PAINTINGS & PAINT

 EFA: Have there been specific projects over the years, or even artists and exhibitions, that have provided new or unexpected sources of inspiration?

EB: Though we are known for our responsible approach it was back in 2002 when I was first asked to use healthy and environmentally friendly materials on a project at Goodwood. I have never stopped doing so but before we set up our own company Edward Bulmer Natural Paint we road-tested every natural paint out there and learnt what the market preferred. That is why not only do we use natural ingredients, but we actually make paint that beats every other hands down in terms of useability, performance and pollution avoidance. Of course, I am partial, but I also have 40 years’ experience in the field!

EFA: Edward Bulmer does much to support the arts, what role does art play in realising your projects?

EB: I can barely think of a project where picture hanging did not play a crucial role – in most, it comes before all else! Why we are so content to use a dozen time-honoured pigments (not colourants!) to mix our colours is that they are what artists have used for centuries. We take the same approach to combining them too, driven by tonality first and foremost but also economy if we (and those centuries of artists) are honest.

EFA: Could you tell us about the art you have at home? Are there particular artists or media that you are drawn to? 

EB: At home it’s a great old mixture and date range – the oldest would be a Tang Dynasty horse and the most recent, a wonderful Mary Norden. We have many pieces by friends and a good number painted by ourselves. If we had room in the house I would have more sculpture, but we have created a garden with lots of vistas and natural surfaces that could house a great many!

EFA: Finally, for this collaboration we have paired paintings by Jeremy Annear and Georgia Beaumont with Edward Bulmer Natural Paint, tell us about the colours you've chosen to pair with these works.