Field of Flowers Mixed Media Photo Frame

Jacki Gran of Coral Gables, Fla., grew up with an interest in painting and drawing, but it was when she discovered mosaics that she found what she considered to be the most relaxing of mediums. Now, she combines her love for nature with her three areas of expertise to create a mixed media photo frame.

Materials:

wood picture frame
acrylic paints:
- light green
- dark green
- yellow
- light blue
- dark blue
- red
- black
black permanent marker
paintbrushes
acrylic varnish
red, light green and yellow stained glass
grout
ruler
pencil
glasscutter
oil
glass nippers (lepps)
spatula
sponge
bowl with water
soft rag
Weldbond glue
photograph
picture hanger
safety glasses

1. Draw a desired scene on the picture frame with a pencil. Jacki Gran's drawing featured a field of grass at the bottom of the frame with a sky and sun at the top.

2. Paint the scene with acrylic paint as desired. Paint the grass green, the sky blue and sun yellow. Add red flowers with black centers, highlights of yellow in the grass and blue shadows on the grass (figure A).

3. Using a ruler and pencil draw the lines for printing desired phrase at the upper right of the frame (figure B).

4. Draw lettering using a black permanent marker, then erase the pencil lines when the marker is completely dry (figure C).

5. Varnish and let dry overnight.

6. Cut stained glass into pieces and shapes using a glasscutter and glass nippers (figure D). Caution: Wear protective safety glasses while cutting glass.

7. Adhere glass pieces on the sun, flowers and grass accents with Weldbond glue. Let dry overnight (figure E).

8. To match the grout to the yellow glass sun, mix yellow acrylic paint into the water prior to mixing the grout (figure F).

9. Wipe clean with a damp sponge and polish with a soft rag.

10. Attach a picture hanger to the back and insert a photo in the frame.

Enjoy your Field of Flowers mixed-media photo frame.

Website: www.jackigranmosaics.com