A LITTLE HISTORY OF TOLE AND DECORATIVE PAINTING...

The following is taken from the "Decorative Painter" magazine issued bi-monthly by the Society of Decorative Painters in the United States.

"Decorative Painting" is a diverse art form that utilizes a variety of techniques and media to decorate both functional and non-functional surfaces.

Contemporary decorative painting is a teachable art form because of the systematic methods that are employed. The use of either pattern or free-hand designs allows a high degree of success without academic training or inherent drawing ability. Approached with creativity, discipline and craftsmanship, contemporary decorative painting offers numerous opportunities for artistic self-expression and creative satisfaction. The scope of contemporary decorative painting is boundless, incorporating styles and techniques of the past, adapting these to the trends and materials of the present, while at the same time developing the decorative art heritage of the future.

Tole Painting is the term that has been used historically for decorative painting on tin surfaces, especially in New England and by the Pennsylvania Germans. Today, in addition to tole painting and folk art styles of many countries, (Norway, Sweden, Germany, Russia, England, Mexico, etc.) contemporary decorative painting includes facets of Early American Decorative Painting (and in Canada, early Canadiana, primitive and folk or country painting) such as stencilling, bronzing, gold leafing, country painting, theorem, and graining.

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Decorative Painting as we know is referred to as a "renewed" art form. A lot of techniques and patterns disappeared during the Industrial Revolution, people preferring the mass printed decorations that were so new. However, around 1970, a group of interested artists, one of whom was Priscilla Hauser, formed the National Society of Tole and Decorative Painting. In the beginning, this group numbered 22 members and has now grown to 35,000+ members.