Hi Friends,
Last week I sanded down some reject paintings so I could reuse the canvas. Predictably most of them didn’t look any better sanded than they had looked before sanding, but four of them look amazing!
I never know what’s underneath a painting because I forget. Sometimes it turns out that I have reused that canvas three, four, or even more times, and then things get really interesting when I sand.
I think of sanding as a type of excavation — I’m digging into the past history of the piece and seeing what’s there. It’s like being an archaeologist of art. I never know what I’ll find.
Below are the four sanded paintings that I think look good. I’ve added them to my “Transformation” series of work. Click on the images for more information about each piece.
“Shifting Perspectives,” 20 x 20 inches, repurposed acrylic latex paint on canvas
“Healing Power,” 18 x 18 inches, repurposed acrylic latex paint on canvas
“Mystery Within,” 18 x 18 inches, repurposed acrylic latex paint on canvas
“Ascension,” 30 x 15 inches, repurposed acrylic latex paint on canvas
Sanding has become one of my favorite things to do! I love the unexpected, when it’s a happy accident.
What surprises have enchanted you lately? I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts. You can share them with us in the comments section below.
With love and appreciation,
Cassandra
WOW! These are the best!! Do you use a mask, and do you sand them by hand or with an electric sander?
Thanks, Cinthia! Yeah, they’e fun, aren’t they? I do wear a mask, and with these I’m using a power sander. Sometimes I sand by hand, but there’s a lot of sanding involved here, and it would take too long by hand.
These are fantastic! Love the exposed layers and the built up designs! Inspired to try this with some of my canvases. Thank you for sharing your ideas!
Thanks, Kathy. Yes, it’s pretty amazing what’s uncovered when you reuse canvases like I do. I love the surprise of it! You never know what will be revealed.
These are my favorites!!! Glad you took to the sander!!!
Thanks, Susan! Yes, the sander is lots of fun. Also dangerous. It’s really easy to sand right through the canvas!