Final Post for The Loaves and the fishes 3-D Mermaid

The Frame

The first step to graining 

If you read any of my previous posts, you will recall that the frame for this project was to be grained.  This step was time consuming for me.  I don't grain every day.  I started off with a bright yellow buttercup color and then mixed a glaze and began the faux wood process.  

This was the final product of my efforts. 

I wanted the color to be very deep because the customer wanted it as dark as possible without losing the grain.  The grain is there!  You can see the subtle yellow shining thru the finish.  

...and They did eat and are all filled.  Luke 9:17  

I love a painting with a message.  For me that is what it is all about.  I am willing to labor over something to achieve a final goal that has some 'feel good power'.  As I have aged, I have become very interested in taking my time on things and doing them correctly.  While this painting took forever to finish, it was rewarding along the way.  

The tail will flip outward.  Once it is behind glass, I will not be able to demo this as effectively once behind glass, so I took lots of photos to show you now! 

Here are some additional photos.  

I like how my nail polish matches the water.  

The mermaid really stands out against the dark sea.  The color of the water was very important because the customer wanted it to enhance her  home decor furnishings.  

Look at the shadow on the Marlin! 

More shadows....

The Final Product! This measures in at 25"x36" OUTSIDE dimensions. That's one big mermaid! 

If you have the chance, go back and look at the steps that I wrote about concerning this painting on previous posts.  If you get the chance look up the Coast Guard Cutter ship portrait, too.  This was also a custom piece that I found really rewarding to paint.  I think the details shine when you take your time!  

ENJOY! 

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Whaling Scene

Is it Moby? 

Here he is! Is it moby? 

When I look at this painting, I think to myself, this looks like the whale that stoved the whale, that then stoved the boat.  I liked the idea of having a lot of action in the painting but focusing the main picture on one giant whale! That is what the tail and the head and the spout are all about...ACTION! 

I love his spout!  It looks like a heart! 

The frame is nice and old, I would date it  to 1875, correct me if I am wrong, please.   I like to learn.   The glass is bubbly and distorted.  There is a small  chip that was in the glass, making it less than perfect.  

See the chip?  To me, it makes it authentic.  I don't mind it! 

I always like to include my featured piece beside some of my other work so that you can see how it blends.  

There she is, sitting proudly on a sailboat.  You can see, all the colors go greatly together.  These paintings have been all completed at different times over the last 5-7 years, the lighthouse maybe even older.  

I love nautical and the distressed frame! 

Some of the things that stand out to me are the water and the heart-shaped spout.  I also like the little slash marks that are ever so slightly painted on the whale.  Can you see them? 

I included the remote so that you can have a feel for the scale.  This painting is like 6X11"

I love how the colors look beside my antique set of painted drawers.  

It's alway fun working on projects like this.  I hope you enjoyed reading about my thoughts on this piece, "Is it Moby?" 

Enjoy! 

Kolene 

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Another 3-D Mermaid, Part 4

The Loaves and the Fishes 

"And They did eat and were all filled"

I love artwork that carries a message.  For me, that is 1/2 the fun.  This particular mermaid was a custom piece.  

She's all painted but not attached yet 

After I have all the pieces in place--such as, the sailor, marlin, mermaid, and ship, the next step is to attach them.  

I don't want to do this yet until I have the frame finished.  

I am going to have a frame hand-grained to have 

the look of walnut.  The customer wants 

it to be as dark as possible without looking heavy and black.  

The process of graining begins with a bright base. In this instance, I am going to use a yellow.  I then will go over the frame with a transparent  walnut type glaze.  

This will take on the look of wood.  Because there is dimension to the mermaid, I will have to have a spacer placed in behind the glass to produce a cavity for the pieces.  

There's going to be a string painted in that will attach the rod to the Marlin.
You can sort of see the shadow effect to the right of the sailor. This is intentional.  

If you look in the water, you can see Luke 9:17.  This is a scripture from the Bible about the Loaves and the fishes.  Having the mermaid carrying the huge shell filled with fish and bread carries the message "And they did eat and were all filled."  God certainly provides and satisfies.  I love this idea and am really enjoying the process! 

There will be a spacer behind the mermaid that will have her separated from the paper about 1/4" 

Look at her tail and how the bottom of the fin projects forward.  This is where I get the 3-D concept! 

Although this thread has gotten very long with this segment being Post 4, I will need to have one final post.  It will cover the graining of the frame, the applying of the mermaid, sailor, and Marlin, along with some other fine last minute details.  

Check in about a week!  

Enjoy! 

Kolene Spicher 

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