Sunray Oil-bound Washable Distemper, ‘The Cure For Dismal Surroundings’ is the oldest colour chart I’ve ever painted and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I found it. It has the best advertising slogan I’ve ever seen on a paint chart and, despite being about 90 years old, the colours were still bright and fresh (with eleven greens!) and the surface was smooth and matt. It was irresistible! So I made it my first project of 2024. Here it is before and after its transformation:

With this chart I set out to channel the visual culture of the 1930s but not too literally, so that there was space to bring in lots of fresh, new ideas as they came to me. I definitely wanted to make sure I had fun with this piece - it was January after all. I really do see paint (and painting) as a cure for dismal surroundings, in all senses! My paint chart project began in the darkest depths of lockdown and I’m still constantly amazed at the power of creative work to help through tough times.

While I was working I had half an eye on the work of the Surrealists, who were very good at fun and who were in their prime in the 1930s. I’ve always loved their work. Their brilliant play of unexpected combinations already seemed to go hand in hand with the paint chart project, so I dialled this up to the max here; Magritte, Lee Miller, Man Ray and Salvador Dali all feature in this piece - feel free to ask me if you’re not sure where to find them. The Harper’s Bazaar cover on Grass Green was designed by my current favourite genius A M Cassandre, and is a wonderful example of the moment European Surrealism crossed over into American graphic design. This cover is from October 1939, one month after war broke out, and in its own way it describes a world on the brink of catastrophe while still somehow talking about fashion. He designed a lot of Harper’s Bazaar covers in the 1930s and they are all absolutely amazing.

One more detail to mention - on the paint chip for Lavender there is a crystal clear 1930s fingerprint which I purposely didn’t clean off. When I painted a white glove on that chip and the fingers of the glove touched the fingerprint I got a shiver down my spine. I absolutely love painting the vintage charts!

The print of this paint chart is exactly the same size as the original and the quality is mind-blowing - you can see every tiny detail (including the fingerprint!). They’re printed onto beautiful heavyweight, museum-grade paper and are signed, dated and embossed. Each print is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity and a text about the project. They’re delivered gift-wrapped in a sturdy postal tube. The prints are a standard size (30cm x 40cm) so will fit into a readymade frame. Any questions feel free to get in touch!

DELIVERY INFORMATION

UK delivery: £5.50 Royal Mail First Class Signed For

Rest of world: £15 Royal Mail International Tracked

Please note: depending on your country of residence, you may be liable for import duties.

Returns: You can return your print within 14 days of your order being placed. Please return it in perfect condition, and your refund will be processed using the payment method you used to buy the print.

Your print will arrive in a sturdy tube, wrapped in tissue and sealed with a gold, embossed Studio Spelling label - so it’s very gift-ready if you’re giving it as a present. Also included: a signed certificate of authenticity and a text about the project. I process, wrap and post all orders myself from my studio in South East London - I’m definitely not an app! - so please feel free to get in touch anytime and I’ll do my best to answer any questions you might have. All parcels have a tracking number.