MISS MOLLY IN THE STUDIO WITH ....

LINSEED OIL?

 

Molly, relaxing in the studio.

 

 

Like many of you, I'm familiar with the term "Spontaneous Combustion".  Recently, the meaning took on a life of its own when my cat, Molly, spilled a container of linseed oil in my studio and we came perilously close to what could have been a serious fire.

 

It's my practice to use walnut or linseed oil to clean my brushes while I'm painting, rather than using mineral spirits.  I keep a copper canister containing the oil on my easel tray, where I have easy access to it while I’m working.

 

My intention was to work only for a few hours one morning recently. I’m so grateful that I had reason to go into my studio at all that day.  It was Sunday and I needed to do some preliminary work for the week to come.  When I entered my studio that morning, I immediately sensed that something was amiss. Then I saw the copper canister lying on the floor beneath my easel. 

 

 

It became abundantly clear that in true Siamese form, my sweet kitty Molly had paid my studio a visit.  She finds my still-life stand an irresistible spot for the occasional snooze and my easel provides the perfect perch to launch her hefty self to her desired destination.

 

 The linseed oil from the canister had spilled onto the Oriental carpet which covers carpet and underlay in my studio.  The area was soaked. My husband and I needed to do something about the spill as I wanted to work for a few hours. Since the spot was directly beneath my easel in the area I usually stand, we put a folded bath towel over the grease spot and I went to work.

 

 

After a few hours, I left the studio and continued on with my day.  It was several hours later that my husband happened to walk past my studio and noticed a sharp, acrid smell emanating from it.  He immediately checked the oil spill area. As he pulled up the towel covering the oil spill he was instantly assaulted with hot fumes and such extreme heat that he couldn't touch the towel or the carpet. We both looked in horror at the towel and the Oriental carpet, where large brown burned circles marked both from the intense heat. The fumes were suffocating. 

 

Quickly propping the Oriental carpet on a cinder block large enough to allow the carpet to cool, my husband began to cut away the second carpet and underlay beneath it, fearing that flames were very near.  He needed a safety mask because the fumes were so toxic.

 

 

The instant my husband alerted me to the danger, the words 'spontaneous combustion' came to my mind.  Afterward, when we were certain that we were no longer in danger of burning our home down and the studio windows were opened wide to air out the horrible fumes, I researched the term.

 

What I learned was frightening.  Walnut and linseed oil are among the most common causes of fire from spontaneous combustion due to their quick drying properties.  Coincidentally, it is the very reason that artists use them in their studios every day.

 

 

While investigating a few forums I learned that gases are produced as these oils dry.  When the gases are trapped, as they were between the carpets and towel over the spill in my studio, or when wet oily rags are left in a pile, they combust without warning.

 

 I learned that craftspeople such as woodworkers, who work with oils like linseed, are familiar with the dangers of trapped gases.  Since they like to save and reuse their oily rags, they will ensure to dry them separately. They hang them somewhere safely or lay them on the floor (away from any heat source), outside or in their workshops to dissipate  the volatile gases.

 

 

This is one of those take-your-breath-away experiences that will always stay with me.  Considering myself to have healthy studio habits, I find it startling, in a sense, that I wasn’t more informed about the dangers of a product that I have used for years and considered so benign. I feel so grateful that this story turned out the way it did and I want to share it for the well-being of all my artist friends - or anyone who needs to dispose of oily rags.

 

 As for Miss Molly … well, she didn't concern herself too much with all the commotion. What's important to her is she's still welcome in my studio, at her pleasure, and is wonderful company.  I now take a few extra precautions which allow me to enjoy those comforting purr-ing sounds coming from the cozy red chair close by.

 

"Spontaneous Combustion"

Hot, burned carpet caused by linseed oil spill in my studio.



 

 

 



2013 OPA Salon Show

 

"Natasha", oil on linen, 16x12

 

 

I'm delighted to announce that my painting, "Natasha", has been juried into the

Oil Painters of America 2013 Salon Show, June 21st-August 31st, at Crooked Tree Art Center, Petoskey, MI.

 



"DYNASTY ICON"

"Dynasty Icon", oil on linen, 26x22

 

 

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I've been working on a body of work for the past year, surrounding horses.  My latest,  titled, "Dynasty Icon",  is not real, as you can see, but an icon from the "Tang Dynasty" (China, 618 - 907). 

 

If you've been following my work you'll know that I have come full-circle, returning to a familiar subject which enables me to explore paint while painting something that I love.

 

Happily, my studio has come alive with the stable of canvases lining the room in their various stages of completion.  My little piece of heaven.

 

Thanks for following!   



UPCOMING WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT ...

 

WORKSHOP

PAINTING THE STILL-LIFE, from  LIFE

 

Saturday, April 6, 2013 10-4pm

Sunday, April 7, 2013 11-4pm

Location: Swinton's Art Supply & Instruction

*Beginners &Acrylic Painters welcome

 

 

"Crabapples", oil on panel, 6x6 inches

"Windmill Blue", oil on panel, 6x8 inches

 

 

There are still spots left in my upcoming"Painting the Still-Life, from Life" weekend workshop at Swinton's Art Supply & Instruction, April 6 & 7th, 2013.  See their website for details here.

