Thread: Genesis paints
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Old 08-31-2002, 11:04 AM   #24
Michael Fournier Michael Fournier is offline
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Karin,

I respect your decision and I won't argue the effects of solvents and toxic pigments. I am well aware of the possible risks. And although I am willing to live with them I certainly don't mean to try to tell anyone else what is best for them.

I really do feel, though, that it is a kind of random event as to who will get sick and who will not. I look and see that Norman Rockwell lived well into his 90s. Whereas my niece, who had little or no exposure to toxins of any kind, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at the age of only 9 years. But that is just my view of the world. I try and not worry about things much; you roll your dice and get what you get.

As for the Genesis paints, I feel that your paintings will be just fine. Although these newer materials may or may not turn out to contain toxins of their own, I would not worry about their longevity. Acrylic paints, as well as acrylic resin-based paints like the Genesis paints, may not have years of history to prove it yet, but by their chemistry alone they should tend to be more stable and hold up better than traditional oil paints. In fact, the only reasons traditional oil paintings last as long as they do is because we have learned over many years of use the proper way to apply them, and what will and won't stand up over time.

Who knows, time may show that not only will you outlive us painters using traditional oil paints due to our exposure to possible health risks, but your work may outlive ours as well due to the advancements in modern paint technology.
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