Biola Jesus Mural Art Conservation - Kent Twitchell Restoration Phase 3

http://www.fineartconservationlab.com/twitchell-biola-jesus-mural Kent Twitchell restores his Biola Jesus Mural (aka "The Word") with help from art conservator Scott M. Haskins. This video is about his restoration of the paint layers. Also see videos on Phase 1 on Tests and Evaluations and video on Phase 2 Consolidation and Conservation. This video also includes tips about varnishing murals for protection against graffiti, vandalism and accidents. Nice mural! Interesting stuff! If you like this video and subject:

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Call Kent Twitchell at 310 709 2037
Art conservation questions? Call Scott Haskins at 805 564 3438
Art appraisal questions? Call Richard at 805 895 5121

See other videos on YouTube Channel "bestartdoc"
http://www.fineartconservationlab.com/category/murals/

Category:

Education

Tags:

• faclinc
• Kent Twitchell
• Biola University
• Biola Jesus Mural
• Mural restoration
• painting art conservation
• scott haskins
• virginia panizzon
• Los Angeles murals

[gangu674]

Hey! Are there any other projects you two (Kent and Scott) have done together?

[bestartdoc]

@gangu674 We are varnishing two of Kent's murals next week. Goggle "Kent Twitchell" and you'll probably see an image of a mural of Steve McQueen. That's one of the murals were going to treat.

[eswa54]

Good comments on this blog. Thanks for keeping them on subject. I guess that means this video gets around to good groups of people and I’ll send the link around too. Thanks for doing such an interesting and even entertaining blog.

[bestartdoc]

@eswa54 Thanks!

[ks58071]

The varnishing part of the Phase 3 was good to see. I am always wondering if I should do it, how I should do it and what to use. I don’t think you’ll tell me what you used but thanks for showing some of your techniques.

[bestartdoc]

@ks58071 As you can see in the first video of Kent Twitchell's work and the first video of the murals at the LA Wholesale Produce Market, we did tests to see what solvents might have an adverse affect on the paint layers. Its not a secret what we as professional conservators prefer to use. Be careful, however, that the solvent doesn't cause problems. Call me for a more precise discussion about your particular situation. Call me at 805 564 3438 Scott

[lojs87]

It truly is so amazing! 

[bestartdoc]

@hall6099 Thanks for your comments. You are right. I've spent a lot of time in Italy and am able to make the same comparisons. These murals in Los Angeles would look great anywhere in the world.

[bestartdoc]

@sthssp161 The varnish helps to make the colors look their best, protects the paint from the element (in outdoor murals) and protects against abuse, vandalism, graffiti etc. I varnish the monumental murals at Fair Park Murals dot com (sorry to have to spell it out... otherwise YouTube won't let me write it) and then re-evaluated them 12 years later and they were doing great even though the weather is harsh (hot in summer, very humid in both summer and winter).

[bestartdoc]

@9764satan Thanks. We think we make a good team too. We're about to varnish some of Kent's other murals in LA so, stand by for another video coming up soon. If you Google "Kent Twitchell" you can probably come up with an image of the Steve McQueen mural. That's one we'll be varnishing next week to protect it from graffiti.

[bestartdoc]

@nsuga9 This mural could have been removed from the wall and, in fact, we get involved with removing murals from walls often. Last week I was in London saving a mural from demolition. I have made a video about detaching/removing murals. You'll find a video about both of these at the YouTube Channel "bestartdos" Please subscribe.

[bestartdoc]

@nio2431 I work with contractors all the time both as a consultant and a subcontractor nationwide. As you are assuming, to bid a project for you I need to see the project. You may call me at 805 564 3438 to discuss the details. You may find other videos of interest to you at YouTube channel "bestartdoc" Please subscribe.

[nio2431]

I’ve got kind of the same question as the architect. I’m a contractor that does building restorations. Does Scott work with contractors on mural and decorative painting restorations? I’ve got a project on a military base in Ft. Lauderdale. Would you go out there to evaluate the situation for me?

