This Is the moment that started it all.

This is my very first furniture painting post.  I have been an artist for 30 years a long time now.  I started out doing paintings on canvas for myself, mostly to put on the walls of my apartment because I couldn't afford to buy any thing else.  Then I moved on to painting children's rooms & murals.  Then when faux finish was all the rage I took classes & became "certified" as a professional faux painter.  That kept me busy for about eight years.  I have always dabbled in painting furniture, but since I've discovered chalk paint I have a new passion in painting.  I love the instant gratification you get in painting furniture.  Taking a piece of furniture that has seen better days or, on my lucky day, found on the side of the road & turning it into something so beautiful that it's physically hard to part with.  I'm sure you all know how that feels. 

So enough about me.  Over the summer I seen an ad on Craigs List that I couldn't pass on.  This guy had these old restaurant benches for sale.  As soon as I seen the picture I knew I had to have one or two (now five).

Excuse my messy garage studio.  Still working on that.  These benches are HUGE & heeavyyy.  They are 55" tall x 48" wide.  They have so many possibilities.  I started with two benches & painted them both ASCP Old White.  

     

After much pondering I decided to try one of the beautiful graphics I found on "The Graphics Fairy". It needed to be really big so I used my overhead projector & a paint pen & painted it all in by hand.  It only took me alllll day.

Now this is about the time my mom thinks I am finished.  No, No, No not yet!  I'm just starting to have fun.  Then I waxed on the clear wax.  Then I sanded & sanded & sanded some more.  Until I made it look like the paint was as old as the bench.  Then I added the dark wax & buffed to perfection.  

Sigh...... 

Then I reupholstered the cushion in a faux suede in brown with a paisley print embossed on it.

Sold

Sorry,  this is the only picture I seem to have in the camera.  I hauled these babies to the local farmers market a few times this fall.  I now have them at a local resale shop in my area.  I will post details on the other bench later.  Well, what do you think?  I have three left to go. What would you do with one?  I would love to hear your ideas.  Have a great day!  Dee