My blogging friend, Andy, turned the big 3-0 last month and I wanted to get him something for this milestone *cough* traumatic *cough* event.
Time was limited so a painting was out of the question.
As a joke, I considered sending him a box of bricks for his birthday (Andy's job is working with masonry). That was just the inspiration I needed.
Wait, I thought. A brick. A painted brick!
And that's EXACTLY what I did!
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The front side!
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The backside!
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Some side action!
Originally the plan was to keep it simple, priming and painting a backyard brick in a colorful yet basic abstract design.
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Close-up detail
Splatters of acrylic paint gave extra interest but it was still missing something. So an added symbol turned into two, into twelve, into thirty!
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Close-up detail
Before I knew it, the perfectionist in me got carried away and I spent waaaay more time on this gift than I intended to!
After adding a protective varnish, came the MOST important part.
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Oooooh....sparkly!
Using a stencil from a computer printout of Andy's name, I carefully painted in each letter with glue then sprinkled a different colored glitter on top!
I know he didn't get this in the mail until last week but it's the thought that counts, right?...even if it was several weeks late!
Happy belated birthday, Andy!!
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49 comments:
Definitely worth waiting for.
Hi Dean,
That's a great birthday gift.
Thanks for confirming you POB number. I'll be very busy this coming week. I expect to be able to send you a letter the week after that. In the meantime let this framework percolate in your mind:
(1) Don't sell yourself short. If you do, you would also be selling your paintings short.
(2) Sell the sizzle, not the steak.
Caesar Augustus
Only you could think of something like this to make a person feel special!!! :D
Happy Belated B'day to Andy from me as well! Can I hav cake? ;)
it looks awesome!
I want a brick like this f my Bday lol!
And yes Dean, its the though that counts :D
Who would have thought that a brick could be so interesting to look at!
That painted brick is a beautiful work of art. I hope your friend appreciated what he got. Thanks for sharing it with us.
That was a great and unique idea that I am sure Andy really appreciated.
Wow, Dean, this is absolutely gorgeous! I love it!!!
wow, that is way cool.....but it must have cost a small fortune to mail,LOl.....my bday is in march, I love to cook...hint hint ;)
hugs
Awesome! Nifty! Delightful! You-rrific! Happy B-Day to Andy, and a priceless gift, Dean.
You and my girlfriend -- she used to find flat rocks and paint big grins on them with acrylic paint, find some public place to "booby trap" by leaving a couple where people could spot them if their eyes happened to fall across them. Those are fun too. Hope Andy liked his brick.
Dean,
You may have gotten carried away but this is the best use of "getting carried away" that I have ever put my eyes on; I am sure Andy is tickled pink over this. Not a detail missed, so proud of you I am.
Happy Birthday, Andy
What a great present! You do such great work Dean :)
This is the most awesome thing I've seen in a long time. I LOVE this. What a unique treasure. So heartfelt and thoughtful. You are truly an inspiration Dean and Andy is one lucky guy!
I absolutely adore this brick! Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow the painted brick road!
What a neat gift! I like gifts like the one you gave your friend because they have more thought and effort in them. And I think a gift like that definitely helps with milestone birthdays like the big 3-0, which I'll be having in just a few months! (eeps!)
It looks like a hippies' brick! Anyway, you are right, birthday for 30th must be bright and original.
I remember, 5 years ago, a girl friend of mine got 30. Another crazy mad friend of mine used string of metal and paper to create a 2 foot giant dick. Shaped and colours were just so perfect! (his talent as an artist was truly recognized that way , love it!) The party was at my friend’s family house with her mother. She appreciated the effort too!?
Anyway, several years after, she still has this giant stuff at home. This is definitely one of our best Bday gift we organized ever.
naturgesetz!
That's nice of you to say!
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Caesar Augustus (Anonymous)!
Good tips! I'll try selling the sizzle!
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Phunk Factor!
Let's all have cake!
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Blakenetizen!
Thanks for that, Sergio!
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Stephen!
That was the whole idea behind it. To take a very regular object and turn it into a work of art!
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Brian!
Thanks for taking a look!!
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Bucko (a.k.a., Ken)!
He thanked me profusely!
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Mona!
Hooray!
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Steven!
I knew the brick would be heavy so I sent it in a flat rate box, which unfortunately was still expensive! Ugh!
And thanks for the hints! LOL
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randuwa!
I'm guessing you like it huh, Randy?
(~_^)
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WOL!
Your girlfriend sounds awesome.
