Sunday, August 21, 2011

Save The Hooters shirts!!!

Michelle Kildow Designs, original artwork, copyright 2011
I am so excited to announce that my designed 'save the hooters' t-shirts have arrived!
Thank you to family and friends who made a purchase/donation.  I hope we can all get together for a group photo, modeling our 'save the hooters' shirts, at Omaha's 'Race for the Cure' in October!

A huge THANK YOU to my cousin, Sara, for organizing this project and so much more!  I am excited to be a part of supporting breast cancer awareness and collecting a donation for Sara's friend, Jennifer- - who has breast cancer.

Didn't get a shirt?  I have big plans for 2012 shirts...stay tuned.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

glass pop bottle vases


I am not a green thumb.  However, after being influenced by my nieces, I too picked up some bamboo from IKEA.
After enjoying a few Cracker Barrel old-style pops in glass bottles....voila!...some new pazazz for my art studio. 

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Recycled art...

I found this framed print, along with another the same size (10 1/2" x 12 1/2"), on its way to the dump!!!  The detailing on the frame and aged-white finish are great.  I thought it would be worth a shot to try to utilize the center portion for one of my paintings.  So, here's what I did.... 

Step 1:  I prepared the center printed area with several coats of gesso...

Step 2:  In between coats of gesso, I sketched design ideas...


Step 3:  Once the gesso dried, I base coated the centers with black acrylic paint.  Using a pencil, I drew the general design onto the black base coat.  You'll notice that I changed the acorn layout a bit once I saw it on the actual piece.  The designs were painted with acrylic.  Once dry, I sanded and stained the painted centers.  Trying something new, I decided to adhere a variety of buttons onto particular design elements.



Step 4:  When the weather allows, I'll spray these with a matte spray to seal and protect the paintings.  The best part?....the existing wire hangers were in great shape so no need for any hardware repair.  Woo Hoo! 

Step 5:  I can't wait to visit my local thrift stores and Goodwill for more framed prints!
I am dreaming of finding some huge framed pieces that I can turn vertically....just right for a tall  snowman....great pumpkin...Christmas tree...saltbox home...weeping willow tree...oh, I can't wait!!!...

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

On my recent trip to Chicago it was all I could do to not walk around snapping photos every few minutes.  There was so much that caught my attention...from the architecture to the signage.  I had a wonderful time and wanted to share a few of the images that made my heart go pitter-patter.





Monday, August 1, 2011

dream BIG


I think my closest family and friends would say I'm an "ideas" person- a brainstormer- a dreamer.  From hosting an annual 'girls swap' to establishing a team for 'Race for the Cure' to getting the girls together to make homemade noodles, my wheels are always turning.
I think this may be why the word "dream" appears in so many of my paintings.  I don't start out with a saying.  In fact, the wording on my paintings is the final detail that is added- if at all.  I guess the word "dream" just speaks to me....what I want for myself...what I hope to encourage others to do...
to dream...
and big!