Copper on the Easel

Several years ago, I did a series of paintings on sheets of copper of various sizes, which was enormously fun. Here are two from that series.

 

 

Well, now here it is 2013, and it’s time for another challenge with a new pigment series. This new project poking at my mad scientist self is more expansive though, and will be a project using not only copper but also other metals such as gold leaf, silver leaf, brass, aluminum, and stainless steel, for a total of six types of metal.

Artists for many centuries have used copper as a substrate for oil paintings, many of which were alter pieces. The Phoenix Art Museum presented an exhibit titled, Copper as Canvas in 1999 which illustrated not only the variety of artists who used copper but also the breadth of subject matter.

The aesthetic of oil paint on the shimmering surface of metal is quite beautiful in many ways and the benefits are varied. The rigid surface prevents any cracking. There is no absorption to dull the colors. The smooth quality allows all of the paint to sit all atop the surface, which is unlike the up and down texture of a canvas weave.

In the coming weeks, I will be experimenting with these six metals, painting a series of Modello pieces each 6×6 inches. This project is titled Minerals, Metals, and Dirt. Examples of the proposed mineral pigments are lapis lazuli, Amazonite, tiger’s eye, cinnabar, azurite, and my personal favorite, Egyptian blue frit, among many others. Of course, the dirt is representative of the fabulous array of earth pigments available today.

Anyone have any other pigment suggestions or ideas? Let me know and I will try to include them.