Little did she know that she was taking part in guerilla art, where you leave bits of art in public spaces for others to see and take!
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Stan!
*blushes*
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robertga99!
How nice of you, Bob!
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Tammy!
Hmmm.....
If the Yellow Brick Road led to Oz, where would the Painted Brick Road lead?
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Neurotic Workaholic!
Exactly! I wanted to give Andy a really unique gift to mark his transition into his 30's!
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laurentk!
A two-foot, giant dick?! Impressive! I wouldn't even know what to do with it! LOL
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Everyone's enthusiastic comments are greatly appreciated!
-Dean
I'm not telling you how much I like this. You're going to get a big head. And if I ever find a painted brick road, I'm following it wherever it goes.
Dean,
I love love love love lovelove love your gift! Thanks to all who wished me a Happy Birthday. The only problem I have is that I am afraid to touch my birthday present and ruin it. Dean, how hard was it to paint this brick, older brick tend to be really thirsty and absorb a lot of water, did you have to work fast, I mean when making the symbols and other designs? Once again thanks Dean and thanks to all of the rest of you. Andy
Fanfreakintastic! Beautiful, fun, and a PERFECT gift!!
Rick
That is a wicked piece of brick! You really like your glitter!
they look like sea creatures! I was thinking about this before i mean i looked at this before a few times but really into blocks of man made structure bullshit. especially making them obsolete. somewhere a fridge in a landfill is crying for you/ not just me.
Sorry, just another boring enthusiastic comment :-)
because it looks so lovely, for different reasons.
It looks great... That looks heavy though, hate to think of the postage!
dean..
what an inspired gift...
i prolly would taken the easy way out and bought him some legos....
- cheers.... david
Very cool!
What a wonderful world if every brick was as beautiful! :)
William!
I'd follow a Painted Brick Road too, Bill!
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Andy!
Glad you like it!
To answer your questions.....
The brick was cleaned off several times with the backyard hose, so when I painted the primer coat the brick was already damp (the primer prevented additional paint from absorbing too quickly).
After that, layers of different colors were added on top of one another (the symbols are sitting on top of those layers).
The whole thing was varnished several times so don't worry about the paint rubbing off. Only some of the glitter on your name might come off if you touch the letters too much.
Enjoy!
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Rick!
Yippee!
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bK!
I like my glitter, Brody!
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Plexus!
They actually had about a dozen painted refrigerators along Michigan Avenue this summer as part of some energy conservation/art program!
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Martin!
I appreciate your boring, enthusiastic comment!
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Eto!
It was heavy and the postage was pretty high!
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David!
Legos rule!
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Jason!
Awww.....
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Thanks to all of you for your feedback on this!
-Dean
yes....it's a treasure, unique gift...! Dean..everything you write or paint..or draw..or creat is interesting. Love your blog.
Fábio!
I appreciate that!
-Dean
The painted brick is so awesome. OMG! I love it! What a great and original idea!
That's awesome!! So clever and creative:)
Ces!
Glad you think so!
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bricarwaller!
Thanks Carrie!!
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It's wonderful having you two stop by!
-Dean
great colors!!! what detail on the glitter ha. fun
VERY cool! I like it!
Gorgeous. I want one for my next decade ... don't worry - I will nudge you in good time!
G =]
Dan!
Glitter is synonymous with fun!
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RAD!
Yay!
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Doomed But Cheerful!
You better make sure to remind me!
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Thanks to the three of you!
-Dean
I love what you did with the brick. I would put it on my desk. Didn't it make you happy ??
Joey!
Yes, painting the brick was fun to do!
-Dean
Beautiful, unique and thoughtful...I would actually love a gift like this and forever cherish it!
Kathleen!
That's quite a compliment!
-Dean
awe some paintings, is are they made by hand or photographed, really liked it, would like to make a site with the same finish, dean keep it up, johnny
That's awesome! haha I love the colors; I usually use bright colors in almost anything i paint.
stevejohnblog!
It's acrylic paint on brick!
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Rad Life.!
Bright colors rule!
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I appreciate you both stopping by!
-Dean
Next time I'm stumped for a gift, I will consider painting a brick. Brilliant!
Carol!
They make great gifts when painted! LOL
-Dean
Ah! SO PRETTY! OMO I can't believe how gorgeous that is! Beautiful, wonderful!
She Who Shall Not Be Named!
Thank you!
-Dean
Damn - that's creative.
Dean!
:D
-Dean
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