Stepping Out

Where to begin?

OK.  Well, how about here?  May I present to you,  my beautiful dresser.Corner

This was one of the first image transfers I did.  It’s called ‘Bath of Psyche’ by Lord Fredric Leighton.  I love the romantic style of it; mainly, because I love the female form.  This is a depiction of Psyche getting undressed to bath before Cupid arrives.  Obviously, Cupid likes sweet smelling ladies.  Cupid would hate me, especially when I get enthralled in painting that I don’t have time/ or the interest to shower.  It would never work between Cupid and I: He hates smelly chicks and I don’t care for wings on my man.  Cupid and Psyche

But, back to the dresser.  I was really really happy with how it turned out.  I had painted the main body in Arles Annie Sloan Chalk paint.  I wanted a really decadent look, so I gold leafed the drawers and feet.  It was beautiful (or at least, I thought it was beautiful).

‘Cept no-one bought it.

Even the store that carried some of my pieces wouldn’t take it because it had naked titties on it.  (What!).  I have to be truthful here: this piece really made me scratch my head and wonder if I was on the completely wrong track.  I just, very naively, thought that everyone appreciated classical paintings.  Nope.  Not true.  Especially on furniture.  Bugger.

baby faceRather disheartened and with a slight ‘Suck It!’ attitude towards the world,  I filed my dresser away in the garage in the pile of ‘Under-Appreciated’ pieces.  And I went on living the good life.

But.

But, recently I’ve started to think about materials and finishes and realize that perhaps it’s time to step out of my comfort zone.

So.

I’m stepping out.

I’ve used ASCP for two years now.  I know it.  I know how it reacts, I know how to manipulate it.  I know it so well, that I’m concerned I will get complacent with it.  I can paint with it blindfolded.  That’s good because it doesn’t take a lot of brain process for me to come up with a finished piece; but it’s also not good.  I think the natural psyche of most people (especially creative people)  is the need to explore; to try something different.  And that (the need for new) is the part that seemed to be missing for me.

So, I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone.  Yippee!!! What’s the worse that could happen? (Please let’s not go there).

I brought out the dresser (again).  And I had every intention of painting over Psyche.  Maybe move her to the front.  Maybe just banish her forever – the little harlot, hanging out with winged young men.  eightBut then I looked at her, and she was beautiful (because of/ and regardless of her naked titties) and I knew I just couldn’t get rid of her.  People are going to have to embrace having titties on their furniture.  It’s just that simple.

I did know that, while I couldn’t get rid of the image, I did want to change the finish.  I had done the image transfer long before I had discovered crackle.  So that needed to be done. And I wanted a different paint finish.  Having researched in great length the different properties of various paints (OK, I basically just googled ‘different kinds of paint’).  I decided on Maison Blanche Lime Paint. It seemed the most ‘authentic’ for the image.  And it is a new line that they’ve just brought out.  And I had never tried it before.  Perfecto

But here lies the problem.  If you look on social media, there isn’t that much on Maison Blanche Paint Company.  I don’t quite get that.  I haven’t found any groups to ask advise. My friend, Cortney, sells the paint but other than her I’m at a loss.

My formal training consisted of watching this video on Youtube.  It seemed easy enough (said the actress to the Bishop).  In a nutshell, you brush it on and let it dry for 20 minutes. Then the fun part.  You play (manipulate) it.  My lime paint is called Petite Chateaux, a very classic grey.  Then you can buff it up, and for some reason, that changes the color of the paint in areas – adding to the character.   Once it’s fully dry, you can distress it and wax it. Easy.

 But the finish.  The finish.

Five

 tenThat’s real shine.  No filters.  The finish is smoother than my husband’s pick up lines.  You can still see some of the Arles underneath (which was intentional).  I buffed the lime paint, painted a thin stripe of gold down each edge, put a coat of wax over it.  Buffed it again.  And Ta-Da!

Front

Nine Three TwoIt turned out so beautiful.  It really is hard to describe the final finish of this paint.  And the photos really don’t do it justice.  The ‘official’ name of the product is La Chaux French Lime Paint.  And, naturally, it’s one of the most expensive products that I’ve got (figures).  But, I know I need more colors and it’s worth every stinking penny.

So ‘Comfort Zones’ are nice.  They’re warm and fuzzy.  And we all need our comfort zones, at times.  But sometimes,

just sometimes,

stepping out of them is so so exciting!

jumpingOffCliff

{insert catchy ending phrase here}

Diane aka The Paint Factory

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13 thoughts on “Stepping Out

  • February 12, 2015 at 9:25 pm
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    I love it…I love how you write, how you paint, how you bring life to your work. You are the total package and I am probably a little jealous. I will never be in your league and that’s okay. It doesn’t take away from the thrill I get seeing your work❤️

    Reply
  • February 13, 2015 at 11:25 am
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    I, too have found myself wanting to take “the next step”! Thank you for posting this great tutorial. I love your mix of different drawer pulls and the frame within a frame, in addition to your finishes! Very inspiring!

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    • February 13, 2015 at 11:28 am
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      Thanks Melissa! I think it’s just a natural step, right? I’m excited about trying new products 🙂

      Reply
  • February 13, 2015 at 11:35 am
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    Great post, just what Psyche needed. and maybe me too. And inspiring, you’ve got me thinking girl. All those things you said about knowing it so well you could paint with your eyes closed. I can so relate:) May be time for me to move out of the comfort zone too.

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    • February 13, 2015 at 11:47 am
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      oooh! Can I give you a push? Please, let me be the one to push you. It would be my honor 🙂

      Reply
  • February 13, 2015 at 12:04 pm
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    love Maison Blanche. I live in Michigan and order from Florida. Wish they were closer. Love the dresser

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    • February 13, 2015 at 12:19 pm
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      Thank you, Jill! My friend has a store in California and carries the line, so she’s a great connection for me – in terms of asking questions etc. But now I’m getting ready to put a bigger order in – yikes 🙂

      Reply
  • February 13, 2015 at 3:42 pm
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    wow! The dresser is beautiful! And thanks for doing a post on La Chaux, it’s really good stuff!

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  • February 16, 2015 at 10:05 pm
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    wow, you nailed it once again, and as usual in you subtle persuasive way have me looking into yet another product. As Debbie Tolland said above “maybe i’m a little bit jealous of you” we i am VERY JEALOUS but respectively as always IMPRESSED!!!!

    Reply
  • February 17, 2015 at 6:17 pm
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    Loved your tutorial! I am a Maison Blanche Distributor in Sacramento, CA area, Folsom actually. I carry the French Lime Paint and can ship to anyone through USPS. A couple things to know is that you have to have an acidic base before applying the Lime Paint….a chalk paint base. That means you have to have a coat or two of chalk paint down before using the paint. It is very easy to use but you have to allow for the drying time…you can expedite by using a hair dryer as we do in class (trick). You can also mix two colors for an incredible effect! In class we use 24″ round plywood 1′ thick boards from Home Depot. You can practice on one to get the hang of it and then have a great tray afterwards. Don’t be afraid to play with the product with your hands and a plastic trash can liner bag, not a grocery store bag….just kind of smoosh it together…
    Your piece turned out fantastico! It must have been hard to cover over your original work…I thought it was fabulous. Thanks for the great post!!!

    Reply
    • February 17, 2015 at 6:29 pm
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      It was fun to use actually. I was thinking about what would happen if you used two different colors, separately, and then blended them on the piece. I think it would look fantastic!! Glad you enjoyed the post!

      Reply

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