Copper Valentine

I’ve been keeping this one under wraps for a few weeks: a surprise commission to celebrate a lovely couple’s copper wedding anniversary.

The painting contains real copper powder, copper sulphate, copper carbonate and copper oxide. A celebration of love and nine years of marriage. And the couple in question are the Valentines, so the painting had to be called Copper Valentine.

A few of my recent commissions have been surprise presents, and it adds a level of glee to the creative process… I love the subterfuge, the anticipation, and the vicarious delight.

I also learnt an important lesson when painting this canvas: always wear gloves when using copper carbonate or copper sulphate!