Off the wall!

I like a neutral wall- a clean, blank canvas that allows a personal injection of fun. Whether it's pops of colour, an eclectic mix of ornaments, vintage frames or, in my case, sets of brass flying ducks!


I've come across lots of inspiring and unusual approaches to wall art on my travels through the Internet and here are three examples that really grabbed my attention:


Whilst browsing Lonny magazine's wonderful website, I found this image by interior designer Lisa Sherry.

image found here.

A large frame (that would take up most of a wall) hosts little doodles of photo-frames in different shapes and sizes. Within these drawings found images, feathers and real photo-frames feature to create an opportunity for an ever-changing and personal mood-board and feature. It is a relaxed structurethat leaves plenty room for creativity.

Next up, inspiration from Funkytime.

image found here.

Inspired by Kari Herer's illustrations, Sibylle at Funkytime decided to make a piece of wall art for her bedroom. She literally only used 2 black pens, some faux flowers and a bit of glue. Find the 'how-to' here. It's a simple idea but it really adds a new dynamic to a plain white wall.

And last but by no means least, Payton Cosell Turner.

image found here.

Featured in ELLE Decoration's September issue, Payton Cosell Turner creates wall art installations from individual stickers! Click on the image and you will see that it's made up of everything from apples to ladders to bears! This was a commissioned piece for a bedroom and its a wonderful alternative to wallpaper... All you need to do this yourself is a crate load of pretty stickers, a steady hand and the patience of a saint! Payton, I take my hat of to you.

An alternative to wallpaper; these are quite literally 'off the wall'!

Vintage photo tinting

I visited the Museo Correr in St Mark's square in Venice yesterday and amongst the wonderful paintings and relics there was a small display of old photographs that had been coloured by hand. 

Also, when I went to the Palazzo Grassi here in Venice, my favourite works on display were hand painted negatives by Ukrainian artist Boris Mikhailov.

a view of the exhibition. image found here

Here's a few close ups of Mikhailov's images: 

I'd like to make this a project of my own when I get home; tinting the photographs that I have found and inserting them into frames that I'll make.

Here's a website giving a bit of a tutorial on ways to do it : Vintage Image Craft

A Venetian Story...

Whilst in Venice we have all been given the challenge of creating some kind of art-related social event or project.


Out and about throughout my time here, I have found 5 different old photographs of Venice and Venetians. As I was keen to make some collages out of my finds I invited friends around to have a shot too and make a lovely post-dinner event of it!

Here is what I came up with: 

1. ‘In the Pocket of Every Great Man Lives a Great Woman.’

2. ‘For the Love of Venice’

3. ‘Shallow’

Read more and see everyone else's Venetian stories here.

my little Venice inspired collage...