[nsuga9]

I was wondering if the building that the mural is painted were to be demolished, could you get the mural off the wall? I saw it was painted on parachute cloth and glued to the wall so does that mean its removable? I am architect that does build retrofits, reuse and restorations and the possible removal and reuse of murals would be a very good thing to know. Does Scott do any of that kind of mural restoration work?

[hall6099]

We have many murals here in Italy but not so many contemporary. And not so many so big outside on buildings. I like the quality and colors of the murals and think they would look well in Italy too. We sometimes think that art in America is inferior because you don’t have our history or inspiration but I see you are better than we are painting here. Thank you very much for the good video and interesting project.

[sthssp161]

I’m a mural artist and I liked your videos very much. Thanks for highlighting so many of Kent’s techniques and, as has been said in other comments, its crazy how detailed he is. The art conservation testing and tips to help preserve the mural were good to know too. I’ll be looking at varnishing my murals now too.

[9764satan]

I think its great that Scott Haskins, who normally works with artwork from old dead guys, is working with someone like Kent to protect and preserve today’s art. The two of you make a good team. Keep up the good work.

[skantha4]

The transformation of this painting was very cool to see. From a faded looking crust white surface to fantastic colors, back to new was wonderful to see. Whether you like religious art or not, this mural is a wonderful work of art with a real presence. I love the scale of it on the side of the building. Thanks for preserving it.

[bestartdoc]

@dorothy695 If you really want to be bored there are a dozen videos on YouTube of the discussions about taking the Biola Jesus Mural off the wall or restoring it. Keeping the wonderful mural and letting Kent restore it won out, obviously. BTW, the mural is located at Biola University, a private Christian school. See the whole project at fine art conservation lab dot com slash twitchell dash biola dash jesus dash mural. Sorry for having to spell it out. Youtube won't let you include links.

[bestartdoc]

@Thomas4729 Good questions! There is a half hearted proposal to repaint Monument to Ed Rauscha but its not moving quickly. Kent has a mural done of Michael Jackson that's the BOMB. Do a search on Youtube for the video. There's no place right now to put it but I can't wait to see it up. It will be covered in the news world wide. Kent's also got a mural of Bob Hope that's got some legs but not finalized. Right now he's finishing up the repainting of his super famous mural of Steve McQueen.

[bestartdoc]

@15500white Yea, I think the close ups in the videos speak for themselves and Kent's highly detailed techniques. The results were stupendous. Working with an art conservator like Scott Haskins (805 564 3438) can help avoid some problems. Kent started picking at his painting and made more work for himself which could have been resolved in other faster ways. But, he's the original artist and can do anything he wants!

[bestartdoc]

@superatchu Actually Scott has just been named the Project Manager for The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles for working on just that problem. We are working with Caltrans. First we need to get the graffiti cleaned off then we'll put into motion a program for keeping them clean. Go to channel "bestartdoc" for other vids on the subject. Thanks for asking. We'll be doing a bunch of videos.

[15500white]

I thought it was kind of funny that Kent started out thinking that the restoration of the figure would take a month and he turned out spending three months to repaint it. My Mom was the same. She couldn’t touch up a painting without getting into it really far and reworking it till it became something new. In this case though, the results were stupendous. Thanks for sharing.

[superatchu]

Twitchell’s freeway murals in LA are so cool. But its sad that they get tagged by the graffiti vandals. Isn’t there anything that can be done about that? I guess Scott Haskins could help with that seeing as you guys work together?

[bestartdoc]

@gfloewr Yea, many artists think that a paint roller would be best but it can really make a mess. I would post a link to take you directly to a quick video about it but YouTube won't let me post links. So, go to the YouTube channel "bestartdoc" and look for the video on varnishing murals. You'll see what I mean. Thanks for posting a a good comment.