This amazing Grand Rapids Bookcase & Chair Co, Hastings, Michigan Bookcase was in very poor condition when I found her. Damaged dirty with holes and missing inlay appliques. I have tried to restore her at first..however, peeling veneer and damaged wood make me change my mind. I decided to transfer the image of my favorite painting by Akseli Gallen-Kallela from sane time period what my beautiful piece (1911-1917)
When I have enlarged print of the painting which I have bought on line I was disappointed with very blurry and pixlated image. I have decided to freehand paint my own version of the painting with little different colors and landscape. I used many different chalk paints, stains and glazes for my painting. For example I paint my girl hair with General Finishes Cinnamon Dye Stain and Brown Mahogany Gel Stain :)
Prodcts used for Body of the bookcase:
1)Basecoat Miss Lillian's No Wax Chock Paint in Graphite
2) Panels: Base in General Finishes Basil, than Pearl Effects in Burnished Pearl, Tawny Pearl and Cooper Pearl Glazed with Van Duke Brown Glaze Effect. I have also used this combination to paint grass on my painting. I made my own black and white wax for patina. I used Miss Lillian's Gel Stain over her Graphite paint for the Top and sides. I used wood filler to carved missing appliques. Appliques were gold leafed and than distressed I have also used Paint Couture in Rich Gold and Glaze Couture in Black Chiffon.
This is first time I have used General Finishes products and I am so impressed with the effect you can achieve. I love it! Image Credit: I would like to give credit to the artist Melissa Nucera. Her digital image "Unwritten Tale" was inspiration for my freehand painting. You can purchase her artwork at https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThisYearsGirl Her work is not for commercial use.
