August 1, 2011

Changing The Color On Old Thrift Store Paintings


I often see old paintings in the thrift store.  I love the subject, but the colors are out dated or not the colors I want.  I never pass them up knowing how easy it is to change the colors and make it just my style.


I found this painting for $5.00, I knew the frame was worth that, but I didn't like the colors.


Now, I am not an artist by any stretch of the imagination, but to change the colors of a previously painted picture is like painting by number


I use acrylic craft paint and go over the portions I want to change

Here I added a little pink to the white flowers, leaves, and buds, then painted over the roses


Of course I had to paint the frame white



And ta da!  Just my style


OK, so it doesn't look as good as the original, but it's not my name signed to the bottom.


Marie would probably be mortified to see what I have done to her painting, but if she or her family really loved it, whats it doing in a thrift store, right?



Say I love this picture, but hate the red stripe on the umbrella


I grab my craft paint and change it


My Mom taught me this little trick.  As I was growing up, no matter what house we lived in my Moms favorite art work always matched with the decor perfectly.  

Don't pass up a great picture just because the colors are wrong!

Happy Creating

Carol


Linking with Savvy Southern Style WOW


Shabby Creek Cottage


46 comments:

Me said...

I love this Carol! I always see paintings like this at thrift shops but never buy them b/c the colors are just outdated (or just plain ugly). Well, pass them up NO MORE. Thanks for the tips...you and your mom are so clever and artistic. I'm going to start doing this. :)

Stampindamour said...

Carol-

You crack me up with your hilarious comments!!!

Beautiful frame! It does look better white. I like how you "altered" these paintings, nothing is off-limits! The touch-up looks fantastic!

Marie will never find out...LOL!

-pamela :)
mybooth96.blogspot.com

stefanie said...

wow!!! you did a beautiful job...I think you are!!!! an artist!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Wow! What a great idea, it doesn't even look like the same painting or the same frame. I've painted over frames before, but it never occurred to me to paint over the painting. I'll be looking at thrift store/yard sale paintings in a whole new light now. Actually, I think I have one buried in my garage that could use a makeover:-)

Decor To Adore said...

What a fabulous way to update an image.

Thanks for being kind to Anne. :) The press was having a field day with her. Poor thing.

Ido said...

I never thought of that! That is a great idea, thank you for sharing it with us!
XXX Ido

Tee said...

Brilliant idea!! Thanks to you AND your mom!

PS: Seen Casey lately, lol.

Anonymous said...

what a great idea!!Turned out great,, just when ever you come to my house please don't be tempted to color match my paintings OK,, ha ha ,, i'm a gypsy decorator,, I paint all my own art and I'm afraid nothing matches,, but I love them all and I love how you DO match things,,your photos always look so elegant,, mine look kind of like chop suey!!! Ithink you did great,, maybe you should be painting your own flowers from scratch!

Unknown said...

What a fabulous idea, Carol. It is a shame it was in a thrift store, but your gain. Beautiful, even hubby did a 'WOW'.

Have a beautiful week `
TTFN ~
Marydon

Veronica said...

My word you are amazing! I would never in a day have thought of doing it nor would I have the confidence, Carol. It looks amazing!

Veronica
www.tasselsandtwigs.blogspot.com

BonjourRomance said...

Fantastic idea Carol. Your after shot looks great
Here's to a good week,
Mimi

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Carol,
I think you did a fantastic job, both on the painting and on the frame!! You always have the best ideas!!

I did not know you were a nurse... Why did you leave the profession?

What you do now is what I would love to do in the future!!

Hugs,
Deb

Teri said...

Hmmm. that just might be fun to do ..

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Great idea Carol! I tried it once and really messed up the print. My sister is good at it though.

hugs
sissie

Sherry@Back2Vintage said...

Wow! I would have never thought to do this! You are GOOD!!!

Ruby Jean said...

simply AMAZING!!!!! I don't think I will ever pass up those outdated paintings EVER again....

Gina said...

You amaze me! I recently painted over a burlap picture that I found at Hobby Lobby, but never in a million years would I have thought you could paint over a painting like that. It looks great!

