For Day 46 of the 365 Days of Art, I am sharing a barn photograph that has been varnished onto wood.
Part 1:
Isn’t the reflection nice? I like all the foreground – and I bet the rounded edges were “edgy” back in the day. This piece feels like it is 1970s or 1980s. What do you think?
I also like the way the three verticals on top of the barn are in sync with the vertical of the tree to the left. Then the eye moves back to the softer, muted trees to the right – and then maybe the eye gazes to the trees in the middle – while going back and forth with the reflection. The dried grass in the water gives this pastoral setting a swampy vibe, hinting at a colder season – but still warm with the orange of the roof, color in the reflection – including some white – and a nice sky. Then the shadow on the side of the barn – the wavy line from the tree shape – works in harmony with the waves throughout the piece……
Part 2:
One of my goals this year is to “print” more photos. I plan to mount a few onto a canvas using Modge Podge (tutorial here).
If you are thinking about mounting any of your photos, or paintings, I highly suggest Modge Podge – it protects and seals. It can also be used to seal glitter projects or painted furniture. It looks white when you apply it, but don’t panic, it dries clear.
Also…. while on this topic of sealing – let’s look at what they “used to use” before we had Modge Podge or lacquers…. they used varnish. Some artists still use varnish today.
Over at the Will Kemp Art School site, there is a nice article (HERE) about how adding varnish to photos and paintings can protect them, enrich sheen, and enhance color.
They also suggest using removable varnish:
“Personally, I always work with a removable varnish to ensure the future preservation of the aesthetics of my paintings. Is removable varnishing appropriate for you? I always think of portraits and paintings that will be handed down to generations in the future it is definitely worth varnishing with an old school technique. However, it’s a personal call…”
Removable varnish has the perk of being able to be removed if need arises, and they shared this example of Fontana’s Portrait of a Lady with a Dog, 1590s (from Rebecca Gregg Conservation mid-point through a varnish removal example):

see you tomorrow for Day 47….
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I would like to see some of your work when it is finished.
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Hi C, ok – sounds good. and this weekend sometime I am going to share a painting I made back in 2o12 – so I will let you know – it has texture and some colors I like…
have a nice day
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I had to look twice at the reflection. The reflection of the end of the barn, along with the grass, looks like a chicken (to me). I was wondering what (in the water) the chicken was standing on. It’s a beautiful painting.
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hahahah
still laughing at the chicken – funny how these things can bring some comic relief – but now I wonder too – cos I see that chicken sorta…
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The chicken is almost wearing a single high-heel shoe.
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?
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I can’t see the chicken?
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Well, it only kinda-sorta looks like a chicken. Straight down from the peak of the gable-end of the barn. Almost centered (top to bottom) in the pond. The reflection of the top of the end-wall of the bark, forms the belly of the “chicken” – It’s a bit of an optical illusion, and it may help that I am somewhat colorblind.
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well I saw a chicken somewhere else – bah! mine was in the right of the swamp… and a little chick down front. oh my.
but now I am trying to see yours more – hmmmm
and actually, one of the reasons I featured this piece was because of that swampy and unusual water section. I also wanted something different –
and then I feel like someone might have loved this placed. Maybe it was a family home or memory property….
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I’ll bet you weren’t going for the optical illusion of the day award.
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no, I wasn’t, D. But I bet being partially color blind helps you see some of those illusions more…
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I guess I kinda sorta see what you are seeing. Huh, maybe it is one?
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hah…. LMAO
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well i will show you mine later – and I am going to ask Dan to highlight the chicken he saw for me – so I will follow up in a few :L)
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Good morning, Yvette. I like this photo a lot. I saw the whole picture, then the barn, then the refection and dried grass, and my eyes stayed there. Without the dried grass, it is still a good photo, but it probably wouldn’t attract me as much. 😉
When they removed the varnish, doesn’t that mean the protection is gone? Re-apply varnish?
Have a wonderful day.
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Hi – yes, I think they removed the varnish to then reapply it – because it can yellow and gray….
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It does have that 70’s/80’s feel. It is soothing to look at.
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thanks – I was hoping someone would mention the year – if I had to pick a year – Id say…. 1983… ha
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Interesting. Isn’t it something how the color and shading can bring us to a point in time.
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It really is…
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I like the reflection on the water than the actual objects. My eyes stared at it much longer than the rest of the picture. It reminds me of adding texture over the real picture (photo) to give different mood.
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I have heard that artists do that – add texture in…
and did you know that when I first opened up this photo at home – for a minute I was deciphering it upside down. that was weird – I then righted it and saw it all…
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I’ve seen many “still life” photos that use texture as overlay the real picture. I think it is quite common for such style.
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🙂
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Love the barn shot. For me it’s got kind of a Norman Rockwell feel about it. 🙂
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It really does – kind of Vermont like maybe…
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I’ll be curious to see some of your art.
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