“She Loved Big” Canvas Art

I’ve been making my own word canvases for a few years now but knew I wanted to make a gallery wall collage when I got better at handwriting with a paintbrush. Thus comes a few weeks ago. I found the best quote for its placement, our new, blank living room. I love a good DIY wall art project like these 3 colorful takes on canvas art, but for this project, I decided to go monochromatic black and white. After a few trial runs with practicing handwriting, I was ready to paint.

Step 1: Buy canvases that will fit your wall; I chose four canvases that could be juxtaposed on the wall at different heights.

Step 2: Decipher where your writing will go on each canvas size. With my quote, I knew I needed to space out the lines, so they fill the canvas.

Step 3: Write your lines on each canvas. I chose to go out without pre-writing with a pencil after I did a trial on a different canvas with a pencil first. When I tested the larger brush, the letters were smashed together. Pick the brush that works best for you and your aesthetic.

Step 4: Let each canvas dry for a few hours before placing on the wall.

Step 5: Put your canvas on the floor before holding it against on the wall to measure your dimensions.

Step 6: Measure each canvas end to end, top to bottom to understand the space you’re working within. Be sure to measure between the spaces of each canvas.

Step 7: From there, prep to place the first canvas. Mark two inches from the left and two inches from the right to ensure placement for your nails.

Step 8: Bring a tape measure, two nails, a pen and a hammer and mark dots on the wall where your nails will go. Hammer your two nails and place your canvas. Use a level (or use iPhone level app!) to ensure your canvas is straight.

Step 9: Repeat step 7 + 8 until all your canvases are displayed on your wall.

Step 10: Take a step back, admire your work and give yourself a high-five. Take that overpriced artwork.

The most important part of these canvases is to remember, imperfection is perfection. I like to make things messy and a little less than perfect. It makes my space a little more livable and a little less like your great Aunt’s formal dining room, which NO ONE dined in.