Customized Kitsch
Create your own paint-by-numbers kit. BY LEAH KRAMER
In the 1950s, following the Depression and World War II ration-
ing, Americans enjoyed leisure time and larger houses (mean-
ing more square footage to decorate). And what did clever
entrepreneurs do with these conditions? They mass-produced
paint-by-numbers kits that allowed anyone to be an artist! But the
kits didn’t last long with hipsters, who became more interested in
Andy Warhol’s ideas on consumerism and mass production.

Photography by Leah Kramer

Fifty years later, Craftster member Annette Kesterson wanted to pay homage to this kitschy pastime. She took cheesy 70s pin-up images, used Photoshop to create black and white paint-by-numbers maps, printed them out, and included a paint brush and test tubes with the paint colors inside. She gave the kits as gifts to her friends, who were delighted. To create your own paint-by-numbers kit (PBN), snap a digital photo or scan an image and embark on the journey herein.