Art Materials Don’t Have To Cost Us A Fortune. Here’s What Helped Me.

Artists, Makers and Creatives always have lean times. It’s what makes us stronger and value our sales and clients more. Lean times also test our metal!

Over my career, I’ve experienced many, many lean times, but this mustn’t make us stop making work, it just means that we have to think even more creatively.

Canvases and prepped painting surfaces can be expensive, so take a good look around you and ask yourself, what could be a cracking surface to paint on - but crucially, sellable. A chest of drawers may look like an inviting option, but will that sell easily? What’s portable, strong and usuable?

Facebook Marketplace is a BRILLIANT place to look locally.

Once you choose your item/surface, it’s time to prep it for painting. A good wash, a few layers of Gesso if you are going to oil paint on it, or acrylic paint covering if you are using these paints offer a beautiful surface to paint upon.

Here are some examples of works I’ve made when having to think Creatively due to tight funds - or just because I fancied it, I hope you find them inspiring

Much love

Sam x

Ps, I would LOVE to see yours. Tag me on Instagram @samanthabarnespaints or send me an email which would make my day!

From left:

A wonky wooden bowl I found on Facebay, a platter board or chopping board, some vintage postcards that I found in a flea market, paper (obvs!) and some off-cuts of plywood that I found, cut down and curved the edges of ❤️