Handling: Always handle artwork with clean, dry hands or wear cotton gloves. Avoid touching painted surfaces, delicate areas, or fragile extensions. Support works from their strongest structural points.

Placement: Keep artwork away from direct sunlight, high humidity, and extreme temperature fluctuations. Avoid displaying near fireplaces, radiators, air conditioners, heating vents, windows, or in bathrooms and kitchens.

Environment: Maintain a stable environment with moderate temperature (65-75°F / 18-24°C) and relative humidity (40-55%). Use UV-filtering glass, window film, or curtains to protect against light exposure, which causes irreversible fading and deterioration.

Light Exposure: Limit exposure to both natural and artificial light. Rotate displayed works periodically or use archival storage for long-term preservation.

Dusting: Gently dust the surface with a soft, natural-hair brush (such as sable or artist's brush). Hold the painting at a slight angle so dust falls away, and brush in one direction to avoid pushing dust deeper into the surface. Avoid feather dusters or cloths, as they can snag on textured paint or leave fibers behind. Never use cleaning sprays or liquids.

Framing: Ensure your painting is professionally framed with acid-free backing materials and UV-protective glazing when appropriate. Proper framing protects the artwork and provides structural support.

Environment: Maintain stable temperature (65-75°F / 18-24°C) and relative humidity (45-55%). Avoid placement near heating vents, fireplaces, direct sunlight, or high-moisture areas like bathrooms. Extreme fluctuations can cause paint to crack, warp, or delaminate. In extreme climates, use dehumidifiers or humidifiers to maintain stability.

Inspection: Periodically check for signs of deterioration such as flaking paint, discoloration, cracking, or loose varnish. If issues arise, consult a professional conservator immediately, do not attempt DIY repairs.

Handling: Always handle with clean, dry hands or wear cotton gloves. Hold works by the edges only, never touching the surface. Paper is highly susceptible to oils, moisture, and fingerprints.

Framing: Works on paper should always be framed under UV-protective glass or acrylic with acid-free mats and backing. Use spacers to prevent the artwork from touching the glass. Never use regular glass without UV protection, as light exposure causes irreversible fading.

Cleaning: Do not dust or clean the artwork surface directly. If framed, clean only the exterior glass with a soft, lint-free cloth and glass cleaner (spray the cloth, not the glass). Never allow moisture near the artwork.

Environment: Maintain stable temperature (65-70°F / 18-21°C) and relative humidity (40-50%). Paper is extremely sensitive to humidity fluctuations, too much moisture causes mold and foxing (brown spots), while too little causes brittleness. Avoid direct sunlight, fluorescent lighting, and placement near windows or heat sources.

Storage: If unframed, store flat in acid-free folders or archival boxes. Never roll works on paper. Keep in a cool, dry, dark environment away from basements or attics.

Inspection: Check periodically for signs of foxing, discoloration, tears, or mold. If damage occurs, consult a paper conservator immediately, paper conservation requires specialized expertise.

Resin and mixed-media artworks are beautiful, dynamic, and unique, but they require specific care to preserve their appearance and longevity. Please read the following guidelines carefully to ensure your artwork remains in optimal condition.

Colour & Material Changes Over Time:

• Resin and some mixed-media materials will naturally yellow or shift in colour over time. This process is accelerated by exposure to UV light.
  
• Certain pigments, inks, or inclusions (metallic leaf, dried flowers, textured mediums) may also change subtly as the materials age. This is a normal part of the medium’s evolution.
  

Environment & Display:

• Avoid placing resin or mixed-media artworks in direct sunlight or near sources of heat or cooling, as temperature fluctuations, excessive light, or prolonged heat exposure can accelerate yellowing and cause the piece to warp, crack, or delaminate. Maintain moderate humidity levels, as high moisture or extreme dryness can also affect the stability of resin and mixed-media elements.
  

Long-Term Maintenance:

• Handle minimally and with care to preserve the integrity of layered materials.
  

