What would You like on your Purse?
Can you help me? I have a Question… Over the last year I have been tossing an idea around in my mind. (Actually I toss a lot around in there but that’s another story…)
I am going to Up-cycle some beautiful purses and bags. They are quality brands that I have collected and restored.
My dream is to provide another life for these bags by painting designs on the. I hope they will be loved again and perhaps be even more cherished as art pieces. The illustrator/artist in me has been yearning to do a bit more painting lately. That spurred this idea; ‘Repurposed-Repursed‘.
RePurposed – RePursed:
Each one will be a one-of-a-kind art piece. I’ve done this often for my loved ones, but I knew what would make them smile (or sometimes cry)
Now my question is; what would you just love to see on your bag? This is a question of ‘Surface Design’, trends and images that are always well received.
Here’s some of what I’ve painted already to give you an idea of the possibilities;
Pets and Flowers are always sentimental but I want to be more unique.
Please comment below and let me know. I would really appreciate your feedback, who knows, maybe I’ll paint your idea!
I am hoping to pop them into my Etsy store or a local Artist Co-op Store.
Leaves and botanicals. Redwood trees and ferns. Dragons are always nice!
Love your purses Barb! Wonderful!!
❤️ Lorna
Hi Barb,
You are so, so talented! I love the purses you’ve already painted. Thy are absolutely gorgeous!! I’m really loving the cats, in particular. (We have a very spoiled tortoiseshell.)
Perhaps you could paint some world famous landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower or Paris in the Spring, or some landscapes or jungle flora and fauna or underwater scenes, or some brightly coloured abstract art like Picasso or even some indigenous art and symbols like Norval Morrisseau’s works?
This site may interest you. This lady in the UK removes the leather from old couches and turns them into beautiful purses, backpacks and bags. https://www.newbaginnings.co.uk
Thank you for sharing your brilliant ideas and art with us!!
Barb
Love your talents in so many media types!! And you are so generous with your knowledge!
Do you think anyone would enjoy having a collection of money painted on their purse? Bills and coins? Crumpled or scattered?
Also- How about other things that are usually inside a purse. Lipstick, chapstick, comb, tissues. Good luck with this new venture. Keep it coming!
Oh, you’re on to something! I can picture a macro version of an interesting collection of purse stuff! Coins are quite beautiful, the sparkle could be so amazingly portrayed! ‘And who doesn’t like money?!
Living in Arizona I immediately thought of desert landscapes, sunsets…that type of thing. My baby sister lives in Florida so perhaps ocean views? Waves? I love your work and I know whatever you decide will be awesome!
Wow, you’ve got such a different view than me up here in the north! I’m fortunate to be able to visualize in my mind. The love I see for abstract could look somewhat like a sunset or even the layers of geodes. Isn’t the ability of art so fantastic?! Thank you!
Small or partial landscapes – waterfalls and streams, mountain valley, wheat fields…a bugs perspective…
It’s getting clearer to me, many images from nature! I’m excited about that! Macro plants, how lovely.
I love dragons. Like a flying dragon in the sky? And I love cants and dogs and tigers and.. So pawprints etc. would be nice 🙂
I have only ever designed a logo with a dragon, that’s a tough one for me unless maybe a silhouette. There’s some awesome design shapes in tigers!
I also collect older purses but I’m not much of a painter. Do you think it would work to use decals or decoupage? I worry that the flexing of the purse would cause anything attached to wrinkle or crack. Any suggestions? Oh, and I love vintage herb and flower prints and unusual birds, like Birds of Paradise.
Thanks, Barb
Peggy
When I was in the corporate world I took my brown leather briefcase and gave it a makeover. It was abstract and many people commented on it. I too collected a few bags to potentially up cycle. Life a death and an interstate move has made me give most of my arting away.
Personally I like small shoulder bags now. I mostly have a dog with me when I am out.
Best wishes to you.
Julie
I bet that briefcase was a welcome pretty distraction in that often sterile world. That reminds me of the painted suitcase for my daughter. I tried to add originality when I was teaching, even made my binder. I too like the smaller bags these days, cross-body let’s my hands be free, especially with a pup.
As much as I love your paintings of cats and dogs… I would only buy one if it looked like my cat or dog. I know that sounds weird but that’s just me. The mushrooms u painted are fab !! I would love to see bumblebees, waterfalls, nature trails, little cute mice ! Maybe even a leprechaun door !!
I agree about the dogs and cats. That’s another vote for bees! Waterfalls (my city has many) are on my radar as they are awesome to Needle felt. Landscapes have the challenge of how to frame and end the design. I picture a few mice running across the edges…
I love nature, so scenes of trees or rivers would be attractive to me. Individual creatures (chipmunks, squirrels, frogs etc.) or nature close-ups (pinecones, branches with berries, different plants, lady bugs or bumble bees) would draw my attention. Your work is beautiful.
Oh, we have similar ideas but I was usually having that as wall-art. I have a file of bug pics as I think they are so interesting! That’s great to hear!