Is Your Framing Preserving Your Artwork?

Antique Photos - Before new mats and glass

Antique Photos - After new mats and glass

Once a piece of artwork is framed, it is framed for life—a common misconception that has taken its toll on many pieces of art. In fact, new framing products are continually being released to further the life of your artwork.

UV protecting glass, cotton rag mats and acid buffering materials were not commonly used or were cost prohibitive 15-20 years ago. It is a good idea to bring your framed art to your local framer about every 10 years to make sure your artwork is still in prime condition and to educate yourself on new products that may extend the life of the piece.

Glass
Arguably the best update you can make to preserve your framed art is an upgrade to conservation glass. UV protecting glass considerably extends the life of your artwork by minimizing fading. We never recommend hanging artwork in direct sunlight, but even indirect sunlight can cause fading. Your local framer can determine if the glass on your art is conservation or you may have a sticker on the back of your framing indicating what type of glass was used. Prices on UV proctecting glass have dropped to a range that is within reach of most consumers, and considering the value it preserves in your artwork, typically worth the investment.

Mats
All of the mats commonly used in framing today are acid-free or 100 percent cotton rag. You may be able to determine what mats you have by looking at the bevels on the opening cut in the mat - are they yellowed and brown? Or crisp white? Cotton rag and acid-free mats will be white, paper mats yellow or brown. Yellowing is caused by acid, which can be transferred to your artwork touching the underside of that mat. Conservation mats will preserve art on paper and photos (and you might opt to choose new colors for a fresh look).

Frames
The frame is typically the most costly part of custom framing. Thankfully, in most cases, the frame can stay on the artwork for as long as you desire. Your local framer can usually cut mats and glass to fit the artwork and the existing frame.

Restoration
If you find that your artwork is damaged, don't panic. Art restoration companies can work miracles to breathe new life into damaged art. Don't consider anything ruined until you speak with an art restoration expert.

How is your artwork doing? Have you taken a look at it lately? Remember, you framed it for a reason! It may have personal importance or monetary value, either way, consider taking framed artwork to your local framer who can easily help you with preservation and updating.

Hilltop Artists and Helping Kids Love Art

Last week I was lucky enough to be able to chaperone my daughter on a preschool field trip to Tacoma Art Museum. I was looking forward to the visit, it was a beautiful day to be in downtown Tacoma. We arrived a few minutes late and joined the group. Children were seated on a round rug all intently listening to the docent lay down the groundrules about how to act in a museum (don't touch ANYTHING! Even the cases that hold the art are ART. Don't touch the glass on the cases either, you'll make it DIRTY.) Hmmm... a bit of my excitement was extinguished.

We went into the first gallery which houses the Dale Chihuly retrospective. The children were doing great following instructions. The docent asked about shape, color and which pieces they liked best. I couldn't help but think that they all were feeling a little timid after the strict admonishing they'd just received about rules with art. Which led me to this question: How can we ask children to open themselves up to beautiful artwork in a museum setting without killing all of their curiosity and wonderment?

I know, as a parent, I have taken my kids to museums and encouraged them to look closely at brushstrokes or texture, only to be warned by a guard to back off. Discouraged, I've given up on trying to make kids and museums get along. Luckily art is everywhere and we try to appreciate all that we can see outside the museum. Being a gallery owner, my kids are fairly comfortable around art. In contrast, I see adults in museums or galleries, obviously uncomfortable and unsure how to act (Maybe because they had rules beaten into their heads about how to act in a museum on a preschool field trip??) When did museums start dictating how we relate to art? Why must we whisper? If we say we like one piece will the others hear and feel bad?

On the heels of this, I saw on recently that Dale Chihuly made a visit to the Hilltop Artists studio at Jason Lee Middle School. For those of you unfamiliar with this program, it is a free glassblowing studio open to all youth regardless. No one is turned away. Chihuly was integral in starting the program which has helped hundreds of kids learn a skill that allows themselves to express their emotions and grow their confidence. This program doesn't ask them to put all of that in a box. If a piece breaks, melt it down and make something new!

I can't help but wonder what Dale Chihuly would have thought of our preschool museum experience. On one hand we are teaching our children to respect and revere his work, but we ask them to tailor that emotion to fit the mold of the museum experience. Sorry - not interested.

