©2018 Sunnymeade Designs

A note from Lee about her designs on wood:

Designing and painting one-of-a-kind pieces is challenging and fun. Each item I paint is reclaimed and refurbished revealing its character and past. The combination of new and old creates an interesting end result — something special!

Here is my process for creating each of these pieces:

The Prep — Each project begins with a used (preferably old) wooden item: this may be a box, trunk, bowl, frame, cupboard or toy. First it is stripped to bare wood. If repairs are necessary, they are made at this time. The evidence of age and use are treasured and allowed to be seen through the finish work.

The Design — Each design is particular to the project's shape and size; therefore no two pieces are alike. Designs, inspired by the Norwegian folk art of rosemaling, are first created on paper and then transferred to the prepped and base-coated item.

The Medium — Professional grade high viscosity acrylics are used for the design. Sable rounds with good points are the preferred brushes.

The Finish — Once the acrylics are dry, a thin coat of varnish is applied over all painted surfaces. After that has thoroughly dried, an antiquing layer is added. The final step is 2-3 more thin coats of varnish. Unpainted metal work (hinges, handles, latches, iron work, etc.) is protected with thinned black and raw umber oil paint.

— Lee