Surely, this client did an internet search for mermaid images for inspiration; she wants a canvas rug for her home, aptly named “La Casa Sirena,” which translates to, The Mermaid House. She came to me with a photo and we decided that with the interior entrance of her home and the long flowing lines of the drawing, a 6’ x 27” canvas runner would work perfectly.

 This image is actually a painting but it looks like a carving! Someone drove by this painting upon a wall, amazed to realize it was not carved, but painted, took a photograph, and posted it on the web. I look forward to employing such a technique on a canvas rug.

 Back to my client; first we need to decide on the colors. The client sent photos of a batch of paint used on the walls, a close up of the tile floor and a photo of a painted room. She is thinking of terracotta or perhaps a papaya color with a deep turquoise, one of my favorite color combinations. Because the design itself is intricate, using two main colors will keep it simple and draw focus to the mermaid instead of being a distraction with too much design and color.

 I will keep you posted as this project progresses as well as other projects such as the project for Toni and Al, and their Faux Futon cover, as shared in our may Design Newsletter. The couch cover and canvas pillows are sewn and being washed to commence the painting. Now, I am off to buy more canvas!

 

 

Having just returned from an incredible trip to Egypt, I have been reviewing my sketches and idea notes after spending a day snorkeling in the Red Sea. The colors of the fish were fantastic! Even more impressive were the designs and lines of the fish, and the different shapes of corals. I am thinking of a canvas rug with a border of fish but one with a soft linear design, so that you have to look closely to see that they are in fact fish.  The center of the rug will be reminiscent of sand, the rosy colored sand of the Sinai Desert.

 People often ask me, “Where do you get your design ideas for your canvas rugs and canvas bags?” My answer: Everywhere! I love to combine colors. Often when I am driving or walking I will notice a grouping of flowers and what draws me to observe is their combination of colors. I also look for patterns to make my designs and stamps from magazines, books, as well as the patterns provided by Mother Nature.

 In my workshop, I keep a sampler of every color of paint in stock. This way I can see the entire palette. Painting on small swatches allows me to move the color samples around to mix and match various combinations, which will invariably lead to more design ideas.

 Sometimes, while watching a movie there is a design, such as a background pattern, on a wall, for example, and I will freeze the DVD player in order to draw the design and play with it as a possible canvas rug or canvas bag. Design ideas come from everywhere…near and far!