When you’re a self-employed artist, you’ll take any job that comes your way. Such was the case when a ‘regular’ client commissioned me to paint the tile behind her cooktop.
I met Gayle when I was a floral designer at a crafts store and did the flowers for her daughter’s wedding. She knew I also painted and called me when they were building their dream home.
They had just taken a trip to Italy and visited numerous wineries. She gave me their vacation pictures and asked me to paint this particular one on porcelain tile.
Was I scared? You bet! But I’d worked (a little) with some glass/tile paint and decided to give it a go. She gave me a box of 6” square porcelain tile and I went to work.
When the painting was finished, I went to the job site (the house was in the process of being built), ready to hand the tiles over to the tile guys. They took one look at the mural and shook their heads. No way were they going to install it. In fact, they said the paint would scratch off and that there was no paint on the market that would last on tile.
Silly men. How many times have I gone to Home Depot and told the guys what project I was working on, only to be told it’d never work.
I’d never laid tile in my life. But then, I’d never painted on tile, either. But they gave me their goop, some tile spacers, and I applied the mural above the stove. They just kept shaking their heads.
In all honesty, it did take a couple of tries to get the perfect sealer. The one that the paint manufacturer makes wasn’t durable enough. Off to Home Depot and more men shaking their heads at me. But I found a great sealer – can’t remember the name, now – applied 3 coats, and the mural has been up for 6 years now – still in pristine condition.
So, yes, you can paint on tile. It will last. However, I found this great site where you can do stick-on’s for tile.
I must confess I haven’t tried them yet, but I will soon. If anyone has used them, please let me know. I plan on turning a lot of my artwork into stickies.
p.s. I have to add this – Hubster did the color wash on the stove hood – just a little burnt umber mixed with Floetrol. Then I painted the grapevine. Have to give him credit!
Regina says
WOW…an awesome job!! Now…please please remember the sealer you used..LOL!! I want to try this and would love to know what the sealer was. I think the painted tiles would look great in frames and hung in groups too.
You were my muse for the day Colleen..thank you.
Hugs,
Regi
Keep that ankle up and enjoy the attention!!!
Delightful Dwelling says
Wow, it looks great! I know what you mean about the Home Depot guys and sometimes any guy in general. I get that sometimes from the hubby too, I just have to tell him to trust me!
Steph @ somewhatsimple says
Wow! You are so talented!
Lori says
All I can say is WOW!!!!
No I can say a bit more. those silly men at Home Depot. they just don’t get it do they? well you showed them…LOL
thanks for joining my party. I have a party every thurs., so come on back anytime.
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
Lovely!!! Thanks for the visit the other day. My latest problem is all of the email subscriptions I get (recipes, decor ideas, etc.) and finding the time to READ them.
Enchanted Rose Studio says
I love the mural! You showed them! ha! Don’t you just love it when you get the last laugh! Girl has got some skills!
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheers!
Tina
Blue Creek Home says
What a beautiful mural!!! Great job, and I totally understand why you were nervous when you started it. Beautiful details!
And I know the negative comments of those skeptics all too well.
Rhonda
just me... says
Very pretty! Thanks for sharing the information!