i want to tell you a little story about an abandoned canvas.
this 30" x 40" birdcage canvas began its journey almost 2 years ago, i painted the background phthalo turquoise and painstakingly painted on the birdcages. when i finished painting the birdcages the moment was gone. i figured one day i would come back to it "inspired" and finish it.
the canvas has since been sitting in my studio classroom unfinished for 2 years.
this photo was taken this past weekend (thanks mary!) see the canvas in the background...
well i took it home after inspired and knew this week was the week to make something of them birdcages.
i had no idea it would "turn" out so different than it had originally started!
so i thought, "just keep adding color until some wave of inspiration hits you!"
so i began layering colors onto the background, spraying water and letting the colors blend and drip.
i hated it! so i thought maybe ditch the idea of birdcages and flip the canvas upside down and make them flowers.
i couldnt decide on a color so i experimented a little...mind you i still HATE the canvas at this point.
after lots of layers of reds and browns i started liking the shape and direction the flowers were going.
i covered up most of the birdcage flourishes and added some whimsical stems
it needed something else..too much white space at the top...
and voila! 2 years later it is finished!
i love her (yes it is a she) now i just need to hang her...in the livingroom perhaps?
The spinning canvas always reveals the way forward... Dang! Imma make a STAMP outta that quote! lol - looks awesome, Donna. xx
Posted by: Maisy | March 10, 2012 at 12:19 PM
I like it so much more after than before!!
Posted by: Helen Lindfield | March 10, 2012 at 12:25 PM
Love Love Love..I think this is so awesome..!
Posted by: Robin | March 10, 2012 at 12:28 PM
wow!!!!! I love how it turned out in the end!!! Just a proof that nothing is too bad to not to be "resqued" (sorry bad English)
Posted by: marianne/skorpionen | March 10, 2012 at 12:28 PM
Moving the canvas in all possible directions is something I've learned from Jesse Reno and Flora Bowley: it can ends in something you would have never seen otherwise.
Thanks for this progression you show us, and honestly the «new» canvas is just amazing.
The three you made this week... WOOOOOW :D
Thanks for sharing
Posted by: Nolwenn | March 10, 2012 at 12:31 PM
I love the transformation and the fact that you took the canvas in waiting and created something fabulous! Good things do happen for those who wait. ;)
Posted by: Teresa K | March 10, 2012 at 12:32 PM
Wonderful Donna!! Kisses!
Posted by: Paola | March 10, 2012 at 12:35 PM
The birdcages were nice, but I love the transformed canvas. The colours are so vibrant & beautiful.
Posted by: Kirsten Alicia | March 10, 2012 at 12:41 PM
Ohhhh wow! It is AMAZING!!! Love it X 1000000 :)
Posted by: Scrapisa | March 10, 2012 at 12:51 PM
in love with the colors!!! can you post what were the colors used???
Posted by: Jasmine | March 10, 2012 at 01:00 PM
oh, that is so fun to see!!!!! Love the way it turned out :)
Posted by: soapHOUSEmama | March 10, 2012 at 01:15 PM
Just beautiful Donna...thank you for the inspiration as always. :)
Posted by: Toni | March 10, 2012 at 01:18 PM
LOVE it!! And Determination is quite appropriate for it!
Posted by: Kim Boken | March 10, 2012 at 01:27 PM
Those flowers were planted two years ago by the little birdies that escaped their pretty cages :-) a lesson in patience as well as determination! I love seeing your process through your photos. Thanks for sharing with us!
Posted by: Debby Ebeling | March 10, 2012 at 01:29 PM
I really like it! I just want to say, I recently discovered your blog and have been enjoying your videos and laid back "whatever" approach to your art.
Posted by: Lisa Westervelt | March 10, 2012 at 01:48 PM
What a transformation..... I like how it evolved. Well done! XOXOX
Posted by: mAuRa | March 10, 2012 at 02:17 PM
i love her too.
Posted by: janie | March 10, 2012 at 02:20 PM
Amazing art Donna, thanks so much for sharing. Honestly you are such an inspiration, you certainly are my inspiration. I wait each week to see what you have created. Suzanne
Posted by: SuzanneK | March 10, 2012 at 02:31 PM
yes the living room...MY living room!
Posted by: heather fiore | March 10, 2012 at 02:32 PM
Wow that came out awesome!
