Did you know…

…that there are specific ways to help preserve the art you just invested in for generations to come?  When you invest in high quality art, you’re gonna wanna make sure that it stays around for years, ideally passing it on to future grandchildren. Right?! Think about all that art still around from the Renaissance. The reason it is still around is due to people taking good care of it.

Whether you’ve  purchased  an original or giclee print, the artist has already done all they can to give you the very best quality art and now it’s your job to take care of it and to make sure it stays safe and beautiful for a very long time.

What are the best ways to do this?

Lucky for you,  I’m going to share 6 key care tips that you’ll want to remember!

1. Never hang your art in direct sunlight.  Whether it is an original or a print,  over time,  the image is likely to fade due to the UV rays.

2. Frame your art! Again no matter if it’s an original or a print,  framing not only helps blend the work into the new space it also helps protect it.  If you have yet to do this,  head on over to your local frame shop and bring your art with you (carefully) to pick out the best frame.

3. Avoid touching the art. Our oils will eventually discolor a work of art and so you want to keep your hands off it as much as possible.  If it’s an original canvas,  you may also cause a dent by touching it,  so stick to holding the sides and edges only.  Once you frame it,  it’ll be much easier to hold,  when needed.

4. Avoid hanging your art near a vent,  active fireplace, bathrooms with showers, or anything that has quick changes in temperature/humidity levels. Art expands and contracts with temperature and humidity changes.  If it does this too much, it can cause damage such as cracking over time. Keep your art in a standard house temp and a 40/50% humidity level.  Definitely do not put art in a damp basement or attack that gets really hot and humid.  This is especially important for any original art but prints can be affected as well.

5. When traveling,  avoid bringing art outside in extreme temps or rain, for the same reasons above. Be sure to pack the art well. If a canvas, keep it flat and away from anything that can push a dent into it.  Flat cardboard on both sides is recommended.

6. If you have done any of the above or a have inherited art from someone else and notice signs of aging in your art work,  i.e. cracking, fading etc., don’t panic.  Do your best to change your habits and consider taking your art to a local art conservatory. They often can help touch things up, if needed, to get it back to a beautiful state.

Now that you’ve learned how to best care for your new art,  you can be at peace knowing that it’ll be around for a long time inspiring you and many others.