The World may never knOW!

Remember this guy?? 

Boy! Am I dating myself here?!  This is Mr. Owl of course.  "Mr. Owl, How many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop?"  Another owl from my childhood that stands out and takes me back to simpler times.

I'm thinking that my old crate owl frame definitely resembles the all knowing Mr. Owl.  After a coat of antiquing medium, several coats of varnish, decorative tacks for eyes and hanging hardware, my Mr. Owl is complete!  The antiquing medium really deepened the teals and yellows, and found all of the cracks and crevices to give this piece a well worn but loved look.  You can really see the old wood but still have that warm time worn color to liven things up.

 

 

I really tried to make his backside as pretty as the front while leaving the crate label as much intact as possible.  A piece of colorful antique cigar box was used as a frame backing with frame buttons for an easy photo change.  The way Mr. Owl was made, he is able to be hung on the wall or sit nicely on a desk.

I'm hoping to enjoy him for the day and then send him onto his new home! And of course, Mr. Owl's answer to every child of the 70's question about tootsie roll pops....

The world may never know!

Happy Tramping

Angie

Old Crate Owl: What a hoOT!

I am fully enjoying the creation of the old crate owl frame but of course, am struggling with keeping it simple.  This is one frame where less is definitely more.  Rough, vintage wood calls for a simple, primitive design.  Not a refined, precise design but simplistic, chucky pieces. 

I've cut the frame pieces out of old crate wood that has lots of wear and character. I've tried to include the nail holes where I could and have left the grain of the wood lightly sanded.

What a great surprise to cut into the pieces, to have the amazing smell of this hard wood waft into my face.  I'm slowly learning how to identify different types of wood, but am quickly learning how amazing most of it smells.  Is it normal to catch yourself smelling pieces of wood??  I didn't think so!

The pieces have been painted then chipped not my usual chipped then painted.  I think by creating the pieces this way has given the piece more dimension, gives it an outline of sorts and also resembles feathers in a way.  I think I like the variation in this piece.

Here is the dry run before assembly.  I've used teal, antique yellow and dark burnt umber, and will antique them once assembled.  They will be a warm,  and a nice shade of YUM!

Happy Tramping,

Angie

Old Crate Owl Frame Design and PAttern

The base frame for the old crate owl frame has been assembled using the side of an old wooden crate and a basic 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 square frame.  I've attached the 2 pieces together with wood glue and some wood screws for a sturdy base. I plan on leaving the back of the owl form unpainted in order to show off the vintage crate label that is partially still attached.  The graphics and colors are amazing!  With the frame being lined up with the bottom of the cut out, I believe that he will be able to be placed on a desk or on the wall!

 

 

The pattern pieces for the eyes, beak, feet, ears, and wings are complete and have been traced onto some old crate wood.  The grain, patina, and the wear and tear on the wood is amazing!  Hard to duplicate the real look of old wood. 

 

 

The pattern pieces will now be traced onto the crate wood and cutout.  Then the wood chipping begins!  Its going to be a fine balance of wood thickness, chipping and paint in order to maintain the chunky and rustic look I am going for.  Enough paint to give it some vibrance; yet preserving the patina and wear of the wood.  We'll see how it goes.  Keep it simple stupid. Keep it simple stupid.....

Happy Tramping

Angie

Owl INspirations

My next challenge is to create an owl picture frame for one of my family members.  The real challenge for me is to keep it simple, kinda chunky, and more rustic than some of my latest pieces.  Keeping it simple and not over thinking it will be the hardest part for me. I've created a quick drawing, found a base frame, disassembled an old crate and come up with a basic design.

I'm excited to create this piece because I know it will be treasured by a fellow owl lover. Owls have always held a special place in my heart.   Starting from way back, they have always sporadically popped up in my life.  Always providing that feeling of being watched over ...taken care of.  They have always provided direction for me when I needed it. Strange, I know!

I can remember back in the 1970's when I was like 8ish, my favorite outfit was a matching owl shirt and green bell bottom pants.  I loved it and I think I wore it just about every day my mom would let me.  I pretty sure that back then, most of my school clothes came from the Sears and Roebuck catalog, but boy did I stand tall when I wore my owl outfit!

