Raw Linen

[Mike McCarty]

I love the look of raw linen. I've always thought that it would be great for a vignette, leaving all that beautiful brown weave just hanging out there. But, I've been under the impression that without the sizing (some sort of gesso or other goop that ruins the look), the oil and the linen either wouldn't marry up, or would divorce quickly.

I was at the art supply store yesterday staring at a Fredrix green label stretched linen canvas. I was wondering why you couldn't just peel the linen off the stretchers, flip it around and re-staple it.

Would the now primed back side give any longevity to this set up?

Always materially challenged.