life_of_glamour | The Artist in Residence is Bored with This Wall

We've got these high ceilings in our house, and not enough art, so many of our large walls have nothing on them. I've been staring at the large empty wall in our bedroom for almost 10 months now thinking, man, that's a huge space just waiting for some large piece of art, but never finding anything that was 1) a good fit and 2) aesthetically pleasing to us both and 3) affordable.

Well, the last week or so I've been off work, and I'll admit that over the last 10 months I've though to myself several times, "If I only had the time I'd just get a giant canvas and Do Some Art myself for that space." And then last week I thought, "Why bother with the canvas? It's my house." So Monday as we were driving home from a Labor Day BBQ with some friends I screwed up my courage and said to

cathyn, "Would you mind if I did some art on the bedroom wall?" I didn't expect the response I got. I have to admit that because of past experiences (which never seem to go away and haunt the subconscious forever, apparently) I expected a negative or lukewarm response. He said, "Have at it! That would be awesome! Do you want me to drive you to Michael's for some paint, or supplies? Rock that shit!"

So I did. I went to Aaron Brothers (because Michael's is where creativity goes to die) and grabbed about $30 worth of paint pens.

Me: Hi, do you have paint pens?
Young Clerk: Yeah, we have the Sharpie ones here, and back here are the graffiti paint pens...
Me: Why, do I look like a criminal?
YC: Uh..er.. no, um... (panics)
Me: It's ok, I totally am.

Poor kid. Anyway, Aaron Brothers totally hooked me up. And I spent yesterday and this morning making the wall less boring.

I'd approximate that it's about 8 feet wide by 4 feet tall. I know you can't really see the details, it's hard to get it all in one shot and get the details. It's black paint pen with silver metallic paint pen for contrast. I think the silver gives it a slightly ethereal quality, which is great for a bedroom. Anyway, if you happen to stop by feel free to ask to come up and see my bedroom wall if you like. I won't take it the wrong way.

I don't know if it's good or bad, I try not to pass judgement on my own stuff. I just know I enjoyed making it, and it beats the hell out of a blank wall.

The really great thing, other than creating something, was

cathyn's response when he saw it. He was so enthusiastic and supportive. He apparently had no idea I had this in me. I did, but obviously it's not something one has the opportunity to do very often. Obviously, if this whole IT thing doesn't work out I can look into a career as a graffiti artist. I hear the hours are terrible, but the pay is awful.

And of course, I still have the pens so tweaking may occur over the next few...well, until Cathyn takes them away from me.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

emt-hawk.livejournal.com

Looks nice. If you decide you need to do it again and want a clean slate, as it were, I recommend using a product called "Bin" as the primer. One coat and it covers much better than any other paint on the market. It covers soot and testor's model paint.

--Hawk