Comments on: Pedro da Costa Felgueiras, Lacquer & Paint Specialist (Japanner)

By: Ros

Ros — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 23:11:24 +0000

How wonderful that you seek out and find such extraordinary specialists and then introduce them to us. I was fascinated by the description of what Pedro does and how he came to be doing it in Hoxton. And oh that pillar box red glowing forth from its alchemy by pestle and mortar! The photographs do justice as to how how Pedro keeps everything so beautifully organised and labelled and looks after his tools so well. What a feast!

By: Simon Wartnaby

Simon Wartnaby — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 18:28:58 +0000

Thank you for another marvelous blog and what a gorgeous workshop. I was interested in the Whistler story – who was also an alchemist in conjuring his entrancing paintings of the Thames at Chelsea. Do you have the reference to him burying paintings came from?

Simon Wartnaby
Honorary Secretary
Whistler Society

By: Saba

Saba — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 18:28:05 +0000

A lifetime dedicated the an exquisite, refined craft. An affirmation of everything important. I shall check my tube of Caput Mortuum oil paint from Sennelier to see if “mummies” is listed.

By: Peter Metaxas

Peter Metaxas — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 14:15:43 +0000

As I looked at the photos I said out load ‘Oh my!’ .

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 13:43:39 +0000

As you say GA, Pedro is an alchemist, but thank goodness there are still such people in the 21st century.
I, too, was alarmed at Pedro licking his brush. When I was young my parents always drummed into me the dangers of licking my paintbrush with the following rhyme,
Little boy,
Box of paints,
Licked his brush
Joined the saints.

By: Lynne Perrella

Lynne Perrella — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 12:56:36 +0000

“May the beauty we love, be what we do.” — Rumi

What a rare look into the world of a unique artisan.

A gloomy day here in the Hudson Valley just got brighter.

Thanks for shining a light, GA.
Down to the studio!

By: Linda Granfield

Linda Granfield — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 12:25:14 +0000

Thank you for such a fascinating article today. What a magical world it appears to be. What a gifted artist Pedro is!

I’m guilty of not caring for paintbrushes as carefully as this gentleman does–that will have to be rectified now that I see his method. And what a great use for the ubiquitous IKEA steel rod shelves. The perfect drying spot!

The photographs have a lovely palate–any chance of sharing more snaps of that wonderful studio, and the clock?

By: paul loften

paul loften — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 12:01:54 +0000

Thank you for bringing to us a story of a little known craft and the pride and knowledge of a local craftsman. It is so important to keep these skills alive and in our minds. We live in an era where human skills are rapidly becoming extinct and forgotten. Thank you Pedro for coming to work in Hoxton and sharing your knowledge and skills with us

By: Richard Smith

Richard Smith — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 10:58:43 +0000

A fascinating blog today GA thank you for introducing us to Pedro da Costa Felgueiras. A true craftsman – what skill and knowledge he has.

By: Pauline Taylor

Pauline Taylor — Fri, 13 Nov 2020 10:47:44 +0000

The most telling aspect of this article is that it makes so clear all the dedication, skill and patience that is required to produce good laquer work. I had to laugh at the description of Whistler burying his paintings in which he had used a pigment made from ground up Egyptian mummies, and chocolate bars being coated with shellac made from a product of beetles amused me as well, how many people would give up chocolate bars if they knew that I wonder. Thank you GA, this is a fascinating piece, and it brings back memories of me being lectured and told not to lick my paintbrushes as the paint was poisonous, it never stopped me I am afraid but I have survives to tell the tale!