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Thread: How to Clean a Silk Screen Print

  1. #1
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    How to Clean a Silk Screen Print

    Hello! I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask here because I know several people on the forum have serious art training.
    Today I found a silk screen on canvas by an artist that I'm very fond of. I bought it for just under $3 at a thrift shop. The print is by Marushka (not particularily valuable but I sure do love it) and is grass silouhettes in brown on the natural canvas....it's a bit stained (the canvas is slightly discolored.) Is this something I can clean myself or should I not even attempt it? If I can do it, how do I?
    Thanks!
    Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless. ~Mother Teresa


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  2. #2
    irishrose Guest
    Foxy, don't know if this helps, but here is a link to cleaning art work:

    http://www.ehow.com/how_2365258_clea...paign=yssp_art

    If it doesn't pertain to what you're asking, I apologize. Best of luck getting it cleaned. It sounds very dear to you.. I hope you can get it cleaned up
    Last edited by irishrose; 09-25-2009 at 12:28 PM. Reason: Posted wrong link

  3. #3
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    Bread! Irishrose's article suggests using bread! Hah! That's great. And affordable, too.
    Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless. ~Mother Teresa


    http://rightbrainedmama.wordpress.com/

    and, most especially, my photography at
    http://sweet-harmony-photography.smugmug.com/

    http://foxytocin.deviantart.com/

  4. #4
    irishrose Guest
    Works for me, and hey, no fumes! I think How To is one of the best websites out there for getting things done. Thanks Foxy! xo

  5. #5
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    Here is a link to a photos of Marushka prints....
    I don't live very far from Lake Michigan and the subject matter of Marushka prints is often of Lake Michigan and the sand dunes. The first one that I found (also from a thrift store) tree sillouhette. Today's find compliments it very well.
    Both of mine have a distinct 1970's decor feel.....and, if I understand right, date from early in the company's history. It's the simple plant-type subjects from the early days that I like. Nothing profound; just fun. The later ones that I see from the 1980's have sort of a "canned" feeling to them and it seems obvious from looking at them that they were produced for a specific market.

    The Michigan Rag company is now producing new Marushka art.....
    My tree is this tree but in a snazzy tonal brown and orange:
    Attached Images Attached Images  
    Last edited by foxytocin; 09-25-2009 at 01:50 PM.
    Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless. ~Mother Teresa


    http://rightbrainedmama.wordpress.com/

    and, most especially, my photography at
    http://sweet-harmony-photography.smugmug.com/

    http://foxytocin.deviantart.com/

  6. #6
    irishrose Guest
    Very beautiful prints Foxy!!!!

    And maybe if you contact the Michigan Rag company they can tell you more about how to clean a silk screen print on canvas. I'm sure they have a lot of knowledge about silk screening!

    What a great website of prints... gorgeous!

  7. #7
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    Now that's a great idea. If I learn anything, I'll pass the word on....
    Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless. ~Mother Teresa


    http://rightbrainedmama.wordpress.com/

    and, most especially, my photography at
    http://sweet-harmony-photography.smugmug.com/

    http://foxytocin.deviantart.com/

  8. #8
    irishrose Guest
    Thanks Foxy! I always go to the source

  9. #9
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    Well, yesterday I gave them a call. Very friendly people. Turns out that back in the early 1970's, the artists were using a water-based ink that probably isn't even legal anymore. Anyway, the discoloring that I see is probably compounds from the ink leaching into the linen fabric. The only option to prevent this would be to set the ink in a large, hot oven which isn't an option because the print is too large for any oven I have access to. I do have access to a few kilns, but the only large one is a wood-burning one and somehow I don't think that would work. Hah!
    Anyway, I did try out the bread technique and by golly, it worked pretty well on the unpainted surface. On the inked area, however, the bread wanted to lift the ink a bit.
    And there you have it.
    Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless. ~Mother Teresa


    http://rightbrainedmama.wordpress.com/

    and, most especially, my photography at
    http://sweet-harmony-photography.smugmug.com/

    http://foxytocin.deviantart.com/

  10. #10
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    I like your print that you found very much. I also love the fact that I learn something new almost every day.
    Wonderful synopsis of the Marushka prints.

    link


    I would also add that you could easily do this with your flower pictures.
    Did you know that you can now digitally transfer your images onto the
    screens to make screen prints? It is just a matter of turning them into separate screens for each color you want to use in your posters.
    Make some money yeah.... I think your prints would be far lovelier.
    And to me, more collectible.

    I like this one a lot on the Flickr.
    Last edited by screenpainter; 09-27-2009 at 09:01 AM.

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