Artist's Palette
I was in the studio crafting palettes for my two granddaughters. They’re turning 10 and both have a love of making art.
This particular design is one that I have used for 20+ years and haven’t found a more comfortable or versatile one since.
Wood was cut, joined, and carved into shape. As my granddaughters grow, the palettes can be reshaped to comfortably fit their larger hands.
One of the palettes in process:
After sanding the bare wood, a custom stain was applied. Once this dried, the palettes were re-sanded and then six coats of linseed oil were applied (allowing 24 hours between each application).
The gray color of these palettes will provide a neutral background for paint colors to visually “pop.” The multi-layers of linseed oil will develop a beautiful patina over time. Imperfections in the wood are features of a hand made tool versus flaws from what could have otherwise been a manufactured product.
Palettes hanging to dry:
To offer a glimpse of time in the studio, my hands are involved with materials while my mind wanders off in all sorts of directions.
In this case, I saw the palette as a “foundation” of sorts. Paint is arranged and manipulated into glops of value, color and textural schemes on a palette; scooped up with a brush or palette knife; and then applied to a flow of creative expression.
From the concept of “foundation,” my thoughts wandered to Maimonides, a verse in the Mishna Torah, which I’ve spent considerable time reflecting on: “The foundation of all foundations and the pillar of wisdom is to know that there is a Primary Being who brought into being all existence…. If one would imagine this Primary Being does not exist, no other being could possibly exist.”
Very hard for me to get my head around, especially in the context of what’s going on in the world.