This piece was inspired by the Big Cypress Bayou near my home. It is a wonderland of dark waters, looming green cypress trees and dangling Spanish moss. In the middle of it all, there is delicate life and quiet beauty.
I first applied a raised stencil using Dap joint compound. The base coat is a homemade chalk paint using Glidden Garden Path paint and calcium carbonate. I made two washes. one with the Garden Path and one with a white ceiling paint I had on hand by mixing ½ water and ½ paint. I randomly applied the washes and occasionally sprayed with water to give texture and movement. I mixed a glaze using black craft paint and Modern Masters glazing cream. I applied the glaze randomly and spritzed with water to create the feeling of dripping spanish moss. I applied a final white wash with a damp rag and after all was dry, top coated with 3 coats of General Finishes Flat topcoat. I painted the pulls with the above paints and glazes so they would blend. She is a swamp thing but in the most beautiful way.
