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DIY brush stroke art

art· Craft Projects· Wall Art

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This post may contain affiliate links from which I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Today I want to share a little DIY brush stroke art with you that I did right before we left for vacation.
I had been searching for a way to add some color into the corner by the couch where I had the framed catalog pages of my former art teacher. I just needed a change!
grey and white living room with added pops of color

I’ve had a huge crush on Made By Girl’s COCOA & HEARTS brush stroke paintings and while I hate taking someones idea, the cheapo within me won on this one. While I was in art school this was/is obviously a total no-no. And that still sits deep within me, but not deep enough, I guess. So sorry, please forgive me!?!?!? OK? Because I came up with my own DIY version for our living room.

DIY abstract brushstroke painting

 

DIY brush stroke art

I used 4 Canvases in 11×14 size (click HERE). I also already have a large collection of acrylic paints, so I didn’t need to buy anything else. But you can buy a nice variety at any craft store or by clicking HERE. And a flat brush like this one HERE is perfect for a project like this.

I determined what colors I wanted for our living room and went to town with some random strokes.

DIY abstract paintings for the living room in pastels

You can read about the painted thrift store lamps by clicking HERE.

DIY pink, gold and white abstract brushstroke painting
DIY pink, gold and white abstract brushstroke painting by cuckoo4design
DIY abstract brushstroke painting by cuckoo4design
DIY pink, gold, purple and white abstract brushstroke painting
DIY brushstroke canvas art by Cuckoo4Design

DONE.

I love this simple, cheap and bright update. Don’t you? The colorful strokes seemed perfect to me.

Hope you all had a fabulous Memorial Day weekend too.
Tschüß,

Tschüß

(Youleeya)

Click HERE to see how to paint more abstract art.
How to paint abstract art
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mo says

    May 29, 2013 at 11:22 am

    A great pop of color!
    Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, no? ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 2:18 pm

      You are right, it is ๐Ÿ˜‰ and thanks!

  2. Jane says

    May 29, 2013 at 11:31 am

    What a fun project! I love all the pretty colors, and I’m always looking for inexpensive wall art! Also, thanks for linking up to Frugalicious Friday!

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 2:19 pm

      Thanks Jane.
      I love Frugalicious Friday ๐Ÿ˜‰

  3. [email protected] Chronicles of Home says

    May 29, 2013 at 11:52 am

    Pretty! p.s. Love lake vacations, always takes me back to my childhood summers ๐Ÿ™‚ I’ll be at the fam house in Pocono Summit in a few weeks!

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 2:22 pm

      Thanks!

  4. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says

    May 29, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    it’s anice little happy spring touch! love the colors! and welcome back! i love summer fun like that, and i even somewhat like country music. and i like my moles. they all have grown on me, and are painful to take away. ๐Ÿ˜‰

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 2:24 pm

      Yup, this is my kind of summer fun!
      LOL, where do kids come up with this stuff? Both him and I have lots of moles ๐Ÿ˜‰

  5. Robin says

    May 29, 2013 at 12:40 pm

    Perfection!!! Makes me smile and looks like you paid a lot for them!
    I’m so happy you had a great vacay, and I’m w/ you on the country music…I just can’t seem to wrap my heart around it! xoxo (love what your son said!)
    Welcome back!
    xoxo

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 2:25 pm

      Thanks Robin!

  6. [email protected] says

    May 29, 2013 at 12:46 pm

    Laughing at the country music mole quote. I for one, LOVE COUNTRY. =) The artwork looks great. I love the pop of color in the room. Your living room is just too adorable! I love it.

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 2:26 pm

      Thanks!
      And I had to laugh at it too! It’s a good one, especially since we both have lots of moles.

  7. pam {simple details} says

    May 29, 2013 at 1:15 pm

    Love the soft pizazz it adds to your little corner!

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 2:26 pm

      Thanks Pam!

  8. Megan @ Rappsody in Rooms says

    May 29, 2013 at 1:22 pm

    Those are beautiful! I have seen a few different versions of those and yours came out beautiful! I love the colors you used together. Also, where did you get your couches pictured above? I am in the market for one and am having a hard time finding one I love (that’s not way too expensive)!

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 2:27 pm

      Thank you Megan!
      My sofas are the Claudia sofas from Macy’s.