When I was 11, I painted this owl sponge painting  which went on to win a local contest and traveled all around the state of Maine for 2 years. I was so proud of my masterpiece and still have it today.  I truly believe this owl fueled my love of painting!

Owls have also played a big part in my journey in creating tramp art frames.  Here are a couple I have created along the way.

To this day, I still enjoy my strolls around the Stanwood Wildlife Sanctuary, admiring the birds and owls that have been brought there to heal.  I especially enjoy the feeling of awe, peace and security they still give me when I've had one of those days or weeks when only the wise old owl can get me back on tract.

I know that owls will continue to help me along my life path and that is comforting.  Here's to hoping that my old crate owl picture frame will inspire others to love and appreciate these amazing creatures also.

Happy Tramping

Angie

My Tramp Art EPiphany!!

After a vacation week of basketball practice, starting to prepare for the holidays and Thanksgiving festivities, I'm hoping to get the Downeast Tramp Art and Whimsy blog caught up.  It was a busy week of fun family stuff but I still managed to squeak out a little bit of creative time.  Thanks to my helpful teenagers!

The Key to my Heart II frame was antiqued and varnished several times when I realized there was something missing.  HMMMM....the color balance was a little off.  What to do?? 

Definitely needed a little pop of color....YELLOW!  I created a wood chipped tramp art yellow border with red detail that encompasses the frame and really makes all of the colors pop.  Just the oomph it needed.

Now here comes the Epiphany part!!  While designing this yellow border, I realized with a gentle touch and with some additional hard wood pieces in key places, I can also build my tramp art layers from the back side of the frame.  This opens so many more possibilities for my pieces! Endless!

Here is a picture of the final piece with the skeleton key embellishments in place.  I'm pretty happy with the end results!!

My next mission is to create a very simple, rustic, and cute (of course!) owl picture frame for a family member.    I'm thinking chunky, old wood owl with a small picture opening in its body. 


Maybe from this old crate side....Stay tuned!

Happy tramping,

Angie

Tramp Art with a side of TUrkey!

Since I am currently creating my tramp art on my kitchen table, finishing the assembly of  the key to my heart II frame was of the up most importance for Thanksgiving day.  Loose pieces needed to be secured and finished, so that we could clear and prepare for our families Thanksgiving. 

A dry run of the assembly brought some uneven pieces to my attention and helped me make some final color choices.  I chose to use a bright turquoise which will look lovely after it is antiqued and will allow for the skeleton keys to show up better.  A little splash of yellow here and there with some hand painted detail to tie it all together.  Here is a picture of the dry run with keys placed on top.

 

After some quick tweaking, cutting and rechipping the tramp art pieces are secured in there places.  Again predrilling the pieces made the assembly incredibly smooth without broken pieces to recreate and an overall more solid piece.

 

 

Now the step that really changes the looks of things.  The antiquing medium will be added with a little more destruction here and there and VIOLA!!  deep, rich, and time worn colors.  Just the way I like them!

 

Sitting by my side as always, is my best bud Cooper.  Here is a recent picture of him sporting my reading glasses.  He is not very happy about the glasses and is counting the days until school vacation is over.  Too much attention from my thirteen year old when he is used to it just being him and I. He is a gentle soul and completely devoted to me! God love him.

 

 

Happy Tramping with a side of Turkey!     Angie

 

 

EmbellishmenTS

The key to my heart II frame is well underway with  the wood chipping complete and the embellishments chosen.

For this piece, I chose to use heart pieces cut from old cigar boxes for the final key hole layer.  The old cigar box pieces are really hard to work with considering that they are made of something similar to layers of paper, but the old graphics are amazing.  Very colorful and vintage...hard to reproduce so the real thing is called for!  

I have also picked out 6 vintage skeleton keys to be anchored to the frame when it is complete.  These keys were given to me by my step dad and just have amazing colors, shapes and patinas.

