I had just a taste of trompe l’oeil painting in my last class at PNCA (*sniff*) and am completely hooked. Unfortunately for me, the painting I started in class included one of the objects from my thesis project which had to be returned to its designated drawer so I can’t really continue on with it, but I’m seriously thinking about starting another painting — a very small and simple one, mind you. I feel a bit like a doofus when it comes to painting, but for some reason I was totally ensnared by this project and can think of little else. Here is a detail of what I accomplished in a few hours with liquid acrylics (which I highly recommend for this style of painting). View this from a distance and please do not judge me by this example, it is far far from being finished!

Personally, I make a distinction between this sort of intimate scale work (which I prefer) and the (perhaps better known) large scale mural work also known as trompe l’oeil. I recently viewed an exhibit of trompe l’oeil paintings at Reed College and was most intrigued by the painting of letters, documents and small collections of goodies. I’m heartily lusting after this book which was on display at the museum but is, sadly, out of print. The book was the accompanying catalog to the National Gallery of Art’s Deceptions and Illusions exhibit which I wish I could have seen. I’ve been scouring the used book marts for a decently priced copy. It will be mine some day. Oh, yes.

The structure of the class (Techniques of the Old Masters) which introduced me to trompe l’oeil had its good and bad points — the good is that I was exposed to a number of different painting techniques: egg tempera, fresco, 19th-century stenciling (with bronze powder), reverse painting on glass, silverpoint, framing, gilding, encaustic…the bad really wasn’t that bad, we just rarely had time to complete a finished work (with the exception of egg tempera, reverse glass painting, and silverpoint). It was more of a dip your toe in many artistic pools class. In truth, I can’t recommend the class highly enough. If you find yourself in the PNCA BFA program, take it! The instructor, Paul Missal, is wonderful and will likely be retiring in the next couple of years. He was one of my first and favorite teachers at PNCA. I hope he considers teaching some continuing ed classes so I can study with him again.

Oh, dear. Now I feel a sentimental mood coming on.

I delivered my cabinet and catalog to the exhibit space this afternoon. Having the cabinet not in the house is really weird. I worry about it as if it was a child. Last I saw it, it was sitting on a piece of plywood which was set upon a chair. The chair seat angled back so the piece is tilted. The only level option was the floor of the Stevens which is, frankly, filthy right now. I hope it doesn’t settle strangely, warp or do other unpredictable things. It is not the sturdiest piece of cabinetry.

I’m sorry I had to abandon you, cabinet. I hope the student volunteers treat you with care. I will see you on Monday!

For all of you who wanted a peak inside once it was finished, you’ll have to come to the exhibit. I took some pictures for the sake of documentation for the thesis paper, but they aren’t that great. It’s a piece that’s meant to be interacted with and pictures don’t convey much. Okay, maybe I’ll show some close-ups of the interior. Tomorrow. Or something. Eh. I’ve spent too much time writing blog entries this evening. I should be painting or cooking!