Caring for your original artwork

The most important part of owning art is to enjoy it and place it where you can see it! The tips below are provided as basic information.  If you have questions or concerns that are not adequately covered, please contact a profession conservator. A certificate of Authenticity along with the information below will be provided to buyers by email or regular mail upon request.

1. Keep art works out of direct sunlight and don’t expose to extreme temperatures.  Even works that are under glass or varnished may still be susceptible to damage due to direct sunlight, excessive heat, cold, humidity or dampness. Excessive heat may cause the surface to soften and excessive cold could cause the surface to crack (oil paintings). Normal household conditions are generally fine. Works on paper (that have not been mounted to a panel by the artist) should always be framed under glass to prevent damage to the paper and/or paint.  Watercolor and other types of water media could be damaged.
2. Paintings should be dusted regularly with a soft cloth (nothing should be sprayed on the painting and no solvents should be used).  Compressed (canned) air can be used to gently blow away dust.  Please be aware that cooking oils and other airborne materials (smoke, etc.) may accumulate on the surface of the art.
3. Do not lean anything against the surface of a canvas or lean the canvas against anything that is not completely flat. Objects near a painting may not seem sharp enough to pierce the canvas, but may cause a scratch, rip or even a dent or stretched area. Prevent accidents and store your artworks away from anything that might press against the surface. Try not to lean artworks on one another when storing them. Separate them with pieces of cardboard to avoid damage
4. Do not cover artworks with plastic for long periods of time. If there is humidity in the air, they may start to grow mold and/or allow moisture to accumulate under the glass. Cotton sheets are best for keeping dust away.
5. If you need to package your art for storage or shipping use a glassine paper sheet so that it is touching the surface rather than the packing materials.  Bubble wrap should not touch the painted surface. This step isn’t necessary for works under glass. Next, lay a flat piece of cardboard, mat board or similar firm material (rigid foam insulation may also work) over the front and back surfaces, and then wrap it in bubble wrap. Specialty packing boxes may also be purchased.
6. Special note for paintings that contain cold wax: the manufacturer of the product that I use indicates "a melting point of approximately 155 degrees F. In typical environments, Cold Wax paintings will remain quite stable. However, if you need to transport or ship the painting through a warm climate in the summer, consider air conditioning!"