If you spend a lot of time outdoors and want to beautify your outdoor living space, add a painting to lend a luxurious feel. Use an unusual surface as your "canvas."

Inspired Outdoor Art

1. Step 1

   Design your art by incorporating elements inspired by the outdoors. Incorporate animals, bodies of water, plants or anything else that interests you. Abstract art can work beautifully outdoors as well.

2. Step 2

   Choose a surface to paint on. Search out interesting old wooden signs at a thrift shop or flea market. Grab an old wooden planter box or a similar surface that you can use to paint on.

3. Step 3

   Take your treasure home and scrub it clean. Use a scrub brush to get into the grooves. Let it dry and then sand it down until the surface is smooth.

4. Step 4

   Apply a base coat to your "canvas." Use regular outdoor paint for the background. Use a bright, contrasting color if you're using a dark piece of wood. Consider using buttery yellows, lime greens and vivid oranges to complement the background color. These bright hues will jump off of your canvas.

5. Step 5

   Let your painting dry. Use weatherproofing spray to preserve your art. After the glaze dries, look around your yard to find the best place to put your artwork.