I love a decorated door.
Inspired by gypsy caravans, Outsider or Detour Art and Charleston Farmhouse in equal measure I have been meaning to paint up our chicken coop doors since they were installed. Last weekend, while the man of the house was camping, it was the perfect opportunity for the boys and I to tackle this delectable task.
Day One
I had originally intended to paint these doors myself, and to do gypsy style scroll decorations around the chicken cameos. I was rather apprehensive of doing it justice. (Careful, decorative embellishments are not my strong point). But after seeing how well the kids’ work on the chicken gate turned out, I decided that the same pseudo-pointillist technique would look a lot better and that the boys would do a much better job than I could.
I roughed out a cameo shape, mixed up some paint for them to use, and let them go for it. They loved it.
blank canvas (almost)
Notice the different styles, apparent even this early in the proceedings. Boy One is neat, precise and thoughtful about his work, taking after his father and paternal grandfather. Boy Two is a lot looser and messier, taking after his mother and maternal grandfather! (A natural Fauve perhaps?) Interesting stuff. I love it that they have differing styles.
Pointillism stage complete
The boys decided that one would do mostly warm colours on the door with cool colours on the border, and the other would do the reverse.
The boys then painted their favourite chickens in silhouette
For better or worse, I decided that a higher contrast was needed with the background, so I painted in the dark areas. This was the end of Day One.
Day Two
Final stages – I held the chicken while each boy painted its portrait! (Arty’s hair looking a bit feral here!)
After signatures were added, the boys wanted to put the chickens’ names on their portraits. Each chose a different style.
Hugo chose a flag emblem for Vita’s name, and used a fancy serif letter form. Vita looks like she is wearing a superhero mask…. or else a villain’s mask. Perhaps the latter. Hugo says definitely superhero!!
Arty chose a simple oval plaque for Emily’s name. It suits her eggy shape I think.
Detail of Fauvist Vita
Detail of Impressionist Emily :-)
View of the chicken coop through the garden
Room for much more decoration here. I feel we are only just getting started!
endpapers 
Oh, that is so brilliant.
LikeLike
The boys and I thank you! It was fun.
LikeLike
Jude they are just wonderful, fabulous. They are so lucky to have a mum who sits back and both lets them do and encourages them, especially when you would have loved doing it yourself.
It is a great achievement done by all, will call and see them soon. Thanks for sending them on love to all M xx
Sent from my iPad
LikeLike
Thanks xxx
LikeLike
Trouble is I don’t know how to save them.
Sent from my iPad
LikeLike
Ha ha. I can show you some time.
LikeLike
Lovely Post. The boys must be so proud. Have they shown it at school?
LikeLike
No they haven’t. Thanks Kezza x
LikeLike
do you think that you should put a photo of the chicken gate and fence? I do. So Judita, what is your status for this weekend?
LikeLike
Chicken gate is on JudyWatsonArt Facebook. I can add one here later.
LikeLike
vita needs a virginia or a ginny or a woolfy!
LikeLike
Yes, or a Violet!
LikeLike
Judy this is an absolute joy. Joan sent it on to me, and I love it. congratulations to all. Love Marg Pxx
LikeLike
Thanks Marg! Nice to hear from you. I remember you were into decorated doors for a little while.
LikeLike
I have fallen head over heels in love with your chicken coop. The doors are scrumptious!! Go Arty, Hugo and Judy! It’s so cool how you all just have artistic freedom as part of your lives. If you ever make it to the states, come and visit us in Sequoia! Karen
ps. I liked Arty’s hair… reminds me of Captain’s! :)
LikeLike
Karen you have no idea how much we would love to visit you in Sequoia:-) Maybe one day!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on the art of costume and commented:
Just goes to show that even chicken’s have unique personalities and personal style. Could a chicken garden be more divine?
Thank you for sharing and well done you clever people!
LikeLike
Thanks Bella. Chickens certainly do have unique personalities and personal style. Emily has been broody the last few days and boy has she been uptight! She has her own invented squawk that means ‘OUTRAGEOUS! THE INDIGNITY!’ and has been loudly declaring it whenever approached by human or chicken. And she and Poppy got into a fight and Hilda had to step in between them and break it up. Arty said ‘Hilda acts like a true leader’.
So what about rabbits? I’m waiting for Smudge’s personal profile to be posted…
LikeLike