Starting a new painting

I’m so excited to get started on my newest painting! It’s going to be one of my series of paintings where I use a pattered fabric as my canvas surface and incorporate the design into various elements of the final painting.

The Reference Image:

This image from 1893 will serve as my inspiration. It’s been in my queue for months - I’ve been waiting for the perfect fabric to come along.

Howard Darlington (left) and Frank Atkins (right) sit in woven reclining chairs in an unkempt lawn with a dog at Frank’s feet. They are both reading, Frank a newspaper, and Howard a novel titled “Sabotage Romance”.

This photograph captures my imagination in so many ways - What was the occasion that inspired this pleasant afternoon reading in the yard? What was the nature of their relationship, were they casual friends, unrequited lovers, passionate partners, or somewhere between? Was the third chair occupied by the photographer before he stood to take the image? Or was it being used as a makeshift table by Howard and Frank?

Obviously, we may never know - and I do not want to project inaccuracies into the truth of the past from my own conjecture - but this photograph is the perfect candidate for a large painting.

The Fabric Foundation:

Finally, I found a perfect match! Motifs of golden foliage and fruit, with some nice texture on a metallic sheen backdrop.

It was a table cloth in it’s former life - I can’t wait to transform it into a painting.

Thrift stores are one of my favorite places to source unique fabric. Not only is it better for the planet, but each piece is unique, has its own history, plus, what a steal - only $3.49?!

The Bones of the Painting:

I’m upcycling the wood canvas frame from this wrapped reproduction print that my partner lovingly saved from the garbage for me. It was in perfect condition, not even a dent or tear in the printed canvas - it’s amazing what people will just throw away!

It’s Demolition Time:

I pulled out the staples from the frame to remove the original printed canvas and to get it ready for stretching the “new” yellow fabric. Phew, there were so many staples!

This was definitely a tedious process, but so worth it to save the frame! It’s in great shape with no damage and is ready for the next step.

Next up: Stretching the fabric onto the frame!

I’m trying to get better at documenting my process, so check back soon and join me along the way as I work on my this newest (and largest so far!) painting! :)