Frequently asked questions

Conservation is the broader professional discipline: it includes examination, documentation, preventive care, and treatment, carried out with reversible materials under a professional code of ethics. Restoration refers to treatment that returns a work closer to its original appearance. Our studio practices conservation, which includes restoration.

Call us at 713-426-0191 before doing anything else. Do not attempt to dry, clean, or separate anything — well-intended first aid is one of the most common causes of further damage. Damage inquiries are prioritized — call us for the fastest response — and we can coordinate with your insurer.

No — we strongly advise against it. Home methods such as bread, potato, saliva, or household cleaners can permanently damage paint and varnish layers. Discolored varnish is removed safely with solvents selected and tested for each individual painting, which is a core part of a conservator’s training.

Keep paintings away from direct sunlight, fireplaces, kitchens, and bathrooms, and avoid attics and garages where temperature and humidity swing widely — in Houston’s climate, stable air conditioning matters more than most owners realize. Dust lightly with a clean, soft, dry brush; never use sprays, cleaners, or water. If you notice flaking, cracking, or mold, stop dusting and contact a conservator.

It begins with contact — through our website form or by phone — and we respond as soon as possible to schedule the earliest appointment for an examination. The painting is examined under raking light and ultraviolet light, with X-radiography arranged as necessary, and you receive a written condition report and treatment proposal. Treatment begins only on your approval, is documented throughout, and concludes with a final report and care recommendations for the future.

Yes — the studio specializes in oil and acrylic paintings on canvas and panel, from Old Masters to contemporary works. For works on paper, objects, textiles, and frames, we are glad to refer you to trusted colleagues in those specialties.

Yes — the studio operates by appointment so that a conservator can give your painting proper attention. Contact us through the form or by phone at 713-426-0191 to arrange a visit at 1236 Studewood St in Houston.

Yes — collectors and institutions across Texas and beyond regularly ship works to the studio. Please contact us before shipping so we can advise on packing, carriers, and receiving arrangements.

Call us before you load the painting — 713-426-0191. The safest method depends on the painting’s size, condition, and construction, and we would rather spend two minutes advising you than treat a transit damage. For large, fragile, or high-value works we can recommend professional art handlers.

It varies with the painting’s condition and the treatment required — from days for a minor treatment to several months for complex structural work. We provide a time frame with the written proposal and keep you informed as work progresses.

Treatment costs depend on the painting’s size, condition, and the time the work requires, so we prepare a written estimate after examining the painting. A preliminary review of photographs is free, and there is no obligation to proceed after an examination. Deadlines, such as an exhibition or sale date, can also affect cost.

Yes — most damage we treat developed slowly and invisibly: varnish discoloring, tears propagating, flaking that starts behind the frame edge. A periodic condition review catches these while they are small and inexpensive to address, and it keeps documentation current for insurance and estate purposes. Think of it as routine care rather than emergency medicine.

Yes. We provide ongoing collection care for private collectors, institutions, and corporate collections — periodic condition surveys, environmental recommendations, documentation, and priority treatment when something needs attention. Contact us to discuss a care program shaped around your collection.

Yes. We examine paintings for purchase, loan, and sale, and prepare written condition reports. Timelines for auction previews are often short — contact us as early as possible and we will do our best to accommodate the schedule.

Yes. We prepare condition and damage reports, document treatment, and provide estimates in the format insurers and adjusters require. We have worked with owners and insurers on claims involving water, fire, smoke, and accidental damage.

No. Appraisal and authentication are separate professions with their own standards and credentials. We provide condition reports and technical examination that can support an appraiser’s or researcher’s work, and we are glad to refer you to qualified appraisers.

Professional, documented, reversible treatment is generally regarded favorably in the market, and unaddressed damage or amateur restoration is generally regarded unfavorably. We cannot provide appraisals or valuations — for those we recommend a qualified appraiser — but we document every treatment so the painting’s history is clear.