Bathroom Oil Paintings

An Oil Painting for the Bathroom

This topic has 12 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 14 years ago by Einion.

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December 3, 2007 at 5:20 pm #986824

I have a client who insists that she wants a large oil painting of a lily pond to be hung over her jucuzzi in her bathroom. She wants a vertical,30×40,convexo canvas so there would be no framing. I have warned her that the heat and humidity in that type of atmosphere would eventually ruin the canvas but she insists. My question to you is, would sealing the back of the painting in some sort of plastic backed paper be a good idea…..or not. Is there anyone out there with some good advice on how this should be done…? Thanks

Judy
"Simplify-Look around-observe See in nature the source of art, of
craftsmanship of truth, of the beautiful"

December 3, 2007 at 5:45 pm #1094862

You already know the cons against this.

I would say that there's not much you can do to help canvas last any longer in that environment. Though who knows…

You say she insists…but how insistent is she on the canvas?

Just thinking out loud here, but I'm wondering if you used something like aluminum (or even glass), *maybe* that would help it to last a little longer? She might be induced out of the particular canvas that way. I'm sure you could find a cleaver way of doing it so that no traditional framing is necessary.

Just a thought…

~!Carey

December 3, 2007 at 8:57 pm #1094858

You have told her the problem, and she wants to do it anyway. Sell her the painting and enjoy the money. If you are really concerned, put it in writing.

I would not appreciate you telling me where to hang paintings that you may have made, but I own…How about you if the tables were turned?

Just the opinion of one old fool who has several paintings in his bathrooms. (And they are fine)

TTFN,
Dennis

December 3, 2007 at 9:10 pm #1094866

You can use a polyester fabric for your canvas. This material doesn't absorb moisture nor prone to fungus as are natural fabrics in such a harsh environment. Though polyester doesn't have much of a track record in longevity. Then you have to consider colors. Some colors are sensitive to a combination of moisture and light as cadmiums. The stretcher bars will have to be sealed to prevent moisture and fungus infestations.

You could

– attach the fabric to waterproof sheetrock, the same used in bathrooms.

– create the painting and take color samples to a paint store and have them match the colors in paint for bathrooms. Then paint the artwork directly on the wall. You won't have the same depth as oil but at least it will last.

There is no real way anyone can guarantee that an oil painting will survive without some conservation or survive at all in such an environment.

December 3, 2007 at 10:42 pm #1094864

One of my clients hung a commissioned work of mine in her bathroom so she could see it every day (and this painting was on oil primed linen too). As far as I know it's still in one piece but I'm sure that I will be getting a call one day.

I think an ABS panel might be a good solution, if you've not already considered it. More expensive than a canvas, but probably won't be affected by the humidity.

Try calling a manufacturer and see what they recommend. I found this one online:

http://www.realgesso.com/

Simon.

December 4, 2007 at 12:48 am #1094859

Thank you all for your responses. I have an oil painting that has hung in my bathroom for 30+ years and it too is still fine.
Dennis-it's not that I want to dictate to her where to hang a painting that I have done. Actually I think that her idea is going to look great. I think that as an artist, I have a moral obligation to warn her that this art may not last forever in that environment. And to do whatever I can to make a piece of art that will withstand heat and moisture as long as possible.
I will happily take her money cause I'm sure that at my age the painting will outlast me.:lol:

Judy
"Simplify-Look around-observe See in nature the source of art, of
craftsmanship of truth, of the beautiful"

December 4, 2007 at 2:01 am #1094869

I have about 10 oil paintings on canvas that have been hanging in my bathroom for about 10 years and they look as good as new. (I have a very large bathroom.) I didn't do anything special to protect them, only varnish. It gets hot and humid in there like any bathroom.

Quwatha Valentine

December 4, 2007 at 6:56 am #1094860

I have about 10 oil paintings on canvas that have been hanging in my bathroom for about 10 years and they look as good as new. (I have a very large bathroom.) I didn't do anything special to protect them, only varnish. It gets hot and humid in there like any bathroom.

