Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Artsy Cherub Urn

Yesterday, my mood was subtle.  Today, I was definitely in an artsy mood when I finished this urn. It's nearly three feet tall, and I love the cherubs.


It's made of fiberglass, and had a hideous straw like finish when I found it. Take my word for it. I was in such a hurry to get at it, I don't have an absolute before. I knew I would finish with white, but I wanted a multitude of layers underneath to give it depth and texture. I started with black gesso,


Followed by white gesso for extra texture. After that, I applied layer after layer of watered down paint in a sloppy irregular pattern. The colors I used included blue, terra cotta, and deep mossy green.

I finished by brushing on watered down white gesso. I let it drip in spots, and dabbed with my brush in others. Here are the results.












One last artsy shot.



Time to call it a day.  I'll be sure to share where my mood takes me next.

Sharing With:
Sassy Sites: Trash 2 Treasure Tuesday
Southern Hospitality: Thrifty Treasures
Between Naps On The Porch: Metamorphosis Monday
Debbiedoos: Newbie Party
Homemaker On A Dime: Creative Bloggers
Under The Table and Dreaming: Sunday Showcase
Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Nite Special
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Common Ground: Vintage Inspiration Friday
Chic On A Shoestring Decorating: Flaunt It Friday
At The Picket Fence: Inspiration Friday
Faded Charm: White Wednesday
The Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home
No Minimalist Here: Open House Party
The Shabby Chic Cottage: Transformation Thursday
Passionately Artistic

33 comments:

  1. This is lovely! I've never used gesso but it is on my to do list!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Stunning as always! It's a pleasure to visit your site...every time:)
    What a talent!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This urn turned out beautiful! You do a fabulous job and I'm going back right now to check out more of your posts:-)

    xoxo
    Kathleen

    ReplyDelete
  4. Very nice! That make a great table now!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Simply beautiful--love the effect of all the layers!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Rosemary I look forward to every post to see what you found. I am an urn addict and this one is very special. I found a garden ornament from cement that I am going to experiment with this weekend if i get a gap.

    Veronica
    www.tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Extraordinary! I am always amazed at your work.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Absolutely BEAUTIFUL...looks like something we'd see at the louvre!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Beautify layered effect Rosemary! I think the urn has so much more texture & character now.
    Inspired by you, I 'gessoed' a clock yesterday. I think it needs more layers (I only did 2 gesso layers), so I may add some watered paint & sand it a bit. I'll show you the result (if it is presentable). Your pieces always come out terrific!
    - Susan

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful Rosemary!
    What a center piece to any home!
    I would be using it for a holiday tree or wedding with tall branches and little twinkle lights in them!

    So enjoy your beautiful works of art, we could have so much fun painting could we not!!

    Thank you for visiting your visit is treasured :)
    xoxo
    Dore

    ReplyDelete
  11. Another drool worthy project Rosemary! Love it! Vanna

    ReplyDelete
  12. It's hard to believe this is the same piece...a real trash to treasure makeover.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Omygosh...this is amazing, girl. I love it.
    Thanks so much for coming by today..I love your blog and just signed up to follow.
    Can't wait to see some more of your pretty blog.
    xo bj

    ReplyDelete
  14. Bee-u-tee-full!! You are crazy good with those products and supplies. Love the top treatment from the last post.
    Rhonda

    ReplyDelete
  15. I am with Jan, using gesso is definitely on my list of things to do. You never cease to amaze me. Now I reflect on the number of items I walked away from that I could have jazzed up with gesso. Okay moving forward. I just love all that you do.

    Paula

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is wonderful. I am going to have to try more with gesso and try it in different ways. I really like how this turned out. Thanks for linking it up at HSH!
    Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  17. The certain went from an ugly duckling to a swan, Rosemary. Beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Rosemary, The urn turned out beautiful! I love to see your paint transformations. Thanks for joining my party and have a great weekend.
    xo,
    Sherry

    ReplyDelete
  19. The urn turned out just beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Stunning! I don't know how you do it...uhm, ok, I know you explained how, but still, it looks and sounds difficult .
    You are a very talented lady..

    ReplyDelete
  21. I will never cease to be amazed at how you take something that looks like nothing, really, and make it SO DARNED GORGEOUS! I think you have magic hands! The detail that comes out when you are done with a piece is simply amazing ...

    Best,

    Kimberly

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love painting those old gold cherubs to make them look shabby, so I really like your urn. I've never used gesso, so thanks for showing how it works to make an aged look. Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  23. omg omg, I would luv to be able to do this, I have way too many urns crying for this..
    You are featured this week at

    http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/07/american-pickers-with-linking-party.html
    Thank you for joining us every Wednesday :)
    Maggie
    http://passionatelyartistic.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Rosemary,
    I absolutely love it! It turned out gorgeous. I just found your blog and can't wait to see more. So off I go :-) Have a wonderful weekend.

    Your Newest Follower,
    ♥Ana~A Petite Cottage

    ReplyDelete
  25. wow Rosemary, this is fabulous! I agree it looks like some kind of French antiquity, thanks for linking up with VIF, xoxo Debra

    ReplyDelete
  26. Roosemary!
    You once again have amazed me.
    I am hoping my daughter will take the drive out to Barrington with me in the morning.
    So there is a good chance I will get to meet you, the artist, the famous Rosemary, in person!

    I cannot believe this was a black fiberglass urn. It now looks like it is a 100+ year old relic!

    How do these finishes hold up outdoors? I love what you do.
    This is one of my faves for sure though!
    xx
    Alison

    ReplyDelete
  27. That turned out gorgeous! Love your style and technique! this finish would also be perfect for my french country figurines (see my post) hmmm, now I'm really undecided! I can see I'm going to have to go looking for more projects!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Beautiful Rosemary! Oh I do hope you and Alison get to meet. How cool would that be!!!

    Hugs,
    Dee

    ReplyDelete
  29. So beautiful~ your treasures are always so pretty! Love how this turned out! Thanks for sharing at my party! :)

    ReplyDelete
  30. Not only a pretty post to look at, but I loved that you shared the steps with us. I'm always astounded by true artistry.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love your project. I recently did a fiberglass urn and loved making it look like an iron urn painted and left out to weather. I can't wait to try your finish : ) I just subbed by e-mail so I don't miss a single post. I came to you via Carol of The Polka Dot Closet.

    ReplyDelete
  32. I have an urn about the same size but I sure wish it had cherubs on it...May I could break the pot that I have with cherubs on it and maybe glue the broken piece on and try your method....what do you think? Wish me luck....Thanks for the inspiration :)

    ReplyDelete

I love your comments, and would love to reply if you have a question. Please make sure you are not a No-Reply comment. I can't respond if you are. If you are not sure, read my post "No-Reply, Noooooo", or send me a regular email. Thanks so much for your readership. I appreciate each and every one of you.