TO SEAL OR NOT TO SEAL : PROCESS FYI
It seems extra ridic that a simple question about sealer for alcohol inks could bring me to an existential crisis…but ya’ll this is kinda a doozy.
So here’s the quick and dirty, that’s not at all quick. (I’m still ME ya’ll!)
My years in art school, fixatives, varnish & sealers were GOD! And don’t you dare think about touching the charcoal on the paper, as your hand oils will comprise the…purity? I mean it was some pretty basic bitch figure and still life shit…I subscribed, bought in tho. I’m a big rule abider after all. I get making things so they are archival and acid free, so dumb shit can out last you. I GET IT!
Here’s the thing though, I bet fucking Basquiat didn’t seal a GHATDAMN THING! We are not permanent! Say it with me! Art is fluid (like gender). The medium and you collabo to make something. Sure take all the steps to ensure it’s longevity if it’s cool, but be reasonable, consider and be informed by reality & look out for the environment, #1.
I’m choosing not to seal my alcohol ink paintings for a variety of reasons, but the number ones are environmental impact, (the go-to sealer for alchy inks are aerosol sprays and resin + doing UV coats, 2-3 coats of each for the sprays) and additional cost. I want this work I’m making to be accessible for anyone to purchase. Adding sealer makes that mission less possible. I’ve also spent much of my creative career troubleshooting, pivoting, getting pulled from the work of making. Buying into the sealer makes the balance that' I’ve struck, change and I’ve decided I’m just not gonna play by the rules on this one. I want to keep voraciously making, adding product and content to my website and sharing it all!
Aside from the added costs, steps, negative environmental impact — no matter the sealer, it changes the alcohol ink color, depth and feel. There’s another piece of this that I’m just simply unwilling to compromise. As long as you don’t spray, wipe, or clean the paintings with solvents, there’s really not an issue. Sure the inks may fade over time, but again this is the agreement we all have with time. Sealers don’t even totally solve/save this, they just prolong the inevitable. Alcohol inks are a fairly new medium, they are dye suspended in alcohol essentially. They are activated (become liquid) when hit with alcohol. When they can make a water based environmentally safe spray sealer, I’ll seal! But until that happens, I want my alchy inks to be free to be exactly as is. Uncompromising in their existence, knowing that there’s a built in inevitability of change. But also, gradual and likely not noticeable to you, the person that bought it to enjoy and take life as it is.
All that said! If you REALLY feel strongly about getting it sealed I can do a brush on sealer with uv. I don’t choose to do this method because it changes the depth and luminosity of the alchy inks + you see brush strokes. Contact me before purchase if you would like the brush on sealer and I’ll get back to you with the cost.
UGH there’s just no great solutions to alchy ink sealer right now. So I hope you can feel my wavelength and respect the choices I’m making for my business and the environment.
