Thursday, January 5, 2012

Horsing Around

What better way to get moving on some of my first projects of the year than to play in the mud.  These seahorses were another purchase from the sale I shared in my "Estate Shopping" post. They're made of cement, and are over two feet tall.  I found them hanging on the patio wall.




This is how they looked when I found them.




To add a little more depth, I did a finish similar to my "Aged Cherub".    After painting them white, I hauled them outside, and "painted" them again with  a mixture of mud, and grass.  I let the mixture soak into the paint a bit,  then wiped off the excess.   Once dry, the added patina is pretty much embedded.

















33 comments:

  1. I always love your posts. I have learned to paint and add dimension to so many pieces of my own by reading your blog. I am a true fan. I am jealous of your talent.

    Chermarie

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  2. those are FABULOUS!!!!! i love the new look- awesome!!!!

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  3. I love seahorses! It's amazing what some small and subtle changes can do! Wonderful work, as usual:)

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  4. Those are awesome. I just took some pics of seahorses in the Aquarium! They are such mystical creatures. Lovely!

    Veronica

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  5. Awesome as usual. I love how the seahorses take on a completely different look. Pre- they look like two young seahorses who don't know anything about anything; then post- they look like two salty old dogs who have been around. Love it and thanks for joining our party. ;)

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  6. Hi Rosemary, The seahorses look great and you did a lovely job. I'm sure it was a messy project but who knew mud and grass would give these guys such a great look. Well done.
    Hope your holidays were joyful and many Blessing to you and yours in the New Year.

    ~Emily
    The French Hutch

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  7. Hi Rosemary,
    Those are fabulous, I love the patina that you gave them.
    Hugs, Cindy

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  8. You amaze me playing in the mud. They look naturally aged.

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  9. Those look fab Rosemary! Nice to branch (or swim) away from cherubs and angels now and again!

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  10. They would fit perfectly in my backyard by my pool! I just did a blog post today about hanging out in my backyard with all my "junk"! Love how give the seahorse the perfect aged look!!

    Take care, Sue

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  11. I love the finish you gave them Rosemary, they look fabulous!!

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  12. That is certainly a unique way to speed up the aging process! They look like they're really old now.

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  13. As always, you show us such great work you did speeding the age precess on the cute sea-horses, wow Rosemary! I love them.
    Happy Kings Day!
    FABBY

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  14. Hi Rosemary,

    These look great!
    And that you have a pair is fantastic too...
    They would be perfect on a patio with a pool!
    All the Best,
    Christine

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  15. Very inspiring. I love vintage sea ephemera. Love your use of earth on this project, too! andrea@townandprairie

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  16. You're so talented and I always learn so much from your posts! The 'horses' look great!!

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  17. Rosemary, you just never cease to amaze me! These are awesome...and all you had to do was play in the mud? LOL! What a talented lady you are!

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  18. Mud and grass.....now who would'ave thunk....??? lol! Amazing and beautiful, Rosemary! :)

    xoxo laurie

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  19. Leave it to you to bring out the real beauty in these pieces.

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  20. I would never have thought to paint them with grass and mud. You certainly do think outside the box and I love that you are so inspirational! These seahorses look awesome.
    Eileen @ cottage beach House

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  21. whoa, these are SOME monster critters! they turned out super cool! thanks for joining in Rosemary, always love it when you come to the party! xoxo

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  22. Good Morning:

    You never cease to amaze me Rosemary and we must meet one of these days......maybe Kane County!
    Your horses look amazing after your magic touch! Today I have added you to my sidebar blogroll!

    I have missed a few of your recent posts and went through them this morning. Adore the quote on "Do not run through life so fast. . . "
    Sometimes we who do so much need that reminder every once in awhile. I know sometimes I look around and another month has gone by. Thanks for the seahorse tutorial and thanks for such a heart felt reminder about this thing called life! ox

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  23. How did you ever think about using mud and grass? Genius! Love how the seahorses looked after this process! Blessings from Bama!

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  24. Your work is so wonderful. You did an awesome job with these seahorses. I would have never thought to use grass. Very creative!!

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  25. Love the "patina" you added to these adorable pieces. I was lucky to find some vintage cement seahorses not too long ago. I was thrilled. I went back and read your post on going to the estate sale of the statuary. I would have bought the broken pieces too. Loved 'em! Have a wonderful weekend.

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  26. Wow! The seahorses were a wonderful find and they turned out beautiful. Your work is very inspiring!

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  27. Such a great find and transformation, Rosemary!

    Thank you for linking this lovely post to Potpourri Friday!

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  28. it seems like such a simple process yet a what a difference it adds by adding this little bit of depth to these gorgeous sea horses..but it's all in the details in how good a piece will look in the end..
    best,
    maureen

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  29. They are so amazing and look wonderful with the mud treatment (I'm more than a bit jealous about your find). I'm very happy to have found your blog today.

    Hugs,
    Marie

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  30. Hi there, I am a new follower thanks to Atelier de Campagne. Your remodels are just gorgeous and I look forward to seeing your new project develope this year. I love all the items included in your giveaway and hope I win. Thank you for sharing your talents with all of us. Have a great New Year. Carol

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  31. I love seahorses! SO jealous (but happy for you) of your find! Looks awesome.

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