Memory Dress Tea Bag Paintings in Honor of my MOM

Posted on February 7, 2021 by janellmithani

After my mom passed away in May of 2019, I started painting a tea bag a day as a relaxing therapy in the mornings. Once I painted one, I knew this was going to be an ongoing project! I had been working on a series: “Every Size, Shape, Color, and Age” so I decided to paint dresses to continue this series as well as flowers and whimsical creatures from the fairy realm. I have titled the dress paintings after women I admire.

I have really enjoyed continuing with this series and exploring more collage techniques, using multiple recycled tea bags to create texture and interest. Here are two of my most recent paintings in this series.

“Carmen” 6″ x 6″ acrylic, recycled tea bags, on canvas (SOLD)

“Carmen” was inspired by my love of pink and green and my love of fairies. I love February as I think of it as the month of red and pink!

“Ashley” 6″ x 4,” Acrylic, recycled tea bag on canvas, $48

“Ashley” is a celebration of my love for vintage blue and white. If you saw my kitchen, you’d know I’m a bit obsessed with this color combination. 🙂

I hope you enjoyed these two paintings. You can see more paintings and read more about this series on the Tea Paintings page of my website.

I wish you a wonderful, creative, day filled with joy! –Janell

New Tea Bag Dress Paintings

Posted on November 22, 2020 by janellmithani

I have two new tea bag paintings I wanted to share with you.

“Kate,” 4″ x 4″ acrylic, recycled tea bag on canvas.

A gold and white dress painted on a tea bag, My process on this painting was painting on the teabag and then collaging it into the painted canvas.

gold and white dress painting on recycled tea bag — “Goldie,” 4″ x 4,” acrylic, recycled tea bag, on canvas.

On this painting I collaged multiple tea bags in layers as I painted on the canvas. Then I painted the dress over the entire canvas.

If you are interested, I have added these paintings to my online gallery store.

About my Tea Bag Paintings:
I love tea. My mother-in-law taught me to drink tea shortly after I met her. I usually have a cup as soon as I wake up and an afternoon cup between 3 and 5 pm. And maybe a few in between…:) I also love to recycle, so about a year ago I started saving my tea bags to use in my art.

Shortly after my mom passed away, I started painting a tea bag a day as a relaxing therapy in the mornings. Once I painted one, I was totally hooked! My subjects are mini dresses in “Every size, shape, color, and age,” fairy dresses, and other whimsical subjects that move me. My dress paintings are named in honor of strong women in my life who made an impression me and suffragettes. Once I have finished the tea bag painting, I paint a canvas to match, including all four sides of the canvas, and add the tea bag. All my paintings have a final UV protective coating. Each painting comes with an easel or you can easily hang it on the wall for display.

Thanks so much for your support and interest in my art.

Have a wonderful, creative day filled with joy, Janell

Painted Dresses for the Fairies

Posted on March 31, 2018 by janellmithani

I have spent some time, trying to woo the fairies that live in my garden and studio into doing a bit of cleaning for me. Recently, I have even painted them some beautiful dresses.