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By the end of this list you’ll have 19 art projects worth trying, no fine art degree required!
Glass, paint, graffiti walls and gallery outfits all made the cut this time, lol!
I scrolled through way too many pins to put this together. The keepers are the ones that actually looked doable without a studio full of fancy tools.
Budget mattered too. Anything that needed a kiln the size of a car got cut immediately!
A few of these are wearable, a few hang on your wall. One or two are just for looking pretty at a gallery opening.
Grab a coffee and scroll through. Is there something here for painters, crafters and even the person who just wants a cute outfit for art night?
GLASS ART IDEAS
Fused Glass Coaster Set
We’re starting off strong with fused glass coasters! Little bits of colored glass melt together in the oven and come out looking like tiny stained glass windows.
She just smiles and says she made them, haha! I make a note every time to actually try this myself. Someday I’ll actually buy the glass instead of just pinning it.
- Kiln does the hard part
- Scraps from the craft aisle work fine
- Sets in one bake
Melted Glass Bottle Vase
Melted glass bottle vases are for anyone who saves cider bottles for no real reason, lol! You melt the bottle down flat or slumped in a kiln and it turns into this wavy little vase.
I always reach for green bottles first, mostly out of habit. No extra paint needed and the vase still looks like it cost something. How great is that for a project with basically zero supplies?
- cider bottles get a second life
- No painting required
- Works with any glass color
Painted Glass Jar Lanterns
Painted glass jar lanterns are the easiest thing on this whole list! Mason jars, some glass paint and a tea light are basically the entire supply list.
I made a batch of these for a friend’s porch last fall. They held up through actual rain, which felt like a small miracle. Not one chip after a whole season outside!
- Rainy porch approved
- Dollar store jars work great
- Dries in an afternoon
- Paint from the craft aisle
Stained Glass Mosaic Mirror Frame
This stained glass mosaic mirror frame is a serious upgrade for a plain thrift store mirror. Broken glass pieces get arranged around the edge and grouted in like a tiny mosaic.
Not gonna lie, breaking the glass into pieces is weirdly satisfying, lol! I wrap mine in a towel every time so nothing goes flying. Worth the mess in the end!
- Thrift mirror glow up
- Grout from the hardware aisle
- Old glass works too
Spray Paint Bubble Letters
How cute are these spray paint bubble letters? Puffy outlines with a shadow behind them, straight off a school notebook margin from decades ago!
Graffiti ideas art like this one work great on canvas if you want the look without actually painting a wall. I always sketch the letters in pencil first because my spray hand cannot be trusted. Saves the canvas every time!
- Notebook doodle energy
- Works on canvas or wood
- Pencil sketch first
Graffiti Mural On Brick Wall
A graffiti mural on a brick wall is a whole different level of commitment. This one takes planning, a sketch plus probably permission from whoever owns the wall.
It became the neighborhood photo spot. He did not see that coming at all!
- Not a weekend project
- Outdoor spray paint holds up
- Sketch it out first
Hanging Canvas Gallery Wall Display
A hanging canvas gallery wall display turns any hallway into something worth stopping for. Mix frame sizes, mix colors and let it feel a little uneven on purpose.
Art exhibition ideas like this one don’t need a huge budget. My hallway is basically a thrift store frame graveyard at this point, haha! It works better than anything I’ve bought new.
Minimalist White Cube Art Installation
A minimalist white cube art installation is basically the opposite of a busy gallery wall. One piece, tons of white space, maybe a single spotlight.
It sounds simple but getting the spacing right takes some trial and error. I’ve rearranged mine three times this year alone. Still not sure I’ve nailed it, honestly.
Bold Brushstroke Abstract Canvas Painting
Bold brushstroke abstract canvas painting is for anyone who wants to make a mess on purpose, haha! Thick paint, wide brushes and zero rules about staying inside any lines!
