I’ve poured a lot of energy into this collection of wood for prayer. I feel a bit in love with it. Like my reconditioning it is a love action. I’ve been thinking about all the words uttered by people who have touched it. I wish it could speak to me and tell me. I feel a bit weird getting so sentimental about a stool, but it’s really affected me.
After repairing all the damage/ nail holes with wood filler and A LOT of sanding with progressively finer grit paper, I wiped it clean with a damp cloth and then stained it, building up the depth of colour I wanted to emulate that gothic church furniture aesthetic. I got there and its totally lush.
It’s so tactile, it feels smooth as silk.
I treated it with beeswax and hemp oil to seal it, it really brought out the grain and has given it that polished pew church smell. It’s really evocative; smells can really help you access memories can’t they.
I used wood glue to attach some thin but dense padding which I then covered with double layer calico, using a staple gun and hammer to tack it in place.
I am proud of myself. It looks, feels and smells utterly proper. I am chomping to finish my cross stitch design and then reupholster the whole piece so I can see it complete.
I can’t believe that this will be on exhibition in the castle. It’s the second most prominent gallery space in the city; it’s like a dream come true!
Reflecting on this piece, and my other recent projects in general, I’ve started to learn so many new skills and techniques. I’m enjoy that and feel like multidisciplinary work excites me particularly because it’s so flexible.