Important Note:

Resin and mixed-media works are living materials in a sense, they will subtly change over time. These natural evolutions are part of what makes each piece unique, and collectors should expect and embrace these characteristics.

Handling: Always handle with clean hands or cotton gloves. Support sculptures from the base or strongest structural points; never lift by protruding elements, limbs, or delicate features. For heavy or fragile works, use two people and proper lifting techniques.

Cleaning: Dust gently with a soft, dry brush or lint-free cloth. For bronze and metal sculptures, use a soft cloth only; avoid polishes or chemical cleaners unless recommended by a conservator, as patinas are intentional and should be preserved. For stone, ceramic, or wood, dust carefully and avoid moisture. Never use water, solvents, or household cleaners without professional guidance.

Display: Place sculptures on stable, level surfaces away from high-traffic areas where they could be bumped or knocked over. Avoid direct sunlight, which can cause fading, discoloration, or material degradation (especially for painted or mixed-media works). Ensure adequate ventilation; some materials (wood, certain metals) are sensitive to humidity.

Environment: Maintain stable temperature (65-75°F / 18-24°C) and relative humidity (40-55%). Extreme humidity can cause wood to warp or crack, metal to corrode, and ceramic to develop stress fractures. Avoid placement near heating vents, fireplaces, windows, or outdoor exposure unless the work is specifically designed for exterior display.

Mounting & Security: For valuable or fragile works, consider museum-grade mounting systems or display cases. Earthquake-prone areas may require additional securing methods. Consult a professional installer for large or heavy sculptures.

Inspection: Periodically check for cracks, chips, corrosion, loose elements, or structural instability. If damage occurs, do not attempt repairs; consult a sculpture conservator, as improper restoration can diminish value and cause further harm.

Handling: Handle with clean, dry hands or cotton gloves. Hold prints by the edges only, avoiding contact with the image surface. Oils and moisture from skin can cause permanent damage and discoloration.

Framing: Always frame under UV-protective glass or museum-grade acrylic with acid-free mats and backing. UV protection is essential—photographic prints and pigment-based prints are highly susceptible to fading from light exposure. Use spacers to prevent the print from touching the glass.

Cleaning: Clean only the exterior glass or acrylic with a soft, lint-free cloth and appropriate cleaner (spray the cloth, not the glass). Never clean the print surface directly or allow moisture near the artwork.

Environment: Maintain stable temperature (65-70°F / 18-21°C) and relative humidity (30-50%). Avoid direct sunlight, bright artificial lighting, and placement near windows, heat sources, or humid areas like kitchens and bathrooms. Even indirect light can cause fading over time, rotate displayed works periodically or use archival storage for long-term preservation.

Storage: If unframed, store flat in acid-free sleeves or archival boxes in a cool, dry, dark environment. Never stack prints directly on top of each other without protective interleaving. Avoid basements, attics, or areas with temperature fluctuations.

Inspection: Periodically check for fading, discoloration, or moisture damage. If deterioration occurs, consult a photography or print conservator, different print processes (silver gelatin, chromogenic, inkjet) require specialized treatment.

If your artwork shows signs of damage, deterioration, or requires cleaning beyond light dusting, consult a qualified conservator. Visible issues such as flaking paint, discoloration, tears, cracks, mold, or structural instability require professional assessment and treatment. Attempting DIY repairs can cause irreversible damage and significantly diminish the artwork's value.

Regular inspection and timely professional intervention are essential to preserving the integrity and investment value of your collection. To find a certified conservator in your region:

• United States: American Institute for Conservation
• Canada: Canadian Association for Conservation
• United Kingdom: Institute of Conservation
• Europe: European Confederation of Conservator-Restorers' Organisations
• International: International Institute for Conservation

Disclaimer: These guidelines are provided for general informational purposes only and do not constitute professional conservation advice. For specific treatment or restoration needs, consult a certified conservator.