“Shimmering Aspen Grove” 36″ x 48″ oil and metal leaf on canvas – $5,000
Sometimes people ask me if I will ever go back to painting oils without the additional metal leaf application and I always answer, “I’m having too much fun to give up the “shimmer”. It has been nearly ten years since I started using composition metal leaf as a background and balance to my oil painted plants and trees and I still learn something with each painting.
The metal leaf is composed of 88% copper and 12% zinc for the gold color and the silver color is 100% aluminum. These are applied to an oil painted background after it dries thoroughly and sealed after each application to prevent oxidation. I give the painting a final coating of varnish to further protect it.
“Abundant Harvest” 36″ x 48″ oil and metal leaf on canvas – $4,700
The metal leaf comes in two different types of 5 1/2″ thin sheets separated by tissue paper. The “transfer” sheets are attached to another tissue paper and can be cut into squares or shapes. The “loose” sheets of metal leaf are torn into bits that vary in size down to a small grain of rice.
The whole process builds the layers of paint, adhesive, metal leaf and sealer and each layer needs to dry before the next layer can be applied. Usually, I’m working on three different paintings over a period of several months to allow for the drying process.
Is it worth all of this effort? My studio glows with the painting surfaces reflecting light and surrounding color and my spirits are lifted each time I work on a painting. Walking past the painting and seeing the light change becomes more of an experience than just a viewing and I hope my clients feel the same effects.
“A Dazzle of Dogwoods” 36″ x 48″ oil and metal leaf on canvas – $4,800
This painting is on the cover of my 2025 Pomegranate calendar. Please click on my website link to view more paintings as well as links to my galleries and Pomegranate products.
