Gold Leaf

Working with gold is such a joy. Several years ago I began gold leafing frames for myself, some artist friends and customers. While the demand isn't what it used to be, I still do some from time to time. Recently there has been a little ralley and I've had the opportunity to get into it again.

Gilding with gold dates back to the begining of time. My experience has largely been applying gold leaf to frames and an occasionally on glass or mirrors. Last year I did a mirror with some sandblasting, handlettering and gold leafing. I really enjoyed doing it and was pleased with the result.

With that in mind, I am planning on doing more gold work, primarily on glass and mirrors. I am starting a project doing monograms in gold on glass. My first one will be the letter "S" which is appropriate because it is my initial and also the initial for the name of my studio. Current plan is to gild the letter in gold in a reverse glass method  (which is nothing more than doing it in reverse on the back of the glass) and outline it in black. Clean, simple and elegant. Ultimately I would like to do each letter of the alphabet with each letter in a different font. The size I am going to work with is a 12" square piece of glass with each letter appropriately placed.

Although the first letter will be simple, I will gradually increase the complexity of the letters not only in design but also with sandblasting, glue chipping and inlaying with mother of pearl and or abalone shell.

Should be fun. I'll keep you posted.