Rosemary@villabarnes said...

Great job Carol. We think alike. No Rules!

Ruffles n Raspberries said...

FABULOUS Carol!!

Michelle Lee said...

Amazing great job :)

Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ said...

Wow! This is a great idea. I love it!
I use to paint before I had kids. I never thought to change a picture.

Great idea.

Dee

Debbiedoos said...

You are so stinkin clever Carol! I do love the painting lighter and brighter for sure.

Blessings from Cindy said...

I have always wondered about trying this & now I know I will! Thanks for sharing! You did a great job.
Blessings,
Cindy

Debbi said...

oh yeah! what a fabulous transformation!
WTG Carol!

Createology said...

What a fun thing to do. I never thought of re-coloring a painting...frames yes, paintings hmmm. They look super after your artistic touch. Happy Summer Smiles...

Ginger Lemon said...

Artist or not, you did a great job! I never would have thought of that.

Laurie Brown said...

WOW! I never thought of that! Now I need to see if I kept any of those old pictures that came with the frames I wanted from thrift stores....

. said...

Genious Carol! I think you did a fantastic job!! :)

SueBee said...

You say you are not an artist?! I say you are..

Stacy's Shabby Shoppe said...

Carol, you are one amazing gal!!!

Debbie said...

You just solved a problem around here! I have a few paintings that just don't fit anymore. I could do this.

And if it doesn't look good when I try? Well... I wasn't using them anyway,right?

Grammy Goodwill said...

I would have never thought of doing that. How creative!

Rebecca Nelson said...

You kill me girl! You are your ideas! LOVE THEM!

Now...when that grasshopper/murderer tried to get me in my pants I'm quite sure you heard me scream in Florida! Right??? Celeste in Texas heard me so surely you did, too!

:)

xoRebecca

Amy Chalmers said...

I do this too!!! haha!! It is a great trick!

Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking said...

Wow this is amazing! You are really talented!! This is such a great idea!

Char said...

Carol,
I would have never thought of doing anything like that. What a genius your mom was and how creative. It's the perfect solution to a huge problem.
Char

Olivia said...

You are a genius! Love this idea!
Hugs,
Olivia

Anonymous said...

Lady...you are something else!!! It looks fabulous. My wedding portrait is framed in a frame just like that and gold Care to date it? :) xoxo

laxsupermom said...

Love this idea! I've never thought to do it, but now I'm thinking there are a few paintings that will have to come out of storage to be updated. Yours turned out fabulous! Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

You made a beautiful painting! My mom and I have been doing this for years, without anyone knowing our secret until they comment about the "new" picture. It's a great way to fix damaged canvas too.

Bring Pretty Back said...

Carol, I would have NEVER thought of doing that ! You are so brilliant!I will look at pictures much differently now!
also - you asked about the nail polish... I am having problems with the manufacturer and I think I may have to start over and find a new one... agh.
Thank you for asking!
Have a PRETTY day!
Kristin

Queenie's Vintage Finds said...

Carol, you are one smart lady...I mean you are amazing girl! Your painting looks gorgeous and you are such a hoot in sayin' that it ain't your name that's signed it lol...I think you should sign it :)
Big hugs,
Queenie

Melissa @ Vintage Afterthoughts said...

I saw this on Shabby Creek Cottage's Transformation Thursday, and it stood out to me because it is BRILLIANT! I would have NEVER thought of doing this, but now I am super excited to give it a try! Amazing!

I am your newest follower :)

the cape on the corner said...

genius! i'm going to have to remember this!

Nancy said...

OMG! Carol, you are just hysterical!! That is just Gorgeous! Never in my crazy dreams would I have thought of changing the colors in a piece of Art~ Kudos to your Mom!! That has got to be one of the most insanellious (word?, who cares!) wonderful ideas I have ever heard of yet!! Just Love it!!
Huggs, Nancy
PS, Love the Piano Bench too!! I am going to learn how to make those Ornaments...just love them too!!

Michelle said...

I am with everyone else, you are a brillant genious. I hope i have a picture I can expariment on!

:) Michelle