Marja-Leena Rathje
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artists' health


If you are an artist or craftsperson or hobbyist working with art materials, do go read Anna Conti's article on Artists Health Issues at her truly excellent blog Working Artist's Journal. Some of the issues deal with the stresses faced by artists trying to pay bills and do their art. Environmental hazards are another big issue that not everyone is familiar with. Anna has compiled a great list of links to investigate this most important subject. Thanks, Anna!

Marja-Leena | 12/01/2006 | 2 comments
themes: Being an Artist


2 comments

Marja-Leena: Thanks for sharing this informative entry from Anna's blog. I consider myself fairly informed on the dangers of working with art materials,as my day job is as a paralegal for the Clean Air Agency. I am not always as careful as I know I should be. I do use oil-based stains, which I mix myself, and use turpentine as a thinner. I have used acrylics thinned down with water as a stain as well - but the results with oil stains are superior. Do you use oil or water-based inks for your printing process?
Well - here's to a safer, happier 2006 for all artists - wouldn't it be great if all communities cared as much about artists' health (mental and physical) as SanFransisco seems to?

Jackie, like you I try to be careful and aware, but sometimes am careless! Anna's post and your question have set me thinking and I'm going to write a post on this from a printmaker's perspective...soon.