Three Knives

This painting came about as an experiment. I wanted to see if I could capture the happenstantial nature of the abstract patterns created by the old dry paint on these old studio knives within the rigid structure of their figurative forms.

Why? ...well, because, believe it or not, these three knives have great sentimental value to me as they have been with me since my art foundation days and have moved around with me everywhere I have lived since.

They are now so encrusted with old dried paint and various painting mediums, they are no longer useable but as I cannot bear to part with them, they became the subject for a painting.

So, why didn't I just clean them...? I hear you ask...well, the way paint dries on any surface, whether deliberately put there or by chance, has always been a weird fascination of mine plus, despite being an Arts Technician for a while and a stickler for tidiness and order where the students were concerned, I myself am quite slovenly when it comes to studio maintenance!

I also do an awful lot of 'navel gazing' between easel stints, so looking at my crusty old studio knives brings me genuine pleasure as they carry a lot of meaning for me.

As I have mentioned, I am largely self-taught, so every drip and splodge on them carries a fond memory.

Painting is largely a process of trial and error in the pursuit of the elusive prize of success, so these, with their evidence of paint-covered fingers and the encrusted blades, speaks of the need for immediacy and spontaneity.

Considering all of the above, and although it is essentially a still life study, I would venture that this painting could also fall into the category of narrative painting too.

Three Knives

Oil on wood (private collection)