So, between getting all the details in place for my upcoming show, I have been painting a bit too:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXbRFoDL1eJUzbpaRtaPoh3tQKf6fce4IVaVnguYz2ehvqccYpPJY1Pl1UBSBa58iyS4CqOzg6xjB6GwjZzsDHSZEpEtNrTLxCLDuSEKpgfm0GLJfLMNXuVx4w_dE46m8DDoKOw/s400/cathedral.jpg)
Cathedral
(I'm thinking finished)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZxAVEzgQFDXLWNVymYR9tTSxFYqWutS-NYFwTCEMogVJzvuxTePd5DMQ-V3MTjHF5ZdRu4CgAdWKa6sCqjarHG5vaRe4Z-brKlejNLzjpu_GemDsqx8-tnnqIZwuopJlkXUFIQ/s400/me5.jpg)
In the freight elevator at the studio, taking my larger paintings downstairs to be photographed. This is only some of the work! There was another load of about 40 small pieces.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgzkcMX9yXaRtnCeK_ynCqKQZv_VQW_ThU3-BfHThaEzju4ESBldh5wWwjD38Nuor7pBAaYyiXEPiu2s5_WXsPNyTqpL3WvrLXbfviQ6ZDjDWEonnbNQbYqMnKnPuXSv3zW7yRA/s400/Spanner.jpg)
Among the larger pieces photographed was this one.
Then I varnished it.....
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5O-X9XXbLldEnYP5LFaFYA-reoho4ZotRY57yyfUJjXw0udb11CNVdJ5ZFAQMD-n3Kw6qUwqyCxW3nIsQeuXjEHPCrlnjHgcjsj8S-PwqQFZLS1mp7jnU9yYvn3wvm2tQnJbKQ/s400/varnish+1.jpg)
...and look what happened. The top shiny part is good. The strange matte shapes at the bottom are not good.
Same varnish, same technique as with a number of other works I varnished that day, only this one went weird. No idea why.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS8c66Ch8AexYWJBw2x7xGQPvSe94QMydPgd17oWyuQHnxYC3eGgYpB5H6Tp5r5mblGZCMeKKf2KkMuW6RqYk9gfrDdjC3-_umyzNasPJwMoq8rlkv2Uu8SKuLrFHRmOhz2ky0lg/s400/varnish+3.jpg)
Close-up of nice varnish looking how it's supposed to look.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkM-FGjmziKtKEOFzt_JIEl7K8JwqdGwGgFakIN2I-6RanucY5jyt69luUhro3FqZNOo5yjtu04yMgPD3JUc2gJGoHhPB3Dk_NVB0MYm2tteTx88NSS4-T4WhEJstRWLskxwXskQ/s400/varnish+2.jpg)
Close-up of the weirdness.
Can I convey to you the extent of my consternation and disappointment?
I was in tears. Varnishing a week before the work goes out is cutting it a little close, but the gallery is here in town, so no long shipping of wrapped works. A week to cure is OK in this case.
But now here is - of course! - the largest work in the exhibition looking like some strange goo was spilled haphazardly on it.
So.
I removed the portions of varnish that went weird, following manufacturer's instructions. It went well enough, but a little paint did come off so I've had to re-paint some small bits. Now the work cannot be shown until it's dry, several weeks' time at least, and (shudder of apprehension) re-varnished.
Looks like this one will not be in my exhibition after all.
*sigh*