Thought I would check in with with old friends at truefresco!

I have painted about 20 frescoes now - some images are uploaded in the gallery. I will upload more as I get around with it - and maybe some photos of fresco in Morelia Mexico when I was there.

So I started buon fresco in 2001, and partly I wanted to see how they held up to weather - even though I doubt that many will put a fresco out in the rain/snow etc - If they do - I'm not charging enough.

I will send some pictures of my 'torture test' pieces. Everything is holding together real fine structurally. I will still have to try some of Ilia's fancy lime - but for now I have had no problem with the high calcite, air classified type 'n' lime - and slaking over a three year period seems to make no real difference from slaking one week.

I have started a new large mural using a new 'breakaway' technique. More on that later. I have also tackled the reproduction problem and can offer 'prints' of fresco in any size. This is partly why I got back into it - I can actually see a way to make money at this now.

gary as time passes we will not manage to do it as well as moon kissed lime.....fine to see you on-line,and try some italian muck
to complete the logical net.
you will have it all sus'd out with your own experiments.....but the
isolating differences between the products would be a neat
read coming from you.
there are some good italian limes in usa & canada now.

hummm! and what about mexican lime?
diaego rivera used ?

as you know i imported novocolor from italy - last june - and there is nothing to stand next to it in australia...as oz lime.
also use another company called impex which is very good.

hope you are not too involved in standard work.
my trowel work gets a little better....just need more sq metres
....every day needs piano!

lottsa grins - joe

Thank you Joe and Ilia.

Since we last "chatted' I have invented a whole new type of carving stone - and even have a patent pending. It turns out that the 'magnesium oxide' that the purists treat like 'toxic waste' in lime - is one the best cements in the world. I mix with magnesium chloride, to make magnesium oxychloride cement. This was patented in the 1850's as Sorel's cement. It is super hard at 12,000 psi, expensive, and unavailable in less than tons. So my innovation was to add a superstable foam, like whipped cream consistency, the bubbles generated by c02 gas, also add some lime putty - as a result of the recarbonation I can make a stone which is one part cement, 4 parts air bubbles. There is no sand, etc, and it carves beautifully with wood carving tools or hand grinders (dremel type bits). It looks like sandstone or limestone but is one quarter of the weight, can go outside, and is so heat/fire resistant than it can take a low cone glaze!

On cartoons I am completely sold on digital now. I have a large graphics tablet, scanner, lots of software but mostly use Corel Paint. I still take slides until the right digital camera comes along - but that is close too. I can mix photos. line drawings scale and change at any time. There is even a plotter which can automatically pounce all my lines! I mention digital output, I found an amazing printer that is
like a digital silkscreen printer, uses exterior UV cured inks, can print on anything and super results. Still getting a handle on economical pricing - this machine must have cost the company $400,000. ANyways - its all about making my next effort in fresco highly commerical - and I have no apologies to the purists who see art as some sort of cloistered religious experience, only shared with those 'in the know'.

What have you been up to Ilia - I don't see any new works? Don't make me come down to L.A. to nag you. I might start a major mural in Mexico this winter based on the beautiful, haunting old song "Angelitos Negros" has anyone heard that song? I have about 20 versions of it by different performers but I don't know how to give you all an mp3 sample. Joe - maybe you can visit - Aussies and Scots seem to love Mexico for some strange reason.

It is a plea to painters of murals to include black angels into their painting too. Of course it is no where that simple - some interpret it that angels 'with dirty faces' (past sins) can still find their way back to heaven.

what a buzz of a reply!
hope it goes well for you....i guess imaginative systematic experimentation will always reward those who keep pushing against the edge like yourself.

i'll send you some flicks of what i have been up to.

at the moment i am looking to see if i can embed copper into stucco or marmorino and antique it as well.

i'll try your email....i am still on the same address.
mexico aint out of the question....trouble is i have to make a trip like that pay for itself - because of all the stuff you leave behind.
chat soon - joe

Hi Gary,

I suppose about 30,000 sq. feet of hand painted fabrics painted do not count... by the way it took about 1000 gallons of fresco paint (pigment and water)

http://www.truefresco.org/murals_trompe_faux/000039.html

anyway I am starting a 9X6 fresco for a client this week, will post pictures...

Well done Ilia - I didn't notice that you have worked twice on this gig - this recent one was ten times bigger than the first!

Hi, just about time... I thought you have fallen off the earth... Glad to see you back.

here is a treat a small article about cartoon:

http://www.truefresco.org/fresco_school/000042.html

PS. I have added some additional server space for you at the gallery...