Temporary excitement! The painting cleaner/restorers delivered 6 of my 50 or so paintings that needed to be cleaned after the fire. Insurance paid to have them removed from the frames, vacuumed and wiped. A few days after the fire I was told the paintings must go to these restorers in Newton, even though I said surely I can clean them myself. We waited and waited for the pick up, insurance payout and cleaning. I was so excited to get some of them yesterday. Last night Joe and I nailed them up only to have our fingers marked with soot or residue from the smoke. Not what we expected.Joe and I put Miles to Go Before I Sleep with myself surrounded by favorite artists, painted in their own styles, over the dining room table in our temporary housing. Several tables in the dining room now, with plenty of company! We draped Bounce sheets on the hanging wire, not to cover the hint of smoke smell, but maybe to neutralize the odor somehow. Seems to work a bit. The company said they can't ozone the paintings because it lightens the colors. I might risk it. They didn't feel they could remove canvas. Huh? The company volunteered to try again, but I want my paintings now! Maybe the next paintings will be cleaned better.
Finding more soot was not a thrill. A simple swipe along the edge of the painting to the frame seemed so easy to accomplish at minimum?...a wipe with white cloth over the painting gave a brown cast to cloth. What to do. And they recommended varnishing my paintings...over this? Maybe to cut the action? Smoke is damaging. Much to learn. Google!
I will see what I can find out at the museum.
The restoration or lack thereof...so annoying. You'd think that the restoration 'experts?' would be wiping and wiping. How hard could that be? You are right to hope the next batch will be more expertly finished. The paintings shown do look so right where you displayed them.
ReplyDeleteYes, I am incredulous. How hard could it be. But I am new to the field.
DeleteLinda, it seems to me that you've been "had"! If those paintings had supposedly been cleaned, but yet you could still wipe off soot....it seems obvious to me that this company did NOT really clean them! You and the insurance company have been had! I'd keep the cloths used to wipe off the soot and show them to the company that supposedly cleaned them. That is simply criminal, in my book! Even so, I was so happy to see the paintings in their new but temporary home!
ReplyDeleteOh, no. Nothing is easy, is it? Don't give up - these need to be properly cleaned. I hope the museum has some answers. Grrr.....
ReplyDeleteright on target...nothing is easy hahahahahahahahahahahaha
DeleteNothing is easy but you have a way of making it fun anyway! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteIt looks wonderful! Katherine B-B
ReplyDelete"Press on regardless!" Wendy W K
ReplyDeleteKeep painting the life you see! PawPaw
ReplyDelete...and I love the piano--always learning! Trilla
ReplyDeletewow fantastic! Paula Brown
ReplyDeleteSo great that you were able to rescue some of your precious work heartbreaking that so much was lost I cannot imagine Adrienne
ReplyDeletesorry two people couldn't post via Anonymous...
ReplyDeleteOh, rats! I commented, clicked "publish" and it didn't. So glad you have the paintings again- suggest you get the company to give you cloths since they didn't finish the job and that you carefully try it yourself. Sherron S.
ReplyDelete“It is appalling that this company did such a poor job on your fine artwork. I know you will be able to find a solution!" Donna Jean
ReplyDeleteI am sure the company will stand by their work.
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