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March 24, 2011

Spring Subway Art

I love all the subway art that is being posted everywhere.  I finally got around to creating my own version.  I started with the foam letters that seem to be found in every corner of our home.  They have a cute basket that they are suppose to be contained in, however the little ones find them irresistible and carry them around.

The kids helped to sort out all the letters, finding as many different fonts as we could.

Then we sorted them into spring words and stuck them onto the back side of a piece of mat board.  I just eyeballed where each letter should be placed.

I then used Gesso to prime the letters and add a bit of texture.  Gesso is a great painting medium that can be found at art and craft stores.  It is a thick primer that can be used on most surfaces.  Since Gesso is thick, it is great for making messy brush strokes and creating texture.  I spray painted the frame white while I was waiting for the Gesso to dry.

Once everything was dry, I sanded the edges of the picture frame.  Then mixed up a brown glaze using brown acrylic paint and glazing medium.  I glazed both the picture frame and the letters by brushing on the glaze and gently wiped it back off with a damp rag.  I let the glaze sit in the groves and wiped most of the glaze off the flat areas creating texture and depth.  I then glazed back over the letter with white to add some highlights.  I love how it turned out!  You would never know that these are kid foam letters.

I will be linking to these parties.

Posted in Recycle, Spring and tagged Spring, Subway Art, Wall Art.

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Related posts:

  1. Spring Specimen Art
  2. Coffee Sack Art
  3. Spring Oil Pastel and Watercolor Resist
  4. Easter and Spring Activities
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20 thoughts on “Spring Subway Art”

  1. Anita on March 24, 2011 at 11:14 pm said:

    Great idea! I love the power of paint. Thanks so much for linking up!

    Reply ↓
  2. Amie @ Pinkapotamus on March 25, 2011 at 11:03 am said:

    This is sooo adorable! Love the off white color and texture of the whole piece! Thanks so much for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party.. I can’t wait to see what you share next week! And I am your newest follower!

    Reply ↓
  3. Kathie on March 25, 2011 at 3:51 pm said:

    I just love how it turned out with the glaze! Looks so nice! Thanks for linking up to Krafty Kat!

    Reply ↓
  4. Jessie K on March 25, 2011 at 4:05 pm said:

    Here from the Friday Fun Finds. I love this idea and will be using it! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply ↓
  5. Amber on March 25, 2011 at 6:17 pm said:

    this is such a great idea! i looks so great!

    Reply ↓
  6. Amy on March 25, 2011 at 8:14 pm said:

    Brilliant! I love the subway art, too, but was never sure how to accomplish it. This is great! Thanks for the idea!!

    Reply ↓
  7. Kimberlee on March 25, 2011 at 9:08 pm said:

    That is so creative. I love how it turned out! Visiting from Momma’s Kinda Crafty.
    ~Kimberlee
    http://www.TheSpunkyDiva.com

    Reply ↓
  8. Katrina @HA on March 26, 2011 at 8:31 pm said:

    This is awesome! I want to try it too! Can we feature this? And how are you doing with that other project we were going to feature?

    Reply ↓
    • Tammy on March 27, 2011 at 12:05 am said:

      I would love to be featured! Thanks. I am just finishing the blackboard paint on the other project. I will keep you posted on when it is ready.

      Reply ↓
  9. Mid-Atlantic Martha on March 26, 2011 at 11:28 pm said:

    Now this was fun!

    Reply ↓
  10. Allison {A Glimpse Inside} on March 27, 2011 at 3:04 am said:

    Very cute! I love subway art. Haven’t made one for spring yet but think I will have too! Thanks for linking this up as well!

    Reply ↓
  11. creativejewishmom/Sara on March 27, 2011 at 6:33 am said:

    wow, very nice! thanks so much for the tip with the gesso and glazing medium, great results. Thanks so much for sharing on Craft Schooling Sunday!

    Reply ↓
  12. Amy Gilman on March 27, 2011 at 5:31 pm said:

    i absolutely LOVE this idea. i will have to try some gesso!!
    thanks for linking up!!!
    http://www.SistersoftheWildWest.com

    Reply ↓
  13. this blessed nest on March 27, 2011 at 8:00 pm said:

    what a unique way to do a subway art.

    looks amazing!

    thanks for linking up to the SPRING FLING!

    kellie

    Reply ↓
  14. Jamielyn on March 28, 2011 at 5:07 am said:

    LOVE this! How cool is that ! I’d love for you to link these up a Sundae Scoop.

    Reply ↓
  15. Lorelei on March 28, 2011 at 1:10 pm said:

    It is actually rare to find skillful individuals within this matter, however you seem like you understand exactly what you are posting on! Thanks

    Reply ↓
  16. Angie on March 28, 2011 at 8:13 pm said:

    This is so cool! I can’t wait to try it myself! Love the fact that it doesn’t take a cricuit or silhouette to make. I’ve had some major vinyl cutter envy lately with all the neat projects people are coming up with them. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply ↓
  17. Jill on March 28, 2011 at 11:40 pm said:

    Subway art can be so fun. I love how yours turned out! So cute.

    Reply ↓
  18. kelly on March 29, 2011 at 3:50 am said:

    Very Neat!!!I’d love it if you would
    link up over at the glitter party! http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/2011/03/weekly-tues-thurs-link-party.html

    Reply ↓
  19. Christina @ Christina's Adventures on April 2, 2011 at 1:19 am said:

    I love how you painted over those letters…it turned out so well!! Great idea!

    Thanks so much for linking to “20 Below Thursday”! 🙂

    Reply ↓

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