About James Few, PSA Expertise Painting -- Specifically soft Pastels medium. I am listed in Whos Who in American Art. Signature member of the Pastel Society of America. My paintings have been exhibited in numerous National Juried Exhibits across the US. I can best answer questions about pastels and pastel technique, My secondary medium is acrylics.
Experience I have been painting with pastels since 1980
But am no longer painting regularly.
hello, I have to pastel paintings from the early-mid 1800's. These were given to
my great aunt. They are in beautiful condition. Vibrant colors. Can you tell me
how to take care of them. We believe they were done by Peter Britt and/or one of
his students (a gal by the name of roseland???). I also have a couple of oil
and/or acrylic paintings. Do you know who peter britt is?
Answer Care of a pastel painting
Pastel paintings should be reframed periodically to clean the glass, check for damage of mold, or deterioration of the matting or framing materials in contact with the painting. Archival, acid free materials should be used to avoid damage from oxidation. If they are not archival you will notice the materials starting to turn yellow and the acid will damage the pastel support surface. Reframing and should only be done by a conservator framer who knows pastels. Special techniques are required if the pastel has been damaged by mold.
Static electric charge on the glass will attract loose pastel dust,
especially if he pastel painting is jarred or vibrated and loosen the pastel particles. To avoid this or reduce the effect: pastels should never be framed with the glass touching or too close to the surface of the painting. I like to allow at least 1/2 inch or even more if practicable.
The static charge is not constant. It will vary with environmental and mechanical conditions. According to Coulombs Law, the force of attraction of a given static charge varies inversely with the square of the distance of separation. That is to say for a given static charge on a glass if you move the glass twice the distance away than before, the strength of the attractive force on pastel particles will be reduced four times.
To preserve the brilliant colors, pastels are *#never#* sprayed with any fixative, which will only dull and darken the beautiful colors. If your framer suggests using a fixative run - don't walk - out the door and find another framer. The surface is very durable unless rubbed. The surface can be smeared if the unframed painting is not handled carefully. If the framed painting is handled roughly, small particles of pastel may fall from the paper and stick to the inside of the glass or matt. These particles are easily removed by carefully removing the frame and using a small kneaded rubber eraser on the matt or a lint-free cloth on the glass. A static free record cleaner can also work well for cleaning the glass and removing the static charge just before reframing.
The pastel should best be hung away from strong light and with the top of the frame slightly farther from the wall than the bottom so that any pastel particles that are loosened will fall free of the surface below. However, since your pastels have been around a long time, most of the loose particles have probably already separated, but I wouldn't count on it.
Finally the frame package should be sealed to prevent migration of moisture and any noxious substances in the ambient air. Otherwise, the painting is care-free, and as with any art work - if kept away from humid conditions, smoky, and strong light -- it is the longest lasting of any painting medium.
I suggest you read the short essay on my website or do a google search on the subject. (see below)
Sorry Ms Joseph, but art ID and appraisal is not my thing. However you might try these guides:
Artist Research Library
www.artincontext.org
Find Thousands of Artists by Name, Discipline, Period, Term & More.
You might contact the American National Gallery research library or look in their online inventory for the artist's name.. http://www.nga.gov/resources/dldesc.shtm
If price is your concern, I recommend that you contact an appraisal service in your area. You may also wish to use the services of an online appraisal service such as www.eppraisals.com.
(or likewise ask for help from your local museum of art). http://www.askart.com/AskART/help/what_is_my_art_worth.aspx
Price always depends on demand regardless of what you are selling. It is worth exactly what you can get a buyer to pay for it. Cost is not the same as price:
Free information and advice is worth exactly what it costs ---- nothing!
"Every government interference in the economy
consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted
by force, to some men at the expense of others."
Ayn Rand
)