Low Rent Renaissance

Naturally, no before photos. This was an old commercial Rubbermaid trashcan that had been laying around the yard for years. It was sanded with steel wool and primed with all surface primer. Then grey "weathered"  and walnut wood stain was lightly streaked on with a chip brush. I was able to simulate grain by varying the pressure of my brush stroke. Lines were simply penciled using a 1x4 for spacing to simulate planks. The top was sprayed with all surface bronze spray paint. The "bands" are some belts purchased from a thrift store, sprayed with the same all surface paint, and screwed into place. Everything was twice coated with an exterior polyeurethane. Just right for our little pool area.

Able to spend some time reworking the little gazebo structure. Using a recipe that includes Portland cement, clay powder, builder's lime, and sand, plus a dollop of asphalt emulsion. We'll see how it holds up.

A polymer caricature of my good friend and neighbor Tony --  a gun enthusiast, mechanical genius, and advocate of small animals.  About seven inches tall -- hand painted Super Sculpey over aluminum wire.