 

 

I chose to use oak pieces for the very bottom layer, to strengthen the piece.  Chipping oak is not my favorite (hard and splinters easy), but will provide the strength this piece needs for the layers that over hang the pine frame base.  After cutting my finger two times trying to chip the tiny round hard wood pieces that finish off the triangles, I used my dremel to carve notches in these tiny terrors.   Small hardwood pieces + wood chipping knife = cut fingers!  Why did I not think of that before?? Live and Learn.

 

The chipped pieces have been laid out in their final places and separated into bags according to the colors they will be painted.

 



Colors have been chosen:  light teal, antique red, ivory and maybe some dark burnt umber.  Maybe a touch of burnt orange too....definitely some hand painted decorative elements to come!

Happy Tramping    Angie

Key to my HEart II

My next challenge is creating a tramp art frame like my first Key to my Heart frame but better!  Here is a picture of my original.

 

I am hoping to recreate this piece, while making the frame stronger, the colors lighter and richer, and this new piece will definitely be one of a kind.  Fortunately, I am able to use the pattern pieces from the original with some tweaking.

 

I've gathered pattern pieces, pine frame base, some old skeleton keys, some poplar and oak hobby boards and a quick sketch on paper.  Everything to get started on this special piece minus paint, glue and nails.

 

After a little bit of reworking and straightening of some pattern pieces, I have traced them onto the hobby boards to cut out.  Oak was used for the very bottom layer to strengthen the entire frame.  The pieces have been cut out and laid out on the base frame for a dry run.  A total of approximately 60 pieces and they are all there and fitting perfectly.

 

 

 

Now for a quick sanding and then the wood chipping will begin.   I'm looking forward to a rainy Monday of wood chipping and catching up on those t.v. shows.  Now to ponder those wonderful colors....teal, red, and ivory! Oh My!

 

Happy Tramping    Angie

 

Another thing that I love about what I do! Treasure HUnting!

I just wanted to show off some of the treasures that I have found recently. In time,  Each piece will eventually end up in one of my Tramp Art creations.  I frequent our local Goodwill store, local junk dealers (love these guys), and the occasional thrift store, looking for those sturdy flat faced frames, old wooden boxes, spindles and everything in between. The older, the rustier, the more worn the better!

Here's a pict of the assorted frames that I have found recently. It's much easier for me to buy the base frame than to make it myself.  It's not very easy getting those miter cuts exact and have everything fit correctly!  Still working on these skills! The square frames tend to end up in a star shaped tramp art frames. 

 

They have to be flat faced, made out of wood, and sturdy.  Glass is a plus but not necessary - I have great glass cutter when necessary.  I like the not so ordinary sizes, shapes and colors.  They must be sturdy!

 

 

Not sure how these will work their way into one of my pieces but I could not pass them up.  Old metal with patina, old paint and who of course doesn't need a giant wooden key?  It's not signed any where but does say Deer Isle Maine on it.  A great piece of folk art!

 

 

Bunches of mosaic tiles in very nautical shades of blue, grey and black.  I am thinking something very nautical, with a boat, water.....time will tell.

 

 

Couldn't pass up this amazing piece of white birch bark!  The colors, cracks and knots are just gorgeous!  This is definitely going to end up in one of my pieces after I figure out how to work with it.  A Maine-ish frame with maybe pinecones, thin branches, Native barks.....or maybe an Adirondack inspired piece.

 

I am so thankful for this part of the creation process.  It's so much fun while looking and so satisfying to see these treasures find their homes in my pieces!! 

 

 

Happy Tramping     Angie

Mission ACcomplished

The sunflower tramp art frame came together nicely;  soft and yummy colors, solid and sturdy, and beautiful all in one.  Thank you Marguerite for your great artistic adjectives!  I have implemented several changes in my creation process and have come away quite satisfied with the results and have saved myself some time and increased the quality of this piece.

Having predrilled some of the smaller pieces of the tramp art layers, the number of pieces having to be recut, rechipped and repainted during the assembly was reduced greatly.  The predrilling will also help create a tighter bond between layers and cut down on future potential piece damage. 

I also religiously kept all pieces in sealed ziplocks so that my cat could not steal them.  No missing pieces!  Assembly was quicker than usually by keeping the pieces organized by color also.

