ART MEDIUMS I USE: I may use different mediums when I create a painting and these include:

• Archival Ink - acid-free, color consistency, fade-proof against sunlight or UV light, permanent, waterproof.
• Acrylic Ink - fluid colors, super-fine pigments suspended in a state-of-the-art emulsion, permanent, water-resistant.
• Alcohol Ink - high-quality alcohol-based ink and permanent with excellent color consistency, acid-free and non-toxic.
• Designer Gouache - professional grade, lightfast, water-soluble, velvety opaque matte finish, vibrant stable colors.
• Watercolor - professional, excellent quality, transparency, color purity.
• Color Pencil - lightfastness, professional quality, highly pigmented rich colors, water-resistant.
• Finishing Varnish - final protection for alcohol ink, archival and acrylic ink paintings; water-based, durable, permanent film, UV protection, non-yellowing.

SUBSTRATES:

I paint on several different types of surfaces, depending on which medium I use. These materials are used for my original paintings. Following is an explanation for each one:

The substrates I use for my original archival ink paintings, gouache and watercolors are created on professional grade, museum quality, acid-free, 100% rag illustration board. The multimedia artboards I sometimes use are laboratory-tested and rated archival quality with a neutral pH factor of 6.5.

On occasion, I will use an Aquabord for my watercolor and gouache paintings, which is an acid-free, textured clay surface that absorbs watercolors like a fine paper. This type of board retains its purity and vibrancy. It needs no stretching and will not tear, shrink or buckle. Unlike paper, Aquabord can be sealed and displayed without glass, which keeps colors true to life. It is also made in the USA.

WaterMedia Panels are the perfect surface for mounting my alcohol ink paintings. I use high-quality birch panels that are triple-coated with an acid-free, archival acrylic formula. I may use a traditional profile 7/8" painting panel or a gallery profile 1-5/8" panel for mounting.

The smooth canvas panels are professional-grade, 100% archival art panels with a gray melamine backing which creates a moisture barrier that resists warping and deterioration over time. These ultra-smooth panels are primed with three coats of acid-free, 100% acrylic titanium gesso.

The gessoed wood painting panels are made from quality 1/8" birch, primed with two coats of acid-free, acrylic gesso, cradled with a solid wood frame with smooth, sanded edges, these panels won't flex, stretch or warp. When your artwork is complete, simply hang it flush to the wall using only a single nail or screw - no frame required, made in the USA.

Some work I may mount on Brazilian white pine stretcher bars, 1" deep. I prefer to mount my illustration board this way and finish the back and sides with acrylic paint. I then add an acrylic satin or matte varnish to the back and sides. The front of the painting is finished with 3 layers of Liquitex Professional satin varnish (the satin finish has a slight sheen to it). The satin varnish is water-based and provides a durable, permanent film. It contains UV protection and is non-yellowing. The mounted painting can be hung without glass or a frame if desired.