Behind The Canvas

There are few items that are as closely tied to an artists work as the brush they hold. An extension of their hands, the brush captures their every move and memorializes it in paint. For over 95 years the FM Brush Company has been making some of the finest brushes in the world. Four generations of the Mink family maintain attention to detail throughout the entire hand-made manufacturing process.

This whole series is focused around taking a look at the unsung heros, craftspeople and artisans who work tirelessly behind the artwort that we love. Today we're taking a look at what's behind the canvas, literally; the supports. From humble lumber comes some of the most important elements in an artwork and all from the mind, heart and hands of Simon Liu who has been the art world's best kept secret for 40 plus years.

There are very few things in the world that capture hears and imagination as gold. For thousands of years humans have been adorning their most important objects with the precious metal and art is no exception. Just outside the city of Florence, where the Renaissance was born, where DaVinci walked the streets is the home to some of the finest gold leaf in the world. Join me as we step into the workshop of Giusto Manetti Battiloro to see how raw gold ingot is transformed into feather-light sheets of gold leaf as we go Behind The Canvas.

A blank sheet of paper; a world of possibility. And also a bit intimidating. But not all paper is devoid of character, color and magic. Outside Florence exists a small workshop where the art and tradition of marbled paper is kept alive. With no two sheets alike, the paper isn't merely created, it's born at the hands of skilled artisans plying their craft. Take a look inside the workshop of Il Papiro as we go Behind The Canvas.

There are some places that for artists and creative people set their minds and hearts ablaze. Perhaps none achieves this state of euphoria as quickly as the artist supply store. Filled with materials and tools of every shape and iteration, this is where masterpieces begin. Come join me at Talas in NY as we peruse the aisles and learn about how they serve the artist community as we take a step Behind The Canvas.

The life of an object may be varied but almost inevitably it will require care and attention, perhaps even repair. In Japan, the art and craft of Kintsugi approaches the damage as not something to hide but rather to embrace. At Goenne, in the south of Japan, the art and craft of Kintsugi are more than kept alive; they thrive.

For thousands of years humans have been making and using paper for just about everything; currency, declaring one's love, making art and more. But how is a humble plant like mulberry transformed into the most delicate and durable paper in the world. Through a mix of centuries old craft and modern technology at Hidakawashi, the paper is the art.