After a few years of pandemic and personal changes, I will be active on here again. Maybe not immediately, but working on it. Stay tuned.
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Sunday, January 24, 2021
This Mirror Had Visitors
As found |
Sunday, January 17, 2021
Frame Fix-Up
Back in the day, when you went to a picture framer they didn't always just cut and join pre-finished moldings. I really like the frames that truly were "custom" where the framer started with wood and created a surface treatment.
As purchased. Bottom and left rails with no finish remaining, deterioration on remander. |
I purchased this painting a few years back. The frame's finish had suffered greatly. Two legs of the frame were down to bare wood. Possibly it had gotten damp and the gesso deteriorated, or perhaps someone started trying to (misguidedly) return the frame to "natural wood" and gave up.
Applying gesso |
After a cleanup, new gesso was applied. A painted finish was built up with applications of various colors, along with some gentle distressing, to wind up with an "interesting grey".
Building the paint layers |
There is no finish or additional work over the paint. When the painting is sent out for cleaning and re-varnishing I may need to adjust the frame color. Finishing will take place at that time.
Finished (sort of) |
Hanging |
Monday, January 11, 2021
Another One Finally Checked on the "To-Do" List
Finished. Approximately 13" high. |
In its original state |
Sunday, December 13, 2020
Christmas Bells are Ringing
Well, we've come to the end of the year. And what a year.
I've been away from this blog for various reasons (none of them good).
In addition to the pandemic, we sold the house in Maine, and my partner of 40-plus years passed away in November after a long decline.
Now that things are settling out, I will be posting again, trying to get caught up with what has gone on through 2020 and keeping up with 2021.
I hope 2021 will be better for all of us!
Monday, May 11, 2020
Don't Sit Under This Apple Tree
Saturday, April 18, 2020
A Mirror! Aristocracy! The Theater!
Arrival in my elegantly appointed workshop |
Museum accession label |
Cardboard a sign that this mirror has been worked on since the 18th century |
Maybe the workshop was in the theater district? |