More work on 'The Love Reliquary' today. Started by neatening the 'tree' stands for attaching to the base, then applied a brown base layer to the door edges.
After that, started some experiments with Laropal A81. It needs a rather strong solvent. For Paraloid B72, I can fill a bottle with crystals and pour in acetone to the top to fill the gaps, and everything will dissolve. Here it seems that half or 40% of crystals are needed, so about 2:1 solvent to crystals. My Diall White Spirit, with about 30% aromatics, didn't seem quite strong enough to dissolve it. I've tried a mix of 2:1 White Spirit:Isopropynol and it seems to be having a better effect. It seems stickier than Paraloid, perhaps a better glue.
Gold is a a record high price, not a good time to be buying gold leaf, though it makes all of my works with gold more valuable. I'll probably gild on Wednesday. I have a small list of art supplies to buy when I can afford it, none are vital.
Meanwhile I need a new job, and perhaps writing something for the Cheshire Prize is a good target. I'm reading Toymaker by Tom Karen, and Kafka's diaries. Both are inspiring. Tom is inspiring me to declutter. Kafka will aid my short story.
