Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Artsy Cherub Urn

Yesterday, my mood was subtle.  Today, I was definitely in an artsy mood when I finished this urn. It's nearly three feet tall, and I love the cherubs.


It's made of fiberglass, and had a hideous straw like finish when I found it. Take my word for it. I was in such a hurry to get at it, I don't have an absolute before. I knew I would finish with white, but I wanted a multitude of layers underneath to give it depth and texture. I started with black gesso,


Followed by white gesso for extra texture. After that, I applied layer after layer of watered down paint in a sloppy irregular pattern. The colors I used included blue, terra cotta, and deep mossy green.

I finished by brushing on watered down white gesso. I let it drip in spots, and dabbed with my brush in others. Here are the results.












One last artsy shot.



Time to call it a day.  I'll be sure to share where my mood takes me next.

Sharing With:
Sassy Sites: Trash 2 Treasure Tuesday
Southern Hospitality: Thrifty Treasures
Between Naps On The Porch: Metamorphosis Monday
Debbiedoos: Newbie Party
Homemaker On A Dime: Creative Bloggers
Under The Table and Dreaming: Sunday Showcase
Funky Junk Interiors: Saturday Nite Special
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Common Ground: Vintage Inspiration Friday
Chic On A Shoestring Decorating: Flaunt It Friday
At The Picket Fence: Inspiration Friday
Faded Charm: White Wednesday
The Charm of Home: Home Sweet Home
No Minimalist Here: Open House Party
The Shabby Chic Cottage: Transformation Thursday
Passionately Artistic
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33 comments:

  1. Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage DesignsJuly 19, 2011 at 10:22 PM

    Your talent amazes me!!
    It is beautiful!

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  2. Jan@southernjunkin'July 19, 2011 at 10:31 PM

    This is lovely! I've never used gesso but it is on my to do list!

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  3. Sanghamitra Bhattacherjee(Mukherjee)July 19, 2011 at 10:59 PM

    Stunning as always! It's a pleasure to visit your site...every time:)
    What a talent!

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  4. Faded CharmJuly 19, 2011 at 11:00 PM

    This urn turned out beautiful! You do a fabulous job and I'm going back right now to check out more of your posts:-)

    xoxo
    Kathleen

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  5. Mark NorkaitisJuly 19, 2011 at 11:16 PM

    Very nice! That make a great table now!!

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  6. Katie @ Wildwood CreekJuly 20, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    Simply beautiful--love the effect of all the layers!

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  7. VeronicaJuly 20, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Rosemary I look forward to every post to see what you found. I am an urn addict and this one is very special. I found a garden ornament from cement that I am going to experiment with this weekend if i get a gap.

    Veronica
    www.tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com

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  8. PatriciaJuly 20, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    Extraordinary! I am always amazed at your work.

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  9. Deborah MarchJuly 20, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    Absolutely BEAUTIFUL...looks like something we'd see at the louvre!!

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  10. Susan EvelynAndRoseJuly 20, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    Beautify layered effect Rosemary! I think the urn has so much more texture & character now.
    Inspired by you, I 'gessoed' a clock yesterday. I think it needs more layers (I only did 2 gesso layers), so I may add some watered paint & sand it a bit. I'll show you the result (if it is presentable). Your pieces always come out terrific!
    - Susan

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  11. Burlap LuxeJuly 20, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    Beautiful Rosemary!
    What a center piece to any home!
    I would be using it for a holiday tree or wedding with tall branches and little twinkle lights in them!

    So enjoy your beautiful works of art, we could have so much fun painting could we not!!

    Thank you for visiting your visit is treasured :)
    xoxo
    Dore

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  12. lvroftiquesJuly 20, 2011 at 2:04 PM

    Another drool worthy project Rosemary! Love it! Vanna

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  13. Betsy@My Salvaged TreasuresJuly 20, 2011 at 6:03 PM

    It's hard to believe this is the same piece...a real trash to treasure makeover.

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  14. bjJuly 20, 2011 at 9:48 PM

    Omygosh...this is amazing, girl. I love it.
    Thanks so much for coming by today..I love your blog and just signed up to follow.
    Can't wait to see some more of your pretty blog.
    xo bj

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  15. RhondaJuly 21, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    Bee-u-tee-full!! You are crazy good with those products and supplies. Love the top treatment from the last post.
    Rhonda

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  16. Ivy and ElephantsJuly 21, 2011 at 6:49 PM

    I am with Jan, using gesso is definitely on my list of things to do. You never cease to amaze me. Now I reflect on the number of items I walked away from that I could have jazzed up with gesso. Okay moving forward. I just love all that you do.

