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Caring for Art and Crafts

Taking Care of Collectibles at Home

Preserving Fine Art at Home

Once you have chosen a fine art piece for your home or office, you now have to protect and preserve it. While most of us feel that nothing will happen in a normal enviornment there still are many ways damage can occur - slowly, but right in front of our noses.

Museums dedicate entire teams to the careful preservation of works of art. Many. if not most, of their preservation methods are difficult to do and can be expensive, but there are steps that you can take at home - especially for your more valuable pieces of art.

If your item is particularly fragile and valuable, you really should consult an expert preservationist.

If you prefer to do-it- yourself, here are a few suggestions to help fight the most common problems you will run into.

Light

Natural sunlight is by far the most damaging type of light and can quickly fade paint, other finishes and photographs. But room lighting can also cause art pieces to fade, discolor or degenerate.

The obvious solution is to limit the amount of light that hits a piece This can be done by using UV resistant glass in front of your pictures - even for paintings - or for constructing custom made cases using light filtering materials. In extreme cases you might want to coat your windows with a UV blocking film. The proper film can also help with your heating and air-conditioning bills.

Using low-wattage incandescent lights (soon to be outlawed) is better than fluorescents. Light shades can also be of help.

Temperature and Humidity

Keep your art within the normal temperature you usually live in. Extremes in temperature can effect some pieces especially over longer periods of time. You really should never store any fine art or craft in an attic or garage. Even if wrapped properly you will incur problems with dampness, mold, shrinkage, insects etc.

Birch Silhouette I

Humidity should be in a low to moderate range. Extremely low humidity can cause pieces to dry out and crack, while high humidity can encourage bacterial growth and molds that can lead to deterioration of the work.

Insects also thrive in warm, humid environments, possibly nesting or feeding on your favorite piece of art.

You can minimize the effects of temperature and humidity by carefully selecting your display locations. If possible try not to hang art pieces on cold or wet exterior walls or walls through which heating or cooling pipes run.

Also avoid displaying art in bathrooms or kitchens.

Try to keep your pieces well away from fireplaces or heaters as well. Consider using a dehumidifier if you live in a humid climate.

Depending on how a picture is framed and hung, you might have a perfect breeding ground for bug nests, spider webs or worse. We once found two bats living behind a framed oil painting hung on a covered pourch.

As part of your annual spring cleaning dust or vacuum behind you wall hung pictures. This will also give you a chance to judge light damage - do something if the wall paint or finish around the picture is significantly ligher than the color behind where the artwork hangs.

Dust, Dirt and Oils

The best way to protect your artworks from dust, dirt and oils is to properly frame and mount them.

Professional framing is highly recommended. Proper mounting on acid free board is important, as is the use of UV blocking glass.

The art should not come into direct contact with any part of the frame or mount, and it should be fully encased.

If your piece cannot be framed or enclosed, be extremely cautious about handling it.

Gloves can help to protect the piece from the oils in your skin.

Animals and children should be kept away from the piece as well. A careless bump can send your art flying

Regular dusting and gentle cleaning can help to keep the piece looking its best, but never use invasive methods or household cleaning products. A feather duster is fine. Depending on the piece, a damp cloth can get rid of dust, smudges and fingerprints - but be careful not to rub too hard.

Damage

Care should be taken to avoid possible damage to your artwork. If your pieces are mounted on the wall, they should be properly mounted with hooks designed for the piece - including weight.

If you live in an earthquake zone, consider using earthquake resistant mounts.

Sculptures and other pieces can be heavy and unstable. Be sure that the piece is firmly mounted on a stable base.

Museum wax can help hold items in place without causing damage. If the piece is particularly heavy or you have children or pets, consider fastening the base to the floor.

Preserving your artwork at home need not be difficult or expensive.

Follow the tips above and always ask for professional guidance if needed. With a bit of effort, you can help minimize the risks to your prized possessions.

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