Welcome to my new Painter in Residence, Sabah

My newest PIR will be the fabulously bold, colour confident, and jaw-droppingly prolific Sabah Bardhan of Just Restore. Sabah is based in the UAE and has only been painting furniture for two years!

“I wanted to try something new creatively and canvas just didn’t cut it for me anymore. So, I painted some old stools which were lying around the house and the furniture painting obsession took over! I started painting any furniture in sight and to my surprise, after I posted the stools I painted on social media, people wanted to buy them. Surprisingly, it was my husband who discovered Chalk Paint® for me. I was using any paint medium I had at home to paint furniture when I started out when he chanced upon the Chalk Paint stockist, Artistique, here in Dubai. He asked some questions to the lady at the shop and came rushing home to tell me he had found paint specifically for furniture. I drove up there immediately and bought my first few pots and that was my first date with Chalk Paint. There was no looking back after that.”

I first discovered Sabah on Instagram when I saw a wardrobe she painted in the traditional Indian Madhubani style of Art (pictured above). The background of Chalk Paint® in Amsterdam Green makes a luxurious and dramatic statement against which her portraits shine. This piece was informed by Sabah’s childhood in Mumbai, which she frequently looks to for inspiration).

“I was a cabin crew for 12 years and was fortunate to travel around the world. I take most of my inspiration from the beautiful memories and photographs that I took when I visited so many cities. I found the by lanes, restaurants, flowers and foliage, souvenirs, traditional costumes, landscapes, etc all fascinating and captured those wonderful moments, which I now revisit every now and then when I want to draw on inspiration”.

Like myself, Saban seeks inspiration from the art world, too. She named Gustav Klimt in particular because of “his use of gold in his paintings, which I am partial to”.

“I find the work of Diane Hill absolutely hypnotic when it comes to Chinoiserie. There is so much to learn from her. I could watch her paint for hours Closer home, I have to mention my father. He is the one person I have learned all I know from, and he is an exceptional artist. He taught me how to be patient when I paint so that I never miss any attention to detail. He always pushes me to add more detail, an extra feather here, another stroke there, a deeper shadow in one corner, the list goes on”

“I most enjoy painting birds, especially the Japanese cranes. They are extremely majestic, graceful and have such beautiful movements.”

For me, Sabah is an artist and through. Her medium may be furniture rather than canvas, but as these pieces attest, she has a rare talent. For her PIR pieces, she’ll be providing step-by-steps, helping you to unlock your inner artist too and to be bolder and more creative with your work. I’ll leave you with these inspiring words from Sabah on her painting philosophy…

“ The best thing about art is that there is no wrong or right. The artist decides what meaning a particular piece of work has to it. Sometimes, the first try looks the best and sometimes the tenth. What is important to remember is that what may work for you may not work for the other and vice versa. Not everyone needs to have a steady hand to try painting an artwork, there are so many different types of art and mediums available to create what you want and that is what I have explored in my pieces as Painter in Residence. You can paint as proportionately as you like, or exaggerate any aspect, like I did for the features of the Indian couple. I’d love for everyone reading the step by step to enjoy the process and see how it evolves, try more colour or less, make it darker or lighter, do what makes you feel happy!”

Be sure to follow Sabah’s journey on social media and check my Inspiration Page for the step-by-steps.

Click here to discover our Past Painters in Residence.

Yours,

Annie

My lastest Painter in Residence, Girl in Blue Designs!

Charlie Anne Massey, better known as Girl in Blue Designs from Georgia, USA, has been on my radar for a few years now, and I’m delighted to cement the relationship by announcing her as my latest Painter in Residence!

No doubt you will have seen some of her pieces shared on my Instagram and Facebook – including once when she won one of my “Win-a-Tin” painting competitions. Charlie’s signature style is expressive, painterly and life-affirming; there’s an exciting, colourful wildness to her work which I find completely exhilarating. I’ve included some of her previous pieces below so that you can see for yourselves! I’ve also spoken to Charlie about her journey from Chalk Paint® novice to confident, capable, Chalk Paint® connoisseur!

