Wine stain Retirement:
As of 1 January 2020, I stopped creating wine stain artwork. It was time for me to turn my sights to new and different creative horizons. It was a pleasure to spend 10 years painting with wine, and I sincerely appreciate all of the support and recognition I received. Thank you with all my heart.
Wine Stain Series |
Archival Considerations
These wine stain portraits are delicate due to the unique nature of the medium. Yet, at the same time, the simple fact that they are made of wine is why they are appealing. So, these two considerations must go hand in hand.
The first wine stains that I created in 2010 have held up very well in a variety of conditions. I, too, was curious as to how they would age and have been mostly satisfied with their stability thus far. I continue to learn more idiosyncrasies as I expand upon the original technique and will do the best I can to extend their lifespans. The archival lifespan of a wine stain, however, cannot be known fully, since I have been working with wine in this manner for a relatively short time and since there are few artists using wine in this way. |
That being said, these pieces are delicate, like watercolors, and may undergo a certain degree of oxidation as an inherent process, much like silverpoint. Keeping the wine stain framed should help slow this process.
All of the artwork has been sprayed with Krylon archival UV varnish, to protect against damage from exposure to sunlight. Also, there may be some residual wax (paraffin) from the resist that remains in the fabric, which I believe should contribute to stability. Still, it is recommended to keep the wine stain out of direct sun and in a humidity-controlled environment. Think of a good bottle of wine: you carefully store it and save it for just the right time, but then ultimately, you have to open the bottle and drink it, otherwise it is wasted. The wine stains are to be enjoyed and loved as highly distinctive works of art, but within the constraints of their own ephemeral lifespan. |