Posted by: Mary Harris | March 10, 2012 at 02:43 PM
You are amazing!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!! I agree....the living room would be perfect and if that does not work....you can send it my way....I have the perfect spot!!!! :-)
Posted by: Jocelyn | March 10, 2012 at 02:55 PM
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, Donna!! The before was pretty....but OH WOW the after is GORGEOUS!
Posted by: Angie Hall Haviland | March 10, 2012 at 02:59 PM
What a gorgeous painting! You have such a wonderful creative insight that you impart. Thank you so much for sharing all you create and for inspiring me to want to paint again!
Posted by: Sylvia C. | March 10, 2012 at 03:48 PM
Wow...I loooove the transformation!!
Posted by: julia | March 10, 2012 at 03:55 PM
love love love Donna
Posted by: Robyn W | March 10, 2012 at 04:08 PM
Simply, phenomenally, scrumptiously FANTASTIC! I love that you took a canvas you didn't like and thought to turn it upside down to transform it into something totally beautiful. She is gorgeous and oh so deserves to be in your living room! Hugs and as always, major inspiration!!
Posted by: Philippa | March 10, 2012 at 04:17 PM
Thank you for sharing this one, love the style.
Posted by: dorrie | March 10, 2012 at 04:40 PM
I LOVE IT!!!!
Posted by: Tracy | March 10, 2012 at 04:56 PM
Absolutely stunning, Donna. As I was reading I could hear your voice explaining the process, like it was one of your videos.... love it, love it, love it ....
Posted by: MarieL | March 10, 2012 at 05:00 PM
So inspirational. Way to think outside the box, Donna! It is now a work of art!!!
Posted by: Rosanne | March 10, 2012 at 05:34 PM
By the 3rd or 4th step, I really didn't like the way it was changing; but just a couple steps later, something beautiful was emerging and by the end...? I love the finished work of art! Thank you for showing us the complete creative process!
Posted by: Adele | March 10, 2012 at 07:23 PM
i love how you show us the evolution!
Posted by: FAYGIE | March 10, 2012 at 08:31 PM
A wonderful creative work. I ♥ it/her!
Posted by: Be Original | March 10, 2012 at 08:45 PM
love love love the way your wheels spin! :)
Posted by: donnalee | March 10, 2012 at 08:50 PM
Wow! Love!!
Posted by: KarenW | March 10, 2012 at 09:06 PM
You blow my mind! I'm so impressed! Big fan, Connie
Posted by: Connie | March 10, 2012 at 09:10 PM
Just awesome!
Posted by: Kris | March 10, 2012 at 09:16 PM
What vision you had to flip it! LOVE it!
Posted by: Sheila LZ | March 10, 2012 at 09:33 PM
Quelle superbe retournement et transformation !
J'adore !
Posted by: yolande k | March 10, 2012 at 09:35 PM
waooo change is impressive, I loved the transformation, the colors so vivid.
Posted by: Carolyn | March 10, 2012 at 10:06 PM
so clever and awesome!
Posted by: Laurie M | March 10, 2012 at 10:42 PM
Beautiful job! Love how you flipped it upside down.
Posted by: Cathy | March 10, 2012 at 11:37 PM
So much inspiration!!!
I love your work!
orli (Israel)
Posted by: orli | March 11, 2012 at 03:35 AM
WOWOWOWOW!!! Gorgeous!!
Posted by: Audrey Meijs | March 11, 2012 at 04:12 AM
How awesome - who would have thought to turn a painting upside down and make flowers from birdcages??? You of course! Love watching your process and seeing the beautiful results.
Posted by: Barb in CA | March 11, 2012 at 04:17 AM
Absolutely in lóve with this painting! The colors are just gorgeous!
Posted by: Madeleine de Kemp | March 11, 2012 at 07:54 AM
Magic! She is beautiful. I love your paintings. They always have so much life and joy! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Carol P | March 11, 2012 at 08:44 AM
wow!!! thank you for sharing your talent and creativity..love it!! it is all about perspective..
Posted by: renee logan | March 11, 2012 at 09:13 AM
merci yolande!
Posted by: donna downey | March 11, 2012 at 10:13 AM
Another great piece. I love your work. I love your process. But mostly, I love that you share your inspiration with us. Thanks, Donna
Posted by: Rhonda Z | March 11, 2012 at 11:19 AM
Wow!! Love your pics and the way you transformed the birdcages!! Beautiful color!! I even liked the birdcages too! But this ROCKS!!
