Painting the Merry Mobile - part three

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

My Mojo visited me last night and I painted the background of the Merry Mobile.  I used my 3/8 WASH Brush with only an occasional visit from the 5/0 SPOTTER. Wasn't I a big girl!

First, I began working close to the details.

Then I put on my Artist's Beret and painted the rest of the Background.

 Merry Mobile Ice Cream Truck

It was fun to paint on the canvas. Remember, I am not a trained artist. I'm just a girl on a mission to bring the Merry Mobile Ice Cream Truck to life.

I'll let the canvas dry for a few days while I rummage through my Stash for the best threads.  Have I told you about my Stash? It's quite Healthy.

Looks like this project is ready to take off. Ice Cream for Everyone!

Thanks, Robin

Painting the Merry Mobile - part two

Hi Everybody ...  Robin here.

Hope everyone had a nice week. Mine was fast and furious. I submitted two TNNA class proposals for the January 2011/Long Beach, CA Market. The first canvas is from Zecca. The second canvas is from one of Melissa Shirley's new designers. TNNA said they would make their class decisions announcement around August 27. I'll be sure to let you know what they say. Fingers crossed.

Next on the agenda for painting the Merry Mobile was to add the various shades of gray, silver, and white.  The effects are subtle on the computer; however, in person, there is a nice metallic shine on the counter top.

I did my best to try to create painted shadows and highlights. I also told myself the needlepoint will take everything to the next level.  The final phase of painting will be to tackle the background. Hope my mojo stays with me. Fingers crossed. Thanks, Robin

Painting the Merry Mobile - part one

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

"I think I can... I think I can..."

That was me as I traced the Merry Mobile design on to the 18 mesh canvas. Working with the light box, the photograph glowed from below. My mechanical pencil captured each curve and detail. I had my trusty White Eraser near by, just in case. The lines were faint but accurate. I then reinforced them with the Black IDenti-Pen to give me parameters when painting.

So far this project has all the wonders of childhood: ice cream, art supplies and painting. Woo-hoo! Pat and I took the Merry Mobile photograph to Michael's Arts & Crafts and selected the various acrylic paints and supplies. He was in charge of selecting the correct Red and Blue paints. I found the cutest paint brush. It's a Spotter 5/0. Love that name. 

"I think I can... I think I can..."

The TV was off; the door was closed... no cats... I needed to be in a zone! My work area was prepared; I was using the same magnifier light I use for needlepoint. After all, I needed to see. I began painting the blue area. I was trying to channel the greats: SharonG, Melissa Shirley, Leigh Richardson... for any possible painting mojo.  

Breathe! Exhale!

Whew. One triangle done. And it's looking pretty good. Onward to triangle #2. Pat came in the room... and a few cats, too... to check on me. He picked up his camera to document this moment. The Merry Mobile was beginning to come to life. Always the photographer!

Once the blue triangles were painted, I began the blue sections of the canopy. Then the last accomplishment of the evening was to paint the red triangles. I didn't want to push my luck/mojo. I told myself, "things needed to dry before the next painting session." Made sense to me.  Next time: shades of gray. 

Thanks, Robin

Merry Mobile, an Ice Cream Truck needlepoint project begins

Hi Everybody... Robin here.

I'd like to tell a little story about my next Needlepoint Study Hall blog topic. I got a wonderful suggestion from Jane/Chilly Hollow about what I might consider for my next stitching project. (She is such a gifted enabler!) With her innocent words: it's summer time... , I started to think about a project I had wanted to do for a long time. Here's some background first.

Pat (my guy!) is from Memphis. His childhood memories of summer included ice cream being served from the Merry Mobile -- a self-propelled carousel ice cream truck unique to Memphis, TN and Louisville, KY in the 1960s. Pat is a photographer and owns Business Visuals. A few years ago after completing a location photo shoot, he ran across an old discarded Merry Mobile in a salvage yard parking lot.

Well, Pat did what he had to do... he photographed the Merry Mobile. Listening to Pat's stories, I could only imagine what it looked like, but now with a photo, I could finally see it. Time had not been kind to the Merry Mobile. Thirty years had passed; it was rusted and faded. Pat showed me the photos and described (with enthusiasm) the former paint scheme, the shiny metal counters, and the jingle of the bells.  One of the first phrases Pat remembers saying was "a nickel and a penny" because that's how much his ice cream cost.

Besides being a talented photographer, Pat also excels at doing Photoshop. It upset him to see his childhood memory all in ruins. Pat decided to bring the Merry Mobile back to life... through Photoshop. On his blog you can read Pat's entry and see the Before & After photos.

OK, you're thinking... what does any of that have to do with needlepoint?

Well, I'm going to stitch the Merry Mobile. Working from Pat's design, I'm going to create a painted canvas. Then I'm going to stitch it. Who knows where this journey will take me? Hope you will join me for the ride.  Thanks, Robin