“Since I could hold a pencil, I've always needed to create. For years that meant drawing, painting on canvas, and of course dabbling in various other mediums. Never once did it occur to me to try and make a living off of my art. I may have sold a drawing in a random social encounter here and there, but really it was always just something that I did for myself. Some people need to exercise the right side of their brains on a regular basis, and I'm one of those people. It wasn’t until I was 29 and very pregnant that I was introduced to Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan. Once introduced, I just couldn't put that brush down. I painted small, easy to handle pieces that otherwise would end up in the dump. The amazing thing was, that they sold, and rather quickly! I was hooked! Once my daughter was born, I obviously had no time for the brush. Once she was 1-ish though, I began to find little pockets of time to work/play. It escalated from there…"

"…I can’t say that I was an immediate natural as far as painting furniture. Not by a long shot. I had a lot to learn, including the different styles of furniture, which styles of paint-work look good on said type of furniture etc. But when it clicked, it clicked. I started listening to what each piece had to say, noting which styles gained popularity with the few followers I had, and most importantly I learned to bend the rules and have fun…"

"…Within a couple of years, painting furniture with Chalk Paint® was no longer a hobby that provided me with a little supplemental income. It was my yoga, my passion, my art form, and my business! Once I figured out what I was good at and what my audience wanted to see from me, a hobby became the most stress relieving job I've ever had."

Keep your eyes on my Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Inspiration Page to see all the pieces this Girl in Blue produces for her residency. I hope you are as excited as I am!

Yours,

Annie.

My latest Painter in Residence: Jemma & Fanny of shed eleven!

It’s a fond farewell to Jeanie Simpson, who created some truly fantastic pieces during her time as Painter in Residence, and a big warm hello to two more Australasians! You really do love colour down under!

Jemma (left) and Fanny (right) of shed eleven are sisters-in-law who live in the leafy North Shore area of Sydney, Australia. Fanny was born in Ivory Coast, Africa, and Jemma in Papua New Guinea. They both describe nomadic childhoods which developed into a shared love of travel in adulthood. They credit their identities as “citizens of the world” as having bestowed a rich and multicultural tapestry of inspiration from which to draw in their creative endeavours. 

shed eleven was established when Fanny moved from Singapore to Sydney and the pair began working on their largely commission-based business together. Their base became the shed in Jemma’s garden, at house Number 11 – and shed eleven was born! Like all the best furniture painters, Jemma and Fanny establish a real relationship with their clients and with the individual pieces of furniture they work on. Expect to see a smorgasbord of styles from this dynamic duo. 

Jemma and Fanny first came to my attention from half a world away after I saw their work on Instagram. Their linen cupboard (pictured above) won one of my regular Win-a-Tin competitions; which just goes to show the value in taking these opportunities to share your work and the importance of hashtag-ing so that here in Oxford we can find you – wherever you’re based. 

From rustic to mid-century modern via France, China and the coast, peruse some of my favourite shed eleven pieces below - and get ready for more eclectic examples on my Instagram and Facebook over the coming weeks!

Yours,

Annie.

My latest Painter in Residence: Jeanie Simpson!

Keeping secrets has never been one of my gifts so I'm delighted that my team have given me the go-ahead to reveal my NEW Painter In Residence.

Ladies and gentleman, please meet the talented Jeanie Simpson!

Jeanie Simpson lives on the opposite side of the world to me, on a hill country sheep farm in a small region of New Zealand. I discovered her work one evening on Instagram when I was browsing the #AnnieSloan #ChalkPaint hashtags. Just goes to show the value of publicising your creations!

With two small children and a little extra spare time, Jeanie picked up a paintbrush and began up-cycling furniture and homeware. She has always had a strong interest in art and design - something that she draws on heavily for inspiration in her pieces. All the work I have seen from her has been meticulously researched, which the History of Art and design nerd in me absolutely loves.

Jeanie is also passionate about re-using tired, unloved furniture from the past because of the better quality workmanship and materials, and the sense of history not seen in modern pieces. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle is such an important message and with these projects to inspire you – why wouldn't you?

Above is an example of the work you can expect to see from Jeanie! I challenge you to have a browse and not feel excited for what she comes up with throughout her residency.

Yours,

Annie.

My latest Painter in Residence: Hester van Overbeek!

I am so thrilled to introduce my latest Painter in Residence to you all, the wonderful Hester van Overbeek! Some of you may already know Hester from her blog and YouTube channel, Hester's Handmade Home.

I have been working with Hester for a while now - check out her 'Meet the Maker' interview with me here. Her work is always equal parts accessible and inspirational and her books are jam-packed with projects, hacks and ideas!

Originally from the Netherlands, Hester has been based in the UK for 14 years, 5 of those in the seaside town of Ramsgate. Along with her partner, there's also Kermit the dog and the brand new arrival of gorgeous Kiki, her newborn baby girl!

Hester says: "I have been making things all my life, my mum taught me how to work with fabric and my dad showed me woodwork and power tools. I spend my free time as a child sewing up little felt toys, clothes for my barbies and sawing out little wooden figurines out of leftover timber.

