modern Masters calls Warm Silver. That was too heavy a color. I ultimately mixed up my own color.

7)      Metallic Foil. In this case I used silver from Faux Effects. Heavily.

  8)    Seal the furniture. This is especially important since it will be touched every day. I’m a big fan of C500 urethane. It doesn’t yellow.

 9) The next step is the most tedious. Place the embellishments where you wish. I was fortunate to come across Michael Richards iron- on rhinestones that come in strips. It took forever to get enough though. Seems Covid was holding up production and shipping. So, patience is a must. Additional corner rhinestones were ordered through Dream Time Creations. They have a world of gorgeous embellishments. Be sure to use flat backed. The larger upper corner pieces that are surrounded by small rounds were ordered through Glory’s House. I tested several embellishment adhesives, and, for me, Arleen’s jewelry adhesive worked best. It’s available through Amazon and Michaels. The thin tube tip gives control. It dries quickly and holds strong. Again. use patience because it grips hard so you have basically only seconds to move things around if need be.

10) Place rhinestone hardware knobs and handles.

  And now here it is in all its blingy sparkly glory: 

Have a furniture piece that needs a sparkling lift? Contact me at Swan Studios Inc

Here are some more glistening furniture inspirations I've created 

"Glitterized" jewelry armoire:

Faux marble table top with metallic gold veins and pixie dust:

Metallic distressed finish:

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