Prep Work at the Calistoga Art Center

Priming wood pieces, to be painted later.

A lot of what goes into artwork may seem pretty mundane, but it’s necessary if you want to make art. If I want to use painted wood in some of the installations, I need to paint that wood — and sanding and priming comes first. If I want painted hearts on paper, I need to prepare that paper.

So, over a number of days, I primed wood scraps from Wine Country Cases in St. Helena (my thanks to them!) and painted art papers that will become part of the installations. You have to begin somewhere — and the best way to get it done is by taking one step at a time.

Painted art papers in process, so later they can become hearts.

I was able to set everything out on tables at the Calistoga Art Center over a several-day period during the holidays, when things were quiet. (My heartfelt thanks — pun intended — to them for letting me do this!) That way I could work on this in assembly-line fashion.

Small wooden hearts, primed.

I set out the wood scraps, and worked my way down the tables, priming the tops of each one. By the time I got to the end of the tables, the ones at the other end were ready for their second coat. Then, after some time to cure, I could repeat the process on the other side. 

Part of this process was also a process of elimination — I was trying out different materials to see how they'd work. As much as I liked the small wooden hearts, I'm rethinking how I will use them. 

Wood pieces, primed and dry and ready to be moved.

Finally, everything was dry enough to get packed up and moved, so I could clear off the tables in the art center for classes again. There's still plenty more to do, though!