A Vintage portrait with Grace

Hi everyone! Hope you had a lovely weekend. Grace and I got to work on one of the art projects for my online art class this weekend and it was so much fun.  The assignment was to create a vintage inspired portrait on a small piece of canvas.

Grace was anxious to start and dived right in! I love that about creating with kids this young – they have no fear! While I sat there, carefully selecting each scrap of vintage paper, she got straight to work, with no hesitation.

She, of course, finished before me.  Her little fingers were covered in glue but she was just giddy – as was I!

Soon we both had our canvas’ prepared…covered in a patchwork of vintage papers and doilies.

I showed Grace examples of Jeanne’s original work so she could envision the outcome of the project.  See Jeanne’s beautiful piece below…

image via jeanneoliverdesigns

We will be attaching these canvas’ to vintage door plates or escutcheons, just as seen above. I have two coming from Etsy! I love how this makes a stand for these tiny artworks!

Here is Grace’s finished portrait…

When I asked her to tell me the story behind this portrait she said, ” She is a princess, waiting in the garden outside her castle for her prince to come.” I melted. My little romantic.

Here are the first steps of my process…sketching in my girl…

I painted out some of the background papers to create a light area.

Using a Stabilo Marks all pencil, charcoal, white gel pen and acrylic paints I filled in the details. I couldn’t resist adding some tiny pearls to her headband. I thought I was finished but something was missing…

The flock of birds and flower in her hair completed the piece for me.

This was a wonderful little project and I can’t wait to do another one! I bought these little canvas’ in bulk from Michaels and Grace has already started her second one!

Hope you all have a beautiful day!

xo,

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25 Comments

Filed under Art, Crafting, photography, Stories, vintage

25 responses to “A Vintage portrait with Grace

  1. ck

    lovely- the pearls are perfect- Grace is going to quite the artist.
    I like gluey fingers and dirty fingers as well.
    fun! It would be great to do a whole powder room wall.

  2. So fun – looking forward to walking into your retail store / studio to take classes from you and purchase wonderful art – when will you open?

  3. Ivy…this is gorgeous! I love how you were able to share this process with your daughter….how beautiful! :)

  4. It’s so beautiful!!! I love the birds – they really add to it. I love that you’re doing this with your Grace. Even tho my baby girl is only 3, I might give that a try. She loves getting gooey!

  5. I love these, Ivy! How wonderful to create such beautiful artwork together with Grace. Hope you are well and wish you a lovely week.
    xo

  6. Simply beautiful!!! Love your daughter’s portrait too!

  7. Erica Bach

    What a wonderful memorie for you two. Beautiful work!

  8. Ivy, you are so creative and such a great artist! you always inspire me with your ideas! these are just lovely.

  9. your daughters artwork is sooooo sweet!
    and your work is ever so lovely

  10. Cathy Garrett

    Your little canvas girls came out beautiful and your daughter is adorable!
    Did you use mat medium to glue everything down? Where did you find your girl? She is beautiful! Great job to the both of you!

  11. You have done a simply wonderful job on the face & hair – just beautiful.

  12. I always knew you’d be a great artist. You have a wonderful eye :)

  13. Grace is a gorgeous young lady! The finished product of your efforts looks awesome!

  14. Beautiful!! What a wonderful moment to share with one another! And such splendid results!

  15. Oh my goodness I love this project… My daughter would love to do something like this… You journal turned out amazing!

    Jeanna

  16. maysea

    I wonder where I could get some vintage-y stuffs from where I live. :/

  17. Grace is a Little Beauty, so sweet, and creative! She reminds me of my grandaughter.

  18. 9nny

    very, very nice!

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  20. Pingback: Big Sister Project : Door Hanger |

  21. Hi nice art! i’m Fern Schlather and i add “Like” (facebook) to A Vintage portrait with Grace |

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