 

In this challenging and fun workshop we'll explore designing and painting the still-life.

 

You'll paint a low-key still-life on the first day and on the second, a high-key still life, while exploring different palette possibilities and the fundamentals of painting.

 

While the painting demonstrations and instruction will be done in oil, acrylic painters are welcome.  Beginners (some experience) also welcome!

 

Come out and join me!  Please email me with any questions, I'd love to hear from you  ... bobbi@bobbidunlop.com

"Fleeting Gallop"

"Fleeting Gallop", oil on linen, 24x28 

As part of my new equine series, I have been exploring the abstract concepts of painting, while remaining sensitive to the majestic qualities of this magnificent animal.

The Horse is the perfect sentient creature on which to lavish painterly attention while exploring many of the God-created things on this earth that I love.  It's a tribute to my horseman father and a rekindling of a childhood affinity.

When I sculpt this great and beautiful animal in paint, my paintbrush captures only one expression of its myriad of attitudes.

* * *

Good news for all of you who are taking on new challenges this year!  The great people at Swinton's tell me that there are still spots open in my weekend oil painting workshop,  "Painting the Portrait, from Life and from a Photo".

Feb. 2 & 3, 2013, Swinton's Art Supply & Instruction - to register

Hope you'll join me for this fun-filled (ok, and challenging)  workshop! Beginners (with a little experience) are welcome, too!

Fermenting the New You!

(Probiotic) Lacto-Fermented Veggies

My family and friends know that I am passionate about  good health through healthy eating.  I'd like to share with you one of the best ideas I've come across -  Lacto-Fermented Veggies - which has now become an important part of my family's everyday diet.

If you're bent on restoring or improving your health in 2013, (well, who isn't), you'll find these fermented veggies an inexpensive and healthy addition to boost your nutrition and immune system.. And they're delicious, too.  I'm hooked.

I came across this idea of fermented vegetables, the ancient way of preserving vegetables for the winter,  several months ago and did a little research into the benefits for the purposes of adding a probiotic to my diet.  Many of you are already familiar with probiotics - the essential element to a healthy 'gut' and to our overall health. 

I've provided a link to a wonderful website that I discovered which has a short video on 'how-to' make the Lacto-Fermented Veggies (without whey) and also outlines the multiple benefits to your health that comes in eating them. (see link below)

My own list of health improvements, in a few short months,  include a renewal in energy, I awaken feeling refreshed, a clear head, my skin ailments have disappeared or are disappearing.  Sometimes symptoms are improving that are not even on the radar.  Such as a friend who is preparing and eating the veggies in particular for a skin ailment and found that her hair loss had diminished. I realized mine had, too! People report improvements in food cravings, headaches, and other more serious symptoms which are considered to stem from an unhealthy gut.

 

 My husband and I spent yesterday morning preparing this beautiful bounty of vegetables, including sauerkraut, which will be ready for us to eat in a week.  It is a wonderful feeling to see these beautiful jars lined up on my counter!  It is so easy!  And, so delicious.

Here is the link to The Whole Life Nutrition Kitchen where you'll find a very cool video by a very smart guy  on 'How To Make Lacto Fermented Vegetables without Whey (Plus Video).  

From my kitchen ... to yours :)   Now, back to the studio ....

"Percheron Pals" - oil on linen panel, 10x8

"Percheron Pals", oil on linen panel, 10x8

 

"Colour Commentary", watercolour, 1995

 

 

It was many years ago that I painted these two characters in watercolour.  The title of the painting was "Colour Commentary",  (appx. 30x22 inches).  I've included a photo of that watercolour (above) along with my recent oil painting of the same pair, "Percheron Pals", oil on linen, 10x8.

 

I painted the original watercolour in 1995 during a time that I was showing my work in the Calgary Stampede Art Salon. 

 

In the past year my work came full circle, in a sense, while creating a body of work that is very reflective of my rural roots. It's been a wonderful reconnection; first with my affinity to my prairie roots but more importantly, a continued connection to my father, a true horseman whose gentle presence guides me as I retrace my journey.

 

While I've been painting almost exclusively from life in recent years, the old box containing my reference photos has been gathering dust in a studio cupboard.  Seeing them again is like seeing old friends; a reminder of a very pleasant time in my life.

 

I clearly recall the day I took this photo and remember these two old mates like it was yesterday.  I spent the day with artist Adeline Halvorson at a working horse pull event.  Adeline is, undisputedly, one of the finest equine artists working today. When I see these big beautiful horses, I am pretty much reminded of the day we spent in rural Alberta.  

 

As you can see, I was more of a "colourist" when painting in watercolour.  As an oil painter, I consider myself to be a "tonalist", but I am still strongly inspired by these same stately creatures.