I sometimes can't make the really tiny pieces that I would like to include on my frames.  The wood pieces gets fragile, hard to secure and hard on my hands when they are too tiny.  I don't know why I haven't done it before, but I did some hand painted detail and line work on this piece to bring it all together.  Before I started creating tramp art layers on my frames, most of my frames had hand painted designs and motifs on them.  So I'm not really surprised that the hand painted details are sneaking back in there.

The sunflower crown was created by carving two layers of petals with a vintage brass knob as the center. 

After the pieces was assembled and had had enough drying time, I coated the piece with a coat of antiquing medium.  I always look to deepen my colors and add that touch of time wear to the sanded edges and nooks and crannies.  I then gave certain areas a second coat to darken the edges and notches.  Three coats of polycrit later and we have the finished piece.

I am really excited to have been able to fine tune some of my steps and also save myself some unnecessary steps.  169 wood chipped pieces later, I'm quite happy to be able to send this piece to the Big Apple to fellow tramp art lover, Marguerite.

Happy Tramping,     Angie

Some Assembly RequirED....

One of the most important decisions in the making of my tramp art pieces, is color choice.  I really like to have my pieces appear time worn, colorful but antiqued, and richly colored  Sometimes, when a commissioned piece is ordered, the collector is specific about the colors wanted and other times, I rely on my own color choices to guide my creations.   As I look back over my pieces, I definitely tend to use some of the same colors consistently but continue to try to introduce new, rich colors into the mix.  Oh how I love deep orange, reds, teals, and blues.

When I make my color choices, I tend to lean towards the brighter range.  These brighter colors, sanded and antiqued result in the richer shades that I love so much!  I tend to limit my pieces to 3 or 4 color choices, as not to create a pieces that looks too busy and takes away from the art work or photo it is displaying.


After each individual piece is painted, I do another dry run placement on the frame.  This step is probably not necessary but is due to my obsession to make sure everything fits properly and to catch missing pieces before I get to far along.  Having my work space at my kitchen table, my many tramp art pieces are sometimes dispersed and stolen by my cat!!!  We constantly compete for the table space. Bad kitty!  Good thing she is so cute.

Before assembly, I choose to take care of my sanding and destruction.  This step is easier for me to do at the individual piece level.  Easier on my hands too.  There is a fine balance between too much sanding and just enough.  Especially along the edges, a nice sanding job can really provide a place for the antiquing medium to take well.  I sometimes will actually destruct with a hammer and large bolts leaving some interesting patterns on the wood.

Then the assembly begins!  This step gets really exciting.  To see how the colors work together and to see that original sketch come to life is very satisfying.  I have recently started to predrill most of the pieces which has cut down of broken pieces exponentially.  Santa is going to have to get me a mini drill for this task!  My frames are secured with a combination of nails and wood glue, which has proven to be overall the best and strongest choice.  I also sometimes use epoxy for those embellishments that are not nail friendly.

Here is the sunflower frame in the mid-assembly stage, in its bright, fresh, unantiqued colors.  I purposely did not show the crest of the frame so as not to reveal it quite yet to its owner.

 

 

Off to do my magic with the antiquing medium!

 

Happy Tramping    Angie

With the help of Dexter, the woodchipping is DOne.

After a couple of spurts of wood chipping and several episodes of the series Dexter, the chipping of the tramp art pieces are done.  I think the tentative count is 171 pieces ... but the final count will tell the tale.  I've taken the time to implements a couple of new steps to save on the old hands and cut down on blisters and sore fingers.  Maybe its getting comfortable with my craft or maybe its just getting more serious about what I do, but I discovered that taking this little bit of extra time to protect my hands, improve my lighting and paying more attention to my materials (wood, nails, paint, etc.) always results in a better, stronger, and more beautiful tramp art piece.

Some things I have learned recently creating Tramp Art:

The best time to protect your hands from the sore fingers and blisters that sometimes develop after completing the wood chipping, is to wear very thin work gloves from the start of a project.  The key for me is to never even let the soreness have a chance to happen.