Which goes to show that practical experience is often a lot more reliable than theories of what "might or could" happen. Thanks

Judy
"Simplify-Look around-observe See in nature the source of art, of
craftsmanship of truth, of the beautiful"

December 4, 2007 at 12:09 pm #1094867

Which goes to show that practical experience is often a lot more reliable than theories of what "might or could" happen. Thanks

Judy

I'm glad your question has been answered to your satisfaction. But why then, considering your personal experience of over 30 years with this matter, did you bother to post the question? You appear to have more experience on this topic than anyone. Obviously, your doubts out weighted your experience/confidence on this matter.

I wonder if you neglected to mention to your client that you have a painting placed in similar circumstances for over 30 years as your client is requesting. To do so, you would have to guarantee that the client's painting survive at least as long as your own work. Instead you expressed your professional reservations about the painting's environment.

You spoke of moral obligations to your customer's request, but what about professional courteously to the artists on this site for not mentioning in your original question that you have over 30 years experience with this issue. Then you appear to brush off the honest answers you received for a very unusual environment for a painting.

Just my thoughts

December 4, 2007 at 12:10 pm #1094863

I'm kind of wishing I had this woman's bathroom…

Anyhow. Take the sealing advice above, and if you have a written commission contract it would be a good idea to put a little disclaimer in.

Lady Mars Orange Marmalade Stapleford
Moderator: OIls, Pastels, Plein Air
Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken. -Oscar Wilde

December 4, 2007 at 2:35 pm #1094865

Jeeeez, what bug crawled up your ass ?!

I dont care if someone has 30 days experience or 30 years, if a question or thought comes to mind, and someone decides to post that in a forum, it would be nice if you remembered that THATS THE POINT OF A FORUM .

Truths and information are an organic thing, especially in todays market with new research and products available, and discussing things on a forum brings alot of this info out which I for one apreciate. Art and materials will forever be an ongoing learning process.

Just my thoughts.

December 4, 2007 at 3:57 pm #1094861

Judy

I'm glad your question has been answered to your satisfaction. But why then, considering your personal experience of over 30 years with this matter, did you bother to post the question? You appear to have more experience on this topic than anyone. Obviously, your doubts out weighted your experience/confidence on this matter.

I wonder if you neglected to mention to your client that you have a painting placed in similar circumstances for over 30 years as your client is requesting. To do so, you would have to guarantee that the client's painting survive at least as long as your own work. Instead you expressed your professional reservations about the painting's environment.

You spoke of moral obligations to your customer's request, but what about professional courteously to the artists on this site for not mentioning in your original question that you have over 30 years experience with this issue. Then you appear to brush off the honest answers you received for a very unusual environment for a painting.

Just my thoughts

Well, I really am a senior member and as such I hope that you will forgive a lapse of memory.:rolleyes: I think that it's called a "senior moment" When you see something everyday for a long time..you stop seeing it. I was well into this discussion when I remembered the absurdity. I haven't brushed off anyone's answer and don't intend to. There were several very good suggestions and I shall pursue them. I think enough of my client and the artists in this forum to ask this question in the first place. Shoddy workmanship is a particular gripe of mine and I don't intend to ever knowingly cheat a client.

Judy
"Simplify-Look around-observe See in nature the source of art, of
craftsmanship of truth, of the beautiful"

December 6, 2007 at 5:53 pm #1094868

Smokin
I'm well, thank you. How about yourself? Your defense of Judy was not necessary as she was not under any assault. Such is the nature of discussions. You are only partially correct in your assessment of forums, all are welcome to post any questions, but you forget the equal right to rebut.

Judy
Excuse my passionate response. I found your question very interesting. My suggestion was based on my experience. I live in south Florida and have seen the effects on artist materials I have tested.

So when I read your post, I thought your client was just asking for trouble by placing a painting in a bathroom (full bathroom). But, your experience as well as that of others indicate that some materials are not as delicate as they have been written about. Maybe these materials can take harsh environments for very short periods of time with no ill affects. Thanks for sharing your experience.
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