  9. Karen L. Bates says

    May 29, 2013 at 1:23 pm

    Glad you had a nice vacation….and stayed away from the electronics! That would have been a little difficult for you!

    Cute and simple DIY artwork!

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 2:28 pm

      Yes, it was hard. Felt like being on a diet ๐Ÿ˜‰

  10. Shavonda says

    May 29, 2013 at 1:40 pm

    Iove love love it Julia!!! So easy and so pretty. I think I may have to give it a try. I have a lonely corner that needs a pick me up. Thanks so much for sharing.

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 2:28 pm

      Thanks Shavonda! I loved them too until I saw Kristen’s (Hunted Interiors) art this morning LOL. DId you check hers out? So fabulous!

  11. Pudel-design says

    May 29, 2013 at 2:05 pm

    Schön das du einen tollen Urlaub hattest!
    Die kleinen Bilder sind toll, das Gold mit dem Rosa ist wirklich hübsch, passte cht gut in den Raum!
    Wozu teuer Geld ausgeben, wenn man es selber kann, ne?;)

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 2:29 pm

      Vielen Dank Lydia und das sehe ich auch so!

  12. Julia Konya says

    May 29, 2013 at 2:20 pm

    Thanks Kristin! And yes vacation was super fun but I’m exhausted today ๐Ÿ˜‰

  13. Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies says

    May 29, 2013 at 2:33 pm

    I love it! Great idea and who has to stick to RULES?

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 2:36 pm

      Agreed and thank you so much!

  14. Brandi says

    May 29, 2013 at 2:39 pm

    My goodness Julia, you are so good!! I mean you took a simple technique and created a beautiful piece of artwork for your home. Did I mention how much I love it!

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 4:59 pm

      Thanks Brandi!

  15. Kelly @ A Swell Place to Dwell says

    May 29, 2013 at 3:19 pm

    Come hang with me for a while and I will get you loving country music! I am a country girl through and through.

    I love those paintings. Before I read what you wrote (I always look at pics first and then go back and read), i totally thought Cocoa and Hearts, and then you mentioned that was your inspiration…so…I would say goal ACHIEVED!

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 4:59 pm

      LOL, I doubt that I can be turned into a country loving girl. Believe me our VA friends try every year ๐Ÿ˜‰
      And I do the same, look at pictures first and then read ๐Ÿ˜‰
      Thanks!

  16. Mandy DeTurk says

    May 29, 2013 at 3:47 pm

    OMG! I am so so so glad that you posted this. This is what I want to do in my living room. Thank you so much for the tutorial! ๐Ÿ™‚ I will be using it!

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 5:00 pm

      Thanks Mandy and good luck with your project!

  17. brittanyMakes says

    May 29, 2013 at 5:48 pm

    LURRRRRVVVEEEEEEE these!!!

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 6:01 pm

      Thanks Brittany!!!

  18. Sheryll And Critters. says

    May 29, 2013 at 5:55 pm

    I believe we gather ideas all the time… so no, they are not copied from anyone. They are YOU’RE own original paintings. I personally think you ought to sign them each. Then make a cute indiscreet tag and number, name and price each one. I would say at least $500 per painting.

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 6:02 pm

      You crack me up Sheryll!

  19. Miss Charming says

    May 29, 2013 at 6:56 pm

    It’s amazing how something so simple can look so mod and hip. Great addition to an already beautiful room.

    Glad you had fun on your vacay, Julia!

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 8:42 pm

      Thank you!

  20. [email protected] says

    May 29, 2013 at 8:28 pm

    I love it Julia! so pretty and bright, love those colors; pretty and chic! ๐Ÿ™‚ I’ve been wanting to do a Super big one for my living room in black and blue but I don’t think it would look great! ๐Ÿ™‚ & happy you had a great vacation with your family too! ๐Ÿ™‚

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 8:42 pm

      Thanks Ingrid!
      You should just give it a try. You never know…you might come up with a master piece ๐Ÿ˜‰

  21. Kristen says

    May 29, 2013 at 8:38 pm

    Love the colors you chose! So perfect.

    • Julia Konya says

      May 29, 2013 at 8:43 pm

      Thanks Kristen!

  22. Sara says

    May 30, 2013 at 1:17 am

    LOVE! What a great way to add color…and it’s cheap too (my favorite)! Sometimes you gotta borrow someone else’s project. You’re using different colors, and not copying stroke-for-stroke, plus you gave credit to original blogger too, which is more than what some people would do. They look great!

