My Mushroom-Painting Diaries Part 1

13 January 2009 @ 03:55 pm

Yeah, you must be wondering, “Mushroom-painting? WTF?” or “Must be the new fashionable thing right now, huh?” or even “Why do you paint mushrooms if you’re going to eat them?”

Actually, the mushrooms that I’m referring to are 2 stone mushroom figures that stand in my garden. Every year, my dad paints the mushrooms, and they’re traditionally painted with a red base and spots of white like wild poisonous mushrooms. Well, this year, he outsourced the job… to me. To me, who never fails to get a C in art in both primary and secondary school. To me, who has lots of weird ideas and designs in her head that cannot really be presented in real terms. To me, who doesn’t like getting her hands dirty.

So anyway, I took on the job. I asked for tins of paint and a few brushes. But my mum said it would be easier to use spray paint. At first I was against this, for the practical side of me knew that no matter how cool graffiti is, it won’t look nice on mushrooms. And also that I have no control over a brush, let alone a bottle of spray paint. But my mum insisted (even though she’s not the one painting) so I resigned myself to her will. (I kind of regret that now.)

So. At first I wanted to paint one mushroom green and white, and the other red and white, like a 1-UP mushroom and the one that makes you grow bigger in Super Mario. But there wasn’t green paint so I had to get light blue instead. Then I had a seemingly-brilliant idea: place cardboard shapes on the mushroom so that when I spray paint around it, I get the shape of the cardboard on the mushroom! Hooray!

First try: The paint was too wet and the shapes didn’t come out clearly because they couldn’t stay firm during the painting. So my dad suggested using masking tape instead of cardboard so the figures can stay down.

Second try: I made lots of small shapes and cartoons using masking tape and stuck them on the mushroom, before coating the mushroom in white and red stripes. (Then I went to the library and borrowed thrillers by Andy McNab and David L. Robbins and they look really cool :D) When I got back, I removed the masking tape, hoping to see a miracle of sorts, but no. It looked like a diseased and wilting mushroom.

Third try: I give up with the crazy ideas. I painted one mushroom with a base of red and spots of white and blue. So there it stands waiting to dry.

I have one more mushroom to go before school starts next week and CNY celebrations start the week after. What shall I do with it? Suggestions welcome! Very welcome. (Actual meaning: HELP ME!)


Current Location: at home
Current Mood: Artistic
Current Music: none