<![CDATA[Alexis Martinez Puleio | Naples, Florida Artist - Blog]]>Tue, 28 Nov 2023 08:05:58 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[The In's and Out's of ArtResin | A Detailed How-To Guide +                 A Step-By-Step On Customizing A Serving Tray]]>Tue, 14 Feb 2017 19:21:04 GMThttp://customartbyalexis.com/blog/the-ins-and-outs-of-artresin-a-detailed-how-to-guide-a-step-by-step-on-customizing-a-serving-trayFirst things first: What is ArtResin? 
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1:1 ratio of ArtResin     +
Acrylics Paints      =
PERFECTION!
I love to give my paintings that thick, high-gloss shine from epoxy resin! It not only protects my art pieces, but it gives them an added "WOW" Factor! Layering the resin to give my ocean inspired pieces depth is my absolute favorite thing to do with resin!
So what is ArtResin?
ArtResin is a self-leveling 1:1 ratio epoxy resin. It certified non-toxic (when used as directed) so it's not bad for your health like other resins. No VOCs. No fumes. No solvents. No respirator needed. Non-flammable. Non-hazardous. And it is Safe for Home Use. Sounds like a win-win to me! On top of all of that goodness...It is CLEAR! It is chemically engineered to offer the most efficient yellowing protection on the market.
So what's holding you back from trying it out yourself? I'll admit - before I ever tried resin I was nervous to give it a go, too. Where do I start? How do I use a blow torch? Am I going to scorch my eyebrows off? What if I do it wrong? Well, the only way to know the answers is to DO IT! Experiment, play around, and start making the world a prettier place with your works of art! ...and no, I haven't lost an eyebrow yet! ;)
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What Can You Use It For?
Just about anything!
​Clear coat a painting, mount a photo, make some jewelry or even create layered paintings with color additives.
Clear Coat
Mount A Photo
Make Jewelry
Add Colors
Plus: It's EASY!
I want to start by saying that ArtResin is fun and easy to do! You just need about 45 minutes in your day and you're set to play around! This is a DETAILED "How-To", which will make it look like it may be a process, but it is not! Its just 1, 2, 3, 4...
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So, Let's Get Started!
Today, I want to take an ordinary serving tray that I bought at my local Hobby Lobby, and turn it into something extraordinary! Adding some tinted ArtResin to the top surface of this tray can really give it some character, and I guarantee you that your guest will be asking you where they can purchase one as well ;)
From This Regular Serving Tray....
To This Unique Piece of Art!
What You Will Need:
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  • Your ArtResin
  • A well-ventalated area
  • Gloves
  • Sandpaper
  • Applicator Brush (For Gesso)
  • Respirator/Mask (optional - I use to prevent resin bubbles that float in the air from stirring, from touching my face/nose/lips)
  • Goggles
  • Paper Towels for easy clean up
  • Stir Sticks
  • Spreaders or Plastic Spoons ​
  • Trash bin (not shown above)
  • Level
  • Stir cups (I keep on hand 3oz, 5oz, 7oz, and 16oz)
  • Plastic Measuring Cup (not shown above)
  • Level Surface
  • toothpicks
  • blow torch + Gas
  • Acrylic Paints (not shown above)
  • Serving Tray (Hobby Lobby)
  • Gesso
  • A box big enough to cover your finished piece while it is curing. (not shown above) 
First, I calculate how much resin + hardener I am going to need for my first layer by using ArtResin's Usage Calculator. 

(Area Of A Circle is Determined by A = π r2)

