Check out the focus of my attention today. My goal is to create upcycled thrifted art that not only shows #trashure potential but also brings awareness to those who are silently suffering.

What you see here is a 1981 paperboard art by Miriam Ecker called, Springs First Kiss. What is more, I’m not so much drawn to the heavily faded art or the fact that it’s extremely warped.

However, the ornate resin frame shows potential for enhancement.

The faux woodgrain with the “carvings’ in the resin are ready to be drawn out. Don’t you agree?

BREAKING FREE

As you can imagine, we make assessments of folks based on what we see on the outside. Although, we can never know the baggage they are carrying emotionally inside. I feel like this thrifted art can represent those that are fighting daily to keep looking good on the outside when they truly need a refresh from within. While I fight my own battles (read more HERE and HERE) and gain knowledge of how my past has shaped me, I know that there is hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)

First, I use rubbing alcohol to wipe down the frame and glass to remove any residue present.

Meanwhile that dries, I take the art backing and cover it up with a flat white spray paint. The old story is getting a new chapter and fresh start.

Then, while I let that cure and add more coats, I paint the frame in this same custom color I used on a free nightstand recently.

Next, I prepare the glass for a reverse layering of art finishing with a mirror effect. In order to do that, I use my software to create a design in reverse and tape it to the front of the glass I’m working on. Then, I use basic acrylic paints and artist’s brush to paint them in.

You can see how I do this process in these posts with this vintage glass tray or another thrifted frame or view the video below.

MIRRORING HOPE

Subsequently, as soon as that paint dries, I tear up some paper scraps and tape them on where I want it to remain clear to show the next part peeking through.

Using this mirror effects paint takes several patient layers (of your own choosing for how solid you want the mirror to be).

After that, I go back to the paperboard and apply a leftover transfer from my antique dresser makeover recently as well.

HEALING

Just like this upcycled thrifted art that looked as if it had hit rock bottom… there’s hope. I not only find release and peace through my walk with God, but I also run and walk daily, I lift weights, I get in my garden, I dance and sing like nobody’s watching, I play music on my instruments, and I create. Trauma bonds be gone! {{fist pump}}

Now, to be perfectly honest, I hate staging mirrors. There… I said it. You have to get your own self out of the reflection as well as not catch unwanteds. So, why I created a mirror I’ll never know. After trudging around my house to try to stage this art here and there, I last try my hallway.

Not only does this not do the finished product justice, but I have all windows closed by one and the lighting stinks. With that, I lay the art down on my ottoman and find that does the trick.

It’s still not perfect to show the beauty but does it better. The story of this art is it’s revealing beauty on the outside while transforming the “inside”.

What’s crazy is that if you look at this through the lens at a totally different angle, you get a different story.

Some days we feel blue and “off”, but that doesn’t mean we’re not heading in the right direction.

SHARE

Now it’s your turn to tell me… fill in the blank, “let ______ get you through the dark.” My goal is to inspire you in your creative endeavors. Meanwhile, bringing light that folks like me are fighting a battle no one can see. Also, pin and share to inspire others.

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What is more, here are more projects like this upcycled thrifted art to inspire you: