ArtResin epoxy resin is 100% a proprietary formula manufactured and distributed by ResinVentures Inc., a company in Dallas Texas, owned and operated by Dave and Rebecca (artist spouses in charge of the marketing for ArtResin), Whitney (our brilliant chemist), and Ali (our number-loving CFO).
L to R: Ali, Whitney on his phone (LOL!), Rebecca, Dave
The story of ArtResin's genesis, in a nutshell, goes like this:
Around 2007, Dave and Rebecca discovered resin as an art material, but there was little info to be found on how to use it or where to buy it. They did their own research and made their findings available to the artist community via YouTube videos, such as this one:
(...Luckily production value has increased since those early YouTube days!)
During this time, Dave and Bex sourced resin that was already on the market and became an online retailer. It wasn't long, however, before they realized that resins are not created equal; some are best for woodworking applications, some are best as adhesives, and so on. They realized that even the best resins on the market at the time had their limitations for art applications. Artists (like Dave and Bex) want a clear, non-toxic formula that is safe and easy to use, and doesn't destroy artwork over time by turning yellow (as most epoxy resins do!). So they got to work...
From 2007-2012, Dave and Bex tested resin samples from around the world (while working full-time as a motion designer and art teacher, respectively). They met with chemists and companies who dealt with epoxies. Few of them understood the specs Dave and Rebecca were looking for, and even fewer knew how to execute on them.
Then one day in the summer of 2012, a Texas company who'd seen the YouTube videos got in touch. They dealt only in non-toxic epoxies, which was a huge step in the right direction! Almost all epoxy resins on the market (then and now) are highly toxic and intended for industrial use. Dave and Bex flew from Toronto to meet the owners of the company, Ali and Whitney. The chemistry between the foursome was right; now all they needed was the right chemistry for a new proprietary resin!
It took 3 years of research and development, with Whitney acting on Dave and Rebecca's specs, and Dave and Rebecca testing out the sample formulae and making recommendations. It was not an easy feat to acquire all the specifications in one formula; usually executing on one spec meant sacrificing another. UV non-yellowing tests were done out in the Texas sun repeatedly.
Important note: the test photos below represent an experimental formula as part of the R&D process; ArtResin as it exists today possesses much better UV properties, as indicated in the third party test data further down below).
Finally, in 2015 ArtResin Epoxy Resin was born: a 1:1 non-toxic clear formula with the best non-yellowing properties available on the market. ResinVentures Inc. was officially registered as the manufacturer and marketer of ArtResin epoxy resin, with the manufacturing happening in Texas under Ali and Whit, and the marketing happening in Ontario under Dave and Rebecca.
There are not many players in the actual manufacturing of epoxy resins; most companies source from big conglomerates and have little to no control over the quality they receive with their orders. On the other hand, because ResinVentures is a manufacturer, full quality control is always maintained, and improvement tweaks are possible as requested from customer feedback. It's an empowering position to be in.
The reviews in the past 2.5 years since the initial launch have been outstanding; ArtResin does what it says it does—it is an easy-to-use, safe clear coat that accentuates artwork of all kinds by providing a glossy sheen and making colors POP!
Third party lab tests confirm ArtResin's unparalleled non-yellowing longevity:
This is exactly the kind of formula Dave and Bex sought all along for their own artwork. Now they're not only consumers but manufacturers and marketers of their own proprietary brand of resin. Pretty cool.
For the whole ArtResin story, click here!
