a pumpkin painting
A few weeks ago, that creative itch crept up on me and I decided to do a painting. On a large canvas. Of a white pumpkin.
I was as shocked as could be at the finished product.
Truthfully, I had no idea I could do this. I’m not a painter and hadn’t a clue what I was doing.
I just started brushing on layers of color {latex paint leftover from various walls in our house} using my kids’ artist brushes. For accents I grabbed a couple of those little tubes of craft paint and mixed colors on a paper plate. There was nothing fancy about the process and like I said, I was amazed when I stepped back and took in what these untrained hands created.
The pumpkin painting now hangs proudly on the dining room wall – which you see from the entry through the large hanging window.
I took it in to our local frame shop and promptly walked out after I learned it would cost $275 for the frame I wanted. No thank you. But I do think it needs something to anchor it against this light wall, so we’re thinking about making our own.
So here’s my encouragement for this weekend:
even if you don’t have formal training
even if you doubt your skills
give something new a try.
Do a craft. Make a new recipe. Pull out your sewing machine. Dig in the dirt. Paint a pumpkin.
You never know what creativity lies within you unless you give yourself a chance to try.



















Kezia
I’m so impressed, you are very talented!
Julie
Keep going. There is definitly something there! You are very talented.
Andrea
Love pumpkins and I really love yours! Thanks for the inspiration…I’ve been meaning to pull out the sewing machine anyway!
leanne
Love the painting! Also – thank you for being an inspiration and for being such an encourager to all of your readers! Have a great weekend!
Jessica @ Dear Emmeline
it turned out lovely Emily! i’m not a trained or naturally great painter either but I churned out some pretty awesome pieces in a basic art class I took in 12th grade. you never know until you try!
Amanda @ Dixie Delights
Wow!! That is GORGEOUS!!! I had a painting this spring that was too pricey to frame so I hung it over planked stained wood and it looks great (in my opinion
) You can see it here: http://dixiedelights.blogspot.com/2012/07/bellamys-oyster.html
I’m almost inspired to try and paint a pumpkin now!!
Emily
Wow! Beautiful job!
tiffani
Wow! I love that!! You should think about selling them. Great job, very impressed.
melaine thompson
are you kidding me???? SELL THOSE!!!!! You are so talented beyond belief! xoxo
Mari Monroe
Looks AMAZING!
Tiffany
Your picture turned out so pretty, thanks for the encouragement too!
Serah Roy
I was thinking the same thing! I would love to purchase a print of this! It’s beautiful! You’re so talented!
Serah Roy
Oops, I meant to reply to the comment under this one
Liz E.
Absolutely love this! You should have it made into prints–I would totally buy one!
annapolis
Just BEAUTIFUL, Emily! You should keep that up…your kids will love having your artwork someday in their own homes. I’m sure of it.
Emily @pdr
That looks great! I love the colors and feel of it. Keep it up
Monica
Wow, your pumpkin painting is amazing!! You should definitely explore this natural talent. I am impressed with your shading and stem detail.
Laura
this is amazing! way to go!
Nancy
I swwoned when I caught a glimpse on instagram, this is beautiful! I’ll take one please
Jennifer
So so so true! I couldn’t agree more. I tend to go with the flow on most of my projects. Some turn out awesome and some not so much. And that’s ok. Life is trial and error! The pumpkin is beautiful!
Cindy
BeAuTiFul!! I would def. buy!
Alex @ Revedecor
Congratulations!! It seems so…real. If you want to sell it, let me know!
Pam @ Simple Details
A perfect pumpkin ~ and your encouragement is just as inspiring!
amber P
This is absolutely gorgeous Emily!
Judy
wow! that is simply gorgeous! i’m hopeless at drawing but you are very talented.
Christy
I stared at the stem detail for at least a few minutes in awe. I’m gonna get my paint stuff out this weekend
Estela
WOW ! it looks amazing!
Dori
LOVE it! The colors are wonderful – very soothing and calm. This inspires me to want to paint, too!
Cindy Lynn
Simply Beautiful! I love painting Pumpkins!
Jessica
Wow, this is so inspiring… honestly! Not only is the picture gorgeous and an awesome accent for fall, I really love your message behind it. I’m an aspiring designer/decorator and have absolutely no training. I’m terrified to jump into the industry with no guideposts or real background, but this helps remind me that it IS possible and to just jump in and TRY. Thanks, Emily! I absolutely love reading your blog
shelly kennedy
so beautiful!!!
i love it!
FALL perfection!
jane
ABSOLUTELY LOVE your pumpkin!!!
Anne
Although it would look nice with a frame, I think it looks great without one! You really could go either way. Just depends on the overall look you’re going for.
Stefanie
I love this! I love white pumpkins!! I would totally hang this in my house during the fall!!
Angela
EMILY (yelling) that is one very nice painting. You did an excellent job! I took one painting class and know how difficult it is to do a painting. You should be very proud, as you are and keep painting, I think you have something!
Elizabeth
Hi Emily! Whenever I want a large pretty frame and can’t afford “custom framing” I just go to Ross, Marshalls, or TJMaxx (or any discount home goods store) and purchase a peice of framed art (hopefully in the clearance section) that has a pretty frame. Then I remove the art and just use the frame.
Hope that helps! Your painting is gorgeous!
Sandy
I can’t believe it! My jaw dropped when I saw your gorgeous painting!
Your kids will be fighting over who gets it when they move out to their own place!
(My teens are already picking items that they will want when they leave the nest…
and they have not even left yet
I myself am not a painter – walls yes, but not artistic… I have complaint many a times that I wish I was a painter!
I will give it a try! Especially since I adore white pumpkins! They look so dreamy…
Angela
P.S. I love your bog and I made an ikea rug pillow last night!
Natalie
I’ve been wanting a Halloween art piece above my fireplace and didn’t want to spend a ton on it. I think I will try my hand at something. Your pumpkin is amazing!
Linda
Just the inspiration I needed! Beautiful! Looking for my paints and canvas now!
Natasha
In our house…we save scrap baseboards from renovation projects and cut them to size to frame paintings. Not sure it would work on raised canvas but might be worth a try!
paige
it
is
gorgeous
!!!!!!!
Laura @ Elegant Nest
I love your pumpkin painting! Looks beautiful hanging on your wall…frame or not!
Amanda L
Gorgeous, Emily! I was going to mention that places like michaels and Joanns typically stock frames for canvases, that come without glass. Theyre usually between 20-40$ and often on sale. Then you just need a hanging kit! Have fun!
Anna
That’s fabulous! Well done lady!
Debra
A.maz.ing! Love it. Wish I had time to try it!
kristin M
shut up! that’s beautiful!!!!! maybe you will sell prints?
Adrienne
Beautiful! I look for white pumpkins every year.
Might try Hobby Lobby for framing if they are in your neck of the woods. They are my go-to place, and best of all can (depending on the frame chosen) do it while you shop and not break the bank. Perfect!
Katherine Landreneau
Love it! Looks good just the way you have it hanging. Simplicity! Beautiful!
Jen
Fantastic!!! Very impressive.
phillis
great job…I’m inspired!
Erin
Your pumpkin is beautiful. Truthfully, you don’t need a frame. In its subtlety it has a monochromatic beauty that draws your eye to it.