Sunday, April 10, 2016

bedroom makeover



Two years ago I decided to paint a giant black and white flower mural on our bedroom wall. It was a really fun project and a SUPER cheap way to transform our bedroom (and our co-sleeping arrangement) into something pretty! Recently I got that old familiar "itch" that I get from time to time- the desire to paint over the wall and update the room.


While I LOVED the back and white wall, for me, creativity (even painting giant walls) is more about the journey than the destination. Oddly, I never get that attached to the things I make, it's more about the moment when inspiration hits and I just need to get my ideas out. It truly is ALL about love and passion for the creative process.


It's been super fun living with the painted wall and I have lots of photos to capture the magic and fun of Lucy playing, reading, and snuggling beneath that wall but I love change (especially with decor) even more! This last weekend I FINALLY had some time in my schedule to paint a new mural. And this time around, I wanted flowers again but I wanted BIG color and LOTS of it! Here is a peek into the process:



Since I wanted lots of color, I decided to treat the wall the same way that I treat my canvas painting- I start with lots of messy color and then I add layers to the top. I purchased a few of quarts of paint and gathered more paint from my stash.

I used rollers and large brushes to get that first layer of color down and the old mural covered up.
Once the color was dry, I used a small brush and black paint to outline all of my flowers. I am most comfortable "free handing" this process- this means no planning, no pencil outlines and definitely no tracing. I typically keep photos of flowers on hand to use for reference but for me, I really enjoy a more relaxed way of creating because I am able to change and alter things as I go.

Once I had my flowers outlined, I began filling them with color. This process takes the longest. The wall is huge which means there is a lot of surface area to fill. The wall also has texture on it which makes painting a little challenging. I worked my way across the wall outlining flowers and filling them with bright contrasting color. I also chose not fill certain areas with color and let that first layer of color show through.
The entire process took about a day complete (on and off painting throughout the day and then drying for a couple of days with no furniture). 

I am totally in love with the end result! I love this wall so much! And while I know the color, pattern and CRAZINESS of this room is not for everyone, it makes me smile because it truly feels like I am inside of a painting.
I also love that for about $40.00 in paint and moving furniture around (free), I was able to totally transform our bedroom into something new!


So there you have it folks! With a little paint and creativity you can transform just about anything!

Ok random stuff for those who will ask:

The wall measures 8 x 12 feet

We used to have a king bed and a full bed pushed together to make one large bed. Now we have just the king bed.

I did not use black pen on the wall for the details and fine lines because a.) our wall has texture and pen just doesn't work well b.) I've found that back pen is really hard to cover up if you decide to paint over it. If and when I decide to paint over the wall (yes it will happen) I know that it's WAY easier to cover up black paint then black permanent pen.

Head on over HERE for some of the best tips I can give for painting big

I also have an online class called Larger Than Life that is a great introduction to getting started creating big!


40 comments:

Sue Marrazzo Fine Art said...

It is Gorgeous!

Unknown said...

Wow! Beautiful!

Krista said...

SO lovely!!!

Jane said...

This is just fabulous x

CeCe said...

Your style is not my style but I adore your art....and the thing I love most...I loved my parents...( I am Old ) ....I was not allowed to sit on my bed as beds were made to sleep in. I could go on but you get the point...smile...I am so jealous of Lucy. You are a great artist mom and I adore you for it!

Fashions said...

This is awesome! Thanks

Özge Başağaç said...

I adore whatever you do :) Hope you have great days and nights in your new bedroom. It is definitely a great spring makeover...

Deniz said...

I am in love with this wall! Love your art.

Rebecca said...

This is amazing, I love it! I really want to paint the wall in our living room now.

Rebecca

Kristen said...

What a great blog post! Complete with video. I can't believe you painted that huge wall in just a day. It's gorgeous and cheerful too.

Susan said...

I love your painted wall! It is gorgeous!! Your daughter was so adorable in the video!

Terri Paulson-Sasaki said...

This is beautiful

Unknown said...

LOVE IT! Wish I your talent. Always inspiring.

astr!d said...

love the mural!! and I love that you show your process, it's really mesmerizing! ***and Lucy's little commentary (she's the sweetest).

Lynnette April Over The Moon said...

Alisa your walls are so Beautiful! You should be painting walls in Store Windows like Antthropologie! I too love that you share your art with Lucy! I also shared my art with my 4 kids as they grew up! I have 4 grandsons and I do art every day around 2 grandsons! Lucy will have a richer live growing up with you an Artist Mom! xoxo

Chenay said...

It's gorgeous! And I love the king bed and full bed combo for co-sleeping, we're currently co-sleeping with our almost two year old in a queen and things are getting a little tight;)

I'm Sara. said...

First, your wall made me tear up. It is THAT good. I have such an "itch" to do the same at home but need to start small (maybe a section of a wall in my craft room) to get hubby warmed up to the idea , lol :) :)

Second, where is your dress from? It is exactly what I've been looking for for an upcoming photo shoot.

xo

peggymcd said...

What a treasure you are. Thanks for sharing and I appreciate how original and inspiring you are. Tell Lucy she is a fun loving creative soul too.

Elise Engh said...

Wow! I am in love with that wall. I would absolutely paint that in my master bedroom if my husband would let me! Maybe I'll have to paint my studio like this instead :)

Jo Murray said...

OMG! That is just the most wonderful thing I've see you do.

Jane Wetzel said...

Thank you for this post and ALL your other posts :) Love your art and just want to pop in and tell you i read every post though I dont comment much.

AlexM said...

You are definitely my creative hero! I would commission a mural for my home if I was living in the US!

kruthika said...

Brilliant color choices, and amazing finish.. I love those tiny flower bits that seem to fly up in the air against a black background - it gives a dreamy feel to the whole piece. If I were you, I would just sit there watching the mural for a really long time.. I was very impatient to see the result of this project of yours when u put up a sneak peak picture in Instagram. Thanks for making it quick :D

I have a question though - do you decide on the colors and patterns on paper before you venture into painting murals of this size? These colors are not too dark, not too bright - just perfect for the eye and I'm absolutely in love.

Sue said...

I love it and I appreciate you sharing your process. You are such a creative and amazing artist. I am always in awe as I read through your blog with not only what you create but how you do it. I teach 4 year old kindergarten and Lucy just made me chuckle throughout your video.

Pat S said...

Alisa, It looks fantastic. Lucy was so adorable and funny.Pat S

studioGypsy said...

fairy.tale room !!!!! :) xxooxox so love it! xoox

studioGypsy said...

oh and lucy!! you are the cutest!! xoxo

Joan Princing Art said...

Oh So Beautiful!!! Absolutely love that wall!!

Brig said...

Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful and I do love the little clips thrown in of Lucy being a movie star! A real cutie. That's the kind of thing my four year old would do ...

Unknown said...

wow!!

bambino said...

I LOVE it!!!!!!

Unknown said...

I'm in love with your wall!!

Mi guerrero y mi princesa said...

Es magia!!!! Adoro tu trabajo!!!

Cori Magee said...

This is amazing! Like, wow. And such a great experience for your baby girl! Look forward to continuing to follow....

Alex said...

I LOVE YOU...honestly, you are going to have changed my life. My summer is now going to be filled with online art classes and creating. Thank you so much xo

Taryn said...

Your art is gorgeous! That is a room I would love to live in.

Anonymous said...

It would be amazing if you designed and sold large wall tapestries.

Anonymous said...

Do you paint walls with Acrylics, or regular wall paints from Home Depot?

U-room said...

Fantastics

Uwalls said...

My goodness it turned out so lovely. You did a great job. I'm loving the colours!

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