I find myself wandering the craft aisles at any place that has one. I’m always looking for inspiration and something new. We get tired of doing the same projects over and over again. As part of my curriculum I am constantly looking to expose my boys to something new. I also love to include the study of famous artists who inspire us along with the project we do. While walking through the aisle at Target one day, I found a pour paint kit. The kit had two canvases and ten bottles of pour paint. My mind immediately went to Jackson Pollock. His art would fit right in with a pour paint lesson. While we were at it we could explore other famous pour paint artists like Rinske Douna, an internationally known ‘fluid artist’ from the Netherlands . Now I thought this looks like it has potential. However, my mind was thinking about what else we could pour paint on. With the garden aisle being conveniently next to the craft aisle, it put flower pots in my sight line. Yes, I thought, that is it! Now we have two projects in one, and they will be great to display. Now I just needed to include the artist and I had a complete art history lesson.
All you need is a few simple items. The first thing you need is pour paint. It is a special paint. You can use acrylic, but you need to add something to it to thin it out so that it is fluid. You can buy pour paint at most craft stores. You don’t need a kit unless you find one that has all the colors that you love. Pick up a couple of canvases. We used the type that is stretched onto a wooden frame. You could use board canvases just as easily. The only downfall would be getting your fingers on the canvas as you try to slide the paint around. The framed canvases give you something to hold onto that is not on the front of the painting. Next, you will need a flower pot or two, We chose plastic pots, but a ceramic pot would work just as well. You will also need a plastic cup or a glass you don’t getting paint in. This project can be quite messy so make sure to take precautions to cover your work area. We did it outside and that was even easier. That’t it, you are ready!!
First thing first, we found it useful to elevate our pot on another plastic cup. This gave us something to hold onto when removing it from the canvas and allowed the pot to dry without interfering with it. Once you have your pot elevated, place it in the middle of your canvas.
Figure out what colors you want to layer. You may use as many or few as you’d like. You just want to make sure that you have enough paint in your cup to cover your entire pot. Once you have your colors chosen you are ready to layer. In your plastic cup begin by pouring one of your chosen colors into it. Then choose your next color and pour it directly on top of the other color. Do NOT mix the paint. Continue to layer each color right on top of the other until you feel you have enough paint. For our pots we used 4 oz of color. Now you are ready for the fun part. It is time to pour.
Starting at the top of your flipped over cup begin to pour the paint. Move the cup while continuously pouring paint around the entire bottom of the pot. The paint will start to run down the sides of the pot creating beautiful swirls and designs. Continue pouring the paint until the pot is entirely covered. Allow the excess paint to drip off onto your canvas.
Once you feel the paint has stopped dripping it is time to remove your pot so that it can dry. Now you are ready to create your canvas. Pick up your canvas and try to keep it as level as you can. Begin to slowly tilt the canvas so that the paint runs towards the edge. Continue to tilt the canvas in all directions until it is covered entirely with paint. This part can be messy, so be ready for it. Once you are satisfied with your design and the results, it is time to let it dry. This will take several hours. I didn’t touch ours until the next day. There are a lot of layers to dry on that canvas, but it is so worth it!
Once they are dry it is time to display. I loved this project because they are truly beautiful companion pieces. I had the kids pick a plant to put into their pots. Easy way to add a little Earth Science into the lesson as well. The plants added so much to the pot along with the canvas to display next to it. I put these on my four season porch and get compliments all the time about them. People always ask me where I got them. I love the shock on their faces when I tell them my kids made them. This is such a great, fun project I know you will love too. I can’t wait to pour paint onto more items to see how it turns out. Let me know what you have poured paint on. Show me pictures of your creations. We love to see what you come up with. Enjoy this project and make it epic!!
-Nicole