Creativity abounds in producing new floor cloth designs using famous art themes.
Maria teaching a floorcloth workshop!
The textile concept of painting canvas floorcloths originated in France in the 1400’s. The cloths were small and only used on tabletops as decoration because they were considered too precious to place on the floor. In the 1700’s the American Colonists took the idea one step further and transformed old ship sails into floorcloths.They were durable; standing up to insects, heavy foot traffic, and muddy boots. They were easy to clean and blocked out cold drafts in winter and by staying cool to the feet in summer. They were used in every area of the home: in entryways, under dining tables, in kitchens, in bathrooms and bedrooms. They were also works of art.
The original floorcloths were designed to copy imported woven rugs as well as expensive marble and parquet floors. The Golden Age of the American Floorcloth covered the late 1700s to the mid 1860s when Sir Frederick Walton invented cheaper, mass-produced linoleum.
Todays homes are adaptive to traditional as well as artsy designer patterns. Durable non-toxic paints result in vibrant and none allergentic rugs or wall hangings. Keeping this artisan historic craft alive is a pleasure to my soul!!
So much fun to create my "Famous Artists Floorcloths."
4 New Famous Artist Designs
all can be found at:
The process is amazing and for me it is easier to produce at least 2 at a time.
Heavy canvas is sized, cut, machine hemmed, and painted with a special formula of gesso. Underlayers of acrylic laytex paint are applied after which a design is applied to the surface.
Finished with several coats of polyacrylic paint, these rugs are easily cleaned with a damp soapy sponge.
This item can also be used as a wall hanging from a decorative rod as rod pockets are part of the hem on the reverse side.
1 floor cloth almost done, with 3 coats of polyacrylic yet to appy.
This one is based on Ikat weaving patterns.
3 more canvas rugs underway.
"Maria's Sunflowers" Floorcloth
The original "Twelve Sunflowers" by Van Gogh
Maria's "Like Matissee's Interior in Yellow" Floorcloth
Original by Matissee, "Interior in Yellow and Blue"
Maria's "Karina" Ikat Design Floorcloth
These designs are poplular now.
Did you know they originated as Ikat Weavings?
Maria's "Robert Morris Yellow Flowers" Floorcloth
Original by Robert Morris
I hope you enjoyed your tour of my newest painted canvas rugs.
Maria
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