A New Adventure

I barely painted anything for years.  Between starting out as a brand new RN to having our two little ones, there never seemed to be a good time.  As they're getting out of the baby/toddler stage, I'm starting to find more moments when I don't have to be super vigilant for little mouths eating paint and smearing it on the dog.  After vending my crafts at couple events and barely breaking even (if that) I was encouraged by several to focus more on my art.  This change in directions was somewhat difficult for me for a variety of reasons, but I trusted them and shifted gears.  As I wrote about before, I decided on a whim to enter an art contest to design a tee shirt for the Oregon Poultry Swap, and it won!  

Well, then I decided I should apply to vend at their events, since it was also a homesteading fair and most of my work followed the rustic theme.  As I was brainstorming over Christmas, I had several people laugh at my idea of making chicken art, but my husband continued to encourage me.  

They were a hit!  And the event was so much fun! 

So here's basically how my process goes:

I try to reuse a many material as I can from Bring (material recycling),  or end-pieces from other projects. So usually I need to cut them down to the requested size.  If they're not already weathered, I have a process to achieve the same effect.  After sanding, I saturate the surface in my steel and vinegar solution and allow it to dry.   

Then I measure out where I want everything laid out and slowly, slowly, the image takes shape.  

To finish up, I add a layer of protective finish over the top and attach a hanging device.

It's been so much fun to receive custom orders for these signs and to memorialize everyone's special animals.  

I have now finished two OPS homesteading fairs and have the McKenzie Highland Games and the OPS Chickenstock coming up!  I'd better get back to painting!  See all my barn signs here and my entire portfolio here!