A new feature, quick profiles on artists I like.
Michael Cullen is an artist and woodworker, and what I really like about his pieces are that they are functional and exquisitely ornamented with hand carved patterns. The carvings on the casework are simply put, extraordinary.
The other aspect of his work that I like is that he uses milk paint, which is an age old paint formulation made literally from milk (protein), lime, and pigments. It really quite a remarkable finish insofar as the range of effects you can create. It’s also very durable and I’ve seen pieces from the 1700′s with original milk paint finishes that still look good. BTW, milk paint is an excellent finish for children’s furniture and toys because it is non-toxic (the lime is alkaline but when combined with the slightly acidic milk protein it neutralizes).
