Bark and Twigs Wall Art

By: Kathleen George for STYROFOAM Brand Foam

In seven steps you can make a whole wall ensemble. Bark and twigs wall art can be created with twigs, bark, acrylics and a few other materials.

Materials:

STYROFOAM™ Brand Foam:
- Sheet: one 12" x 36" x 1" sheet; or three 12" x 12" x 1" squares
Twigs, quantity varies according to thickness; straight twigs preferred
Acrylic craft paint: black, brown
Birch bark sheets**
Paint brush
Knippers or heavy-duty scissors
Pruning clippers
Low temperature glue gun and glue sticks
Sawtooth picture hangers, three; or Velcro hangers
Optional: If using 12" x 36" x 1" foam sheet, additional supplies include ruler, pencil, serrated knife, old candle, dental floss

(**Available at www.barkcanoe.com )

Instructions:

If using 12" x 12" x 1" squares, skip to Step #2. Using ruler and pencil, score foam sheet to create three, 12" x 12" squares. Wax serrated knife with an old candle. Holding foam sheet firmly on a flat surface, extend one end and cut across the score line, using knife like a saw. Or, try dental floss: Stand the sheet on its edge and hold a 20" length of dental floss along the scored line, positioning one hand at the bottom of the board and the other at the top; draw the dental floss down through the foam sheet along the scored line.
Paint edges of foam sheets black, and paint ¼" on top edge of foam sheets, too.
Using knippers or heavy-duty scissors, cut pieces of birch bark to measure 12" x 12".
Attach the birch bark to the fronts of two squares of STYROFOAM™ brand foam, using a generous amount of low temperature glue. Use weights (such as a heavy book) to hold the bark tight to the surface while the glue hardens.
Paint the front of remaining foam square brown; let dry.
With pruning clippers, cut twigs to 12" long. Using low-melt glue, glue twigs to foam square until the entire surface is covered. Let dry. Carefully trim uneven edges.
Use Velcro tabs to hang on the wall. Or, glue sawtooth picture hanger to back. For additional hold, insert and glue two straight pins through holes in sawtooth picture hanger.