The Hazards of Gold Leaf

A New Painting, “Gli Amici” —Italian for, “The Friends”

As always, after I finished the painting, I spent a few days finding gold leaf bits everywhere in the apartment. A flake in my glass of water. One shining on the bathroom floor. Another was found on the back of my left shoulder that evening at a cocktail party.

But, the painting is complete. And, the gold leaf adds a classic and glowing warmth to the piece. It never really photographs properly, as the gold catches and reflects the surrounding light in a myriad of ways.

At the beginning of each day of painting (which is almost every day), I would photograph my progress. I may have missed a day or two, but you’ll get the idea. In this video, you’ll see a montage of those pictures.

The figures began to take on a life of their own as I added each brush stroke. Yes, there’s an homage to some of my favorite Italian Renaissance artists. Two of the obvious inspirations here would be Sandro Botticelli and Filippino Lippi. The final piece can at once appear to be a copy of an old painting, yet it isn't; it becomes a completely new and modern juxtaposition of somewhat familiar elements.

An amusing side note: I’m beginning to think that perhaps I’ve been a bit conservative in my framing. I went out on a limb here, and selected this grand statement frame. I was rather nervous until the frame arrived, but when I framed the painting, I knew I had made the right decision!

Gli Amici gracefully hangs in the Simie Maryles Gallery in Provincetown, MA.

https://www.simiemaryles.com/KurtWalters.asp

OH! And, yes, as I sit here typing this, I see another gold piece hiding next to the mouse pad! Ugh!

Thanks for reading! And, as always, feel free to ask me anything!

—Kurt