Cameron Cross, the artist of the Van Gogh 'Sunflowers' painting in Altona, is currently working on its repairs.

Over its many years in the outdoors, the painting has experienced water damage.

Artist Cameron Cross"Water got into the seams and rotted some of the wood. We didn't use pressure-treated wood back twenty years ago," said Cross.

According to Cross, repairs will include taking out pieces of wood, re-fibre glassing those sections, grinding the loose paint, sanding the surface, and cleaning it. Cross plans to use an automotive primer to cover up the exposed fire glass and resin. He will also paint it with richer colours and clear-coat the painting.

The automotive primer will protect the painting from water, high heat, and wind.

The artist also has Van Gogh's paintings up in Kansas, as well as Australia. He is currently working on one for Japan.

"It's also a very symbolic plant around the world, so I chose to reproduce Van Gogh 'Sunflowers' to sort of represent agriculture and art and community," he said.

"It could be a way-finder to get people here and exploring the beautiful town of Altona," he added.

Cross has been working on the repairs for three and a half weeks, and it will take him another three and a half weeks to complete the process.

Related article: "Altona's Sunflower Painting Comes Down"