Cleaning Up – a Word of Caution

Those of you who have been following my efforts to get my calligraphy studio back in order (see “Nightmare in Ellensburg”), might find yourseves inspired to do a little cleaning and spiffing up of your own workspaces.

Today I was cleaning out the inside of the small watercolor desk in my calligraphy studio.  I keep an assortment of paints and small paint palettes there because I love to write with gouache and transparent watercolor, and you just neve know when a calligraphy piece might find itself in need of a painting.

I decided to wash all the palettes and start fresh, so I left them soaking in a bucket of hot soapy water while I organized the inside of the desk.  Some of the palettes are plastic, but others are white porcelain, and the thought crossed my mind that it might be easier to just put the porcelain palettes in the dishwasher.

Now, here’s the important part.  Don’t do it!  If you are using artist’s quality paints (and you should be) many of them contain toxic chemicals and heavy metals.  Just because you can’t see any paint left on the container doesn’t mean there are not traces of toxics left.  Do you want that stuff in with your dishes?  I hope not.

Most people are aware of the fact that oil paints can be toxic, as can the mediums used with them, but you would be surprised at how many people think that watercolors and gouache are non-toxic.  In fact, all artist’s quality paints are  made out of the same pigments – only the vehicles carrying the pigments are different.

And here’s one more thing to be aware of.  Cadmium and cobalt, among other metals, can be absorbed through the skin, so use disposable gloves when washing out your containers, and dispose of the water responsibly.  I usually let the water evaporate outdoors, then scrape out the residue and dispose of it at our landfill.  Most landfills have a hazardous waste area, and rules for disposal.

Don’t let any of this keep you from using high quality paints in your work, but it never hurts to be cautious about usage and disposal.  We’re all on this planet together!