Paints deserve little boxes

This morning, while searching for books about Mesopotamia, I came across this so-called Ram in a Thicket. It’s dated from 2600 BC and there actually was a couple of them, discovered in a grave in the Royal Cemetery of Ur in Irak. Archeologists say it’s a reference to an Old Testament’s story (the sacrifice of the ram) but that would spoil everything for me! I think it’s a very cheeky ram with folded wings and he eats from the Cosmic Tree (it does look to me like stars, not roses!). Needless to say… I’m smitten.

How could archeologists who don’t have an artistic bone possibly understand works of art? Art’s mostly been commissioned and paid for by the wealthy, it’s about time to take into consideration the very personal element in each of these artworks and also the importance of composition over realism. Think of all these gay artists who got paid in the end for deifying their crush of the moment. What is supposed to be a scene from the mythology is something entirely different for the artist himself. That’s how he got to do… what he wanted to do with a minimum compromises (and get paid for it!).

A few days ago, I started reading a magnificent book (DK publisher – I’m a fan) about Imperial China. As I turn the pages, I am constantly delighted by the ancient art. This is from the Shang era (1600 BC) and it is made of bronze. I am particularly intrigued by the motherly tigress carrying the human being (who is holding on to her) and what looks like a little dog on her back (probably bossing the tigress around).

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I love the magic of watercolours.Making an abstract background for a little box.

I then finished the box for my watercolour pans but you don’t see the background (as was the plan), so surely, it was not worth bothering, right? Well, it is better than white (which I’m not crazy about) and I had fun painting it. Also,it’s not as if I did spend a huge amount of time on it. I actually spent more time painting all the tiny samples for each watercolour tube and pan. Now, everything is in order, every tube and pan tucked in, dreaming of paintbrushes and clean water and perhaps a bit of French kissing with the neighbouring colours (I don’t judge). I also made boxes for my paper scraps. Now, I just have to make little ceramic cups for my palette. But I think for now, I’m going to cosy-up with a big book and a hot chocolate.

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