It was a wonderful experience.
One of the more basic take-homes was the idea
that a completely vertical easel is an important part of a studio because it
enables you to see your work as it will be seen when hung on a wall.
When I got home I made a vertical easel…from 2x4’s and scrap
wood I had in my shop.
It may not be elegant, but it has served me well for many
years.
However, I recently started working on a 36” x 36” panel, and found that
wrestling it on and off the easel in order to lay it flat for heavy painting,
burnishing on collage material, or fusing was an awkward chore.
I couldn’t reach the far edge very well, and
the edges kept getting smashed. There
must be a solution.
I decided to try to make my easel convertible. It took a lot of pondering – I needed
something strong enough, yet easy to convert.
After a few near disasters I did it!
Here is my new easel.
From the back.
Undoing the latches.
Letting it down.
Flat.
Now I can get around it to reach all sides too!
The latches that hold it up.
It still is not elegant, but then, neither am I…
