Rain Barrel

I was recently commissioned to paint a plastic rainwater collection barrel for a home in South Austin. This was my first time painting on plastic and for an exterior installation and I was nervous about getting the materials right. But after much research, and repeated trips to paint stores, I found the solution and got to work. Check out the images below to see the results!

The barrel before cleaning and sanding.
The client wanted a botanical scene that incorporated elements from the Sonoran Desert. I used one of the photos I took at Saguaro National Park in Tucson, Arizona as a reference.
Drawing the outlines with an India ink pen.
After taping off the edges and preparing the barrel with Insl-X Stix primer, I drew outlines on the barrel with pencil and then used artist acrylics to paint them in.
After a thin layer of magenta was applied, I painted in the bright colors of the cacti and sunset.
Finally, I went back over the black outlines and, after waiting a few days for the paint to fully dry, sealed the barrel with two layers of General Finishes Exterior 450 water-based topcoat.
The barrel at its home in South Austin.

NEW!

Check out the new coffee featuring my artwork at Dear Diary Coffeehouse! Now available for order online or in store. And while you’re there, take a look at paintings from my Iconic Texas series, hanging in the shop through May.

COMING UP

My painting Flomot Longhorns will be on display as part of the Array exhibit at Art For The People Gallery, April 16 – June 24, 2022
Join me for the Artists Reception: Saturday, April 23, 12-1:30pm
1711 S. 1st St., Austin, Texas 78704

I’m featured in the upcoming issue of Almost Real Things and we’ll be celebrating with a free music and art event: Almost Real Things: Worth It LIVE!, May 21, 6–10pm
Distribution Hall, 1500 E 4th St, Austin, TX 78702

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO

Working Through Anxiety In The Creative Process by Lisa Congdon

I’ve Been Working My Ass Off for You to Make that Profit? by Freakonomics Radio

The Dune audiobook, available for free via various public libraries.

Thanks for reading and have a great day!