How to Make a Word-of-the-Year Banner

Inspired by Tibetan Prayer Flags and wanting to celebrate my chosen Word-of-the-Year over the last four years I decided to create this Word-of-the-Year banner to hang in my studio (and in the garden this summer).  It was a simple and fun project that took a few hours (mostly drying time).

SUPPLIES:
A few favorite acrylic paint colours + white**
White acrylic paint pen and/or small paintbrush (you can also use chalk to sketch out your word)
Palette & water dish (a plate or plastic container works well)
Paintbrush
Palette knife
Stencils
Scissors
Ribbons, twine, embroidery floss or yarn
A piece of raw canvas or heavier muslin (my piece measures approximately 14x16 inches)

**I tend to be drawn to acrylic paints that are transparent and highly staining:  pthalo blue, alizarin crimson, magenta, dioxazine purple...they all mix beautifully with titanium white...and often use lime greens & turquoise

Once I have my supplies gathered, I just have fun squeezing some spots of colour onto the raw canvas and using quite a bit of water on my paintbrush I spread colour randomly around the canvas.  I also thinned out alizarin crimson with water and placed it into a spray bottle (in this case a recycled old body spray bottle) and sprayed through stencils that were placed randomly around the canvas.  I use both stencil I have purchased and also created myself, using both the positive and negative shapes of the stencils (the pieces I cut out as well as the stencil itself).

Mixing white with some of my colours and using my palette knife I spread it through the stencils.  I flip the stencils over and wipe them onto the canvas, as well as wiping off my palette knife onto the canvas because I like the layered and worn look.

Because I like the ragged edge of prayer flags I only make a small cut and then tear the fabric into sections.  I don't measure, instead fold the fabric to where I think it looks good.  Approximately in half lengthwise and then in thirds to create six pieces altogether.

Once I'm ready to create my word, I search for a free font program (like Dafont or Urban Font) and type in my word, looking for a font that appeals and that somehow reflects the word for me.  At this point, I use my paint pen to transfer a reasonable facsimile to my banner.  I'm not concerned if it isn't perfect, just like the rest of the banner, I find beauty in imperfection.  If the paint pen doesn't seem bright or opaque enough I will go over it again once it is dry with paint and a small brush.

Finally, I cut small slits into the top right and left hand corners of each flag and string them onto a ribbon to create a banner.  In between each flag I tied additional ribbons and yarn.  NOTE: to keep the silkier ribbons from loosening up, I used a dab of gel media but you could also use paint or glue.  If there are any questions, please feel free to ask and if you create one, I would love to see it if you'd like to share!