Magic Realism

Create a dramatic optical illusion with this living painting

LIVING PAINTING HOW-TO

• Find an old, ornate frame and paint it the colour

of your choice. • Stretch a piece of sturdy neutral fabric tautly across

the back of the frame using a staple gun to attach it. • Find a colourful image of a floral arrangement (a painting, not a photograph) and paste it onto the back of your self-made fabric canvas. • Using an art knife, carefully cut out only the top section of the glued on picture but do not remove it completely. Make sure to leave the bottom section attached so you can arrange it so that it looks as if it is spilling out of the bottom of the frame. • Attach a piece of floral foam to a tray with strong glue, then mount the tray onto the wall. Position the frame over it. • Begin to form your floral arrangement by placing flowers in the floral foam until it appears that the painting and flowers are one for a dramatic effect.