Taking Her Apart to Bring Her to Life

The Prep Behind the Paint: Disassembling Miss Mary

Today’s post is all about honoring beginnings.

Before I could begin painting, I spent time getting to know Miss Mary as she is—a living, breathing instrument with a story already built into her keys and curves.

Before we took her apart, I sat down and played her.

One last moment of music before the transformation began. You can watch that moment here:

Then, the work began:

I carefully removed the music stand, key cover, front panel, and more. Piece by piece, she opened up. I sanded and cleaned each surface, preparing it to receive a new layer of storytelling.

Disassembly might sound mechanical, but for me, it’s sacred. It’s the act of listening before you speak—understanding the instrument before you try to change it.

Miss Mary is ready. The art begins now.

With respect and creativity,

B.J. Lane

http://www.bjlaneartgallery.com