I wanted some lampshades that reflected the environment in which the shack is situated.
We are surrounded by Gum trees, native plants, the river and lake and of course the bird life.
I found some interesting cane-based lampshades from Kmart that had white shades.
I wasn’t sure I could draw on them, but at about $20 each, I figured they were cheap enough to take a risk.

It’s fun and a challenge to take something and make it even more interesting with your own art.

I drew a stylised image in pencil first, the used water colour paint to fill it in.

I noted that the ink bled a little, so I completed a very light layer of watercolour and then added ink tense pencil which one wet lightly, looked like watercolour. Honestly I didn’t mind the little halo of pale pink around the flower, it added softness.

It looks lovely with the light on.

On the next lampshade which is in the living room I decided to use ink-tense pencils and blocks. I was able to get a finer effect.

Ink-tense blocks are blocks of pigment ink that you can wet, I use them a lot to dye fabric backgrounds on my quilts.

Gumleaves, and cockatoos set in a vintage 50’s theme, it all goes together.

This is a 1950’s handcrafted box made from old greeting cards or wrapping paper. It was a very popular craft and I thought they were horrible when I was a child, now I love it.