I have a new framing project, and of course about 10 delayed framing projects!…read more
I had noticed Luke's adjacent to the Albina Press Cafe, which was in a previous life, the seminal Tidbit Gallery.
I know a lot about framing. One of the decisions to me made is mounting, how do you attach the artwork to a backing, the mounting board? Then, of course, what is your choice of the mounting board?
For works on paper you want to preserve for more than a generation in a frame, you need all the materials in contact with the artwork to be acid-free. And for future generations, you need the mounting to be reversible.
For the most valuable works, mounting is done with acid-free Japanese rice paper hinges adhered with acid-free glue, like methyl cellulose. Usually that goes by the name museum framing or conservation framing. I've done that for some one-of-a-kind altered photos by a now deceased artist. I studied conservation framing by reading a book from the Portland Art Museum Library. https://www.yelp.com/biz/crumpacker-family-library-portland
For a mid-level artwork, un-editioned from a YBA, based on my research on framing, I chose KoolTack. It is acid free and relatively reversible. Luke's is one of the few shops that has it.
Luke's was able to match the size and matte to a similar piece in my collection so now they can sit together in the same style-frame.
When I picked up the work, the more senior framer pointed out the particular matte I chose is prone to scratching, and helped carefully load the wrapped mounted artwork and matte into my vehicle.
Where the -1 comes in is handling the artwork. For my own framing adventures, and for collectable books, I bought art-handling cotton gloves in bulk. Even if you wash your hands after eating that cheeseburger, your hands have oil on them. That is why we leave fingerprints. It is hard to clean fingerprints off art. So wear cotton gloves! When I bought them in bulk they were about fifty cents a pair. I probably have a more than 10 year supply. I keep them in a zip lock bag between uses.
I was surprised their junior employee did not use gloves handling the artwork.
It should be obvious to staff to use gloves on any glossy artwork, photographs to your prized poster, which will record fingerprints. And the same for matte artworks.
On pickup I asked the senior employee about it. They said it is optional, but you can request it. I'll do that in the future!
They have a computer system that plans and previews the matte, schedules the work, and then notifies you by text and email when to pick up the finished project. That worked well.
For people interested, there are many books on conservation framing, preserving books, and even storage of wedding dresses with acid-free materials.
For up through mid-level artworks on paper, and paintings with easier mounting requirements, Luke's does a fine job, with reasonable turnaround, at an average price.