    Paula

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  17. The Charm of HomeJuly 21, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    This is wonderful. I am going to have to try more with gesso and try it in different ways. I really like how this turned out. Thanks for linking it up at HSH!
    Sherry

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  18. Honey at 2805July 21, 2011 at 7:58 PM

    The certain went from an ugly duckling to a swan, Rosemary. Beautiful!

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  19. Sherry @ No Minimalist HereJuly 21, 2011 at 9:08 PM

    Rosemary, The urn turned out beautiful! I love to see your paint transformations. Thanks for joining my party and have a great weekend.
    xo,
    Sherry

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  20. PamelaJuly 21, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    The urn turned out just beautiful!!

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  21. Suzanne@thriftstoredecorjunkyJuly 21, 2011 at 10:03 PM

    Stunning! I don't know how you do it...uhm, ok, I know you explained how, but still, it looks and sounds difficult .
    You are a very talented lady..

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  22. The Sterling CherubJuly 22, 2011 at 1:59 AM

    I will never cease to be amazed at how you take something that looks like nothing, really, and make it SO DARNED GORGEOUS! I think you have magic hands! The detail that comes out when you are done with a piece is simply amazing ...

    Best,

    Kimberly

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  23. AnonymousJuly 22, 2011 at 2:58 AM

    I love painting those old gold cherubs to make them look shabby, so I really like your urn. I've never used gesso, so thanks for showing how it works to make an aged look. Have a great weekend!

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  24. Maggie LamarreJuly 22, 2011 at 2:22 PM

    omg omg, I would luv to be able to do this, I have way too many urns crying for this..
    You are featured this week at

    http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/07/american-pickers-with-linking-party.html
    Thank you for joining us every Wednesday :)
    Maggie
    http://passionatelyartistic.com

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  25. AnaJuly 22, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    Hi Rosemary,
    I absolutely love it! It turned out gorgeous. I just found your blog and can't wait to see more. So off I go :-) Have a wonderful weekend.

    Your Newest Follower,
    ♥Ana~A Petite Cottage

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  26. Debra@CommonGroundJuly 22, 2011 at 4:03 PM

    wow Rosemary, this is fabulous! I agree it looks like some kind of French antiquity, thanks for linking up with VIF, xoxo Debra

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  27. Alison @ The PolohouseJuly 23, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    Roosemary!
    You once again have amazed me.
    I am hoping my daughter will take the drive out to Barrington with me in the morning.
    So there is a good chance I will get to meet you, the artist, the famous Rosemary, in person!

    I cannot believe this was a black fiberglass urn. It now looks like it is a 100+ year old relic!

    How do these finishes hold up outdoors? I love what you do.
    This is one of my faves for sure though!
    xx
    Alison

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  28. Lisa Sall - Sall's Country LifeJuly 24, 2011 at 12:07 PM

    That turned out gorgeous! Love your style and technique! this finish would also be perfect for my french country figurines (see my post) hmmm, now I'm really undecided! I can see I'm going to have to go looking for more projects!

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  29. Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️July 24, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    Beautiful Rosemary! Oh I do hope you and Alison get to meet. How cool would that be!!!

    Hugs,
    Dee

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  30. Courtney ~ French Country CottageJuly 24, 2011 at 10:43 PM

    So beautiful~ your treasures are always so pretty! Love how this turned out! Thanks for sharing at my party! :)

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  31. People Who Know Me Would Say:July 27, 2011 at 5:58 AM

    Not only a pretty post to look at, but I loved that you shared the steps with us. I'm always astounded by true artistry.

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  32. Heart Vintage Design February 2, 2012 at 5:29 PM

    I love your project. I recently did a fiberglass urn and loved making it look like an iron urn painted and left out to weather. I can't wait to try your finish : ) I just subbed by e-mail so I don't miss a single post. I came to you via Carol of The Polka Dot Closet.

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  33. Cherub CottageApril 24, 2012 at 4:12 PM

    I have an urn about the same size but I sure wish it had cherubs on it...May I could break the pot that I have with cherubs on it and maybe glue the broken piece on and try your method....what do you think? Wish me luck....Thanks for the inspiration :)

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