The Toni Onley Watercolour Box
The late Toni Onley, one of Canada's most beloved artists, became close friends with Opus' President and owner, David van Berckel in the mid-70's when they were both living in Vancouver on houseboats in Coal Harbour.
Because Toni painted full-time and loved to travel to remote locations for inspiration, he eventually created his very own makeshift portable watercolour box – one half containing a palette made from light-fixture plastic and mixing trays, and a second half where Toni kept his watercolour paper and tools. When David saw Toni using his watercolour box, his Engineering degree and business instincts kicked in. This launched a creative burst which led to the two of them improving on Toni's design. The result was a limited edition version, which Opus quickly sold out of in the late 80's.
This original redesign included additional sliding lids to the box for storage compartments, and was constructed of Canadian hardwood and solid picture frame joints. The plastic palette and mixing wells inside were also made from stronger, smoother vacuum-formed plastic. Metal bumpers were placed on the corners to protect them from accidental damage.
The final size of their new box was a unique 17" x 17" as Toni loved to paint on quarter sheets of 22" x 30" watercolour paper which fitted this size perfectly. His newly designed watercolour box went with him everywhere, from India to China, the Middle East, Hawaii, the Arctic, Italy, Japan and to the Isle of Man, where Toni was born.
Based on that original box which Toni used so often, David recently decided to reissue his old friend's watercolour box for everyone to enjoy today. Still made from ash, it has nickel-plated hardware and a sturdy leather handle. Compartments accessible via the sliding lids provide storage for paints, brushes and paper.
What makes this watercolour box so versatile and perfectly suited for any watercolourist is its amazing functionality and the clever hinged design, which allows the two halves to become detached. The back of the box can then be used as a flat painting surface – just the way that Toni originally used his box while painting his wonderful watercolours.
We hope that you will love this box as much as Toni did. A design, which truly came about through creativity and collaboration.
The Toni Onley Watercolour Box is on sale this month. Click here to view this amazing box.
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