Closet Construction
The original idea was a triptych.
Triptych - A painting that has three side-by-side parts. Typically, a triptych has three hinged panels, the two outer panels designed so that they can be folded in towards the central one.
This was a common form for an altarpiece during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The outer parts of such triptychs were typically hinged to the central one so that they could be closed over it, and often the reverse sides were painted.
A triptych can also be, more loosely, something composed or presented in three parts or sections.
"Triptych" has come to us from the Greek "triptychos," formed by combining "tri-" ("three") and "ptyche" ("fold" or "layer"). Although "triptych" originally described a specific type of Roman writing tablet that had three hinged panels, it makes sense that the word was adopted first for a three-paneled painting, and then to include anything composed of three parts. "Triptych" can even be used as a synonym for "trilogy."
First change:
The idea of the piece as a triptych change into a closet to give it depth. This still kept the basic form and idea of a triptych, but added a third dimension. The closet is panelized, so that each wall can be unscrewed and lay flat for shipping. It is solid so that it can sit in any venue.
My husband Gregg and I designed and built three log buildings for our B&B. That was a whole other experience. From it I have a lot of experience as a gofer (go for this, go for that) and I know the names of most of the tools. Gregg built the closet, but was very gracious about doing the extra work on the details I asked for.
My studio is small, so that affected the size of the project. The walls of the closet have studs, just like real walls. I chose beadboard for the two sides. The back is ordinary plywood. My 2-D brain didn't realize the closet may sit away from the wall until it was too late. Beadboard all around would have been nicer. The doors came as bifold doors and we reset the hinges so they would open like a triptych. I do not know if the history of art is important to this project, but at least I gave it a nod. The salmon pink paint on the doors is to show that our woman still has fire in her, even though the color is almost gone from her skin.
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