Posted by: Eden | March 11, 2012 at 11:24 AM
she is lovely
Posted by: Siobhan | March 11, 2012 at 11:27 AM
love! what can be better than painting over something you didn't like to find inspiration and make something so cool?!
Posted by: kristin | March 11, 2012 at 12:06 PM
I liked your bird cages. The final looks like poppies...again. Always fun to stop by and see what you are up to.
Posted by: Candy | March 11, 2012 at 01:31 PM
Donna.. can I just say how freaking aweseome this is? I am in love with how you did this. HAPPY PLACE for sure.
Posted by: Judy Shea | March 11, 2012 at 01:32 PM
Make lemons into Lemonade is what my father always said - great canvas - turned out amazing!
Posted by: Diane | March 11, 2012 at 01:36 PM
Wow! What a transformation!!! I had seen the birdcage canvas in some of your old photos and loved the colour but the flowers are just so vibrant and lovely! Lush to see the actual stages of transformation too! Thanks for sharing! xxx
Posted by: Angie Walsh | March 11, 2012 at 01:38 PM
Donna, it turned out beautifully. Loving all that colour.
Unfortunately, when I start not liking what is unfolding I find it really difficult to keep going with it as I can't get past the point of thinking 'I don't like this' how am I ever going to be in love with the finished piece.
So disappointed you are not teaching in London this year whilst in the UK, loved our classes last year.
Posted by: chantille | March 11, 2012 at 04:36 PM
What can't you do? I've been following your blog for some time now, and I'm amazed with all the stuff you doo, Love your inspirational wednesday and Collage monday. Give me so many ideas and kick starts for projects. You are a true artist! I can't describe you a better than that!
Thank you so much for sharing your work with us!
Hugs from Carina in Norway
Posted by: Carina B. Hella | March 11, 2012 at 05:33 PM
Loved seeing the process, Donna! I've got a number of abandoned paintings hanging around my studio. They're just taking up space. I feel some "re-dos" coming on!!
Posted by: Joann Loftus | March 12, 2012 at 12:01 AM
I loved watching the transformation of something you hated to something you love! I can't tell you how many times that has happened to me - usually with a journal page. Brava!
Posted by: Linda Cameron | March 12, 2012 at 08:42 AM
Donna, what a WAY COOL canvas! I'm loving those touches of b/w!! Lately, I've been using it in my work to either 'tie a piece together' or to add 'pop' or because I don't want to upstage my background. Again, great piece!!
Posted by: Shay Fourney | March 12, 2012 at 11:19 AM
Truly amazing, I love it.
Is it for sale?
Posted by: Angela R | March 12, 2012 at 04:16 PM
thanks angela...you just made my day, but i love it too much.
Posted by: donna downey | March 12, 2012 at 04:55 PM
Eeeekk! I LOVE it! This is pure gorgeousness. It is amazing how things can transform. I am so inspired by everything you do!! :) Have a wonderfully creative week.
Posted by: Jen | March 12, 2012 at 05:40 PM
I love this piece! Thank you for showing us the transformation process! Sooooo inspiring. Dinner is almost done, but I have to go paint tonight!!! =)
Thanks!
Posted by: Julia M. in MI | March 12, 2012 at 06:49 PM
Beautiful - thanks so much for sharing your whole process...it is so great to see you creating through the bits you hate until it's done. Fantastic
Posted by: Lynette (NZ) | March 13, 2012 at 04:08 AM
That is gorgeous! I love seeing all the steps you made getting to your end result =)
Posted by: ann-marie | March 13, 2012 at 12:12 PM
totally awesome!!! love the fact that you even came back to this and finished it. good for you! and it really is awesome!
Posted by: kim smart | March 16, 2012 at 12:26 AM
Just bought the a canvas the size of me.....im inspired :)
Posted by: bree | March 16, 2012 at 03:23 PM
what a great journey with this canvas. Love that you flipped it upside down. Love that you never truly gave up on it!
Posted by: Jessica | October 21, 2012 at 08:41 PM
Absolutely loved reading how you did this painting Donna, who would have ever thought how it started and would end up..... I did a reproduction of this painting in pan pastels a couple of months ago as it is one of my favourites of yours, love how it turned out :) Thanks for sharing the story girl :)
Posted by: Karen M | July 09, 2015 at 08:31 PM
Some how I never read this about this painting!! I have gazed at it many a times in your studio and just had NO clue it began life as birdcages. Art really is all about being inspired! Thanks for sharing this story. :)
Posted by: Caroline Duncan | August 10, 2015 at 07:44 PM