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DIY Halloween Art Using a Thrift Store Framed Print

Make this easy DIY Halloween Art Using a Thrift Store Framed Print in an afternoon using acrylic paints, Mod Podge, and Rub ‘n Buff.

home decor with thrift store art

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Thrift Store Makeover Day

Join us each month for NEW thrifty ideas from the team. You'll find links to all of the projects below.

Use the slider below to see the before and after!

before of thrift store art
before of thrift store artthrift store art on secretary

Years ago while visiting local thrift stores,  I discovered a framed print that sparked my creativity. It's been in my stash for a while. I decided to use it as the base for a DIY Halloween art project! If anything, the frame itself was worth the $2.99 price tag. I love finding an old painting that I can bring new life to the frame. This find was so much fun with the children and toys that I knew I could give it a spooky touch with little effort. I didn't come up with this idea solely on my own. I've seen several Tik Toks and Instagram reels with similar things done to thrift store paintings. Those platforms are addictive for fabulous ideas. 

The Before

Thrift shops, flea markets, and even garage sales are fantastic spots to discover unique vintage frames. However, seldom do I come across a thrift store frame that truly has artwork worthy of keeping. I'm usually just on the lookout for a good frame.

before of thrift store art

Upon a closer look at the art, I realized that the print was the perfect candidate for a friendly ghost and Halloween vibe! Nothing says Halloween decor like creepy children and haunted toys. Ha, ha!

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With a little paint strategically placed here and there, I knew that I could come away with some quick and cheap art that would be perfect for decor or even a Halloween party.

Supplies Used

How To Create the Look

Here are the simple steps to create your own Halloween art.

removing frame staples with butter knife

The first thing that you want to do is remove any paper backing and staples holding the art into the thrift store picture frame.

before of brown frame

Even if you use the Halloween art for a party, you can always remove it later and you have a fabulous frame for another project. This one has really great detail. The plain brown color is just too dated for me.

antique gold rub'n buff

The next step is to clean the frame of dust and dirt. I used Rub n' Buff to brush and rub the paint in with a towel. Antique gold is my favorite. Read the application instructions on the packaging. It's a very simple product with great results. You could also spray paint the frame gold.

painting a frame with rub n' buff

I typically brush it on and wipe it as needed with a towel or rag.

painting a frame gold

I only applied 1 coat.

before of art on counter

The matt was attached to the print. I carefully painted the matt with white acrylic paint. I prefer to use flat wall paint, but I didn't have any. This worked just fine!

white container of acrylic paint

Carefully paint so that you do not get any on the print.

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painting the matt of a print white

It took 5 quick coats to cover the matt. It dries very quickly.

many colors of acrylic paint

I already had this set of acrylics. It was from Covid when I thought that I could become an artist! You will see below that it is a good thing that I stick to painting walls and trim.

art supplies with print on counter

What a difference just painting the matt did to the look. I painted a freehand ghost over one of the toys. I painted several coats of white allowing some of the toy to show through.

painting a pumpkin

While a couple of coats on the ghost were drying, I moved onto the pumpkin head. It took two coats.

The orange was too bright for this vintage look so I mixed a bit of brown with it.

I painted some parts of the hats and dresses black and gray. Make the gray color by mixing white and black together.

Paint the eyes black.

mod podge jar in hand

When you are satisfied with your artistic painting, let it dry thoroughly.

I then applied 2 coats of Mod Podge to seal my work.

print on counter to apply mod podge

Paint it haphazardly. This is the look before it dries. Try to keep it somewhat even. If you apply it too thickly, you will get a milky look. This dries quickly as well.

Let it dry in between coats.

One of the reasons that I decided to apply Mod Poodge was so that I could use the print without the glass. This gives it a more finished look.

finished look of art

I really like how the little girl with the tan and now black dress turned out. She's pretty creepy.

The black eyes really unify them.

gold frame

I can easily remove the Halloween art and add something else. The frame really shines with the new gold color.

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secretary with home decor and halloween art
up close of halloween art

I added a very neutral pumpkin to the vignette for a subtle Halloween look.

thrift store art for Halloween

I now want to find a piece of house art. That one could really be fun! to add things in the windows.

home decor with thrift store art

Halloween art can be just as spooktacular as anything store-bought! With a few simple steps, you can take something that used to be in the back corner of a thrift store and turn it into a charming showpiece. Plus, you get to repurpose something by giving it a new look while saving some money too. Fall is such an exciting season with so many creative ideas for decorating your space. Are you ready to decorate for fall and Halloween? You will find more fall and Halloween ideas in my archives. Just visit HERE.

More projects below from the team!!!

halloween art with other decor

Check Out August's Thrift Store Projects!

collage of thrift store before projects

Vintage Scale Repurpose House of Hawthornes

Decoupaged Mannequin Head Shop At Blu

DIY Halloween Art Our Southern Home

Botanical Prints on Woven Mats Sadie Seasongoods

Update wicker baskets with paint to look like natural rattan My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Key Cabinet|Easy Makeover My Repurposed Life

 DIY Sea Glass Bottles  Petticoat Junktion

Thrifted Coffee Grinder Makeover   Organized Clutter

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Christy has been creating content for Our Southern Home since 2012. She has been featured in numerous print and online publications. Her classic, eclectic design approach spans her home and fashion style. Christy has a way of mixing store-bought with thrift store, antique and vintage finds. As a recent empty nester, she is having fun navigating this new stage of life. Read more about Christy HERE. Be sure to subscribe below. You can also contact me HERE.

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