After leaving the museum, I walked across the Chihuly pedestrian overpass with my daughter. We looked at the glass and talked about shape, color and which she liked best. I had no worry about her doing any damage, these pieces were behind glass (albeit bulletproof) just like the ones in the museum. She was able to run around beneath the ceiling filled with blown glass, chasing the sun peeking through - I had no worry about anything breaking. I thought to myself, if Dale Chihuly feels comfortable enough to put his artwork in a public place for all to see, yell in front of, run around, jump near or sing at, then I can't help but think that maybe he was a little unhappy with the museum experience too.

Hilltop Artists supports itself through sales of student-created artwork and donations. If you'd like to help, go to http://www.hilltopartists.org/. Hilltop Artists glass is also for sale at Lakewood Gallery & Framing http://www.lakewoodgallery.com/.

Limited Edition Print Blowout!

Dozens of highly collectible prints are now available at discounted prices. This offer is available for a limited time only, shop early for the best selection!

June Carey
Mission Courtyard
WAS $175
NOW $125












James Christensen
Saint with White Sleeves
WAS $150
NOW $105
























James Christensen
The Oath
WAS $160
NOW $115

James Christensen
Twilight
WAS $160
NOW $115













Mo DaFeng
The First Journey
WAS $150
NOW $105



SOLD
Bev Doolittle - The Arrival
WAS $345 NOW $240








Dale Gallon
Final Glory
WAS $375
NOW $265

















Steve Hanks
Centered
WAS $140
NOW $100














Steve Hanks
Father's Day
WAS $150
NOW $105

Steve Hanks
First Light
WAS $150
NOW $105

Steve Hanks
To Search Within
WAS $250
NOW $175

Paul Landry
Christmas Door
WAS $120
NOW $85

Stephen Lyman
Sounds of Sunset
WAS $225
NOW $160

Stephen Lyman
Storm Over Tenaya Canyon
WAS $325
NOW $230

Dean Morrissey
Checking it Twice
WAS $150
NOW $105

Dean Morrissey
One Christmas Eve
WAS $150
NOW $105

Dean Morrissey
Telescope of Time
WAS $195
NOW $140

Peter Parnall
Monument Valley Sun
WAS $95
NOW $70

William Phillips
Hill Country Homecoming
WAS $195
NOW $140

Richard Sloan

Above the Urubamba
WAS $300
NOW $210

John Seerey-Lester
Sudden Rain
WAS $125
NOW $90

John Weiss - Three's Company WAS $95 NOW $70

Charles Wysocki
All Burned Out
WAS $225
NOW $160

Charles Wysocki
Bach's Magnifi-cat in D
WAS $950
NOW $665

Charles Wysocki
Checking in on Olde Martha's Vineyard
WAS $175
NOW $125

Charles Wysocki
Christmas Eve
WAS $125
NOW $90

Charles Wysocki
Christmas Greeting
WAS $225
NOW $160

Charles Wysocki
Elmer and Loretta Hangin' Out
WAS $225
NOW $160

Charles Wysocki
Moonlight and Roses in Olde Maine
WAS $175
NOW $125

Charles Wysocki
Noah and Friends
WAS $325
NOW $230

Benefit with benefits!

Come join us on Saturday, May 21st

for an art show to benefit Arts Connect!

We were so excited to learn about Hilltop Artists' Arts Connect program that we decided to choose them as our beneficiary for an upcoming art show! Here is a little bit about Arts Connect in the words of it's founder, Diana Falchuk:

Hilltop Artists' Arts Connect program is a
community-based detention alternative created specifically for girls, ages
11-19, who are in detention and on court-ordered probation and diversion. The
program uses hands-on arts projects, service learning, public presentations and
a team of adult mentors to reduce the girls' risk behaviors and develop their
protective factors including self-esteem, personal accountability and positive
connection to community. Arts Connect serves nearly 200 girls annually through
weekly classes in detention and intensive community sessions for girls on
probation and diversion.

Since 1994, Hilltop Artists has been dedicated to
the mission, "Using glass art to connect young people from diverse cultural and
economic backgrounds to better futures." Through a total of nine, tuition-free
arts-based programs, Hilltop Artists annually serves over 550 at-risk youth in
Pierce County during and after the school day, and in the summer.

We look forward to supporting Arts Connect by hosting a fantastic event! We will be featuring:

• An expansive inventory of DISCOUNTED prints and originals from Seattle publisher, Grand Image


• Complimentary drinks from Urban Elixir


• Enter to win a framed art piece


• Student-produced blown glass from Hilltop Artists


• A percentage of all proceeds to benefit Arts Connect and Hilltop Artists!
  

