How is the health of your art? Does it look dingy or out of date? Do you see mold or a wetness stain on the matting? Has the art slipped down from under the matting? Or is your framing from an era long since past? You spend a lot of money on your art. Fine artwork is as much of an investment as it is an accent on your life. And in your home it says a lot about who you are .Whether it be signed prints, watercolors, oils, or family portraits with sentimental value. Art must be cared for and kept in good health to retain and grow in value. As collections are amassed over a long period of time. It is easy to neglect older pieces as new ones get added. Keeping your art relevant is key to your investment return. Many older pieces have been framed with long outdated acidic materials which are harmful to paper and paint. These items should be replaced with museum quality acid free materials as soon as possible.

Effects of the sun.
The sun and UV rays can have a devastating effect on art. They can fade and burn. Colors will diminish, as the paper will turn brown where it meets the matting. Heat from the sun can also cause old adhesives to let go,thereby causing a hinged piece of artwork to slip from under the matt. After a short time the paper has a burn at the matt line in it's new position.This can render a print or watercolor worthless in a matter of months. Replacing old glass with new UV protecting glass will add many years of life to your art. It comes in a variety of styles and purposes.

Ravages of time.
As time goes by, with gravity and age, screws and nails in a frame can become loose. In many cases an eye screw with the hanging wire comes out and the art hits the floor. Sometimes the floor if your lucky. Art falling off a wall is a scenario many of us wouldn't want to imagine. Wire on the back of older frames also has a way of becoming very brittle and should be checked periodically. Every few years or so. Especially on very heavy pieces. The environment the art is kept in, such as high humidity, or dry heat can be contributing factors. Wire today is coated to protect it from the elements.

Moisture.
Dampness can also be a huge detriment to your art's health. A damp environment can put mold spores under the glass on a framed piece. Which can easily spread over time. It can cause staining of the art and matting. It can make some wooden frames become soft and spongy. It may also give your art a moldy smell. Dank basements and leaky attics are prime reasons for this kind of effect. It is not recommended to store valued artwork in such an environment.

If any of these symptoms are happening with your art. It is time to call the Art Doctor. I can make your art healthy again.