How I Transformed a Stone Bird Bath with Outdoor Acrylic Paints

A few years ago a dear friend gave me a bird bath which he primed with gray and black so I could paint it as I wished. This Spring I finally decided to add some color to the bird bath.

Since the shape of the bowl and base reminded me of a flower, I decided to use the "Ring of Fire" Sunflower as my inspiration.

Photo courtesy of All-America Selections

2001 AAS Flower Award Winner:
Sunflower 'Ring of Fire'
National Winner

I have used outdoor acrylic paints on my rocks and thought they would work just as well on this stone bird bath. Here are the paints I used. (My choice of brand was solely based on the color I desired and these are all 2 oz. bottles.)

• Anita's Yard & Garden Durable Outdoor Paint - Marigold Garden
• DecoArt Crafter's Acrylic All-Purpose Acrylic Paint - Burnt Umber (not pictured)
• Anita's All Purpose Acrylic Craft Paint - Brick Red
• DecoArt Patio Paint Outdoor - Orange Poppy
• DecoArt Patio Paint Outdoor - Splendid Gold
• DecoArt Patio Paint Outdoor - Sweet Pea
• Anita's Yard & Garden Durable Outdoor Paint - Garden Gate White

Step 1

I did not want to take the time to re-prime the bird bath bowl. So, I first sanded the rough areas where the gray primer had worn away.

Step 2

I applied 4 coats of "Marigold Garden" (yellow) outdoor paint to cover the gray primer and added a brown center using "Burnt Umber" Crafter's Acrylic.

Step 3

To add a little pizazz, I painted a line of "Splendid Gold" Patio Paint around each petal shape.

Step 4

To paint the "ring of fire" around the brown center, I mixed "Orange Poppy" Patio Paint with "Brick Red" Acrylic Craft Paint and brushed strokes out from the center toward the petal shapes.

Next, I stroked lines over the reddish-orange "ring of fire" using the "Splendid Gold" and "Brick Red" paint.

Step 5

To finish up the bird bath bowl, I painted "Splendid Gold" around the brown center and dabbed the same color inside the brown circle. Lastly, I painted "Splendid Gold" ovals inside the petal shapes.

Step 6

Because the base was primed with black, I primed the petal shapes around the lower portion of the base with white outdoor paint. 

Next, I used the "Sweet Pea" (green) patio paint to cover the stem and leaf section of the base. Once I painted the light green hue over the base, the leaves sculpted in the stone base became more visible and I decided to leave them "as is" rather than detail them any further. 

"Splendid Gold" was painted around the top portion. (The very bottom remained the existing gray color.)

Step 7

Although I used paint formulated specifically for outdoor projects, I also sealed the bird bath base and bowl with 3 coats of Delta Ceramcoat Satin Exterior/Interior Varnish (a polyurethane sealer).

Here's a bird's eye view of the brightly-painted bird bath in the garden.

Tips & Ideas

One, 2-oz. bottle of paint (in the colors mentioned above) was enough to cover the bird bath with plenty left over for other projects.

Bird bath bowls can become slimy and icky. I've been told hydrogen peroxide can be used to clean the bowl. In addition, salt or baking soda can be used to scrub off the slime.

My solution to a slimy bird bath bowl is to place a plastic coffee can lid in the center. The lid is easily removed to toss the old water into the garden and add fresh water for the birds.

I also surround the plastic lid with stones as a perch for the birds. I have noticed my visiting birds prefer drinking over bathing. 

Useful Link

• FAQs for DecoArt Patio Paint

© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks 

Add Whimsy to Your Garden with Painted Rock Critters

As quoted in The Denver Post, "Adding art to your garden is an extension of your identity," ... "You decorate the inside, why not the outside? Any personality, any hobby, can be represented - classical, funky, seasonal - you name it."

Rocks can be painted to achieve all of these garden art styles and more - whimsy, magic, personality, love of animals, seasonal, classical, funky, etc.

For instance, you can express your whimsical nature with a cute, painted rock critter that hides among the foliage and flowers.

Can you imagine a painted rock alligator's head peeking from underneath your garden foliage? Do you think it would attract attention to your garden and cause a closer look?

Take a peek at how an alligator's head painted on a rock added subtle whimsy to these gardens.

What is this critter doing in my garden?

Is this alligator alive?

Are those day lilies growing out of that alligator rock?

Can this alligator smell the roses (er, daisies)?

With a little acrylic paint and imagination, rocks can be transformed into garden art that's either fun & whimsical or beautiful & decorative. Painted rocks are always unique and one-of-a-kind because of shape, texture, and paint technique.

Why not forego cookie cutter, machine-made garden decor and try some painted rocks in your garden this year?


© Cindy Thomas Painted Rocks