Haiku and Shabby Chic Canvas

A Haiku is a form of poetic expression first introduced in Japan in the 19th century.  It is now well known throughout the world, specially here in the U.S.A.  Writing a Haiku allows the writer to express thoughts, ideas, and feelings through carefully chosen words. It requires concentration and careful thought and consideration not only when choosing the right words to use but also choosing the right words to exclude.  

Japanese Haiku poetry have very clear instructions on how to write them.  But, here in the U.S. and other countries, there is no consensus on how to write them.  Although Japanese Haiku poems are mostly written on subjects with nature or seasons, U.S. Haiku poetry is written on various topics from love to hate and everything in between.  The only rules mostly followed are the three verse lines and the 5-7-5 rule:

* Three verse lines

* First verse line to have five (5) syllables

*Second verse line to have seven (7) syllables

*Third verse line to have five (5) syllables

Here are some examples of Haiku poems I wrote.  I don't know why but most of my poems are about love and romance, go figure!

"Alone" 
He walks through the door (5 syllables)
Stares into my loving eyes  (7 syllables)
And now he is gone           (5 syllables)
~Maria


"Lost"
Cold, dark and scary
I have nothing but a smile
 that which is useless
~Maria

This is what you'll need:
a small canvas 5" x 7", acrylic paint, a Sharpie pen, and your own Haiku poem. 

 I found this cute set of candelabra and chandelier on the internet, here's the link :

  First, paint the canvas with a dark pink, let dry.  Next, paint with gold acrylic paint and let dry.  Last, paint a  coat of a lighter pink and let dry.  Once all layers are dry, take a sheet of sand paper and sand off some of the layers of the paint.  You'll see some of the darker pink, gold and white peek through giving it that shabby chic look.  Add your embellishments with a hot glue gun and write your poem on the canvas.  Hang on the wall or place on an easel and enjoy.

For the first one I used a beautiful ATC (artist trading card) that my friend, Cheryl Shoats made:  

On the next one, I used another beautiful ATC created by Pat Esteves:

Thanks for zooming by,