LITTLE WHITE BIRD

This month, we have interviewed a Furniture Artist in every sense of the word, as she hand-paints every piece - Carla of Myliu Reloved!

Thanks so much for taking part Carla. I have been avidly following your up-cycles for a while! Your work is absolutely stunning, and all hand-painted, is that right? How did you become so skilled in this area?

Thanks for choosing me. All of the artwork on my furniture is fully hand-painted. I am self taught and feel my work has improved overtime with lots of practice.

Going back to the very beginning, please tell us how your journey to becoming a Furniture Artist began.

I always had a love for drawing growing up but unfortunately after leaving school, life got in the way. I worked in childcare for most of my adult life, predominantly as a childminder. My childminding business closed abruptly like so many during the Covid lockdown. 

We were renovating our house and needed to get rid of old furniture so I gave it a lick of paint, and it all sold really quickly on Facebook Marketplace. I decided to have a go at something a bit more complicated so painted a cheetah on a chest of drawers, and started a Instagram account. The cheetah sold straight away, and I got lots of commission requests for different designs, and have been working full time as a Furniture Artist ever since. 

Whereabouts are you based, and did you grow up there? 

I am based in Newport, South Wales and have been here for 20 years. I grew up in Oxford but moved due to my husband's work.

You have a really unusual business name and logo! How did you come to choose them?

I wanted something a bit different. Myliu [pronounced mee-lou] is Lithuanian, and roughly translates as love, which was inspired by my Lithuanian husband. My sister designed my logo; we added the cheetah as it was my most popular design, and the piece that really started my business.

What inspires your creations? I've noticed your pieces often have an Oriental vibe, is that a preferred theme?

I do have a slight obsession with oriental art and furniture, especially chinoiserie, but I also love painting animals and nature. 

Of all of the pieces you have created, do you have a favourite?

I don't think I could pick a favourite but the piece I am most proud of, is my Under The Sea cabinet with a turtle, I did for a child's nursery. The cabinet was really old and in a terrible state so I practically had to rebuild it and I was really happy with how it turned out.

What's been your toughest commission to date?

I did two very large, very dark sideboards, with a woodland fox and badger scene, on a light wood background. Removing all of the dark varnish from the wood detail was really hard work but it really paid off in the end.

How do you plan your pieces... draw them out, or something more technical?

I am really not a planner. When I see the furniture I get an idea in my head, I then find reference photos from Pinterest, books etc, and I just sit down and sketch a simple design on the furniture in white pencil, and start painting. It often changes mid way through! 

I have also been quite lucky with commissions, when the customers give me a colour scheme and theme and just leave me to it.

What would you say is your favourite product to use?

I do not stick to one paint brand, I use different ones depending on the colour and finish I want to achieve. There are two products I always use; Guild Lane Gold, as it has a really lovely sheen and really good coverage, and Ronseal Diamond Varnish, as it is really hard wearing and has an even finish.

Whereabouts do you sell your work? And which site would you say brings you the most sales?

I sell my work on Etsy, Vinterior and Facebook Marketplace. Out of these, Etsy has bought the most sales but customers also contact me directly through Facebook and Instagram.

What do you enjoy doing most when you are not painting?

I love reading, exploring new places, scouring charity shops for treasure, and watching films.

Thanks so much for taking agreeing to be our Furniture Artist Focus Carla, it's been fascinating to hear how you work!

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INSTAGRAM: myliureloved

ETSY: MyliuReloved