Always using fresh, appropriate grit sand paper can make a project go so much faster and saves on your arms.  Don't forget what a sander is for and use it.  I have also found that a very tiny spring clamp that holds the small pieces, can create an handle that provides a more stable wood chipping surface and soreness.

My best time to do the wood chipping is in natural light during the day.  I can wood chip at night with my super sonic lamp but it is definitely easier on my eyes during the day.  My preference.

It has become necessary to keep more detailed project completion folders that detail the material used, colors used, and keep all of the pattern pieces together.  If ever there is a case of one of my pieces getting damaged, I can pull the project folder and have all of the creation details at my finger tips.  A real time saver.

I have also started to predrill holes into the final layers of tramp art.  I'm hoping this will help me with breakage and the need to create extra tiny pieces to replace them.

Back to the Sunflower Tramp Art Frame!!  Here is a picture of the after wood chipping dry run.  I've had to go back and tweak a couple of pieces but it looks like time for paint.

Lets see ... lots of green, red and yellow.  And maybe I should use this old brass knob!  We will see what happens.

Happy TRamping,      Angie

LEt the Wood chipping begin!!!

My Sunflower Tramp Art Frame is well under way and taking shape.  I have completed the design of the pattern pieces and have fitted them to the frame.  Each side is a mirror image of its opposite, so I only design the pattern pieces for one side, but make two sets of each for each layer of tramp art.  The top sunflower design and the curved bottom do not repeat on the frame, so they are made with unique pattern pieces.  Here's a picture of the frame with the pattern pieces in their places.

 

The pattern pieces are then traced and cut out of poplar with my scroll saw. Initial piece count = 171!  Thanks to Delaney for doing Mom a favor and counting every little piece.  Now to get them all chipped and the sunflower carved.  Netflix, Amazon Prime, recliner and iced tea here I come!!

 

 

 

 

Happy Tramping!   Angie

 

 

My Next Challendge: Sunflower Tramp Art Frame

I have been asked to create a sunflower tramp art frame similar to this beautiful piece.

 

This original piece was created by G. Mayer and dated 1899, and is an amazingly vibrant piece and is very beautiful in its form and simplicity.   I have had this one on my to-do list for some time and am hoping that I can create a similar piece while adding some of my own touches here and there.  It does promote some challenges though and has a few elements that are going to push me out of my comfort zone. Carving a sunflower, creating strong wood joint, fit of the pieces, etc.

 

I started by creating the pine base adding on the pointed crown using dowels to join the two pieces.  My miters still need some work and rely on the amazing powers of wood filler and my trusty sander to help me out of these never straight miters.  They continue to look better with time.

 

 

 

After some sanding to level out the work surface and the edges, I did a light sketch on the frame of the layout and pieces needed for each section.  OOPs!!  I forgot to cut the bottom design outline.  There, much better!

 

 

It's starting to take shape now.  I've got my sharp pencil, ruler, scissors and my card stock paper already to create the tramp art pattern pieces.  Off to my lawn chair and glass of ice tea...this gorgeous October weather makes this sitting time easier!!

 

 

Happy Tramping!  Angie

 

 

 

 



Shifting Gears Slowly

It sure doesn't feel like October 2nd here in Maine.  High 70s and not a cloud in the sky. The annual gear shifting from the busy summer season to the creative being at home season seems to become harder and harder for me as each year goes by.  Starting up those creative juices is not easy for me and I tend to have a few weeks of cleaning out, pondering and finishing up my summer projects before I can put the hammer to the nail.

The work space is some what cleaned up thus available to start the next tramp art creations.  Tools and wood organized, my flea market treasures are bought and kids are back in school.

Here are some of the salvaged treasures that I found over my travels this past summer.  Lots of old wood, dominoes, vintage blocks, etc.  I'm looking forward to creating some amazing frames over this winter and sharing them on Downeast Tramp and Whimsey.

To warm up before I delve into some of the more intricate frames, I decided to add some color to this frame that I was giving to a family member as a gift.  A little color here, a little color there, some tramp art pieces here, and this vintage looking frame was created.  The colors came out very rich and really make the wood carving pop.  But of course the frame does not even compare to the handsome guy in the frame.  He's my special little Pickle!

