In case you haven’t noticed, we are pretty enamored with our state. So much that we like to display our Minnesota love. Dain made me a mini Minnesota painting on canvas months ago because he knows that I am a sucker for all things teeny tiny. And for glitter. He nailed it when he made mine pink with a white glittery Minnesota on it. Now we are adding them to our store so that you can bring your very own mini Minnesota to a home near you. Don’t worry, we do have other colors for those who fail to appreciate the glitter factor. And we’re sharing how we do it in case you want to make your own or make one with a different state since we hear there are 49 others that may also be art-worthy.
When Dain originally did a few of these, he was just using things he had around the house. He has a large “art supply” under the stairs in our laundry room that includes things like paintbrushes, canvases, and all kinds of oil and acrylic paints. We also have a ton of house paint since about 25 cans came with the house, and we have painted almost every room since, adding to the hoard. So after purchasing a few more 3×3 canvases from an art store and some glow-in-the dark paint to test out, we were basically ready to roll and create a small stock of these tiny works of art. We started by deciding on our color combinations, which requires a base color for the canvas and a color for the Minnesota image. The base color can be just about any type of paint, but we use spray paint for the Minnesota image. Here’s what we decided on after a little debate since we have so many colors to choose from.
Then Dain began by painting the canvases and letting them dry.
It was our first foray into the glow-in-the-dark paint, and we learned that it requires at least two thin coats. So that added an extra step for those canvases.
After they dry completely, Dain uses a template to achieve the mini Minnesota shape.
He sets them on cardboard and takes them outside to apply thin even coats of the spray paint.
Unfortunately, even using the template, they don’t come out perfectly so Dain then goes back and touches up the edges using the base coat paint again.
After all is said and done, we are left with these adorable pieces of Minnesota art.
We are pretty happy with our color combinations too. The top right one has the glow-in-the-dark paint, and after holding it up to a light and testing it out in the bathroom, we can assure you that it is awesome. We are fans. The black and white would be perfect for minimalist decor, and the black and gold is just badass. Because, as I routinely quote from my second favorite Minnesota band, when life give you lemons, paint that sh*t gold. We actually love them so much that we want others to be able to snag them too. If you’re into them or know anyone who would be, check out our “Heart Shop” on the top right toolbar or click here. Or try your hand at a little custom art for you house.
We loved the “mini Minnesota” paintings.
Hopefully those of us from Missouri are able to master the steps to making ones of our own!
See you @ the lake!!
Love,
Isabelle & Meghan