Diane M Kellogg
- Feb 28, 2021
- 3 min read

Create

Introduction

I painted this large sign for my art studio. It’s the first thing you see when you walk through the door. It inspires me to keep painting, designing and creating every time I enter my magical haven.

About Effie

I am a passionate artist and designer living in Melbourne, Australia. I specialize in decorative painting, fine art, and mixed media. I have shared my love of art over many years through numerous publications in Australian and international art and craft magazines. I teach at conventions and have conducted decorative painting classes in the community and at major craft shows.

Supplies

Surface:

“Create” MDF word cut out - 30 ¼ inches x 10 ¼ inches – available from art and craft stores.

*Editor's note - Doing a quick search online I found multiple places that will cut word shapes for you.

3 x Kaisercraft 3D Wall Art - Butterfly kits: use the slats only from the kit (put the butterflies aside, you can use these for another project).

Note: You can use balsa sheets or slats from wooden pallets (anything you can think of really) to create the slats for the background. You will need twelve slats in total and cut to size: approximately 2 ¾ inches x 11 ¼ inches.

2 x balsa square rods- 33 inches long (to secure slats)

DecoArt Americana Acrylic Paints:

Warm White DA239

True Red DA129

Primary Yellow DA201

Hauser Light Green DA131

Sea Aqua DA046

Laguna DA350

Primary Blue DA200

blendingOther DecoArt Products:

Americana Multi-Purpose Sealer

Americana Matte Spray Sealer DAS13

Miscellaneous Supplies:

1-inch base coating brush

Fine grit sandpaper or sanding pad

Liquid nails or any type of strong quick-drying glue

Ruler

Foam roller

Paper towel

Water bin

Old round hog bristle brush or similar

Preparation

Apply two coats of Sealer using the base coating brush on all the slats, the “Create” sign, and the rods; allowing each coat to dry and sanding well between them.

Painting instructions

Slats

Paint all the slats and the square rods with two coats of Warm White using the base coating brush. Then, using the sandpaper, lightly sand here and there in an up and down motion to create a distressed look. Sand only the front side of each slat.

Next, place the square rods one above the over, leaving a 5 ½ inch gap between them. Begin gluing the slats to the rods with the glue. Place the first slat a little over the edge of the rods, while keeping it straight, glue the slat in place. Keep adding the remaining slats side by side, keeping an even gap between them and secure them in place with the glue. (You can use the edge of the ruler to ensure an even opening between each slat) Set aside and let it dry.

Create

With the small roller apply True Red on the “C”. Add Primary Yellow to True Red and continue with the roller as you move towards the “R”. Make sure the color changes are well blended, so a smooth transformation of color is achieved. You may use an old hog hair brush to pounce where the colors meet where blending of the colors is required. Apply Primary Yellow to the “E”, again paying attention to the color changes. Then, add Hauser Light Green/Sea Aqua 2:1 to Primary Yellow to gradually transform the color to green as you reach the “A”, and then paint the “A” with Hauser Light Green/Sea Aqua 2:1. Next, apply Laguna to the “T”, once again, paying attention to the gradual color changes from the “A” to the “T”. Lastly, paint the “E” with Primary Blue and blend the colors where they meet with Laguna once again to a smooth transition of color.