I love being a Painter in Residence. I love a Nordic look and easy transformations that don’t cost a lot of money to achieve. I hope you will enjoy my projects and that they inspire you to get the paints and fabric out and start making."

I'm so excited to share the projects that Hester has created as part of her residency with you. Keep an eye on my Facebook, Instagram and Twitter page: @anniesloanhome to see Hester's first project! 

Yours excitedly, 

Annie 

Victorian Inspired G Plan Table by Jonathon Marc Mendes

Here's the latest project from my Painter in Residence Jonathon Marc Mendes. It has his stamp all over it: the thoughtful colour combinations, the clever mix of styles and influences, the excellent paintwork and, of course, typography!

This G Plan bent wood coffee table was picked up at a local junk shop. Jonathon was drawn to the waterfall edges and clean lines. It’s a classic example of 70s design, so Jonathon decided to keep some of the wood unpainted, and add an architectural heritage detail, in this case, his Victorian tile design.

The combination of the G Plan design and hand-painted geometric details creates a modern, interesting look that is pure Jonathon.

Using the famous tile company Minton as his inspiration, Jonathon first painted the base of the table in Old White. He then used various Chalk Paint® colours to create his tile design. Jonathan used mixes of Country Grey, Antibes Green, Graphite and English Yellow, but this look could easily be achieved with Honfleur and Amsterdam Green mixes too. The pop of Giverny really makes it sing!

Incredibly, Jonathan painted the majority of this design by hand! Lots of patience is required for this, but you can use a stencil to create a similar pattern. Try my stencil in Tallulah, for example.

He then painted the sides in a mix of Napoleonic Blue and Graphite for a deep navy, ready for the Minton typography, which he created with an acetate stencil.

A coat of Clear Chalk Paint® Wax was then applied over the whole piece, to protect the paint and give the woodwork a refresh too.


I love the modern, masculine styling of the piece. Those 1970’s stag carvings have been given a modern twist, diagonally painted in Old White to link to the piece of furniture. And that wall is a gorgeous backdrop in Aubusson Blue.

We’re nearing the end of Jonathon's residency, I have just one more project from him to share! It’s been a fantastic three months of inspirational work, and I’m not saying I’ve saved the best till last, but make sure to check back soon to judge for yourselves!

Yours,

Annie

Leather Look Chair by Painter in Residence Jonathon Marc Mendes!

Can you believe that this stunning leather look chair actually started life like the picture below? With the help of a little Chalk Paint® and Clear and Dark Chalk Paint® Wax, Jonathon Marc Mendes has turned a rather dated and old looking chair in to something classically timeless, oh so handsome and quintessentially British! 

Jonathon began by adding water to Chalk Paint® in Arles to create the consistency of thin milk. (This is a must when painting directly on to fabric - the paint needs to absorb in to the fibres.) He painted the entire fabric surface of the chair with this base colour.

Once the first coat was dry, Jonathon added a touch of Primer Red to the watered down Arles mix - this created a gorgeous, warm colour that Jonathon began gradually layering on to the chair. To create an authentic leather look, the last coat of paint was applied fairly thickly so that the seat pad would crack, just like aged leather does!

Inspired by typography seen on old clock faces and coffee sacks, Jonathon created his own stencils using card. Once the painted fabric had dried, Jonathon applied his stencil designs to the chair using a Stencil Brush and Chalk Paint® in Graphite.



And now for the wax! Because Jonathon wanted a true leather feel to his chair, he finished the piece with wax, however if you just wanted to alter the colour of your chair, there is no need to wax as the watered down paint will have absorbed in to the fibres. Take a look at my video here to see this in action.

To create that gorgeous aged leather look Jonathon applied a coat of Clear Chalk Paint® Wax all over, and then, using a Wax Brush, Jonathon applied Dark Chalk Paint® Wax to the surface, paying particular attention to the edges and purposefully creating patchy darker areas to add to the overall authenticity. Over time the wax will act just like real leather, cracking on the surface.

Residual Chalk Paint® Wax was then used on the woodwork, adding that final, luxurious finish.

Well done, Jonathon, what a glorious way to use my paint and products.

Yours, 

Annie 

Simon Olsson's Indian Inspired Style

When I first introduced you to the work of my Painter in Residence, Simon Olsson, I was thrilled by the positive response of my readers. There is something so pleasing about his painting technique, and in particular the texture he creates. Simon has really mastered the art of turning a standard piece of furniture it in to something incredibly beautiful, using my paint, Chalk Paint®.

