A quiet moment, a woman with her eyes lowered, a red flower in her dark hair, and a heart that might be telling us something. I like leaving a little mystery in my portraits. Not every expression needs an explanation. Painted on rough, recycled cardboard, with all the creases, scuffs, and imperfections that come along for the ride.

Original Acrylic Painting on Cardboard by Jim Faris

Sometimes the best art supplies are the ones you’re about to throw away.

This original acrylic painting was created on a piece of brown corrugated cardboard, rescued from one of the shipping boxes my canvases arrive in. I figured if the box was good enough to deliver my art supplies, maybe it deserved a little art of its own.

These paintings are loose, spontaneous, raw, and a whole lot of fun to make. I love the way the brown cardboard becomes part of the painting, letting the texture and natural color show through. The rough edges, crooked cuts, and not-quite-perfect dimensions are all part of the charm. No two pieces are exactly alike, and I’m certainly not trying to make them that way.

A few things worth knowing:

  • Medium: Original acrylic painting on brown corrugated cardboard.
  • Size: Approximately 12 x 16 inches. Some are a little bigger, some a little smaller. I wasn’t using a ruler.
  • Edges: Raw, irregular, and unfinished. That’s intentional.
  • Originality: An original, hand-painted and signed work by me, Jim Faris. I sometimes explore the same subject on canvas and cardboard, but each version has its own personality. No prints, no reproductions, just paint and a little creative chaos.
  • Archival quality: Cardboard is not an archival material. Unlike traditional artist canvas or acid-free paper, it can discolor, become brittle, or deteriorate over time. If you’re planning to keep this piece around for the long haul, I’d recommend framing it with acid-free materials and keeping it away from moisture and direct sunlight.

I spend a lot of time painting on traditional canvas, but sometimes it’s refreshing to throw the rules (and the ruler) out the window and just paint.

These are a little rough, a little unconventional, and completely original.

Art doesn’t always have to be precious. Sometimes it just needs to be fun.