I’ve just completed my latest project – sign painting on a bird house! However this is not any old bird house, it’s an exact replica of a family barn built in 1928.
Constructed out of miniature planks of wood created from the original barn siding, as well as hand-made mini cedar shingles, this beautifully crafted edifice designed by architect John Yust and built by carpenter Bill Peterson houses seven individual ‘rooms’. It’s like a block of flats for birds!
The natural patina from the 87-year-old planks of wood is so authentic and brings a lot of charm to this piece. It did make the painting rather challenging, but that’s part of the fun.
My usual method of transferring the text with a cartoon didn’t work due to the rough textured surface; so I prepped carefully and painted directly on to the surface with oil paints. With this surface and the paints involved, it was a one-time opportunity only – no going back once the paint was on.
The main sign on the front of the barn measures 20cm x 6cm so that you can get an idea of scale.
I look forward to seeing the bird house installed in the owner’s garden and I hope it will be used by many lucky birds!
