FAQ
Here is some information on commonly asked questions. If you still have questions please feel free to contact me!
Orders
Do you take commissions?
I take commissions on a case-by-case basis. Visit my commissions page for more info.
Care
Where should I not hang my painting?
To best care for your new painting, avoid hanging in:
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1. Harsh direct sunlight - this can cause color fading over time
2. Condensation-prone areas such as in a bathroom that has a shower
3. Areas of extreme temperature, such as over a stove where it’s hot
How can I protect my painting if I'm moving or traveling with it?
To safely transport an original painting, the most important thing is to NOT put bubble wrap or any plastic/foam materials directly on the surface of the painting. Many materials such as these can stick to the painting and damage it. I've heard many stories of paintings being ruined by bubble wrap sticking to them :(
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When I transport or ship artwork, I always start by covering the surface of the painting with non-stick parchment paper. Nothing fancy, the type from the grocery store works great. Once the painting surface is protected, you can wrap and pad the artwork as you see fit for your needs. I would recommend a couple layers of foam or bubble wrap, and then put it in a box for sturdier protection. Make sure the painting is well padded but not packed too tightly.
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If you want to protect the corners of your artwork even more, you can purchase frame corner protectors online in various sizes and materials.
Framing
Will my painting come ready to hang?
Original, framed paintings and paintings on gallery-wrapped canvas come wired and ready to hang. If you ordered an unframed painting on a panel, it will not come ready to hang. Please see below for display ideas and framing guidelines.
How can I display my unframed painting?
Unframed paintings on panels can be displayed various ways! They can be propped up on a shelf, displayed on a plate stand, or you can frame it yourself.
Plate stands are affordable and easy to find at your local craft store or online. Be sure to choose a plate stand size that will fit your painting to your liking. A tiny plate stand will not be very stable holding a large painting, and a large plate stand may look a bit silly for a smaller piece.
If you choose to frame your piece, I strongly recommend taking the painting to a local framer. It can be a bit pricey but they'll have beautiful frame options and will professionally and safely frame your piece for you. An original painting can be a big investment, and you probably want to protect it well!
If you choose to frame your painting yourself, please see below for framing guidelines.
How can I frame my painting myself?
For a matted look:
If you want the look of a mat, you can buy a frame that's larger than the size of your painting, remove the glass and place it behind the mat board so that the mat is at the front, and then mount the panel to the mat board using double sided foam mounting tape. (*Do not put the glass in front of the painting.*)
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It's not recommended to put an oil painting behind a mat board because oils from the surface of the painting could leak into the mat. But this technique gives the same look!
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For a traditional look:
Start by finding a frame to fit the painting. You can find a variety of frames at local craft or home decor stores. Choose a frame that matches the size of your painting, without the mat. Make sure the glass in the frame is removeable.
Once you have your frame, remove everything, including the glass. Never place an original painting directly behind glass, touching the glass. The glass can stick to the painting and damage it.
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The painting panels I use are usually a similar thickness to most frame glass, so basically you're just going to swap the frame glass for the painting. Then replace the frame backing to secure the painting, and it's ready to hang!
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For hanging:
If you got your frame from a craft or home decor store, odds are it has a sawtooth hanger. Sawtooth hangers are the zig-zag attachments located at the top of the frame. You can use this, but they are not the most secure hanging method as they are prone to falling off the wall easily which could damage your painting.
For the most secure hanging, attach two D-rings (one on each side, about a third to halfway down the frame) to your frame and string a wire between them, then hang from a picture hanging hook. When attaching the D-rings, it helps to drill holes into the frame before screwing them in to avoid the frame cracking.
D-rings, hanging wire, and hooks are available at your local hardware store. Make sure to get sturdy wire (wire that has multiple strands twisted together, avoid single strand wire which can break easily), and wrap the wire securely around each D-ring a couple times then twist the remaining end back around the wire towards the center of the frame.
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TLDR - Things to avoid:
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Never put glass in front of/touching the painting
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Do not put the painting behind a mat board (oils from the surface of the painting could leak into the mat)
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Sawtooth hangers are less secure than wire and risk falling and damaging the painting