Author: gaby

Wood Folding Tray Makeover

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This was a quick and fun project in repainting this wood folding tray, which can be used as a side table in most any area, I’m using it in the kitchen. The sun and checkers stencil was done with masking tape and the moon and stars were a printed stencil. The compass is basic letter stencils from the hardware store. I wanted the compass as a feng shui reference here, the kitchen is on the South side. For aesthetic I was aiming for Memphis Style with the checkers and bright colors, but it looks more like 50’s diner, which is just fine for it’s use in the kitchen. I accidentally painted it upside down though – when you fold the tray the moon should be upright. No biggie though, this will be used more open than folded. “Before” photos at the end.

Secretary Desk Makeover

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This is a recently completed project. I found this beautiful wood secretary desk at the thrift shop. I liked it because of it’s compact size 28″ wide x 15″ deep, and 38″ high, and that was was multifunctional. It. has 3 large drawers on the bottom and a fold down desk with small storage and mini drawer on the top. The top of the desk could also be utilized to hold things, a lamp, a statue, books…..I told myself that if no one bought this in a week, I will buy it. I actually did not have space for it, but I wanted to refurbish it. I waited about 4 days and I ended up buying it. I gave it some TLC and dolled it up while still allowing the natural wood to shine through. It features a painted stencil on the door, fresh coat of paint to brighten up the interior, new handles, velour lining – (that is removable), and key with tassel that works!

Halloween Window Display

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This is a Halloween window display I did for C.A.R.L. Boutique Thrift Store in Ventura, California. This thrift store raises money for the Canine Adoption & Rescue League. When designing the window I wanted to make it impactful and Halloween festive without too much stuff. My budget was zero dollars & zero cents, however I could use anything in the thrift store. I did purchase a couple of items – the fortune teller sign and flowers (a big bag of flowers for $5 dollar from Michael’s Craft Store) and I already had the pink wig.

Although it was tempting to use a lot of items from the thrift store, I needed to keep it minimal. This is because if something sells from the window the employee or volunteer has to leave the store and walk to the window and unlock to retrieve the item, it’s an extra step for them. So my strategy was minimal with drapes, color, and large shapes.

I did the concept sketches below I knew what I actually would be working with. I knew I had the mannequins and the risers but drapes and everything else I was guessing we had in stock.

I also hand painted the C.A.R.L. window sign using acrylic craft paint and gold leaf. (Sign painting is much harder than it looks!)

I tried my best to take photos without reflection but it was impossible.

Koi Painting

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This painting has gone through many phases and is constantly a work-in-progress. This was made to hang in the career area at the North front entrance of my home. According to feng shui this area is guided by the element of water and the colors black and blue. Gold magnifies and koi fish are considered auspicious. Its done for now though I may edit further. The good thing is that I made the fish abstract enough to be able to hang “upside down “ or “right side up.” Acrylic paint, silver spray paint, & craft gold leaf.

Painting on Recycled wood Board – Two-Sided Painting

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Final piece – acrylic and gold leaf on 2’ x 3’ wood board – martians on the lower right

I recently completed a painting for a friend in which I painted over my old artwork from the 90s. No worries it was crappy artwork anyway – I was trying to emulate the style from Juxtapoz Magazine. It really just looks like a crazy stream of consciousness painting. It was also done in chalk pastels and colored pencils so it was badly faded, I needed to paint over it. This new painting had to be fresh, bright, and lively – so I decided to try a rosemaling technique but I ended up painting the roses freestyle. My friend wanted to keep the little green Martians that you see on the lower right corner of the final piece…. and keep the girl that’s painted on the other side of the board which was my attempt at Litchenstein.