SNUFF BOTTLE PAINTING by Jordan Victoria Selina resident artist

Snuff bottles

Snuff bottle painting starting in the Chin Dynasty.  These small bottles were used for snuff powder.  They were made out of jade, natural stone, agate, natural crystal stone.  If they were unable to get the snuff out, used bamboos to get it out.

The painting in done inside the bottle with a pretty small brush.

Natural crystal stone is cut into smaller pieces, a hole is cut on top and it is hollowed out.  The outer surface is smooth, the surface transparent.  The interior is then frosted by mixing water, steel balls and sand inside to scratch the interior surface.  It results in a cloudy looking surface.

The paint brush is made of goat or wok hair and just out at a 90 degree angle from the brush. Our artist made his brushes himself.

While you have to be able to paint normally, it is a matter of thinking about painting in a different way.  This is a traditional way of Chinese painting.  It takes 25 days to paint one jar, but that varies with the complexity of the design and the size of the bottle.

There is no way to cover up a mistake.  With an oil painting you can often apply more oil and fix the painting. With this art form you just have to start all over. Another skill I don't think is in my wheelhouse. Oh well.