What I love about Simon's style is its affinity with a bohemian, Indian style. The two pieces I'm sharing in this blog are hugely influenced by Indian style and colour, be it intricate carving of the table or the distressed patina of the cabinet.

The unusual shape and indentations caused by the many doors of this antique Indian cabinet lends itself so well to a textured, painterly and layered finish.  Simon used Graphite, Provence, Old White and Louis Blue from my Colour Palette to create layers of paint, which he distressed heavily, to create a rustic, chippy look.

Simon began by painting the cabinet in Chalk Paint® in Old White, applying the paint quite thickly. He then added a coat of Graphite, before finally covering it in a custom mix of Provence, Old White and Louis Blue. Once dry, Simon sanded the piece heavily to reveal the different colours underneath. And then, to protect all that lovely paintwork, Simon finished the whole piece with a couple of layers of Clear Chalk Paint® Wax. I love the turquoise colour he has created here. Doesn't it look fabulous against the monochrome of the Graphite and Old White?

Ornate and intricate wood carving is an ancient art practice across India, and this stunning table is a prime example. It lends itself well to being painted as there's so much gorgeous detail to highlight! I love Simon's colour choice for this piece - my pale pink Antoinette. It adds a modern touch to the piece, and the sensitive yet bold way that he applied the paint makes the most of the detailing. 

Have you been influenced by Simon's work or Indian style? Show me your work by tagging me on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, and use #anniesloan, I would love to see your pieces!

Yours, Annie 

'A Man' by Hanayuishi Takaya, my new Painter in Residence!

Today I have the pleasure in sharing the first Painters in Residence project from Hanayuishi Takaya. Mr Takaya makes bespoke headdresses that are true works of art, made on the spot with what he has to hand and mainly using natural materials such as flowers and foliage.

As soon as I saw this set of images I was completely blown away. They are so powerful and so visually striking, they immediately evoked memories that I have from my visit to Japan. 

I was lucky enough to have visited Japan in the spring of last year. Japanese art and culture has always fascinated me ever since I was at art school. I especially love the works of Utagawa Hiroshima and Kitagawa Utamaro, their beautiful muted colour palettes offered me so much inspiration in my own work, from school right up to the furniture I paint now.

There are over 60 stockists of my paint and products in Japan and the work that they create is always elegant and interesting. Unsuprisingly there seems to be a penchant for more craft based work, with origami being featured quite frequently. Whilst I was there I was very inspired by the complete bond that the Japanese have with the nature that surrounds them; it inspires their creative work and there is a great deal of respect and care taken into preserving and upholding traditional practices.

From the iconic cherry blossoms right through to flower arranging and tea ceremonies, their love of Japanese nature is intrinsically linked to Japanese art, and yet, as times change there is a shift into using these traditional ideas, and love of detail, into a more modern aesthetic and practise.

So this Koi head dress by Mr. Takaya is a beautiful example of that link and movement, with Koi being one of Japan’s most famous creatures, a true symbol of their national identity. I adore that the model used here is a Japanese man, there is such a fantastic contrast between the femininity of the florals used and this mans strength and steely reserve. 

Shiro, the husband of our distributor Kimie in Japan, is actually a world renowned expert in Koi Carp, and even goes to California to judge Koi competitions. He showed me some large tanks that housed prize winning Koi whilst I was there and I was taken aback by the variety, black, white, yellow, orange in all shapes and sizes! They are extraordinary creatures, their colours are incredible and I love the way they glisten and shine as they glide through the water. There is a such a beauty in the variety of patterns too, I felt very inspired and privileged to see these magnificent fish in one of their native lands. 

Mr Takaya is hugely influenced by colours, this stems from his childhood as he grew roses just to see the variety of colours. I adore the fact that he is very sensitive to colours in his work and is almost dictated by the changing of the seasons in Japan. 

To create this Koi sculpture, Mr. Takaya first created the Koi using papier mache and then painted its distinctive pattern using Chalk Paint in Original, Emperor’s Silk and Graphite. To add a more realistic finish, he ingeniously used my Craqueler and Dark Wax, evoking the scales of the fish. The flowers he used include different varieties of chrysanthemums, which are typical Japanese flowers. The way he has placed the fish on to the headdresses looks so much like it is swimming through the flowers, just like it would swim through the seaweed.

I have completely fallen in love with this work, it is unlike anything I have ever seen created with paint and products, it feels fresh and new.

This, to me, is a true representation of Japan. Strong, bold, proud, a little unusual but always, always beautiful.

Yours, Annie

Introducing my new Painters in Residence!