Now, back to those 4 to 5 frames that I need to make......

My Tramp Art FRenzy

The conditions were perfect.  Rainy weekend, busy kids and a husband on a fishing trip.  And of course streaming movies!  And not to mention the 6 hour manhunt on my road resulting in closed roads and locked doors - Yes, in my little town where this stuff is unheard of.  I fully took advantage of the situation and I notched, painted and sanded my way to complete the Star Spangled Frame.

Here is a picture of the base frame and notched layers before assembly.

 

 

This frame measures 15 1/2 x 13 1/2 and holds a standard 8 x 10 picture.  It has gold star corners and has been embellished with brass decorative tacks.

 

 

 

This piece had some designing challenges for me but I am happy to say everything turned out great. It has balance, rich colors and is an original.  It will soon be off to its new home and I will be on to my next tramp art challenge.

 

 

Happy Tramping!   Angie

 

 

 

Let the Wood Chipping BEgin

The star spangled pine frame is done.  All 90 something wood pieces and layers are designed and cut.  

 

A few adjustments here and a little more sanding there, and they are ready for the next step.  The fun part is about to begin:  wood chipping.  A wet weekend on the way, hopefully new movies on Netflix, and recently sharpened knives, and I’m ready for a wood chipping fest!  It takes away the guilt of actually sitting down in front of the television and catching up on that watch list.  And they wonder why I enjoy this sooo much….

Happy Upcycling     Angie

 

Star Spangled Tramp Art FRame

My latest piece: Star Spangled Tramp Art Frame, is well underway.  This piece is a custom order for one of my amazing collectors in New York City.  You know who you are!! 

This piece is inspired by a tramp art frame that was built in the early 20^th century and is still to this day ablaze with the old red, white and blue.  Seeing where the 4^th of July is fast approaching, I had to start my to do list with this frame. 

I have completed the pine base to accommodate a 8 x 10 piece of glass and will be flanked in each corner with gold stars.  This tends to probably be the trickiest part of the frames for me.  Wow! Is it hard to get a straight 45 degree miter cut.  Mine are getting better and have been helped tremendously by getting to know my miter saw, but they still need work.

 

 

The pine base was then cut to provide for a strong foundation for the stars and the tramp art on the sides.  I’ve started designing the sides and all of the individual pattern pieces and will be tracing them on sheets of wood to be cut and then chipped.

Now, what color combination will I use?? Red, white, blue, white, red?  No, blue, white, red, white, blue?  Stay tuned….

  

Happy Upcycling     Angie

 

 

My Tramp Art EVolution

After a couple of inquiries, I just wanted to show a brief glimpse at how my tramp art creations and style have evolved over the years.  It was really fun to dig up some old pictures of earlier pieces.  It’s amazing how a few years of experience and growth can transform things.
 

My wood working started with trying to create a basic frame that would complement my fraktur paintings I was creating.  With no directions, a miter saw and a determination to  create something that that had that rustic feel,  I started creating very basic primitive frames.

Here are two early examples of my frakturs in frames.  The yellow tramp art frame was my first attempt at tramp art.  Not bad!

 

 

 

After getting more confidence and more comfortable with wood chipping knives, I experimented with different shapes, colors and types of wood.    I discovered decorative tacks and nails, and enjoyed sharing my creations with many collectors far and near.  I was honored to be featured in the book “Tramp Art: Another Notch, Folk Art from the Heart” by Clifford Wallach and am proud to say he is the owner of two of my pieces.

 

 

 

 

Just recently, I have started to solely concentrate on the design and creation of the frames.  I have found that this has allowed me to fine tune the designs and spend more time on material and embellishment selection.  I can see how this change has changed my end product more than anything.  More variety in design and color, better quality completed pieces, and a much more relaxed end product. 

 

 

 

 

 I have created other pieces outside of picture frames, but continue to call picture frames some of my favorite and best creations.  My pieces continue to change and evolve, becoming bolder and more complicated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It continues to be exciting for me to find that amazing chippy spindle, rusty spigot and that next amazing design.  

 Happy Upcycling!      Angie