Besides making paints, now there is a newly found use for the ancient pigment, Egyptian Blue Frit. This pigment, made by heating a mixture of copper, quartz, sand, lime, and an alkali, dates from 3250 BCE and was used to decorate tombs, statues, coffins, and temple walls in Egypt during the long reign of the Pharaohs. Who Knew Pigments Could Be … [Read more...] about Ancient Egyptian Color Gets a New Life
Cleopatra
Offerings to Isis
Offerings to Isis 8x9 Oil on Wood panel © Margret E. Short, OPA, AWA, 2011 Lessons from the Pharaoh's Tomb, Part Two This small painting was one of the most enjoyable to paint not only for the colors but also the subject matter. One day while hunting through the aisles of our local Asian market I spied a fascinating fruit of brilliant … [Read more...] about Offerings to Isis
Felucca
What do Winston Churchill, Mark Twain, King Farouk, and Dave and Margret Short all have in common? We all sailed down the Nile while visiting the magnificent antiquities of Egypt......in a felucca! This graceful sailing vessel is motor-less and relies on the Egyptian southerly winds to push it upstream. These winds build during the day and … [Read more...] about Felucca
One Down, Many to Go
This detail is from the first completed painting in the new Part ll project which shows both versions of malachite. Impasto paint was floated onto the surface of the jar in the focal areas. Across the table is a golden cloth which is used as a perfect foil for the bluish green of the jar setting it off nicely. According to Francois Delamare and … [Read more...] about One Down, Many to Go
Tulips in the Eye of Horus
Tulips in the Eye of Horus Sold 10x11 Oil on Linen © Margret E. Short, OPA, AWA, 2009 Lesssons from the Pharaoh’s Tomb Lawrence Gallery, Portland, Oregon September & October 2009 Egyptian societies in antiquity were strictly stratified, and the king was the most powerful holder of divine office. When the previous pharaoh died the new … [Read more...] about Tulips in the Eye of Horus
Things That Go Boom!
Now, ancient Egyptians did not have or use fireworks, but it is quite interesting that some of the minerals used in pigments since antiquity are what makes the beautiful colors in fireworks displays. The Chinese first invented gun powder and fireworks circa 900 AD, and their culture retains a legendary fascination with things that go … [Read more...] about Things That Go Boom!