Photo provided by DeeAnna Muraski.

By Darla McCammon
and DeeAnna Muraski
Guest Columnists

WARSAW — “I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink,” wrote the apostle John in 3 John 1:13. I was recently reading this passage in the Bible and it got me thinking about pens, which logically got me also thinking about paintbrushes. Obviously, they did not have our modern-day pens in the A.D. 80s; but, it got me ruminating on how and what they were using. This rabbit hole trail of thought segued into the realization that a person cannot paint without a paintbrush.

Throughout history people from all countries used their hands rudimentarily as applicators. However, this proved to have more cons than pros and more efficient ways of producing like results were tested. Archaeologists have uncovered animal hair tied to a piece of wood, human hair tied to wood and even bones tied to wood all representing a surface which with to apply a substance, further promoting the old adage that necessity is the mother of invention. There is debate about the purveyor of the first paintbrush as every country is quick to claim the title. The Chinese tended to favor using pig hair, which created the term bristle brush. The Mongolians and Serbians used coveted sable hair, which turned into a very lucrative business, at times requiring years of training to create a brush.

Eventually, these rough processes turned into a well-oiled machine that is now mostly mechanized. It is rare and costly to find a truly handmade brush. But the paintbrush in any one of these forms throughout history made big changes in the art world. Fine paint brushes allowed Leonardo DaVinci to create the delicate lips of the Mona Lisa. Big wide paint brushes allowed Jackson Pollock to create his massive large-scale designs. Even Bob Ross got into the fray with his notorious 4-inch-wide brush he liked to whack affectionately back and forth on his easel to clean it off. These artistic geniuses could not complete their masterpieces without the humble plain paintbrush.

Events

Lakeland Art Association: Rotating workshops, exhibits and free art-related programs every month. Location: 302 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays.

Warsaw City Hall: “Pierceton Picker — Dave Taylor,” an exhibit of his found art now through December. Watch as this garage sale art gets purchased, restored and repurposed. Location: 102 S. Buffalo St., Warsaw. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays.

Taproot Brewhouse in Pierceton: 3-6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26, Bob Ross class with certified instructor Laura Wildwoods. Cost involved. Come early and enjoy lunch before the class and get prime seating. For questions, call (260)-610-6644. Location: 130 N. First St., Pierceton.

Darla McCammon is an artist, columnist and author, and DeeAnna Muraski is executive director of Operation Read USA Inc. For information, call (574) 527-4044 or send an email to [email protected].