Expressionism art ideas like this one care more about feeling than accuracy. Honestly it works better than therapy, lol!
- Feelings over perfection
- Big brushes recommended
Vivid Color Emotion Portrait Painting
A vivid color emotion portrait skips realistic skin tones completely. Faces come out blue, orange, or streaked in whatever color matches the mood that day.
I find this one oddly freeing to paint. Nobody can tell me the shadows are wrong when nothing here is realistic to begin with. Who’s going to argue with a purple forehead?
- Skin tone rules do not apply
- No mixing gray required
Sea Glass Wind Chime Craft
Sea glass wind chimes turn beach finds into something that actually earns its spot on the porch. The pieces clink together in a way that sounds way more expensive than it was, lol!
Sea these like this one need patience more than skill. My hands are not steady, so I’ve cracked more pieces than I’d like to admit. Drilling without cracking the glass takes real luck!
- Beach walk trophy
- Drill slowly to avoid cracks
Sea Glass Mosaic Picture Frame
A sea glass mosaic picture frame is the sweetest way to display a beach trip photo. Sort the pieces by color first and the whole design comes together faster.
I always end up with a little pile of rejects that don’t match anything. Frosted white and soft green still win every time. Basically ocean colors without any paint involved, am I right?
- Sorted by color first
- Glue that dries clear
Sea Glass Jewelry Display Board
A sea glass jewelry display board keeps all those tiny earrings from vanishing into a drawer. Wrap wire around a few larger pieces of sea glass and hang them like little hooks.
My earrings used to disappear into the couch cushions constantly. This one doubles as decor even on days I’m not wearing a single piece from the board. Who doesn’t love a project that pulls double duty?
- Earrings finally have a home
- No drilling required
Stencil Graffiti Canvas Artwork
Stencil graffiti canvas artwork gets you that crisp spray paint look without any freehand pressure! Cut the stencil, tape it down and spray in short careful bursts.
Graffiti style art ideas like this one are forgiving for beginners. Messed up a line? Just cut a new stencil and try again, no harm done!
- Beginner forgiving on purpose
- Short bursts prevent drips
Neon Drip Graffiti Poster
Are you guys seeing this neon drip poster right now? Bright colors bleeding down a dark background, looking like it belongs on a club wall somewhere!
I switched to neon paint pens because spray cans indoors made my whole apartment smell like a garage. Tilt the poster while it’s still wet so gravity does the dripping. My walls thank me for that one, lol!
- Gravity handles the dripping
- Neon paint pens indoors
- Dark poster board as the base
Watercolor Wildflower Bouquet Painting
A watercolor wildflower bouquet is the kind of painting that forgives every wobbly line. Loose petals, a little bleeding at the edges and somehow it still looks intentional!
Easy watercolor art ideas like this one are great for a lazy Sunday afternoon. I always forget the paper towel and regret it within minutes, lol! Watercolor drips on everything, no exceptions.
- Wobbly lines still look pretty
Simple Watercolor Ocean Wave
A simple watercolor ocean wave is two colors and a whole lot of water. Load the brush heavy and let the blue bleed into itself for that foamy look.
Not much skill is required here, honestly. My job is basically just guiding the water while it does the actual painting. Same energy as watching a lava lamp, haha!
- The water does the work
- Just two blues needed
- Thick watercolor paper helps
Black Turtleneck Gallery Outfit
A black turtleneck is basically the uniform for gallery openings, for good reason! It disappears into the background so the art gets all the attention.
Art exhibition outfit ideas rarely get simpler than this. My closet has three of these for exactly this purpose. One statement earring and the outfit is basically done itself.
Bold Print Blazer Gallery Look
Last but definitely not least, a bold print blazer gallery look does the opposite of the turtleneck approach. Loud pattern, confident walk, no apologies!
Who says gallery outfits need to be quiet? I’ve worn mine to three openings now and it always starts a conversation before I do. Same reaction every single time!
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Lara
