Acrylic Pour Art The solution to leftovers - ceramic mug pour. When all else fails, raid the kitchen

I had extra paint left over from a project I'm working on currently (a clock, to be precise, and to drop in a spoiler!) but had nothing prepped to do a pour on as all my other up coming projects are needing to be sealed still. What else does one do but wander around the house looking for objects to paint. In disgust, after finding nothing, I turned to the kitchen and grabbed a random mug from the cupboard.
I did have some issues with the glossy finish causing continual dripping leading me to take it outside to hurry the drying process and stop the dripping but other than that it went mostly smoothly. I'd recommend removing tape prior to the paint drying as the acrylic paint simply peels off with it. This tried to even though I used a sharp blade to cut along the edge first. I also didn't do a very good job of getting a straight line around the internal rim.
I varnished with a high gloss polymer medium/varnish and applied two coats.

[@jonaeflure]

I always get happy when I get a notification from you cause it always means I'm going to see something beautiful and unique being created. You have inspired my sister and I to paint terracotta pots. These cups turned out really pretty! ♡

[@kalenaflows4574]

Preciosa Flower it's these kinds of words that inspire me to continue exploring different things to play with. Many thanks for your support and I'm really pleased to hear that you and your sister will be doing terracotta pots. They are a wonderful addition to indoor and outdoor gardens. I know you will enjoy the results. Kalena

[@lloydw940]

love the pour, loving your music choices too!

[@niallwexeire]

smart idea with the cup! :) That mug looks like one I have at home haha. Awesome video!

[@kalenaflows4574]

niallwexeire thank you sir. The mug is thanks to the kind productions of multinational giant ikea.

[@ArtHealsTheSoul]

So doesn't the paint peel off how do you seal it also you can't drink out of it if there is paint all the way to the top !

[@kalenaflows4574]

Yeah I had problems with this one. The paint didn't peel off, it just got sticky with heat in it... and I couldn't find a food safe sealer so it's the only mug I have done! I found loads of heat resistant but nothing food grade. Any ideas?! I'm certainly open to them as I love this one and would be stoked if I could do more and use them.

[@wally5020]

Doing a utensil that is used for food or liquids for drinking in acrylic n sealing when not food safe is quite dangerous...u do realise this...

[@kalenaflows4574]

Yes, I do, I've done only one food/drink container. As I was unable to find a food grade varnish it just sits as a decorative pretty thing on my sideboard. It frustrates me greatly as I was really hoping to do myself a set of mugs and continue on from there with other kitchen items. I've done quite a bit of research but can't find appropriate varnish, do you know of one by any chance? I'd be extremely grateful if you do. Kalena

[@wally5020]

I am not aware of any sealer to be food safe or acrylics being food safe..my background is ceramics my teacher was adamant if using any non food product do not use on anything that can be used for food or drink as u may not own it forever n ppl may use it incorrectly

[@kalenaflows4574]

This is quite a shame about them not existing. I have found acrylic paints available but they are mostly available in the US and only very expensively in Aus so I'm keeping an eye on them for being more affordable and also keeping track of the varnish existence as well. In the mean time, nothing I use the paints with gets used on food use items. Thanks for the feedback though add it always helps to hear the experiences of other artists. Kalena 🙂

[@barryradburn]

It'a a cool one here today, only 32. I came up here because I LOVE the hot weather. Good looking mug, but I wont try it, I like living too much and I don't think the missus would like multi coloured mugs. :)

[@kalenaflows4574]

Barry Radburn oh go on Barry, you could do a special valentines mug for her 😉 I'm sure she'd love it. You may have to go but it just for the pour though! As for hot weather, I'll take winter any day thanks!!! Kalena

[@kvela00]

Dishwasher safe?

[@kalenaflows4574]

No, not when done this way. You could use a ceramic varnish which is baked on in the oven but I haven't found a food grade varnish of any description so I gave up on mugs and limit to terracotta pots. It's a shame as they'd be really pretty to have a set of!

[@dorothykovak4900]

Very pretty. Would make a nice set of mugs. Questions: could this be done on glass, and does the paint that flows onto the turntable dry enough to become acrylic skins? Have you done anything with the excess paint (skins)? Thanks for sharing.

[@kalenaflows4574]

Dorothy Kovak it certainly does work on glass as the acrylic paint sticks very well. I also use the skins for making jewellery and sell both the pots and jewellery at markets. Oh and the paintings as well. If you are on Instagram you can check me out and see some of my jewellery there - @kalenaflows ☺

[@dorothykovak4900]

Kalena Flows thank you for answering my questions. This is helpful. I would like to try this pouring method on glass. I think I will have to wait for summer, though (it’s winter here in Pennsylvania, US). I’ve enjoyed watching your videos and the results are very lovely.

[@kalenaflows4574]

Dorothy Kovak glass will give a couple of additional layers of effect. Firstly you'll be able to see light through it in places where the paint is thinner which will be lovely; and secondly, the internal of the glass will be so different as you'll be seeing the underneath of the pour which can be really pretty at times but is always really different from the top of the pour. I'd anticipate a really pretty finished product. Good luck with it!

[@vik9658]

could you tell me about the rotating base?

[@kalenaflows4574]

vik Hi, it's simply a lazy susan and I've attached a piece of thin melamine to it in order to be able to peel off the skin once it dries. The lazy susan itself is glass an the paint doesn't peel off it hence the melamine as it peels off there nicely. They can be difficult to find - I picked up mine from a local $2 shop but not all of them have them. I find the 50cm one here is brilliant. I also have a 25cm one but it isn't big enough. I did try sticking the board to the 25cm one but it wasn't good enough as I need to be able to use several at a time so need to change them and if they aren't clipped on firmly they will come off if I'm doing a spin canvas. Cheers, Kalena

[@jadetobin]

@@kalenaflows4574 i LOVE this large glass lazy susan....I can't fine one but will keep looking! This one seems to turn SO smoothly too!! Love it!!!

[@kalenaflows4574]

Good luck with it Jade, it'll definitely be worth it!

[@purplej4209]

Pretty💜, How do you prepare it, to wash it?

[@kalenaflows4574]

purpleJ M. Well, I'm not sure yet! It was a spur of the moment pour. my guess would be a warm wash without using harsh detergents or scrubbing brushes. Definitely not a dishwasher (out of paranoia). The varnish does seal it well, however I'm still somewhat paranoid. To do a planned pour onto a set of mugs I'd research varnish and be sure to have a completely water proof varnish to use.

[@purplej4209]

I use Polycrylic on my ceramic pots that live outside, just wondering that would work.. I do explore with my pours as well. ( fun)😁

[@kalenaflows4574]

purpleJ M. It would probably work quite well though not being at all porous it may impact application and drying times...? I've not worked with it before and just read up on it. There's no reason you couldn't try it - work with what you have kind of scenario :)

[@mariannacassir1858]

I painted a mug but when I washed off with soap the paint came off. Did you put something on the cup like gesso to keep the pour on the cup😣

[@kalenaflows4574]

Marianna Cassir hi, I used a craft paint and baked it on with my next cup as the acrylic paints drove me nuts with this one. The varnish I used couldn't withstand heat so it went sticky with a hot drink in it. I've not been able to find an appropriate food safe / high temperature varnish yet so I'm stalled now. This piece has simply become decorative. To answer your question though, I didn't use gesso and haven't used soap on this one, only water. Regards, Kalena