Painting a Stranger's Handbag
Painting a stranger's handbag.
Church had just ended, and I walked onto the front patio.
I was lingering around, and a little nervous.
I was looking for a woman with a handbag that was somewhat worn and weathered.
My plan was to approach her, and ask if I could paint her handbag any color that she desired.
I had no intention of asking for money for this service.
I just wanted to make the offer.
Painting a Stranger's Handbag - The Ask
Behold, I saw a woman carrying a black handbag, and it was in fact worn and weathered.
I got her attention, and explained to her that I am an artist.
I offered to restore her handbag by painting it any color that she liked.
I told her that I would not charge her any money.
She looked a little hesitant, and explained that she had purchased a new handbag the day before, but had not had time to transfer her belongings to the new handbag.
She had planned to throw the worn handbag away.
I persuaded her to not throw the handbag away, but to let me paint it instead.
She agreed, and said she would bring it to church the following week.
She did bring the bag to me, and her color of choice for the handbag was tan.
This is the handbag BEFORE being painted.
This is the handbag AFTER being painted.Painting a Stranger's Handbag - The Process
It was my intent to paint the handbag, and return it to her the following week.
Unfortunately, my schedule didn't allow for this, and several weeks passed before I could start painting.
I finally had time to paint the handbag, and it was a long, and tedious process.
It was long, partly because I was only able to paint one section at a time.
Each section has to dry before I can begin painting the next.
I did not keep track of the time, but I worked on it for several days.
It was tedious because there were some metal fixtures that I was not able to fully cover before I started painting.
As a result, I did get paint on some of the fixtures.
The paint should wear off of the metal fixtures in time.
I am always amazed at how restorative a fresh coat of paint is to a handbag.
I guess I shouldn't be surprised, seeing that paint also refreshes dingy walls.
This may sound weird, but this experience was a lot of work, AND a lot of fun.
One side of the handbag BEFORE being painted.
One side of the handbag AFTER being painted.
The other side of the handbag BEFORE being painted.
The other side of the handbag AFTER being painted.
Wear and tear on one bottom corner BEFORE the handbag was painted.
The same bottom corner of the handbag AFTER being painted.
Wear and tear on another bottom corner of the handbag BEFORE being painted.
The same bottom corner of the handbag AFTER being painted.
Wear and tear on one handle of the handbag BEFORE being painted.
The same handle of the handbag AFTER being painted.Painting a Stranger's Handbag - The Outcome
In spite of getting paint on the metal fixtures, I am happy with the final results.
I like the look of the brighter handbag.
The handbag has not yet been returned to the owner, but I am hoping that she likes it just as much as I do.
UPDATE: I returned the handbag, and she loved it.