"BURIED TREASURE"
24K gold & pure silver on prepared paper
6"x 9"
Studies for paintings notwithstanding it is a bit rare when I commit to drawing and painting an identical subject and when it does occur I have always produced the drawing first and later a painting if the subject interests me enough. However, in the case of the metalpoint drawing above, it began life as a painting (see my earlier post "The Shell Game"). The whole notion of the title "Buried Treasure" used for the painting referred to the fact that these whole whelk shells when found on the beach evoke great excitement when you find one (it's sort of like discovering a treasure). Then as the idea of doing this same subject in the precious metal mediums of silver and gold began to build, the title "Buried Treasure" assumed an additional meaning. We most associate the phrase buried treasure with a pirate's chest on some sandy beach full of pieces of eight and dubloons, so it only seemed natural to do this drawing in silver and gold. Enjoy!