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Chapala Wind
March 10, 2009
Chapala Wind – Lake Chapala, Mexico, 11H x 11W x 3D inches acrylics on canvas, wrapped sides painted. Frame unnecessary. Hang on a wall or display on a flat surface. Signed on the side so as not to impose on the composition.
Sold but a similar piece can be recreated upon request. Please allow 7 days to paint before shipping.
Sprayed alcohol loosened the paint and I was able to scratch it, at first with my nails and then a pottery tool. Thanks to Karen Xarchos for all the feedback and additional information. We worked together painting murals in Ottawa for a couple of years. Karen has done extensive work in restaurants and homes in the Ottawa area.Thumbnails: phase 1 and 2 in progress.
Categories: acrylic painting, experimental, Magic Square Series, series, Sold, special order, storms, The Majesty of Trees Collection, travel, trees, water | 4 Comments »
4 Responses to “Chapala Wind”
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March 10th, 2009 at 11:06
Who has seen the wind?
Nikki has seen the wind.
March 11th, 2009 at 11:06
March 14th, 2009 at 11:06
When I saw your question about using alcohol on acrylics, it made me think of this book I have about Decorative Gilding.(by Annie Sloan)….in it, the author talks about using denatured alcohol (what is that anyway?) over spirit dyes (not a true dye, apparently translucent and the consistency of ink — she recommends diluting them, therefore must be water based…).
She brushes the spirit dye (whatever colours you choose) over a metallic leaf finish (don’t see why it can’t be a dried base coat of acrylic, metallic or not)….then, while it’s wet, she drops denatured alcohol or methylated spirits (sounds stinky) onto the spirit dye (or touches the surface with the brush)….you can add more, drag the brush, tilt the surface (you get the picture) and it makes cool patterns. She also uses mineral spirits/turpentine to make “organic” patterns. After it’s dry, you can do it again with a different dye colour…
One more cool effect: apply shellac over metal leaf (or over paint, I suppose), let it harden for 20 min or so, then paint the surface with spirit dye and use alcohol to soften the shellace in places, creating swirls…some shellac may peel off…
Wow, this sounds fun!!! I might just try it….do you think rubbing alcohol is the same thing?
March 17th, 2009 at 11:06
Thanks for all that info Karen! To answer your 1st question, denatured alcohol is really a form of ethanol used as a solvent and in camping stoves (Wikipedia). 2nd question: I think rubbing alcohol is the same thing as the alcohol you mentioned to soften the shellac. The alcohol spray is caustic so should be used cautiously, but it evaporates fairly quickly. It’s not something I’ll use on a regular basis, but works great for texturing and scraping away paint in areas.