I seem to float between drawing on paper and the need to paint three dimensional objects that are useful. Each little wooden box starts out naked… then I clothe it in Gesso and let it dry and harden overnight and upon waking, sand it smooth before decorating it’s skin.
When my mind is restless and full, it seems to gravitate towards painting freehand patterns to work those repetitive and occasionally obsessive thoughts out of my head. It’s gratifying to see a flirty flower, then pattern emerge stroke after stroke contouring the box surface.
When the pattern is complete I varnish it three times for good luck!
Each little box measures about 1 1/2″ – 2 11/16″ (4cm – 6,9cm).
Recently, I commissioned my father to build 10 trunks for me. These trunks are the old antique style trunks. They measure about 12 to 16 inches in width and are made from his own pattern. I’ll be painting larger and more one of a kind items this year. The trunk pictured below is one Dad built for me about 15 years ago!