Sunday, February 26, 2012

What I Sacrifice For Art

Hula Valley
12 x 24, Pastel on Canson Paper

It all started in class last week. Our topic was painting fabulous skies starting with an underpainting using pastel loosly applied then applying rubbing alcohol using oil or acrylic brushes. Those of us using Canson paper experienced some bubbling of the paper while it was wet and allowing it to dry and settle down which just took about 10 minutes. The only thing was that my painting buckled up but it wouldn't settle down like everyone else's. Adra and Sharon, two of my students called out "iron it". I thought they were kidding. I haden't touched an iron in over 10 years and I already started applying the pastels on it. "Iron it", they said again only louder and with more authority. You're kidding I replied and once again they said "iron it" but this time yelling.  'Okay, okay" I replied mumbling the sacrifices I make for art while going to my closet to bring out the ironing board. I eventually remembered how to set it up and got out my dusty iron. They told me to cover the painting with newspaper but Frances, one of my other students said to use newsprint art paper which I happen to have. I laid the paper painting side down on the newsprint and ironed away. After a minute or two, I saw the bubbles easing up, flattening out.


Now for a big hug and thanks to Adra and Sharon.







4 comments:

  1. I am glad your beautiful picture was rescued. I wish I could say that I hadn't picked up an iron in 15 years. As a quilter, I never bother to put the iron away. Ironing is a daily thing.

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    1. It's okay to use an iron if it's for the sake of art and thank you for your comment.

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  2. Great idea - think I can do that with my acrylic paintings on bristol paper - having the painting return to flat would solve the difficulty of trying to drag paint on the uneven surface that happens while I'm making the painting, THanks for the share!

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  3. I'm so glad my post helped you. Please let me know (and other readers) how it worked Out.

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