‘Varnish’ is a stereo, acousmatic work inspired by the sound of its viscous namesake sloshing around inside a ten gallon, metal pail. The sample was originally captured in 2004 but it was not until the snow began to melt in 2007 that the piece was composed. The structure contains a balance of texture and gesture, both of which have their own climaxes. The conrete sample is manipulated in a variety of ways and bookends sections contemplative and degenerative… a sort of journey inwards through a chemical, wood preservative. It was built (mis)using Cubase SX 3 and Reason 3.