Yowzer!!! Linnea...that is far too cool! Been wondering what had become of this project and now I know...it's just way too wonderful for words. Excellent work as always. Only problem I see is that there are not NEARLY enogh pictures! In fact...an MPEG would be even better. It's kinetic...we want to see it in motion!

All My Best --- Tango

Very cool Linnea, I second what Tango said, more pics please. I'd like to see all the sides, it will be interesting to see how the paint lasts. What type exactly did you use?
Cindy

Hey Tango, you're in Tomball! We do the Faire in Plantersville, TRF, as we
refer to it. Haven't been there myself since we built the booth four (?) years ago,
but if I need to go again, I'll buzz ya! (Check out your mig welder!)

You're much too kind to my dopey projects. Can't manage an MPEG (?) I'm afraid,
but here's another optimized-to-death picture. Can't even see the gold!
This was a little break-through for me.
I've realized I have a big loud place (freight trains) and big, loud buildings.
This ain't the place for tasteful, pastel gardens!
I LOVE working with spray paints! Hope they'll do it!
Gotta work Labor day wknd., then I get my teeth into the couch!
Thought I'd spread a layer of "rip-rap" over the seat (under the rebar), it needs
to build up 3 inches, it's only 14" now, a bit low for a seat. What do you think?

Here is a link that might be useful:

Thanks Cindy! just regular walmart stuff, rustoleum and such.
It's amazing how far you can get with very basic shades.

D.D used to have a break-dancing friend with a spray paint jones,
I'd like to have a good technical talk with one of these hip hop boys!

Here's the ball from one of the many places you catch it flashing through the plants.
Needs a pretty good wind though, 15 mph or more.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Terrific colors! I love the way your 3 photos add to the total picture in my mind of how the piece works in its setting. It seems perfect just where it is, colored just like it is.

I did a sphere last summer that I first colored with watery washes of acryllic paint (typical 79 cent little plastic bottles from Hobby Lobby). The sphere was 26 inches in diameter and it was driving me crazy to keep turning it and not letting the washes run. I decided to get out some old (maybe even 8 years) spray cans of paint and try them. These cans had been sitting in the carport freezing/thawing/heating to a zillion - whatever Indiana climate can do. I sprayed away til I was happy and now the ball has been outdoors for a year and I think it still looks like it did the day I put it out. I can't recall if I did a sealer after painting or not. I am going to guess that I did NOT because trying to brush that stuff on would have caused runs and I didn't have any spray sealer at the time...
The point of all this is - your spray paint finish may last just fine! Maybe we could all remember to report next spring as to the progress of these paint jobs. (anyone that organized??)
Laura

Laura, this is such good news. I think maybe the secret of success
is NOT sealing it? The concrete can breathe through the dots?
The surface of this ball is quite rough, another thing that worked;
-the spray paint goes on the near side of ridges, creating a wonderful transparency,
that you can manipulate however you want. No solid "skin" is formed.

Judging by 6-year old accidental spray paint stains on concrete, it should last.
Certainly longer than the stains (what do I do with my box of stains?)

Not to mention the stencil stuff you can do over this "wash"!
I once did a costume piece with spray paints and stencils
(same reasoning: can't wash it off, must last), I loved it but nobody bought it.
I could be totally happy doing this for the rest of my life!

I'll certainly report on durability, I'm going to do my couch with it,
what a relief! I totally sympathize with you on the runny acrylics,
I was dreading that!

Linnea --- It looks right at home in that wonderful garden. Many happy breezes to you and a big "well done".

And do give a rattle if you are down this way. I'm not much of a welder, but I'll show you what little I know (shouldn't take more than two minutes).

All My Best --- Tango

I mentioned my quest to D.D and asked her about her friend
(he's now happily married with a kid somewhere in PA)
She said, well, are you using "caps"? I said, what? In two seconds
she found a web site for, get this, Graffiti supplies, where you can buy
12-packs of different "caps" for a couple of bucks, the little spray nozzles
you can pop off the cans. They come in all kinds of spray settings,
from thin, sharp lines to wide, diffused "fans", eliminating the need for stencils.
Apparently, being in a hurry, they have pocketsfull of these, and toss them
after use. Where have I been?

Tango, I'll email you if I'm to be in the neighborhood, what's that line
about driving moderation to extremes? Or modesty?
I'll be spending winter on your site!

Here is a link that might be useful: One of the sites