Family Banner & Mold

 

Family Banner & Mold

HELLO  MR LANGEVIN

 I HAVE A TECHNICAL QUESTION REGARDING OIL PAINT.  I'M HAVING A FAMILY REUNION BANNER MADE ON A COTTON CANVAS, EACH FAMILY MEMBER WILL PLACE A THUMB PRINT ON THE CANVAS AND SIGN THEIR NAME WITH A BLACK MARKER. WE WANT THE ART PIECE TO LAST. MY QUESTION IS WHAT TYPE OF PAINT CAN I USE, AND IS IT SAFE FOR CHILDREN, AND DOES IT WIPE OFF EASILY.  THANK YOU   PHYLLIS

Hi Phyllis,   Don't use oil paints.  It will chew thru the cotton in time and it will be more difficult to clean safely from your hands.  Use acrylic paint.  It will stick permanently to the cotton and last, and it cleans easily with soap and water.  No paint (permanent paint, that is) is safe if the children eat it so just make sure they wash it off right away.  Have fun.  David

 

Dear David,
              
I have a First Nations acrylic on canvas that was purchased on Manitoulin Island
several years ago. The painting has developed mildew (gray-black areas) on the
back. The painting is still on the stretchers. The room where the
painting was hanging inadvertently was closed off with no heat during a
vacation. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
                                                  
Sharon

 

Hi Sharon,

Exposure to strong sunlight (or an ultraviolet light if you have one) and fresh air should destroy and stop the growth of mold on canvas.  Expose only the back of the canvas to the light however, as it will cause the colors to fade.  You can also try bleaching the fabric with a mild solution of bleach. Use as little as possible and don’t soak the fabric with it, just use a clean cotton moistened with the solution and then another moistened with water to rinse the bleach.   If that doesn't do it, it should be looked at by a conservationist, especially if it is a valuable piece.  They have the proper techniques and chemicals to do it effectively.  Good luck and let me know how it turns out.  David