One is silver and the other gold

A lifetime ago when I was a Brownie Scout we would form a circle at the end of each meeting and sing the following song. "Make new friends, but keep the old. For one is silver and the other gold." Being only seven or eight years old I found the lyrics puzzling. I asked my mother if it meant one group of friends was better than the others? On the contrary, she said it meant that both our old friends and our new friends were equally precious. It still seems that when someone or something new comes into my life I can be dazzled and distracted from all that's come before. I rather think it's a momentary illusion and soon things sift down into a harmonious perspective of celebrating the new while valueing the old.

I have been painting in acrylics since about 1975. In that time I have probably used every product labeled "acrylic". The mainstay of my studio has long been Liquitex which comes in two formulas. The tube formula has a creamy peanut butter consistency. The soft body formula comes in plastic bottles and has a heavy cream consistency. Both stand up well to being thinned with water, retaining its durability. I also love the wealth of information that's easily discernible on the label. Not only is it user friendly but it has proven its long term durability to me, which is no small thing. Until recently there were these great debates over the permanence of acrylics as a fine art medium.

In 2006, I was a participating artist with the OFF THE WALL project. Artists painted themed art on banners that were displayed on lamp posts in the gallery district. The banners provided were much like vinyl window shades with a rod pocket at the top and another on the bottom. They would be installed in November and stay up through the harshest of the Winter weather. I cringed.(Part 1 of 3)

One is silver...(continued)

You see if there is one thing that acrylic painters are warned about, it is cold. It seems acrylics can become brittle. I emailed Liquitex for their input. Their representative reiterated the extreme cold concerns and cautioned against the flexible support that would surely exasperate the problem. I had only one choice. Throw caution to the wind and go for it. I lightly sanded the soft vinyl to give it a bit of tooth and then primed it with Liquitex gesso. I used Gloss Medium along with water to thin the paints since I was doing sheer layers of transparent colors. I went several times that winter to see how the banner was fairing. It was just fine, however other banners began to crack and peel over time. The banner went on to another venue after that. It has survived vertualy unscathed. It's experiences like that one that insure brand loyalty. (Part 2 of 3)

...and the other gold (continued)

No matter how loyal a customer you are, when you go through as much paint as I do, you tend to pick up a tube of this and a jar or bottle of that. The beauty is that they are all compatible and they tend to "keep" well, especially if you remember to put their lids back on immediately. The only thing that was getting stale was this artist which is why I decided to attend the Golden acrylics workshop in the first place. ( Golden Opportunity ) I can't speak for anyone else but I am easily distracted by shiny objects. And there I was playing with paint that sparkled and shown. Soon found myself in an interference induced coma. Up until now Liquitex had been my meat and potatoes and here I was faced with Quinacridone Crimson cherries jubilee- flaming! I'll be honest, the Golden line is sexy. From the descriptive names and variety grounds to the digitalizing liquids, Golden whispered in my artist's ear of techniques yet to be explored.

I know the feel of Liquitex in my brush the way I know the likes and dislikes of my best friend. Golden has a different feel, especially the Open series. I would think oil painters in particular must like this. I noticed that with watering a color to the extreme Golden is more fragile a bond than what I'm use to with Liquitex. ( I know, you're not supposed to do that but I'm spoiled.) During the workshop an artist expressed her dilemma over not being able to purchase a particular color anymore. This worried me. I fear getting too fond of a color and in the future being told it's no longer available. All this said, Golden makes a gorgeous and exciting line. One that is refreshing a veteran painter's horizons. With Liquitex and Golden I join another circle and dream of the possibilities of what is yet to be. Make new friends, but keep the old. For one is silver and the other gold. (Part 3 of 3)