Decorating with Old Brushes

I am not a painter but I grew up among artists. My grandfather 'Deedaw' was a painter and a political cartoonist. From my parents, I inherited his furniture and many of his art supplies.

In some ways, I've always loved art supplies more than I loved what you did with them. Like a pirate rummaging through gold, I would rummage through these materials and get my hands dirty with the paints and charcoals. Organizing these 'artifacts' brings out a beauty that to me is worth displaying. The key is to not overdo it, but use them in just one or two places in your home.

Look carefully at this worn, personalized paintbrush. Look at the tape wound around it to keep the artist's hand comfortable and steady. These are the type of brushes I would suggest looking for; old, wooden, unbroken. Maybe they still have paint on the handle but the horsehair or camelhair brush tips are clean and ready for their next work of art!

This is the shelf above my bed.Try to use materials that were actually used for something. It takes away from the authenticity if you have to take new things and artificially distress them or add your own paint splotches. As a backdrop I finished the look with an old palette and a picture of my daughters under the rainbow in Ireland.

How to get started:

Containers - Pick a variety of different sizes to put together

• Old metal cups
• Heavy drinking glasses
• Pretty glass or ceramic vases.

Grouping - Divide your art implements into size, color, type.Large big brushesTall brushes with small tipsMedium-sized or small brushes

• Charcoal pencils
• Old old pencils that look like they were last used over 50 years ago.
• Ink pens

Place them in a container appropriate for their height.

Arrange them on a shelf or table and enjoy.

You should be able to find some brush collections on eBay. Make sure they are not new plastic ones. Also, look at yard sales and when you travel. I found a big beautiful old artist brush in an outdoor market in Paris.