  23. Luci @Bungalow At Home says

    May 30, 2013 at 11:33 am

    It’s good to get away and no country music for me either:)
    This is a nice little update.. They add such a nice pop of color to your living room!

    I would not worry about the copying thing.. Isn’t that what blogs are all about? Sharing and inspiring??

  24. Anneke at This, That and Life says

    May 30, 2013 at 10:16 pm

    I love that art too ~ you did a beautiful job making it your own!

  25. Sarah {Lacquer and Linen} says

    May 31, 2013 at 2:56 am

    Love this idea and how it gives your living room a sweet pop of color. I am beginning to tire of my completely neutral living room and this project would be a great addition! And I’m with you on the pet sitter thing- I hate kenneling my dogs and really wish I could find someone to stay at my house since my sister moved to Chicago!

    • Julia Konya says

      May 31, 2013 at 3:01 am

      It always helps having a vet in the family who knows reliable young vet technicians who don’t mind making a few bucks and staying at our house!
      And thanks Sarah!

  26. Gabbi @ Retro Ranch Reno says

    May 31, 2013 at 3:10 am

    I adore these paintings! They are beautiful! I did 2 very similar to these on tiny canvases I had laying around…and hopefully I’ll get around to hanging them in our gallery hallway one day soon!

  27. Jesse Bodine says

    May 31, 2013 at 4:12 am

    Goodwill has an app???? Thank you for this golden nugget of information!!! ๐Ÿ˜‰ The paintings are fab and I love the pop of color they bring in! Looks great! Jesse @ Scout & Nimble

  28. Stephanie says

    June 4, 2013 at 3:16 am

    My middle daughter is a BIG country music fan and wishes she lived somewhere that she could meet and marry a cowboy. I dont’ think she get far with that living in San Diego. I have been messing around with my acrylic paints as well. I want to do a large abstract for my studio, and honestly getting those brush strokes down and just walking away is what is really hard. I want everything to be perfect which it isn’t suppose to be in abstract. I told my youngest daughter today that I was trying to paint abstract art and she said “oh that is the easiest art to paint. A lady one $250,000 for one of her paintings in a contest and it turned out her kindergartner did it” Oh gee, thanks for the encouragement. lol Yours are perfect, I LOVE them!

  29. Gilit @ Shoes Off Please says

    October 14, 2013 at 4:08 pm

    How have I not found you until now?? Gorgeous!! And I loooove your living room! What color are the walls? Though if we’re going to be honest here, I’m gonna see if I can track them down elsewhere on your blog right now anyway.

    • Julia Konya says

      October 14, 2013 at 6:46 pm

      Thanks so much!
      In my living room I have Seashell Gray 4003-1A by Valspar

  30. Sarah says

    November 14, 2013 at 10:48 pm

    Just found your blog and I’m in love! I also adore the DIY brush stroke paintings.
    Sarah xo
    girlfriendshoes.com

  31. Michelle Vu says

    August 21, 2014 at 10:08 am

    I hope you see this! I wonder how you get your brush stroke to have that fade away effect? And how do you make them perfectly square within the frame? I taped around my canvas so my brush strokes look very harsh. You and Jen from MBG make it look so effortless!

    This project is def. not as easy as I hoped :(.

    • Julia Konya says

      August 21, 2014 at 10:28 am

      I’m sorry that you don’t think it’s easy.To me it was very easy and fast. The fade away effect is all in lifting the brush slightly at the end. Taping it off won’t work for sure. Mine aren’t perfectly centered either. It’s just eyeballed. It’s one of those projects that won’t be perfect.
      Sorry again.

  32. Jesska says

    March 22, 2015 at 9:02 pm

    Hello! I realize this was written nearly two years ago, but I was wondering if it would be possible for you to list some of the names/brands of the colors you used for the paintings? I love them even more than the Cocoa & Hearts paintings, and would like to reproduce yours as closely as possible. Thank you!

    • Julia says

      March 23, 2015 at 5:05 am

      Oh my gosh thank you so much. I mostly use liquitex or any other acrylic paint sold at the crafts tore but I mix the colors to what I like. So I can’t list specific colors that I used. I’m so sorry about that.

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I’m a German citizen living in the US who is cuckoo for all things DIY, design and pets. This is my design journey of our small home on a budget. Come stay a while and look around.

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