Silk Ball

“Silk Ball”
5”x7”
Unframed - Oil on prepared Masonite
Laura Marie Anderson © December 29, 2006

Have you ever wonder, who was the first person to make a satin ball? I bet it was someone who didn’t have enough money to buy Christmas decorations. Or were they even sold back then? I remember our tree, as children, our mom seemed to make most if not all of the decorations. My favorite was the small yarn red octopus. I am not sure where all those decorations are today, but they sure were special. I also remember my grandmothers tree, it had these about 3” diameter lights, they were glass and covered with tiny chunks of colored glass, each bulb a different color. I think they quit making then because some people couldn’t seem to remember that they get hot and need to be turned off from time to time so that they won’t burn down the entire house. They were wonderful. Childhood Christmas memories: write and share some of yours with me.


Technical notes: The Titanium white was too much for this painting. Flake White Replacement by Gamblin is supposed to be more opalescent. I had a tube. I buy these supplies and then wait for the day that I finally try them. It was superb, very creamy and not pasty. I used it for the ball. I then used the zinc white for the surface. My colors, cobalt blue, Quinacridone Red, Azo Yellow, and Copper with Galkyd Lite for my medium.