Don't miss this great event!

Saturday, May 21st 12pm - 8pm

Lakewood Gallery & Framing

9514D Gravelly Lake Dr. SW

Lakewood, WA 98499

(253) 584-1774

http://www.lakewoodgallery.com/

New sign, new artwork!

We have a great new sign! Thank you to Bourne Identity Graphics and Signage and Red Door Renovation! We, of course, finished it off with a fantastic frame. Lakewood Gallery & Framing has fully arrived in it's new location!

Along with our great new sign, we are also happy to bring in the new year with new artwork throughout the gallery. New glass from Jeau Bishop, original oils from Karen Fildes, and prints from James Christensen, Stephen Lyman and R. Tom Gilleon. We think you'll love these new pieces and we look forward to seeing you in the gallery soon!




James Christensen - Pilates $275

Christensen's humor comes through again in this new piece. His bedecked and bedazzled character is having a bit of a hard time keeping up with the latest fitness trend. We can't help but give him credit for giving it a try!






Stephen Lyman - Sounds of Sunset $225 Unframed

This beautiful image of Lake Pend O'Reille, by late artist Stephen Lyman, stirs up fond memories for many people in the Northwest. Canada Geese flying along the tops of the trees on a summer evening, silohuetted against a sunset reflected on the still lake surface. This is a classic Northwest scene.

Janet Nelson - Colleen and Judy $90 Framed

We are delighted to have this talented artist's work in the gallery! Janet presents her female figures in a fun, lighthearted way. Each piece comes with the beginning of a story that spurs your imagination into what these women are about. These originals are priced nicely from $60-$90 and remind any woman of her dear friends and the good times to be had.

R. Tom Gilleon - Little Star People $575 Unframed

A warm summer night, with the lightning bugs twinkling in the twilight sets a scene filled with rich, wonderful color in this piece by R. Tom Gilleon. We love the contemporary look of this native-themed piece.

R. Tom Gilleon - Cardinal III $210 Unframed

Cardinal III is part of The Greenwich Workshop's Small Works series. Gilleon captures the grandness of native teepees expertly in this small work, accessible to the entry-level collector.

Free mini-print!

We made the move! After weeks of long hours, sweat, help from great friends, and hundreds of decisions...we are in our new space and it's beautiful.

We are getting tons of compliments on our floor. Thanks to the hard work of everyone who worked on it! It's an acid stained concrete floor that absolutely must be seen. It has at least 10 coats of sealant on it which makes it shine like a polished stone. Of course thanks go out to everyone who helped with the non-glamourous projects too - lighting, wiring and hooking up computers.

There is also lots of new paint, a beautiful steel and walnut column, and of course, the ARTWORK! That was the best part - being able to set up all of our artwork in this gorgeous new space. What fun! We are having a great wildlife exhibit right now, full of Steve Lyman, Bonnie Marris, Daniel Smith, and Rod Frederick. Come in today and get a free mini-print by Bonnie Marris -- Flat Foot. A wonderful representation of a grizzly bear as only Bonnie can do.

To top it off - we're celebrating our grand opening by offering 20% off our custom framing. You get all of our experience and expertise in designing and also our meticulous attention in the execution of your piece when you choose The Lakewood Gallery & Framing. Come in to see us today!

Here is a little video to give you an idea of what it looks like...

We are MOVING!

It's been a while since I've updated - we have been pretty darn busy fixing up our NEW gallery space! It's been a whirlwind of building permits, trips to the hardware store, painting, building, and staining!

Our new space is 15 blocks north of our current location. It's at the Lakewood Colonial Center and our new address is 9514D Gravelly Lake Dr. SW.

We had intended to downsize our current space and ran into some roadblocks so we ultimately decided to make the move! After 51 years in this location it was a tough choice. But...we are really excited to start fresh with a brand new space, designed and decorated exactly how we choose.

We are hoping to be open in the new space on Sept. 15th, however with permits, utilities changovers and more we are leaning more toward the following weekend....we'll see, and we'll keep you updated....

Thank you to all of our loyal customers who have been so supportive all these years in this space, we are so excited for you to see how the new one will look! Plan on visiting us sometime between the 15th and 30th of this month!