NORTH NORWICH – The first thing you’ll notice upon entering the North Norwich home of Joann and Jim Crandall is the art. Every room bears evidence of the family’s artistic abilities, including acrylic paintings by their daughter and granddaughter. The majority of the pieces which hang on the walls and fill curio and china cabinets are painted porcelain. These are the work of Joann herself, and her mother Mary Hess, from whom she learned the craft.
“China painting is an art which was developed in the 1700’s,” explained Crandall, who is a member of the World China Painter’s Association.
The delicate tea cups, dishes, vases, tiles and other pieces of fine china which fill the home are adorned with intricate designs including floral, fruit and butterfly patterns. They are as far from knick-knacks as one can imagine, with each heirloom quality piece hand-painted with painstaking detail.
Each starts as a pristine piece of porcelain, Crandall explained, to which she transfers her design. She does hours of research to ensure the details are just right. Then she begins painting the piece, using paint she mixes herself from a dry powder and mineral oil. After each layer of paint is added, it is fired in a kiln at over 1,000 degrees. One piece may be fired as many as 4 or 5 times before it is completed.
“My mother is my teacher,” said Crandall, who began taking lessons from her mother in 2003. At 86, Hess paints every day, her daughter said, and teaches a weekly class in the art at her home in Whitesboro.
Since she retired three years ago, Crandall has had more time to devote to painting.
“I love to do this,” she said.
Crandall calls her studio her “inspiration room.” The space is flooded with natural light during the day, and she works surrounded by artwork created by the female members of her family. On one wall, is the first plate she painted, a detailed study of grapes. It is dated, and signed with the intertwined J and C which has been her signature on all of her works. There are more acrylic and oil paintings by her daughter and granddaughter, and one watercolor, which is the work of a distant relative of her mother’s who was a porcelain painter herself in the early 1900’s.
White pieces of china line the window sill, waiting for their turn on the work table, and plenty of works in progress, waiting for their next firing.
Completed works line the other surfaces, and are packed away in the studio’s closet. Many of them will be heading to Whitesboro later this month, where Crandall will display and sell some of her work at an event hosted by the Fort Stanwix Porcelain Artists.
The group, of which Crandall and Hess are both a part, meets monthly to share ideas and learn techniques. On Saturday, October 30, they will hold their annual Victorian Luncheon at Hart’s Hill Inn, 135 Clinton St. in Whitesboro.
All are welcome to attend the event, according to Crandall, which will begin at 11 a.m. on the day. Tickets are $18 per person. In addition to lunch, each attendee will receive a piece of hand-painted piece of china painted by a club member and have the opportunity to watch porcelain painting demonstrations. Works by each member will be on display.
This year’s luncheon will mark the group’s 20th anniversary and as a result special pieces have been created for a table prize at each table.
Those interested in attending the luncheon should contact Crandall at 334-5767. The registration deadline is Friday, October 15.