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Gold Leaf Gallery & Framing
The Framer's Corner
by Blake Fincher, CPF
SUNLIGHT - NO FRIEND TO ART
Florida sun is great for the beach and to grow lovely lawns and gardens. In Florida we are blessed with long days of bright sun and have homes designed to take advantage of natural light. However, when it comes to artwork, this blessing quickly becomes a curse. These bright sunny days are exposing your valuable artwork to a vicious killer - Ultraviolet rays! Light in the U.V. spectrum is the number one cause of damage to original and print art. These rays cause accelerated deterioration of the natural fibers in paper and canvas and release damaging acidic gasses. More importantly though, these rays fade the color pigment in inks, paints and photo emulsions.
Covering these works with regular glass only amplifies the problem. A reproduction printed on paper with lightfast inks can lose more than 50% of certain colors with even short term exposure to ultraviolet light. The effect on color photographs is even worse.
Do you have to put blackout curtains on your windows to protect your art? No. Today there are glass products available which filter out over 98% of harmful ultraviolet light. These products do not change the color or darken your art. The clear laminate on the inside surface of the glass can add years of protection for your art. It is available in clear, non-glare and anti-reflective (museum) glazes. The additional cost is minimal when it comes to protecting your artwork. Ask us about our complete line of conservation glass when you have your next item framed.
IT'S TIME FOR A CHECK-UP
THE ART DOCTOR IS IN!
Chances are that when you bought that special art treasure five years ago or more you had it custom framed and expected it to last a lifetime. This may not necessarily be the case. Many of the accepted framing practices of even a few years ago may be causing damage to your art that can ultimately ruin it's value. Is this condition terminal? Many times it's not. But the only way to know for sure is to have it inspected by a professional who understands conservation and preservation framing. It is virtually impossible to tell about the condition of framed art without opening up the frame package and checking it from the inside. By the time it can be seen it is often too late to save it. Acid burn, mildew, damage from bugs, overexposure to ultraviolet light and the use of improper mounting techniques are a few of the more common problems found during an ''art checkup.'' If caught early enough, some of these problems can be corrected or at least the damage can be stopped.
At Gold Leaf Gallery, we are trained in conservation framing and use only state of the art materials and techniques. We are also able to recommend whether your art needs the services of a licensed conservator or restorer which we can arrange. Don't take any chances. It is just like practicing preventative medicine. A check-up today can mean the difference between having an art treasure to pass on to your heirs or having a worthless piece taking up space on your closet shelf.
For as little as $10.00 we will open up and examine your framed art, provide you with an inspection report detailing recommendations as to what work needs to be done. If you choose to have the work done, the inspection fee is waived. If not, we will close your frame back up in it's original condition. Why not spend a few dollars today to preserve your art for tomorrow's enjoyment?
RESTORATION OR RUBBISH PILE?
Have you ever gone through your grandparents' attic and found a really old ornate picture frame that looks like it might have been gold leafed but it is loose at the joints and missing some of the sculpting at the sides? Do you toss it in the trash? How about this? You discover what appears to be an early nineteenth century etching or hand colored lithograph behind the old photograph of your Uncle Stanley. But it is so badly discolored that your impulse is to ignore it, thinking that it is too far gone to have any value. Don't toss either of them away just yet. Bring them in to me at Gold Leaf Gallery & Framing and I'll give you a free evaluation as to whether or not they can be restored. I've recently begun operating BLAKELY RESTORATION STUDIO as a separate business enterprise. Specializing in repair and releafing of antique frames and paper art restoration, this new capability just further adds to the full service reputation for which Gold Lead Gallery & Framing is known. Exacting old world craftsmanship blended with the latest in technological advances allows many of your old treasures to be brought back to their original beauty and value. Come in and let me see what I can do for you. The consultation is free and you never know what you may have.
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