Do you have scrap wood lying around from projects completed in the past? Do you know someone who has a pile to get rid of? Let's make some art!
Scrap wood does not necessarily have to be destined for the fire pit, wood stove, or fireplace? This wood does not have to be reserved for replacing the missing leg on your easy chair, or holding up a corner of a bookshelf either. Instead, let’s turn it into a piece of wall art.
Note: This project is most successful with small, slimmer pieces of wood. Scraps leftover from 2x4s will work, but it will have a chunkier look and it will be heavier.
For this project, you will need the following materials:
- Scrap wood in as many lengths and sizes as possible
- Leather stain, two or three colors if possible (substitute with watercolor paint if needed)
- Wood stain (substitute with brown watercolor paint if needed)
- Wide sponge or paintbrushes
- Bucket or container of water for clean-up
- Drop cloth or other protection for work surface
- Rubber gloves
- Varnish or spray lacquer (substitute with gloss medium if needed)
- Sandpaper (high grit)
- Nails (finish nails are fine)
- Hammer (a nail gun would be quicker)
Follow these instructions to create this piece of mixed media wall art:
- Separate your piles of wood into one for each color (including the brown stain) you have selected for this project. Cover your work area completely with the drop cloth or other protective material. If you are working with stains, be sure you are working outside or in a very well ventilated area.
- Cover over each piece of wood completely on all sides with the stains (or paints). Work quickly because the wood will be very absorbent. Repeat this step until the desired color richness has been achieved. Set them aside to dry completely.
- Once the wood has dried, take one color at a time and start nailing them together to create a random pattern. Try not to create a box or a grid. If you would like an idea of what you will be creating, lay out your design first and then nail it together. Be sure to nail it in more than one area so it will be secure.
- Take the stains out once again and add color where you think there needs more pop.
- Once the color is complete, seal the entire piece with lacquer, varnish, or gloss medium. Allow to dry completely.
Additional embellishment ideas:
- Hang framed photography directly off the pieces of wood.
- Attach large mug hooks or plant hooks and create a unique coat, hat, or bag rack.
- Alter it further by affixing ephemera, dried flowers, game pieces, gems, or anything else that suits the theme of the room it will be hung in.
- Paint all of the edges black to give it a more bold appearance.
- Splash on touches of gold or another metallic colored paint to give it some sparkle.
- Affix mirrors of different sizes and shapes (or pieces of glass).
- Frame small pieces of corkboard, attach them, and create a unique message center.
The ideas for this project are limitless. Even though this project is very striking as a stand-alone wood sculpture, adding the embellishments further puts your personal mark on the piece. Because there are so many steps involved, be sure to set aside a weekend (or several) to complete this project.
