You ever not start an art project because you're afraid?

[OriginalGeek]

I got all excited when I found out you can mod-podge pictures onto stuff - including canvas shoes. I got me some white, Chuck T high tops, a bunch of reverse images of my Scottish clan tartan and some mod-podge photo-transfer goop and I can't seem to get started on it because I'm afraid I'll mess it up lol. Or that it will turn out not nearly as cool as I thought it would.

I need a kick in the ass.

[Phoenix61]

1. Go for it!

It may not turn out the way you think it will. It may turn out even cooler! On a more practical note, buy a small amount of fabric that is similar to the canvess shoes. Maybe a heavy weight denim and play around with the transfer medium.

[OriginalGeek]

6. yeah

practice makes perfect...i'm often too impatient to do it but these sneakers ain't cheap! I should at least get an idea of what it will look like...how much goop to use etc...

[surrealAmerican]

2. all the time.

I have untold multitudes of projects that only exist in my head - some of which I did buy supplies for, others not.

There's some part of me that loves the boundless potential of the supplies more than the finished product.

[OriginalGeek]

7. lol!

yeah they are AMAZING in our heads, aren't they?

[Codeine]

3. Do it! Mod Podge is easy and fun!

We "podged" my kids' furniture with comic book clippings recently, and t turned out great. Even the little one was trucking right along with his brush.

[OriginalGeek]

9. ah that sounds cool too

my wife is thinking about doing jars and such for decorations around the house.

I also have various photos I've taken I'd like to transfer to various things - like a picture of seagulls in flight I would like to put on driftwood but I need to go find a large enough piece that is bleached enough to show up...

[Codeine]

15. It was a fun way to hide how beat-up

some of their stuff had gotten. Kids are hard on furniture! At least mine are. . . little monsters. But nothing some bargain bin Batman back issues couldn't disguise!

Try spray sealing the images you use prior to podging. This prevents the paper drinking up the liquid and getting all wrinkly.

[lunatica]

4. Ask yourself very seriously

What the hell are you afraid of? Ruining a pair of shoes?

They're just shoes!

[OriginalGeek]

10. but they're noooooo shoes!

brand spankin new still in the box...lol...maybe I shoulda started with some Goodwill shoes...but then I'd feel guilty about ruining goodwill shoes for my little project when some other guy might have needed them to get around...probably overthinking it but that's what got me into this pickle. Maybe if they have a bunch of them in my size....

[procon]

5. Yeah, that's me, too.

Here's what I do.

Plan ahead, make sure you have everything you could possibly need laid out on your work table. Also have good lighting and ventilation.

Use a large work surface in an area you can lock if needed, to keep your project safe from little snoopy kids and critters.

If you haven't worked with the items needed for your project, do a small test piece to familiarise yourself with and components. Do a test on a pair of cheap sneakers or kids shoes if you are unsure.

Plan your project in advance. Draw an outline of your shoes on paper. Try different arrangements with all the bits and pieces you have until you are satisfied with the look. Take a couple of pictures to review and make any changes. Then go for it.

Even if the final results aren't what you wanted, you'll have gained a lot of valuable experience to apply to your next project.

[OriginalGeek]

11. man lots of great advice in there

way more planning than I had originally intended but that's probably why I have a lot of half-finished/never-started projects. Thank you!

I love my Ott-light but I need to make a good space to get started. my real workbench is still in storage but I may have to dedicate a weekend to getting stuff out and moving things around.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

8. I don't do anything art-related after being criticized by my art teacher...

... in elementary school for painting stuff that wasn't "art" according to her, such as various colored blocks adjacent to each other. (Many years later, I saw something similar hanging on the wall of an art gallery.)

[OriginalGeek]

13. lol, I'm the opposite

years of mom and grandmas and wife telling me how great I am - I'm sure I have a way overblown sense of my own grandeur and ability. I'm sorry a booger squashed your artistic spirit. I love most all kinds of art and I bet your blocks were cool.

[msongs]

12. I have piles of art projecs I finished and are just lying around under sheets lol nt

[OriginalGeek]

14. time for an art show!

you could be rich!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

16. All the time.

I have all these great ideas in my head but I'm afraid the execution will fall far short of the concept.