What is Art?
‘A work of art goes through many phases of development, but in each phase it is always a work of art. (Therein lies the importance of sketches.) A work of art is finished, from the point of view of the artist, when feeling and perception have resulted in a spiritual synthesis. – Hans Hofmann
Sounds good doesn’t it? These “works of art” have definitely gone “through many phases of development” though not in the way Hofmann meant.
When we started to strip the studio, we found, behind three sheets of wallboard, an old range. The stone mantle was covered in so many layers of wallpaper and paint it took three full days to strip.
Working in small areas at a time we laid on Nitromors to dissolve the paint. As it began to take effect, the layers of paint bubbled up so that, as we scraped, it created wonderful patterns. I couldn’t resist photographing the different stages. Art indeed!
In the end we managed to get the stone down to a smooth light turquoise colour. The range has been stripped of its rust and painted black. Long ago it would have been the heart of the kitchen, the means of heating the house and providing many a hearty meal no doubt. It will never be as useful again but we think it adds a nice touch to the studio reception.
postbox studio 