I took a house tour a few years ago in one of the fancier suburban Chicago towns. I was awed, inspired, and perhaps feeling that I should have dressed a little nicer. Maybe next time, anyway, I remember in one of the most elaborate homes we actually had a tour guide who took us through the home, pointing out the most notable details. The guide showed us some of the artwork, which included a whimsy painting that was done by a French artist who got his start by painting his artwork on cardboard gift box lids and selling them in the Paris open market. Now his artwork hangs in the homes of the well-to-do, who are apparently quite taken with his upclycling practice.
Here are five creative ideas on things to use as a faux canvas, when either a real canvas is not in the budget, or you would just rather use what you have around already.
Tales from the Crib used Styrofoam insulation board as faux canvases to frame family photos.
Diary of a Mad Crafter used a shoe box lid as a faux canvas to make this inspirational wall art.
Sheek Geek used a cracker box.
She actually only used the lid of the box, but it had me thinking you could also use a cracker box, the whole box, just the same. Pretty clever, huh??
Adventures with Gigi used mdf wood pieces.
Even scrap wood would work quite well (try saying that 10 times fast).
I used cut up pieces of laminate shelving and plywood for this faux canvas photo project to make mementos for my son who went deep sea fishing in Cancun several years ago.
Whether you’re making inspirational art, framing photos, painting a picture, wrapping with fabric or fancy paper any of these faux canvas ideas could be used in replacement of the real thing and fool the best of them, even if their “canvas radar” is up.
I wish I could remember the French artist’s name. I tried to google him, but I had no luck. I’d love to hear from you if you happen to know his name.
What else you might have around that would work as a faux canvas?
Enjoy your day, your evening, your weekend! ~ Amy
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chris aka monkey says
or Vuillard frequently used cardboard, taken from the bottoms of boxes used by his mother to pack the dresses which she made and sold
Édouard VUILLARD
France 1868 – 1940
Amy says
Chris, You’re good! This couldn’t have been easy to find as “cardboard” is probably not one of his key words, lol. What a talented artist!! Obviously Vuillard was upcycling long, long before it was hip to repurpose. Thanks so much for researching, how cool that research is one of your passions!
chris aka monkey says
wasn’t easy to find but i love research xx
Feral Turtle says
I tried to say it fast ten times….lol! It was tough. What great ideas! It’s true…the world is your canvas!
Danni@SiloHillFarm says
What great ideas! I have no clue what I might have around that would make a great faux canvas, but I’ll be keeping my eye out now!
Sherry says
Great idea Amy! I guess you could say I’ve used floor samples as a canvas…
Amy says
Oooh, that’s another good one, Sherry, thanks for sharing and I hope your enjoying your weekend!!
Mel says
Ummm I don’t that I’ve used anything but I love these ideas and I am a huge fan of Vuillard.