This, the last and at about 24 X 12 feet, the largest, central mural re-created for the Wichita church. Also the one I am least pleased with. By this time co-operation with the art director had become such that I simply wanted the job done and more so in time without further extended delays due his flip-flopping and second guessing. As I mentioned, it began appearing like willful delay and sabotage with me waiting for weeks at a time for simple answers like what a color to use on a robe. OK, now I cried and beached again.... so I dont have to go to the bathroom. Here I copied the original, as well as could be done from b/w print I had been given, quite accurately, with only minor adjustments from the original. It could have been greatly improved since I knew the very good painting that was used as a sample but fighting at this point may have delayed the re-dedication of the church on a set date by the bishop. A challenge, especially with this rather large, heavy canvas where the preparations. Fortunate I did have the space, a large former wood-shop and barn on my property in PA. Now for a moment, without reading on, imagine how you would stretch such a large canvas......................................................................... Yes? You cant just hang it................... I did it on the floor. The canvas was rolled out, stretched as good as possible and stapled to the floor. I do not trust modern, commercially supplied Gesso; having seen it fail after only a few years. I rather make my own. Often a traditional of fresh Hide Glue and Whitening. In this case, because the canvas would be rolled up shipped across the country, then installed; a mixture of Acrylic Sizing and some Low Sheen Acrylic Paint to insure it filled the canvas besides remaining flexible. The wetness pulled/stretched the canvas, the quick drying Gesso then held it in place. Front-side, flip the canvas, backside... because the #12 is so thick, front side again. Then a coat of my Glazing-Paint Medium to saturate the canvas. When dry it was hung onto the barely large enough wall and coated again with my medium. Medium was applied throughout the painting process as well as in the end. This rendered the canvas much like a leather or better vinyl, safe to handle and guaranteed to last.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 14:15:30 +0000