My Wee Secrets

This page will give you a bit of an insight in to what goes on to create my work. I’ve been asked so many times how I do the gold and I think it’s time to shed a wee light on the process. 

I spent my honeymoon in Versailles in France. I had wanted to go there forever and it was a dream. Visiting Marie~Antoinette’s gardens there were covers built around a portion of a golden balustrade ~ we couldn’t see what was happening behind it but postage stamped slithers of gold leaf were drifting out from over the covers and fluttering around us. I was mesmerised and caught a piece to keep. That’s where it started.

I read books and articles about the process of gold leafing and through trial and error was able to perfect my technique.

Each original artwork I create has gold leaf applied and I also use iridescent paints where appropriate alongside my trusty, quality Windsor and Newton watercolour paints.

The Giclee art prints themselves are printed in the UK from prepared high resolution scans I make of each original artwork. Each print is hand finished with gold leaf which takes a bit of time to execute.  It’s not paint. I’ve tried metallic paints and much as I’d like to use them, I’ve been spoiled by the inimitable effect that gold leaf offers… A latex~type adhesive is painted on selected areas with delicate sable brushes and once dried (it never actually dries funnily enough, if it did, I’d be scuppered) Then, cobweb thin sheets of gold leaf are hand applied with tweezers and a deep breath. Surface rubbed gently then brush off. Once properly cleaned off, the gold leaf portions are varnished then if appropriate, the rest of the print surface is finished with a hand applied iridescent powder. The prints are then packed in a beautiful white, strong recyclable presentation box with a numbered and signed authenticity certificate and wrapped in tissue… the whole process is a labour of pure love…a unique revelation to me every time it’s done.