The Day My Heart Sank: Why I Will Never Use Stretched Canvas Again

By Susan Lyon | Artefex Thought Partner

It is the moment every professional artist fears. You have poured hours of your soul, your skill, and your vision into a piece. You step back to admire the work, expecting triumph. Instead, you feel a pit in your stomach.

I have a horror story, and I bet you do too.

I had a painting on stretched canvas—a piece I cared about deeply. I looked at it, and my heart sank. The surface was “all wobbled.” It wasn’t the painting technique that had failed; it was the foundation. The canvas had betrayed me.

At that moment, I made a vow: “I will never use stretched canvas on stretcher bars again, if I can help it”.

The Hidden Dangers of Stretched Canvas

For us painters, the enemy isn’t a lack of talent—it’s the instability of our materials. Standard stretched canvas is a “fair-weather friend.” It fluctuates. It breathes when you don’t want it to, submitting to humidity and temperature changes that leave your masterpiece vulnerable to warping and the ravages of time.

If your art is “wobbling” today, what will it look like in 50 years? The risk to your legacy is simply too high.

The Turning Point: “I Think I’m Worth It”

Every artist faces a moment where they decide to stop accepting the status quo. For me, and hopefully for you, that moment is 2026. As artists, we often compromise on materials to save cost, but we pay for it in longevity. I finally asked myself: “Why not use the best? I think I’m worth it”.

This isn’t arrogance; it is a necessary investment in your career. Make this the year you decide to “bump everything up” and “use better stuff.” You are going to treat your art with the respect it demands.

Why Artefex Panels Are the Indestructible Solution

When you leave the instability of canvas behind, you need a surface that offers true archival security. Unlike fabric stretched over wood, Artefex Panels are designed for one specific outcome: Posterity.

• Indestructible: They are engineered “to last”.
• Weather Resistant: They are “meant to not have fluctuations in weather”.
• Durable: Built to withstand mechanical stress and not be “poked through with a pitchfork”.

You get the surface feel you love—the balance of fine linen or cotton—with the durability of a tank.

Customizing Your Surface: Yes, You Can Cut Them

A common misconception is that moving to rigid aluminum composite panels means losing flexibility. You might be wondering, “Can I cut these for custom sizes?” The answer is yes. You can cut them very, very easily.

Whether you need a specific dimension or a unique shape, these panels adapt to your needs. Plus, they offer that premium touch of personalization—we will even put your name on them.

The Voice of Authority: Why Susan Lyon Switched

The artist warning you about the “wobble” is a recognized master of realism whose work demands the highest level of archival stability. Susan Lyon is a Gold Medal Winner of the Oil Painters of America and the youngest artist to ever win the Palette and Chisel Academy’s Gold Medal two years in a row.

When an artist of this caliber—whose work commands top dollar and is represented by elite galleries like Gallery 1261 (Denver) and Maxwell Alexander (Los Angeles)—refuses to trust her legacy to stretched canvas, it is time to listen. She switched to Artefex because she knows her collectors deserve “indestructible.” So do yours.

Conclusion: What Do You Have to Lose?

We are standing at the edge of a new year. You can choose to stick with the “wobble,” risking that heart-sinking feeling all over again. Or, you can choose a surface meant for posterity.

Try these. Try something that’s excellent. What do you have to lose? Your art is worth it. Make 2026 the year you stop painting on fabric and start painting on a legacy.

Meet the Master: Who is Susan Lyon?

Susan Lyon lives and maintains her studio in rural North Carolina. Her career is a testament to technical excellence and professional rigor. By switching to Artefex, she isn’t just protecting a painting; she is protecting a legacy celebrated by the most prestigious organizations in the country.

Awards & Recognition

Susan has earned top honors in the nation’s most competitive exhibitions:Watch Susan’s Story

• Gold Medal Winner: Oil Painters of America (28th National Exhibition) – Top prize of $25,000 for her piece “Gems”.
• Gold Medal Winner: Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts – Youngest artist to win this award two years in a row.
• Donald Teague Memorial Award: Prix de West (2016) – Honored for exceptional artwork on paper.
• First Place: Portrait Society of America Competition (2008).

Gallery Representation

Her work is represented by leading fine art galleries:

• Maxwell Alexander Gallery (Los Angeles, CA)
• Gallery 1261 (Denver, CO)
• Insight Gallery (Fredericksburg, TX)
• Sage Creek Gallery (Santa Fe, NM)

A Teacher & Mentor

Through her The Artist’s Road platform and Patreon, Susan guides the next generation of painters toward better materials and methods.

If a Gold Medal master refuses to trust her work to stretched canvas, why should you?

Watch Susan’s Story