Framing

When you purchase art at the Gallery, you can choose to have it framed or purchase it unframed.  Only unframed prints are sold through our On-Line Art Boutique.  

Motoko uses only conservation grade mat board with her originals and limited edition prints and the artwork is mounted on acid-free backing.  She does this to help preserve the artwork to give the customer many, many years of enjoyment.  

Framing can often be the most expensive part of the total cost of the artwork.  The cost of the glass alone can significantly influence the overall cost.  It is important for customers to understand this.  They need only look at the price of the unframed limited edition print to realize the costs involved.

Motoko frames all of her originals with conservation glass.  With her limited edition prints, she offers her customers a choice.  A lot depends on where the print is hung and, of course, the customer's budget.  

There are a number of different types of glass to choose from and they are not created equal.  In order to properly preserve and protect your artwork, you will need to make some choices.  We offer the following information to help.
 
Conservation glass is UV filtering glass.  This glass is formulated to help protect framed works of art from the damaging effects of ultraviolet light.  Exposure to UV light causes organic material to be broken down.  In art, this means your colours could fade or yellow if not properly protected.  

Conservation glass helps blocks more than 90% of the dangerous UV light, protecting your art without affecting the visible light spectrum.  Your colours will then remain as true as they did the day you framed them.

Tru Vue® offers three types of glass with TruGuard® UV Protection. All three types help to block a minimum of 98% of harmful UV light rays.  (1)

MUSEUM GLASS ® Anti-reflective technology with UV blocking properties.  Museum glass helps to protect your art from fading by blocking 98% of damaging indoor and outdoor UV light rays.  It provides the highest light transmission to enhance art colors and looks invisible because it has the lowest light reflection rating on the market

CONSERVATION REFLECTION CONTROL ®
Single-sided etched non-glare.  This glass helps to protect your art by blocking 98% of damaging indoor and outdoor light rays while providing glare-free enjoyment of artwork.  
 
CONSERVATION CLEAR ®
This glass helps to protect your art from fading by blocking 98% of damaging indoor and outdoor light rays.

Perhaps you have a very bright room in which you will display your artwork, or you intend to hang the piece opposite a window or lamp. Anytime you think reflection may become a distraction from the enjoyment of your artwork, you may want to ask for Conservation Reflection Control Glass.  Many framers are conditioned against using reflection control glass. This is the result of the poor quality glass that has traditionally been available. These low-tech "non-glare" glasses have a highly frosted appearance because they are etched on both sides. The resulting fuzziness and distortion created dissatisfaction among many framing customers, which soured framers on the idea of reflection control.

Conservation Reflection Control glass employs etching on only one side, eliminating the reflection problem with only a subtle softening of clarity. (This "soft focus actually enhances some images such as portrait photography and impressionist landscapes, where an atmospheric effort is desirable.)  For optimal clarity and viewing pleasure, ask for Museum Glass.  Museum Glass looks invisible and helps to provide anti-reflection with 98% UV protection.  

Tru Vue, TruGuard, Museum Glass, Conservation Reflection Control and Conservation Clear are registered trademarks of Tru Vue, Inc. McCook, IL, USA.

Caring for your artwork

Choosing the right materials to protect your art and the right place to hang your art are very important.  Careless handling, poor framing and incorrect methods of displaying and storing art contribute the most damage.  Without proper protection, varnishes on paintings can darken, altering tonal values.  Watercolour pigments may fade dramatically in a short period of time.  Canvas or paper can discolour and become brittle as the light chemically changes the structure.  

Environment
Maintaining a temperature below 72° F with relative humidity between 30% and 50% is an optimum environment

Light
The damage caused by both natural and artificial light can be avoided if proper care is taken.  Care must be taken not to hang your art (both originals and prints) in direct sunlight because natural light is an extremely intense source of energy and contains high levels of ultra-violet (UV) radiation.   If you can't avoid this, then consider using conservation glass.

Incandescent light sources are the least harmful but still they generate heat which will, over time, impair artwork.  Fluorescent tubes emit substantial amounts of UV which will cause fading and damage your art.  This type of damage is irreversible.  

Framing and Glass
Framing your art correctly will help to reduce the possibility of damage from handling and provides protection against the environment.  Be aware that acids damage paper and when non acid-free boards, glues and tapes are used, they can cause discolouration and instability and can severely damage your art.  If you do not wish to frame your art or use the proper glass protection, here are some guidelines which will promote long-life to your art.

Keep art away from direct or strongly reflected light

Close curtains or coat windows with clear uv filter

Do not spot-light a picture with a bright light source

Protect the art by glazing