Bold moves.

I have always been intrigued by the idea of combining a little contemporary flair with a traditional setting. A favorite decorating image I recall featured two yellow-and-white-striped canvases hung vertically, one on top of the other, above an antique French gold and white console in a very formal foyer. This was such a great look that anyone could create with only little effort.

When I mentioned that I wanted to come up with some easy contemporary art projects that anyone could accomplish, Tempy Segrest, art director of the magazine and fine artist as well, was more than eager to help. She gathered her brushes and arrived at my house early one morning to get started. We discussed ideas and colors and made a quick trip to the craft store for paints, boards, frames, and canvases.

Tempy shared a few art techniques before beginning our projects. First, determine the size of art needed for your space. This can be accomplished with one image or a grouping of two or more. Use a large brush, about 1 1/2 inches, that will leave visible texture, and paint random strokes diagonally rather than vertically or horizontally. Make sure proportions are pleasing to the eye; dividing the project into sections of one-third seems to work nicely. Choose colors that you like, that will work well in the space in which you plan to use them, and that work well together. We chose acrylic paints because they dry quickly and are easy to handle. Tempy suggested using Liquitex Slow-Dri Blending Gel Medium, mixed at a ratio of 1 part gel medium to 2 parts paint, to slow the drying process of the paints and 3M drafting tape to create straight lines on the artwork. In just a few days, Tempy and I created these projects.

The palette is limitless, so get your brushes and become an artist. Give your decorating an updated look in only a matter of days without destroying your budget.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG CAMPBELL

Block off equal-sized squares on a canvas, using dark quilting thread taped to the side edges. Choose matte and metallic colors in a range of neutrals, greens, reds, and blues; paint the squares randomly with the paints. Allow to dry, then divide the entire painting into four unequal sections. (You can use a pencil to lightly mark the sections, or tape off sections one at a time and remove tape before moving to the next section). For the largest rectangle, brush a wash made with 2 parts water and 1 part paint in matte sage green over the entire area. Paint the tall thin rectangle in a wash using metallic green. Paint one small segment in a nutmeg wash and the other in an antique bronze wash. When all washes are dry, create lines between sections by taping off 1/2-inch segments where sections meet. Paint taped-off segments with burnt umber. Be sure to continue all paint lines onto the wrapped edges of the canvas. Remove tape.

Use an 11 3/4 x 36-inch gold leaf frame (available at Hobby Lobby for $20) with backing to create a bold image. The white board backing from the frame will be used as the canvas for the artwork (or you can use matte board trimmed to fit the frame). Paint the board with horizontal stripes (15 inches in terracotta color, 3 inches in metallic umber, and 18 inches in metallic champagne). Make sure to allow drying time between painting each color. When the entire painting is dry, brush a random stroke of adhesive size across the seams between the colors. Allow to dry, and place gold leaf sheets on the adhesive size; brush away the excess, leaving the center umber section bordered with a rough-edged stripe of gold.

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Measure the desired size of your artwork on Arches textured natural watercolor paper, and use a ruler to mark the outer edges on the back side of the paper. Make a light cut partially through the paper on the line using a utility knife, and carefully tear the outer edge of paper away while holding down the paper that you plan to keep with your other hand. This will create a deckled edge around the outside of the project. Using 3M drafting tape, mark off a 1/2-inch margin around the outside edge of the front side of the paper.

Select colors, and paint the paper. When all paint is dry, use a gold marking pen to write a favorite Bible verse on the painting. (Test to ensure that the gold will show on the colors of the painting.) Choose a symbol to represent the verse, and paint the shape (heart, pear, etc.) with a brush and adhesive size onto the painting. When the adhesive is dry, place a sheet of gold leaf on the shape, and brush away the excess. Remove tape, and frame on a pleasing matte board in the frame of your choice.

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Place four 14-inch-square gallery-wrapped canvases (canvases without staples on the outer edges) on a table to paint as one composition. Cover each canvas entirely, edges included, with random diagonal brushstrokes using a 1 1/2-inch brush and tan-colored paint. When the basecoat is dry, add random dry brushstrokes of aqua, Wedgwood green, and gray, allowing each color to dry before the next one is added. Blend colors slightly with a dry brush in the colors already used. Add random circles by applying umber and terracotta paints to different-sized round objects, then stamp the circles onto each canvas in a pleasing arrangement.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] PHOTOGRAPHY BY GREG CAMPBELL