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: 10/12/2007 Subject: Mixed Pigment on Handmade Paper
Question QUESTION: I had my mother's painting framed with plexi. Because of size (60" x60") plexi seemed like a good choice at that time considering safety, weight & the cost. The painting is done with mixed pigments with oil on handmade paper, and now I am noticing some parts of the painting is attracted to plexi. Also in few places the pigments fell off from the paintings into the plexi. What can I do to prevent plexi from further damaging the painting? Thanks.
ANSWER: Hi Iris,
In order to answer your question I need to know a couple of things. Is the plexi setting directly against the art or is there some kind of spacing between the art and Plexi? How long has your painting been framed? If you'll answer those two questions I think I can help. The problem is static electricity. Plexi glass has a large amount of it. While you answer the questions above I'll do a little research on my end to see what can be done to reduce or eliminate the static charge in plexi glass.
Thank You,
Mark
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Mark,
The work is matted with one spacer. But the painting is done with mixed pigment in oil, on thick handmade paper and not completely flat. My mother controlled consistency of paint to get bead like affect on the paper, and paper is not flat either. The painting was framed 6 weeks ago. I contacted my framer, she suggested taking the plexi out but then I don't want this painting to be subjected to dust and people wanting to touch...
Answer Hi Iris,
I'm sorry it took a few days to get back to you. I wanted to contact my supplier of acrylic and see if they had any suggestions. Unfortunately they didn't have a magical solution or even a solution at all. Static electricity is simply a property of plexi-glass. I agree with you that with the artwork being a work of art on paper it really should have the protection of glazing. It sounds like the real problem is that the artwork does not have enough space between the art and the plexi. I am a little confused about the matting and single spacer. The largest mat is 48" x 96" and you stated that the piece is 60" x 60". I would take the artwork back to your framer and discuss with them how to create more spacing. I would tell them that I'm not happy with the product and see what they would be willing to do for you to help with the cost of creating that space. I know artwork that size is very expensive to frame and you have probably invested a certain amount of money into it already. The best way I know of creating the distance that is needed on a piece this size is by stacking two frames together. This will allow the plexi to go between the two frames. There are fabric liners or linen liners that have a scoop design to them that will create a nice depth between your art and plexi. Iris, I hate to say this, but if the framer you took it to simply suggested taking the plexi out I would have to question their knowledge to a certain degree. If you would have brought the artwork to me creating the distance between the plexi and art would have been one of my first priorities. In the end if you aren't happy with what your framer is willing to do or with the solutions they come up with you may have to go around and talk to some other framers. It will be hard for them as it is for me to make a lot of recommendations with out seeing the artwork themselves, however I understand that you wouldn't want to drag around a piece that large. You should be able to get a since of their confidence and knowledge simply by talking to them. I hope this has helped. Please let me know if you need any clarifications or if you have any other questions. I wish you the best with your mother's artwork. It sounds like it is a very cool work of art.
