Interpretive Dancer

Interpretive Dancer By Adrienne Balkum

It is a 16×20 canvas where I painted a paint-by-numbers version of a dancer with acrylic paint using a variety of brushes.

There is so many paint-by-numbers that can be cheesy and very flat. I’m very picky on the ones that I choose. I made the decision to take it up a notch by adding some more texture to it. Depending on your skill level or wanting to give yourself a challenge there is some designs that have blends to lots of itty bitty spots. This one arrived rolled up with paints in it. I ended up using my own favorite brushes.

Sometimes you need some art therapy to get your mind to focus on a different view.

This particular piece is for my twin daughters that will be hung in their room for their birthday next month. One of the things that I love about paint-by-number paintings is it is the equivalent of those adult coloring books. Art has a special place in my spirit as an outlet to get away. I didn’t want to think of my next canvas piece. I just wanted something to keep my focus. I have been working on this almost daily for about 4 weeks. The title is actually something corky about my daughters. They have this way about them in expressing themselves. It’s not too much of a stretch to say amusement is not too hard for them to find even if that means they may dance.

Preparing To Frame

Went to Hobby Lobby to buy a fancy frame, but I need the canvas to fit well in the frame without it buckling. So I decided to do a custom frame to stretch the canvas with some precut Bass Wood that is 1/4″ x 1″ x 24″. I bought a staple gun and a new pack of 5/16″ (8 mm) light duty staples that should work with the Bass Wood. Forget calling Home Depot to find a guy that could cut the bass wood at a 45 degree angle. I actually called and they can’t help. Unless you want to buy a table saw or lumber that’s about the extent of their service. A friend offered their Mitre Saw to cut the angles – and I must say it was PERFECT.

To put the Bass Wood pieces together I placed them on my work table and glued the 45 degree angles together with Rubber Cement glue. I took two pieces of Scott’s tape and covered the edge where the glue wood seep out of the crevice. Flipped it and taped just the crevices on each side. Then I placed the canvas face up over the Bass Wood. Mainly to get an eye of how much I needed to fold behind the wood. After that, I placed the face of the painting on the table. At no point did I apply pressure on the painting to avoid flattening the dried paint. I rolled up the canvas edges and I stapled the bottom halfway onto the wood.

Next, I did the opposite side next and then repeated until only the corners were left to do. Which were folded like the end of a present. Each angle was stapled perpendicularly on each side.

After all is tucked and stapled it was placed into the frame. It is perfectly snug. Full disclosure: My stretching on the corners – Or I should say the lack there of. May have caused the painting to have a bit of a wave in it. However, considering that this painting has a wave in it adds to the movement in a way to even adding more character to it. It appears that the silks are fluttering.