I started my life as a framer when I was just 16 and still in high school in Bathurst, NSW. I worked part time at first, in the local art supplies and framing shop Pigments and Palettes, that was in those days owned and run by artist Bob Romano.
Bob was a gentle, caring, eccentric man, originally from Italy where he studied art. He loved everything art and shared that with everyone who walked in the door of Pigments and Palettes. We would work to classical music and talk about art and technique all day. He taught me how to choose sympathetic colours when choosing a frame and how to hand colour moulding to suit a particular artwork. It was Bob, who sparked my framing fire!
Illustration of Irene by Bob Romano, 1988 (left) ; Bob Romano, Irene Zapel and coworkers, Pigments and Palettes 1987 (right).
A number of prominent artists lived in the Bathurst area, and as some were old friends of Bob's they would pop in for a few art supplies and a cup of tea. Being a young and impressionable budding artist, I was quietly excited when they visited. It was the highlight of my day to make tea or coffee for such inspirational artists as John Olsen, Brett Whitely, Ken Ungley, Graham Lupp, Reg Campbell and David Wilson - all of whom have left something of their passion with me still.
I was in the shop one morning when two men came in to purchase some water colours. Upon enquiring who to make out the receipt to, I was told “J Olsen”. My brain started ticking over having just failed an assessment at school on a John Olsen painting. “That wouldn’t happen to be John Olsen would it?” When he replied yes, I asked if he was the same John Olsen responsible for the painting Entrance to the Seaport of Desire (the painting I had just flunked on). “Oh, you know my work” he replied. If only he had come in 2 weeks earlier before I failed my assessment. John Olsen indulged me in a long chat about what I had written, and it seemed I shouldn't have failed after all.
John would pop in from time to time after that and always have a cup of tea or coffee and talk with me about art. He even bought, for the grand sum of $10, a daggy little painting I had done of Ayres rock. It is simple encouragement from inspirational people like him that have kept me painting and involved with art all my life.
Working for Graham Reynolds some 20 or more years later, I had the opportunity to make the frames for several John Olsen originals. This well known Australian artist has been pivotal in how I think about art, and now I have framed his originals... something I am very proud of and grateful for.
'Entrance to the Seaport of Desire' - John Olsen (left) ; Artist John Olsen (right).