There are few things in life more joyful than the birth of a baby. So, I was thrilled when I was asked to make something personalized to celebrate such an occasion. It’s Nursery Artwork Painted on Wood, and in this blog, I’ll show you how it came together. The artistic design isn’t actually mine. It was something the mommy-to-be had pinned to her baby board on Pinterest. Armed with a picture of what she loved, and the name of her soon-to-arrive baby girl, all I needed to do was duplicate it, and change the name.
The first order of business was to find the wood. I bought a piece of plywood that had a beautiful grain and was already pretty smooth. All I had to do was cut it and then lightly sand it. You can trace around a giant bowl or plate for a circular pattern, or cut a square pattern for simplicity.
Using an old paint brush, I then applied a pre-stain wood conditioner by Minwax. I recommend this step because it helps prevent streaks and blotches when you stain the wood. Just allow about 15 minutes for it to dry before staining, or follow the directions on the can.
Next, comes the stain. I used a dark espresso color, and wiped it on in the direction of the wood grain, using a clean cotton rag. (Tip: I always recycle my husband’s old t-shirts. Just cut them into small pieces and save them for such an occasion.) Use another clean rag to wipe off the excess.
Allow it to dry overnight, and wipe it down again with a clean cotton cloth to remove any oils. Now, you’re ready to paint. I use water based acrylic craft paint. 
I first paint a light outline of how I want it, and then go back and fill it it. This nursery artwork was fun. The arrow is simple enough for anyone to do. And it’s hard to go wrong with flowers. You can paint them in any style.
I let the artwork dry and then turned the wood painting over onto a towel in order to protect it while I hammered in the hanging hardware. You find packs of these picture hangers at your local hardware store.
And now this Nursery Artwork Painted on Wood is done and ready to go up on the wall. I just love the simplicity of the arrows with the pastel flowers. It’s understated and sweet. With Baby Bexley due next month, this personalized piece of art is a darling way to welcome her to the world!
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