About Mark Beach Expertise I can answer any questions about custom picture framing or any one of custom picture framing components, i.e. matting, glass, mounting and wood or metal frames. I can answer questions about proper framing techniques to preserve artwork. I can not answer questions about restoring artwork or the value of artwork.
Experience I have over eleven years experience in custom picture framing and nine years experience managing a frame shop. I have worked in every retail area of custom picture framing.
Education/Credentials I've trained under 3 indiviuals that have more than fifty years of combined expierence. I have attended several PPFA (Profestional Picture Framers Association) certified workshops.
Expert: Mark Beach Date: 6/19/2007 Subject: Cleaning paintings
Question Hi. I'm not sure if this is out of your area of expertise or not, but you're the only expert listed on art preservation. I have a medium-sized painting done by a friend about four years ago. He used water soluble oil paints, and I'm unsure if he used a varnish--I'm leaning towards no. It needs to be cleaned, but I would prefer to do it myself. I am a trained picture framer and while I've done some preservation framing, I'm not familiar with any cleaning or restoration techniques. Even if you could point me in the right direction for an answer, I'd appreciate it. Thank you!
Answer Hi Kami,
Let me start by apologizing for taking so long to respond. My Internet connection has been down and it has been very difficult to get it back up and running consistently. This question is out of my expertise. The only advise would be talk to some artists and see what they might tell you. I am assuming for some reason you can't ask the artist that painted this for you. Cleaning paintings is a highly regarded skill. I live in a town with a population of a hundred-thousand and there is only one trained conservator that I feel comfortable with recommending to my customers. I know there is maybe two others that clean paintings, but I don't feel comfortable recommending them. I hate to say this, but my suggestion would be find someone trained to clean water-soluble oil paintings. In my opinion the fact that the paint is water-soluble makes cleaning even more difficult. Again I apologize for the delay in answering and I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help. I wish you the best with what ever decision you make.