​For my 21" diameter serving tray, I will need a total of 15oz (7.5oz of resin + 7.5oz of Hardener) + extra for a top layer (I used roughly 5 oz more).
Add it to Cart, check that baby out,  and get excited! If it has already arrived, woohoo! It's time to rock and roll!
Prepare Your Surface
The next thing to do is to prep the surface area. I do this to ensure the resin has a good surface to grip to.
Lightly Sand Your Surface
Brush On Your Gesso
Don't Forget Sides
Let it dry. Side note: You can tint your gesso any color you'd like. I ended up going with Titanium White.
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Now The Fun Begins!
I like to line up the colors I want to use before my gloves get any resin residue on them, and put the amounts I want to use in cups. I snagged these 5oz and 16oz cups from my local grocery store. I use VERY little to tint my resin...if you squirt too much, it becomes extremely tacky. A good rule of thumb is about 10% color to your resin mixture.
These are the colors I have chosen, but feel free to pick your only color scheme:
Golden Iridescent Silver Acrylic
Masters Touch Warm Grey
Dazzling Metallics Dark Patina
Liquitex Titanium White Acrylic
Hand Made Modern Metallic Steel
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Make sure your serving tray is on a level surface, since ArtResin is self-leveling.
​Now, it's time to measure out your resin + hardener.
ArtResin is a 1:1 ratio, which makes it easy! I like to mark my cups where I need to pour to. Make sure you are wearing your gloves, goggles, and respirator if you are sensitive (It's not needed, but health is important no matter what...and since you are mixing with acrylics, it's an extra safety precaution).
​Then, pour both mixtures into your main Large mixing cup/bowl. I used a plastic measuring cup.
Using you stir stick, stir the mixture for at least 3 minutes - being sure to scrape the sides and the bottom of your mixing container. Any unmixed residue could leave your finished product with sticky spots (no bueno).
Divide and Concur!
Pour your resin mixture into your assorted paint cups. Stir each one well (this is where plastic spoons come in handy!) Not shown is a cup of clear mixed resin ( roughly 5oz...you can use less or more or skip this part) that was left in my mixing cup.
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Ta-DA! You're ready to pour onto your serving tray! There is no correct way to do this. Just start pouring a little white here, a little tan color there...a line of silver across...etc. until you have covered most, if not all, the surface area. If you haven't poured out all of your resin, great! You can add it in layers. If you feel you need more resin, that's okay too. Quickly whip some up and keep going.
You have about 45 minutes of working time before the resin starts to thicken up and cure.
I still had a little bit of white paint and clear mixed resin in my pouring cups that I added to the top of this wet pour. No drop goes to waste ;)
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Then with a clean set of gloves, start tilting the tray lightly from side to side to move the resin around. You can also use your fingers or a spoon to push a certain color around the tray. (It's hard for me to photograph this in action, but it is what I did to smear the colors together) With the spoon, I run it in lines, waves, and squiggles through the colors.  


​Once you are satisfied, its time to get out your torch. 
A torch helps pop all of the bubbles that rise to the surface, and gives you that FLAWLESS glass-like finish.
I like to keep my torch about 5 inches away depending on the size of my flame. Don't get too close, where you burn your surface. 
Use a moderately medium-fast sweeping motion, and you will be able to see the bubbles pop. It helps to bend down at eye level to see if you have missed any spots. 
If you don't have a torch yet, you can purchase an ArtResin Torch when you buy your resin ;)
image from www.artresin.com






​Before you cover your piece to cure, if you see that dust or hair has settled into your resin, use a toothpick to lightly grab them out. The resin will fill out the dent left, and will be as good as new. 
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Once you are 100% happy, cover your tray with a large enough box, and wait until it cures! 
(in 8 hours it will be tacky and ready for a 2nd coat...12 hours it will be dry to the touch...and in 24 hours it will be 95% cured. It takes 72 hours to fully cure.)​​ I save my boxes from packagings that have come in, cut them up, and tape them into the shape I need. 
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Yay! You successfully made a beautiful serving tray that you can use at parties, a wet bar, or use at the end of your guest bed to be fancy-shamancy for when you are visitors!

If you followed along to this in-depth post, and gave it a go, I'd LOVE to hear from you! It takes time to document things in detail, and it feels good to know there is someone out there on the receiving end! 

Happy Resining!
xo Alexis
For more resin fun, follow me on IG: ampuleio 
and check out my Online Shop (Customs Welcomed!)


THINGS TO KNOW:
​BUY YOUR ARTRESIN HERE
ArtResin's Fact Sheet
Usuage Calculator
ArtResin How To Videos

The Art Resin Team is a small company that packs a punch! Make sure to follow this awesome team on Facebook - Instagram - Twitter - Pinterest!
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]]><![CDATA[Auction To Benefit The Orlando Pulse Victim Fund]]>Sat, 25 Jun 2016 13:03:46 GMThttp://customartbyalexis.com/blog/auction-to-benefit-the-orlando-pulse-victim-fund"One Pulse"
24" x 36" x 1.5"
Acrylic on Epoxy Resined Canvas

Starting bid: $100
SOLD: $600  

Starts Saturday, June 25th at 9am EST
Ends Sunday, June 26th, 2016 at 9am EST

All proceeds, after shipping and handling cost, from this auction will be donated to benefit the victims of the Orlando Pulse shooting.
 
Final buyer is required to show proof of donation to the fund before the painting ships, or may send funds direct to Alexis Martinez Puleio, who will then make the donation for you, and provide you proof of donation.

*Please note, this canvas has 3 layers of resin, and is heavy*
Ships from Naples, Florida by Wednesday. 
USA Only.

**Now Closed**
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