Tuesday, January 8, 2008


New and Used 3

Oil on board, 6" x 6"
$125.00 + $6.00 shipping in US.
SOLD

Since I'm in a confessional mode lately, all the talk about how I love my brushes--here's the truth of how they're treated: I left the brush in the foreground standing in buckets of water for such prolonged periods that the wooden handle swelled, then shrank away from the metal ferrule. The whole thing got floppy, ready to fall apart. I wrapped picture wire around it in a desperate attempt to hold it together. It was a lot of trouble but I didn't mind, because I really love this brush.

You know how the old song goes: "You always hurt the ones you love."

14 comments:

Alex Perez pintor contemporaneo said...

Hi Don.
This serie of brushes reminds me my feelings for my old brushes, which can no longer be used to paint but we do not want to separate from them, is a romantic feeling for these dear tools, then this it is the moment to give them honor as you do.
Alex

Sheila Vaughan said...

Don, you have a wicked and irreverent sense of humour that appeals to my English sensibility! Your brush paintings are absolutely wonderful. I am inspired by the fact that each one is such a simple choice but imbued with such meaning and depth. I think it is a great idea to do a series of still lives on the same subject like this.

Anonymous said...

"...desperate attempt to hold it together", sounds like a metaphor for so much more than studio tools.

I'm really enjoying this brush series.

Kellie Marian Hill said...

This brushes series you're doign is wonderful- you give them so much character, and all the surfaces are marvelous

kim shields said...

I have a long handled brush that I put too much pressure and the handle cracked. I have to hold it a certain way to paint with. I am not ready to lay it to rest. I love your brushes series. They look like dear old friends.

Don Gray said...

A nice thought, Alex, thank you.

Don Gray said...

As you can imagine, Sheila, my warped sense of humor lands me in trouble from time to time, but I can't help it!

Glad you're back and thank you for your thoughts.

Don Gray said...

Oh oh, you touched a nerve there, Silvina. And I thought I was just talking about brushes!

Don Gray said...

Kellie, thanks!

Don Gray said...

Epoxy and duct tape, Kim, it'll be almost good as new!

Thanks for your kind words.

PAT MEYER -- said...

Your brush series is divine! These brushes have such character and tell a story all at the same time. It just goes to show you that sometimes simple is best when done well and you do it very well! Congrats on this series. Pat Meyer Fine Art

Don Gray said...

Really appreciate your comments, Pat. Thanks for stopping in.

Deborah Paris said...

love this one. The color temperature changes on the handle of the larger one are wonderful. Obviously, you've touched a nerve here with other artists..or maybe a funny bone..either way its very entertaining. I am also a brush abuser- in fact mine have to be abused to do what I need them to do- so I hope they don't mind.

Don Gray said...

Deborah, it's nice to know I'm not alone as a brush abuser. Maybe we should get into some kind of 12-step program.

Thanks for your comments.