How to Make Rothko-Inspired Hand Painted Note Cards

It turns out that, when given the time, I am the worst postcard procrastinator!  It takes me a week (or month) to buy a postcard, three weeks to write it, another week to find the address of the recipient and now there's a countdown for how many days a postcard will ride around in my purse until I buy stamps.

Ever find there are some tasks you just put off forever?  I am weirdly on top of unpleasant tasks like toilet cleaning and sweater hand-washing (so tedious), but postcard writing?  Lots of dragging of feet on that one.  I don't understand me, because card sending I like!  I have a cupboard full of pretty note cards and they are often actually sent to an unsuspecting loved one (who doesn't love mail that isn't a bill, right?). 

I even made some cards, when I painted my Rothko-inspired paintings.



After I was done the paintings, I wanted to experiment with some colour combinations because I'm always limiting myself to what will "go" in the townhouse when it comes to my DIY art.  I had bought a pack of completely blank notecards seven years ago and decided it was high time to do something with them.

You could use a heavier paper to make your own cards (here's a neat tutorial for envelopes), or check out a local craft or art supply store for blank ones (they usually come with their own envelopes already made).  I used acrylic paint and made sure not to water it down at all  because I was worried really watery paint might warp the cards.  I just brushed on a few irregular rectangles and, ta da, personalized note cards.  I let them dry for a few days before adding them to my note card stockpile, just to be sure they wouldn't stick to the inside of the envelope or each other.   

I love the idea of personalized, hand painted note cards.  You could paint and give a set of these as a gift, or attach one to a present (with maybe a dash of matching paint on the envelope too?).  Picking colours that complement the wrapping paper or gift bag would look so chic, and so thoughtful.  I also think painting cards in berry hues and crisp greens would be a fun, fresh take on holiday cards.  Or forget the presents and holidays, and just send one to someone who needs a little pick me up.  Think a little about the colour palette, though.  Baby poo brown might not be the heartfelt "thinking of you," message I was hoping to send.

Just don't wait for one of these hand painted cards from me because I might be weeks away from finding a post office . . .

Make Simple and Pretty Rothko-Inspired Art in Minutes

I recently made some really inexpensive DIY abstract art, using cardboard instead of canvases and reusing old wooden frames.  Seriously, this cost only a couple of bucks to make but it looks so cute!

Remember in this post I suggested stocking up on cheap frames at yard sales?  Well, I finally made something out of three, solid wood frames I picked up for 50 cents (in total!) this summer:


 
First, I gave each frame a coat of primer:

Then I applied two, thin coats of leftover pale turquoise paint, using a paintbrush.  I like how the wood grain still peaks through but the frame looks refreshed and modern now:

When it came time for the art, I was a total penny-pincher.  I had blogged about Rothko-inspired art on cardboard ages ago and figured I'd give it a try!  I snagged some very stiff (and clean) cardboard from Costco during a grocery trip (nobody even looked twice at me dragging around a huge 4 foot square sheet of cardboard).  I used acrylic paints I had on hand from other projects.

Hubby cut my cardboard to fit the frames, and then I applied a base layer of paint.  I mixed up a pale pink for the larger one and a pale emerald green for the smaller pair.  I set them aside to dry.



Next, I added a few bands of colour to each, keeping my brush strokes moving horizontally and rather loose (no measuring or taping!):

I thought I was done, but they looked a little too bland - a little too pastel.  So I added a bright cranberry stripe to the largest one and some rich ochre to the other two.  Much better!  Contrast is key here.

To put them in the frames, we positioned them in place and then stapled into the frame, parallel to the cardboard, so instead of piercing the cardboard, each staple runs alongside it, holding it in place.  We used this technique for my framed bakelite brooches also.

I am totally surprised by how much I love these.  I thought they would look cheesy, but they are actually quite cute.  The matte texture and neutral colour of the cardboard really makes the pale colours POP - more than they seem to on white canvas. 

P.S. Need I mention that Mark Rothko's work was groundbreaking, revolutionary and completely stunning?  The simplicity, the scale, the colours . . . all perfection.  None of us can really copy his work and there is way more to it than just painting on wonky stripes, like I did.  But I'm a firm believer in the importance of amateurs and hobbyists creating art for the pleasure of it - and I think it's okay to look at a great painter and be inspired.

Exhibition view. No. 12 by Mark Rothko; Via Art Observed

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