I know I've raved about Raphael linen panels many a time on this blog. I've loved the surface from the first time I tried it. With a cross-border trip in the works, last month I ordered some panels, stocking up on a few sizes, and had them delivered to my friend Juliet in New York. The panels are shrink-wrapped, and I don't take that off until I'm ready to use them. The size I needed for a new painting was one I'd ordered in that latest batch, and brought back from a trip to Saratoga this past weekend. The trip was amazing, but how could a trip to Saratoga be anything but?
Imagine my disappointment when I removed the shrink wrap tonight to find, first of all, that the surface has changed, and secondly that the linen is not completely adhered to the panel. I checked the second panel of the same size, hoping at least one of them would be good - without luck. This is the downfall of ordering online from a company on the other side of the border! Given that the company I ordered from, ASW, is not known for its customer service, I'm left with trying to come up with a way of fixing the panels, somehow. Attempting to return them would be even more of a nightmare! It's a sad, sad day! Thank goodness I have a supply of the old panels, but it doesn't look as if I'll be ordering anymore Raphaels. And now to come up with an alternate support for a painting that is already on a tight deadline! Eep!
A sad post like this at least needs a cheery photo, so I'll post one or two from the trip. In typical Saratoga fashion, it rained one day, but we were blessed with two days of sunshine. Now I want to go again! And I don't want to wait for next year!
3 comments:
Ouch, sorry about the panels hope you manage to salvage something. Glad you had a great time, geesh Saratoga sounds just like Scotland...weatherwise lol. Love the photos especially the bottom one :)
Linda, why don't you try contacting the company that makes the panels? Surely they'll make things right for you. It could be that you just got some panels from a bad batch.
I don't order from ASW anymore for the very reason that you mentioned. Have you checked out Dick Blick?
Thanks Elizabeth. I guess we'll hear first-hand how much Saratoga is like Scotland from Juliet - very soon!
Karen, the company is in Italy. :-( If I could get the linen off the panel I do have acid free adhesive, but the 'bubbles' are in from the edge. I think I will start ordering Signature panels. That way I'm dealing directly with the company, and in my limited experience, they've been wonderful. A bit pricier, but great customer service.
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