How to mend Holes, A Canvas with a History
On the Way to Uncle Jack’s, 30 x 30 Acrylic on Canvas
A Painting with a History
I painted the first incarnation of this painting when I had a TV show on Shaw Community TV.
In 28 minutes, I was to talk and create a painting. There were no do-overs, no stops, or interruptions. In fact, one time, the set fell down and we just continued filming.
The reference for this painting is from the Porcupine Hills in Alberta.
It was where my great uncle Jack ranched. I was very fond of him and have many stories about him. One time, my husband and I decided to rent a B&B cabin west of Claresholm. It was not too far away from where he had lived.
The cabin turned out to be more derelict than rustic, with holes in the roof and a rodent infestation. When it started raining, driving in hoards of mice, we decided to end our trip early. We ended up at my mom’s house, where there were clean showers and beds.
However, I do have some fantastic photo references from that trip.
The next stop for this painting was a gallery. Years later, it was returned. Because it was wrapped so nicely, I didn’t think to check it out. Last week, I decided I knew what the painting needed and unwrapped it. I often repaint or add another layer to a painting. I discovered a hole in the canvas. It happens, but I wasn’t impressed.
So if this happens to you and you end up with a hole in a canvas painting, you don’t need to chuck it in the bin.
You can mend it.
Acrylic medium is like glue. So cut out a piece of fabric a bit bigger than the hole. Coat both it and the canvas backing with medium. Then use a roller or stiff brush to ensure you have contact. Make sure you have the edges glued down. When it’s dry, you might still see the patch from the right side, so some re-painting might be necessary. As I use artist-quality art supplies, this fix is archival.
I darkened the foreground and road in this painting. I had decided that they were both a bit too distracting.
If you like the mystery of this piece, you can save it
from further re-painting and take it home.
Just talk to the lovely folks at Bluerock Gallery in Black Diamond, Alberta. You can see it in person there. See if you can figure out where that patch is.
I dare you, in fact, I double-dog dare you, to find it by looking at the front of the painting.