Okay, so you've begun collecting from local artists at markets, shows, and galleries. You are happy to support these artists while adding color and personality to your home. But how do you select a good frame? Are archival materials important? How do I dust a canvas or keep sun damage off my prints? Let's get into it.
Longevity and Location
When choosing a place to hang your new art you will, of course, consider the aesthetics of the art and room, but maybe you should consider longevity too. Fading, warping, and damage can be a real bummer. Let's consider the best places to hang art in order to protect it from the elements.
Keeping art away from direct sunlight is always a good call. Especially if your new art is a work on paper or a print. The bathroom can pose some humidity issues. (Especially if you have young ones who ALWAYS forget to turn on the fan for showers!) Keeping a cool house in the summer and a warm house in the winter will also keep your art looking good in the long run.
Handle with Care
When transporting art, framed or unframed, always be careful. If you are moving work from one room to the other, make sure you carry it in two hands supporting the frame from the back and sides. If you're going though a move, it's a good idea to wrap the work in cardboard and bubble wrap to protect art and frame alike.
If you have playful little ones or live in an area prone to earthquakes, make sure the work is well secured to the wall. A large unframed canvas may not be the best choice in a room where rough and tumble play happens. Wired hangers are more secure than sawtooth ones.
Framing
The art is ready to frame, but how to select a frame to match the aesthetic of the art? A neutral color pallet might look nice in a white-washed wood frame. A realistic still life would look lovely in an ornate gold frame. Some paintings on canvas will look great as is. A raw edge watercolor in a floating frame will highlight the beautifully textured paper. If you need help choosing the right frame, ask the artist what they think! Or look to a home decor blog to see how others are framing different types of art.
One thing I will say is DO NOT cut down the art to fit in a frame! If you don't want to spend a lot of money on custom framing, chose works that come in standard frame sizes. If you must, buy a frame larger than the art and have it matted. Another tip, get UV plexiglass to protect the work from harsh sunlight.
Materials
Let's look into the importance of archival materials when it comes to tapes, backing, and mattes. If you're framing your work, make sure anything that touches the paper is acid-free. This ensures that the artwork won't yellow or discolor.
Cleaning
Maintaining your frames, canvases, and sculptures isn't hard. Don't spray cleaner directly onto glass. This could seep in and under to damage the artwork. Microfiber is gentle on glass and plexiglass. A weekly dusting will keep things looking like new whether it's the edge of a frame or a bronze sculpture.
You chose where to place your work, I have paper in the bathroom and a vintage print in my sunny window. It's okay! Sometimes you just gotta make it work where you can. Following these suggestions will ensure your art is well cared for for years to come.
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