It’s been nearly two years since I launched my Painters in Residence programme, and since then many artists and makers have shared their incredible work with us. When I launched the scheme I didn't know exactly how it would evolve, but over the whole process I have added being able to share with you the fantastic, inspiring and creative work, form the people who have been doing wonderful things with my paints and products.

As every single artist involved has an individual style and medium, some working with textiles, others on furniture, and others transforming rooms - their work has been a true reflection of their unique selves. It has been a joy to see their personalities translate using my paint and products . With this in mind, I am very proud to introduce to you my two latest Painters in Residence, Hanayuishi Takaya, based in Kyoto, Japan, and Simon Ollson, who lives and works in Malmo, Sweden.

Both of these artists work in a quite contrasting way, but they definitely have one thing in common -their works are an extension of themselves, as their personalities come through their pieces. Even though Simon is 17 and just starting out, whereas Hanayuishi Takaya is more established, having been featured in such publications as the Daily Telegraph and Glamour Italia, both of their works are complex, interesting and have depth of character.

Simon’s work is all about creating gorgeous, textured patina in rich and bold colour combinations. I love how he has found his personal style so young, he truly is a talented young man, and I cant wait to share his stunning projects with you all!

Hanayuishi Takaya is something truly special. Combining floristry with art and fashion to create one-of-a-kind headdresses, he uses all sorts of objects - flowers, vegetables and fruits, even taxidermy to create his unique and ethereal pieces. I love the way he works on the spot, allowing the personalty of the person to spontaneously invent, calling it ‘a unity of human and nature.’ His work that he has conjured up as my Painter in Residence is beyond anything I have ever seen before, and I can’t wait to see your reaction! Take a look at his website and Facebook to see more of his current work.

Follow the hashtag #PaintersInResidence on Instagram and Facebook to see projects from Simon and TAKAYA over the coming weeks, and head to my ‘Painters in Residence’ Pinterest board too.

Introducing my new Painters In Residence

It’s been a fascinating ‘first take’ with my first 3 Painters In Residence – Janice Issitt, Alex Russell Flint, and Beau Ford. Their fantastic finished projects have shown between them what you can do with Chalk Paint® when you go with your passion and unleash your imagination. So a big thank you to Janice, Alex and Beau!

I hope their showcase of colour, techniques and style has inspired those who perhaps feel less confidant or more constrained by convention or taste to ‘give it a go’ and stretch the boundaries of what’s possible!

Painters In Residence: A recap

I started this project back in September 2014 (see my introductory post) to make real my motto of ‘endless possibilities’ and get upcyclers, recyclers, and potential painters to explore my Chalk Paint® at the edges of the colour wheel. I wanted to showcase people a bit like myself perhaps, who are naturally expressive, and are prepared to experiment with my Chalk Paint® and say ‘now what finish or effect can I achieve with this?’ They boldy go where their imagination takes them to create quite different finished products and interesting combinations of colours and motifs. They make you sort of you sit up and take notice and I like that.

So it’s no surprise that my next 3 Painters In Residence continue to extend the possibilities of Chalk Paint®. Please welcome them...

Abigail and Ryan Bell

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Agnieszka (/Agnes) Krawczyk

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Karen Donnelly

Facebook

Follow the hashtag #PaintersInResidence on Instagram and Facebook to see more projects, and head to my ‘Painters in Residence’ Pinterest board too.

Yours, Annie

Janice Issitt's Boho Door

Janice found this dark wooden, carved, Victorian door in a charity shop and had to have it! She has taken the door and repurposed it using lots of bright colours from the Chalk Paint® palette to make a bold Bohemian statement.

Janice told me that "a lot of things went in to the alchemy" when it came to mixing the colours for this piece. She loves to experiment with colour mixing and stores any left-over mixes in pots, and will revisit these when beginning a project – adding other colours in to them to make the right tone for the next project.

For this piece Florence and Antibes have been mixed in different amounts to create different tones of green. Old White has been added to some parts and English Yellow to others. Napoleonic Blue and Emperor's Silk were mixed to make the deep purple panels, and a touch of Emperor's Silk has been added to Barcelona Orange to deepen it.

The panelled wall surrounding the door has been painted in Napoleonic Blue and stencils have been added in its complimentary colour, Barcelona Orange!

What do you think? Have you ever used Chalk Paint® to create a Bohemian look?

Yours, Annie

Follow this blog for exclusive pics from Janice's residency and follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and her blog: janiceissittlifestyle.blogspot.com

And remember to follow #PaintersInResidence on Instagram and Facebook, as well as my Painters in Residence board on Pinterest.