Handmade

Handmade Inspiring DIY Projects from Lova

Secret Paintings Creating hidden art in unconventional places

Craft + Text by Lova Blåvarg + Photography by Susanna Blåvarg

I love the idea of making art that is more than meets the eye and finding unconventional places to put my paintings —like a plain wooden box and some long-forgotten sea shells. Open the box to reveal a secret, surprise painting on the inside, decorated with newly painted shells to make mementos from summers past even more special.

plain wood box sea shells masking tape gesso or white acrylic paint paint (oils or acrylics, whichever you prefer) paint brushes

1. Put masking tape around the edge of the lid to avoid getting paint on the outside of the box. 2. Paint the inside of the box lid and shells with a base layer of white gesso or acrylic paint. Allow to dry per package instructions of medium you’re using. 3. Create your work of art inside the lid of the box using oils or acrylics (I used oils). 4. Allow paint to dry overnight for acrylics and at least 72 hours for oils. 5. The receiver of the gift box can decide whether to keep the painting a hidden treasure or put it up for display. When left open, the rim of the lid frames the painting nicely!