Autumnal palette (literally)

Know what inspires me in this autumnal season? Copper! 

Here’s a recipe from Bustanoby’s Color Manual, copyright 1939 (no, its not edible):

Copper: Neutral tint of red-orange, typical of this ductile, metallic element. Copper is used in the arts, in electrical manufacture and in alloys.  Color matched from actual copper articles: 
16 parts Zinc White
8 parts Yellow Ochre
1 part Venetian Red



        So there you have it; the recipe for copper paint. And if you’re like me, and feel compelled to pull that dried copper paint off its palette, you might procure pieces such as these. 

       This might be just an ordinary old paint pan with layers of dried creamy caramel and burnt sienna paint to some. To me it is a mouth watering concoction of harmonious blends that make me wanna exile to the studio, fire up the wood stove and make jewelry. 

And yes, this is where it starts....

       When I’m not really feeling the creative juices flowing, when I am in a gray space, desiring some inner spark to ignite, I start pulling paint off the palette. Once I start peeling or cutting that paint from its surface, the juices usually start to flow. Before I know it, I am imagining and designing new jewelry pieces; wearable art from the palette! 

       It helps that my husband does extended work trips to Florida, where he does projects for clients that require acrylic paint. In fact, he is there now. The day after he left Indiana for sunny warm Florida, I was scraping ice off my windshield.  GRRR! I told him, the least he could do is bring me back some new palettes. I know he will not disappoint. 

      I know what you’re thinking: this stuff is way too cool to pitch! Turn it into jewelry! Actually, you may not be thinking that, but I do. Got the idea almost 30 years ago, and been doing it ever since.  Here’s one now: 

Want to see more?
Check out my shop at sandyartparts.etsy.com

       Speaking of doing this for 30 years, yes its true. I started when my daughter was a baby, and she is about to celebrate her 30th birthday. I have decided in honor of my 30 years of Parts of Art, to write a series of articles on exactly that: 30 years in the business of art. 

Please feel free to leave comments and look forward to my new series, which you will find right here!