[Mike McCarty]

I've just returned from San Antonio. This is my hometown where my mother and sisters still live. I took one of my recent painting to show off.

Without getting into the "how could this happen" part of the story, which would only serve to raise my blood pressure, you'll just have to trust that these are the facts.

My painting was varnished about 6 weeks ago with the following mixture: almost (guessed at) equal parts of Liquitex matte and gloss finish varnish with a small addition of turpentine thrown in (tea spoon added to a few ounces of the above varnish mixture). One coat of this mixture was brushed onto my painting. The finish looked real good and I was pleased.

In San Antonio the following was applied to the painting. Imagine a common cinnamon roll, with gooey globs of sugar icing. Place some of this icing on you finger and apply it to the painting. Leave this mixture on the painting for no more than 3 or 4 minutes.

Upon discovering this addition to my well considered work, I got a soft paper towel and put some warm water on it. I then carefully wiped the sugar/cinnamon glaze mixture from just above the eye of my painting. To my horror, not only did the sugar come off but the varnish did as well!

Now this wonderfully unified finish has a section, just above one eye about an inch by half inch, which is very different.

Again, without getting into the