[Tito Champena]

Rebecca,

I think it's unfortunate of what has happened to you. Chemicals affect people in so many ways depending on our own individual tolerance and our own body chemistry. You know that lobster is a delicacy for most people, but my brother would drop dead if he ate one, because he is terribly allergic to it. I met in Texas a former painter who used to work as a chemist for Grumbacher and who had developed a blood disease from exposure to toxic pigments. In my case, I lived in polluted Chicago for many years without any health problems but since I moved to Alabama less than 2 yeras ago, I have developed a respiratory allergy to the pollen of some beautiful trees that grow in this State. I have always used rectified turpertine for painting because I think it's the best thinner, but now the fumes irritate my lungs so much, that I have to interrupt my painting constantly because of the cough. I'm not saying that turpentine caused my allergy, but certainly aggravates it. On the positive side I must admit that we are very fortunate nowdays because we have so many choices of substitutes that were unknown to the Old Masters. Painting, like any other occupation has its inner risks and benefits.