"Paint" like Van Gogh with Oil Pastels

Have you heard about the Van Gogh immersive experience that's been a huge hit around the world? So far over 2 million people have enjoyed it.  I haven't been yet, but I'm excited to go!  To celebrate this event I created a Van Gogh inspired mirror using Van Gogh Oil Pastels from Royal Talens.  It was so easy to get that impasto feel using pastels by simply painting the base of my wood mirror in a dark blue.  I call it the impostor impasto technique! It was a relaxing way to study Starry night which was my inspiration for this mirror.  Even though I didn't interpret it literally, I was able to get the look of it with these amazing highly pigmented oil pastels!  Make sure to check out the beautiful Royal Talens craft supplies!  Now get out there and Make Your Mark!

Of course you photograph anything Van Gogh with sunflowers!

Small strokes in bold colors make the perfect imposter impasto!

Everything I used for this project here:

Royal Talens Oil Pastels Set of 12: https://bit.ly/3xVEcKn Royal Talens Oil Pastels Set of 24: https://amzn.to/3dlPVtF Royal Talens Oil Pastels Set of 60: https://amzn.to/2U8l50O Royal Talens Pastel Varnish: https://bit.ly/3haZbSG Fish Tank Glass: https://amzn.to/35TLeTQ E6000 Glue: https://amzn.to/2VfF248 Dark Blue Matte Chalky Finish: https://bit.ly/3jjCa2x

Watch how to make this mirror here OR watch

how to make it on my YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/ehgUHam07Fk

Love the crushed fish tank glass!  It gives the mirror more dimension and softened the 

edges of the mirror

Paint like a master!

Faux Marble Pendant Lamp DIY

When I go to a hardware or dollar store I get a fluttery feeling in my stomach thinking of all the possibilities.  Gorgeous frames, funky glassware, weird hardware bits and pieces in plastic boxes all lined up on the display.  It makes me happy.  When I pick something up I never think about what it's for, but what it could be...A headboard, a side table, a diorama or in this case, a pendant lamp.   Frames, "L" brackets and spray paint made these gorgeous lamps and they look fabulous on my patio!  Consider the possibilities, sweet friends, and always Make Your Mark!

The perfect glow!

Faux marbling with spray paint on water...Watch the video to see how!

I used Grafix Craft Plastic to make my beautiful marble tiles!  

Here's a list of what I used for this project:

Grafix Craft Plastic: https://amzn.to/3bnG3Ol Grafix Artist-Tac: https://amzn.to/3s8u2mH E6000 Glue: https://amzn.to/2VfF248 Metallic Gold Spray Paint: https://amzn.to/2KBnkWm Light socket: https://amzn.to/3cjjY5w 2" Flat "L" brackets: https://amzn.to/3t3rO9n

Watch the video here or catch it on my Youtube channel here: https://youtu.be/LKD8nRFgvIg

Just hangin' around

Light up your life!

Dotted Boho Crosses

There are so many beautiful dotted object out there I had to give this painting technique a try.  At first I wasn't sure I had the patience, but after I got into the groove it was super relaxing.  The one thing I didn't want to do was invest in dotting tools since I wasn't quite sure this would be a long-term love for me.  I decided to make my own tools out of beads and bamboo skewers and they worked perfectly!  I will be dotting everything that doesn't move from now on.  Try new things, my sweet friends, and always Make Your Mark

Everything I used for this project here:

Americana Acrylics: https://amzn.to/2UFQwgQ Amazing Goop II Max: https://amzn.to/2ZptldN E6000 Plus: https://amzn.to/30GJc4P

Rhinestone Trim: https://amzn.to/3hgkqAW

Watch how to make my dotted crosses here OR

watch how to make them on my YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/j4wTfV5IC64

E6000 Plus is the perfect glue for acrylic gems!

Americana Acrylics are my favorite paints!

Cross my heart!

Medieval Wine Bottle Candles

When I was a kid, I would sit in church and stare at all of the beautiful candles, stained glass and statuary...I rarely paid attention to what the priest was saying.  Let's just say our priest had a knack for putting people to sleep.  I always thought he lived IN the actual church and that one day I would like to live in a church without the pews and maybe with a few more rooms.  Well, I don't live in a church, but I am still obsessed with stained glass, statuary AND candles.  To date, this is my best attempt at recreating the beautiful metal edged candles I stared at during the longest hour of my week for the first 15 years of my life.  The best part is that I also got to drink the wine!  Also part of the Sunday communion tradition but taken to a new level.  Enjoy, my fabulous friends, and don't forget to 

MAKE YOUR MARK!

Gothic & gorgeous!

 The wine was good, too!

 Things I used for this project:

E6000 Glue: https://amzn.to/2VfF248 Glaze Coat Resin: https://amzn.to/30GJc4P Metal Banding & Rhinestone Trim: https://amzn.to/3hgkqAW My bottle cutter: https://amzn.to/2XHb0I9

Watch how to make them here OR

Watch how to make them on my Youtube channel here: https://youtu.be/svFbsxi-0wI

Peace be with you, my crafty friends!

Striped Solar Lanterns DIY

Any lantern that doesn't need oil or a battery is alright with me!  These solar lanterns are great because you can just hang them in the trees and they turn on when the sun goes down.  Easy peasy!  I grabbed a few lightweight glass vases at the 99c store and painted them with my dishwasher safe glass paint from DecoArt.  It's fantastic stuff...trust me on this.  I made a mistake and had to scrape some off with a craft knife BEFORE it had the chance to fully cure. That's some tough glass paint!  BTW, it also comes in beautiful colors, too.  The glass at the top of the vases isn't painted so it allows solar charging during the day.  Excuse me while I pat myself on the back for that little discovery!  Make beautiful things, my sweet friends, and always Make Your Mark!

Just hangin' around.

  Bright at night!

 STUFF I USED

E6000 Glue: https://amzn.to/2VfF248 DecoArt Glass Paint: https://bit.ly/3hnBBk5

Watch how to make these here OR

Watch the video on my Youtube channel here: https://youtu.be/NYiXJoJX510

Get perfect stripes with an old record player!

Hang from ribbon or chain 

Magical!

Light up your life!

Scrap Wood Robots

I do most of the repairs around my house, and as you know I always keep the scraps of everything from fabric & paper to wood and tin.  When the scrap boxes start to overflow, it's time to use them for a project like these funky little robots! A little glue, paint and some leftover bits from my junk drawers and BOOM!  There are no rules other than to try to give them the cutest faces possible.  Here's a secret, BIG eyes are the key!  Thank you very mucho Mr. Roboto and don't forget to 

Make Your Mark, OK!

Hanging out with the gang!

We ARE smiling!

Watch how to make them here OR

Watch the video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/6XSNhu55B70

Stuff I used:

Americana Acrylics: https://amzn.to/39w19qM E6000 Plus: https://amzn.to/30GJc4P MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

Friends

Happy crafting!