I Had ONE Job.

And made it into two.

I had a commission. The client knew what she wanted. Something to fit over a couch, something very much like a painting I had done that had already sold. Something like this but longer:

This little 11" x 14" guy has sold three times if you count the commissions I have accepted to reproduce it.

This little 11" x 14" guy has sold three times if you count the commissions I have accepted to reproduce it.

This type of work is acrylic on masa paper, which has been fused with a thicker watercolor paper and then mounted on a wood cradle board. Lots of layers of paper and color give it that neatly segmented yet vintage look. 

So I bought the paper and a long cradle board to mount it on. But the wood cradle board was so pretty with such a beautiful grain in it that I couldn't bring myself to cover it with paper. Luckily, I had bought some acrylic inks that are more permanent than watercolor and less opaque than acrylic paints. I began painting thinking if it didn't work, I could mount some paper over it and no one would have to know.

I now know why people don't normally paint right on wood. It sucks up paint and does not give it up unless you bring out the sander. It is UNFORGIVING. However, no matter that I might have splattered a bit there (instant seagull) or flubbed a bit there (that mountain just got higher), the results are pretty spectacular. 

Here's a quick photo I took with my phone under bad lighting:

Acrylic ink on wood. 12" x 48" (Up close you can see the wood grain through the ink.)

Acrylic ink on wood. 12" x 48" (Up close you can see the wood grain through the ink.)

I guess it's back to the store for another cradle board. Maybe two in case this happens again.