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Why Frame ? |
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Proper framing of your photographs and art is
extremely important. With the use of conservation-quality materials,
your framed photographs will have the best chance for long-life. We
have framed hundreds of pieces, and understand the importance of
this information . Please consider these facts when you take your
images to your professional framer .And remember, with framing, you
generally get what you pay for!
Custom Framing : Why Bother?
Buying a work of art, whether an original work or a limited-edition
print, is not like buying a new microwave oven or a tv. As the owner
of a work of art, you are the custodian of a piece of history.
Caring for that art properly becomes important not only for your
prosperity and enjoyment, but for future generations as well. That's
why framing is so important.
Of course a framer will allow you to present the art so that you
(and others) may enjoy it now; but, equally importantly, a good
custom framer will use materials that will preserve the art so that
it will have value in the future.
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Things To Watch Out For
6 Ways Your Art Can Be Damaged
Pollution:
Just as dust, dirt, fumes, cigarette smoke, etc., can damage us as
human beings, they can also damage art. Sulfur dioxide, for
instance, causes paper to discolor, become brittle, and eventually
disintegrate. And some pollutants interact with chemicals in certain
artists' pigments. Carbon monoxide and other chemicals in the air
can erode artworks, and soot and dirt particles contribute to
discoloring and deterioration. Custom framing can protect your art
against these hazards.
Light:
Not only the light we see, but the light we don't see, can
damage artwork. The ultraviolet portion of the spectrum,
which is invisible to the human eye, is considered the
most destructive type of light. Sunlight, direct or
reflected, contains the full spectrum of light waves. It's
also usually more intense than interior lighting, so is a
greater threat. But you have to watch out for interior
lighting, too. Most fluorescent lights emit ultraviolet
waves, and although they're not as intense as sunlight,
the potential for damage is significant. |
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Most homes have incandescent lighting,
which is safer for your art than fluorescent lights or
sunlight. And if you have a picture lamp affixed to the
top of your framed artwork, remember to keep it at a safe
distance so that the light spreads and no 'hot spot' is
created. The best rule to follow with light and artwork
is: "the less light, the better."
The medium which is perhaps most vulnerable to
light is watercolor, but oil paints are also affected by light over
time. Color limited-edition prints are often quite vulnerable to
light, too, depending on the type of inks used. Acrylic paint is one
of the most durable of media, and if you have a preferred display
spot that receives a lot of light, an acrylic work is the best
choice.
Heat:
Heat accelerates the deterioration of paper, and it contributes to
the discoloration and deterioration of paintings as well. In most
paintings there is a combination of various types of pigments and
mediums. Heat forces the different pigments and mediums, as well as
the canvas it's on, to expand, often at different rates. This can
create cracks. Remember, artwork should be hung well away from
fireplaces, radiators, heat registers and spotlights.
Humidity:
Humidity is hard on artwork, but even worse when combined with heat.
Heat and humidity encourage mold and mildew growth. Mold and mildew
may invade a canvas, eventually pushing up the paint and
disintegrating the canvas itself. Since paper starts as 99% water,
it's even more vulnerable to humidity. Humidity has a lifelong
effect on paper, causing it to expand and contract. Art on paper may
show some waviness in its surface, which will change from time to
time corresponding to the changes in environmental humidity. Proper
framing can protect your art against most of the effects of
humidity.
Insects:
Insects can nest in the back of a picture frame. If the frame isn't
removed from the wall every few months and dusted and checked for
bugs, insects can make their home there and actually bore through
the wood, the backing, and sometimes through the art itself--looking
for a warm dark place to lay their eggs. Then, naturally enough, the
eggs hatch, and then you have larvae eating their way out. Right
through your two-thousand-dollar painting. So take that picture down
and clean the back of it every six months!
Bad Cleaning Practices:
Never spray water or Windex or anything like it on the glass itself,
when the picture is hanging on the wall. The liquid can run down the
glass and seep under it, and that moisture causes mold to form on
the mat (and sometimes the art)--and the moisture can also warp the
mat. Remember, paper loves moisture and you have to keep all
moisture far away from it. Instead, spray a paper towel or rag and
use it to clean the glass. |
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