Save Your Pet From A Disaster Book Author Interview with Scott M. Haskins by Host Elizabeth Stewart

Posted on July 24, 2020 by Scott M. Haskins

The publishing of our book, How To Save Your Pet From A Disaster is recommended by a NY Times Top 10 Selling Author Raymond Aaron (Who has written 2 Chicken Soup for the Soul books) who submitted our manuscript for recognition and we will receive an international book-award in Toronto Canada this September 2020!

Feathered friends and fur babies guide book for essential emergency preparedness   tips. House pets are treasured members of our families and if you take care of them, they may become your therapy pet in time of need. They deserve to be protected against distressing emergencies, so be a good parent and be prepared for them too. It’s easy if you do it little at a time. You already have some of the stuff you need.

Here’s the “rub”… they can’t take care of themselves and they depend on you. Besides, in a stressful situation, what will your pet give back to you in exchange for your care and protection? Think of the comfort, love and companionship! In an emergency situation a loved pet turns into your personal therapy animal!

Preparing to keep our families safe like extra insurance, seat belts and buy a safer car seems to come natural… but, have you thought about emergency preparedness for your furry children? BTW, hustling the kids, cats, dogs and family heirlooms all into the same car at the last second will be a disaster.

Something you haven’t thought about is that in the stress and, perhaps chaos, of an emergency, your pets could be injured by other things that you are trying to save! Things that are treasured by you and your family… your house pets don’t mix well in close proximity with art, antiques and collectibles… we’ll talk about all these things that may not be covered by insurance.

Here is the evolution of the book cover which has been kind of humorous: The first graphic with the poodle is cute but it was too brown and while endearing, the age of the girl isn’t my demographic. Maybe you know that we posted the cover over 3 different social media sites and the winning opinion/vote was much more in favor of the cover with the lady (my wife Diana) with the 3 yorkies. She is more in line with the book’s targeted demographic. But the second graphic has a blue sign and a garden hose coming out of her head so we got those edited out in the 3rd graphic and changed the color of the book from brown to purple. Then my humerous-media-savy friend Ann Shaftel​ suggested, tongue in cheek, that since the title says its about saving pets from a disaster, I should have the apocalyptic-zombie-end-of-the-world scenario taking place behind in the background! So, I mocked it up but… I don’t think so! So, with a few low key tweaks, our book cover will look mostly like the 3rd with the purple color. Thanks everyone for voting and commenting. There were lots and lots of people who took notice and helped in the decision.

https://www.ProtectYourPetGuideBook.com You love your pets!! They are part of your family, mostly helpless, so this Protect Your Pet Guide Book gives you ideas to help you plan ahead. REMEMBER your fur babies and feathered friends (pets) need your help in an emergency situation!

Feel better NOW when you discover things you can do easily and have peace of mind knowing your treasured pet is more ready for a major storm or unexpected emergency. Be “pet prepared”. Remember, your pet may turn into your “therapy animal” in a disaster! 

And, also, be aware that pets and collectibles don’t mix!!  Wow… that comment seems random? But do you want your dog’s paw to go through the family portrait or the cat to pee on the ancestor’s photos?!?! Ok, then, that’s the rub of the video and the book.

Can we use this book to help you fundraise? Reach out to your membership? Ask Scott to speak. faclartdoc@gmail.com 805 564 3438

#ProtectYourPet #SaveYourPet #ScottMHaskins #EmergencyPreparedness #DisasterPlanning #Pets #Dogs #Cats #HousePets #ElizabethStewart #RadioInterview #AuthorInterview #HowToSaveYourPetFromADisaster #PetCare #SaveYourStuff #RaymondAaron #HumanResource

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Amadeo Modigliani and a couple of very entertaining adventures in my career

Posted on July 12, 2020 by Scott M. Haskins

Amedeo Modigliani is probably the most famous Italian artist of the 20th century and he was born today July 12th, 1884 in Livorno, close to Pisa. We’ve had a few “run in’s” in my art conservation career related to his work which have added to the intrigue of our art conservation detective work over the decades…

While growing up in Livorno, he developed a passion for painting from Gugliemo Micheli while still very young and was nurtured by his first teacher, maestro Giovanni Fattori, also from Livorno and one of the leaders of the internationally acclaimed plein-aire impressionists group known as the Macchiaioli.

But it was in Paris, where he went in 1906 (22 years old), that he expanded is sights and developed his characteristic style for which he became well known after his death, even internationally famous.

Neither critics nor the art market accepted Amadeo in his lifetime and in 1920 at 35 years old died without being appreciated artistically. Only other great artist’s of his time appreciated his genius. Today his works sell for many $10 millions.

The most recent “adventure” I had with Modigliani’s work was with a portrait that was inherited by the son in-law of one of the famous reality TV Kardiasian girls. Before it could be sold for what they hoped was $25 million (so they could buy a helicopter) it required, of course, that it be authenticated. I work with Modigliani expert Kenneth Wayne and here is a link for his authoritative book. Here’s the story (but once you watch this don’t forget to come back and read the other “adventure” that is written up below). Click here to see the video about the TV appearance of See Scott M. Haskins on Keeping Up With The Kardasians

Real or reproduction?

 

Another Exciting Amadeo Modigliani Art Treasure Hunt Drama

By Scott M. Haskins

Please do not publish. All rights reserved, Copyrighted 2000.

I can’t believe it was so long ago, but in 1984 it was the centennial of the birth of Amadeo Modigliani, perhaps Italy’s most famous artist of the 20th century. Italy was geared up for an all out celebration and PR campaign to tout the artist internationally… and within Italy it was a really big deal… lots of press.

One day, someone on the planning committee for this national hoopla gets the idea to follow up on a story that Amadeo, in his sculpture studio in Livorno (a town near Pisa), had thrown several carved heads into the canal behind his workshop in a fit of passion. The big idea? To dreg the canal and find the heads! It would be a spectacular find, lots of PR and they would find several unknown works by the master!

I was in Italy at the time, visiting the CNR research and analytical labs in Milano poking around the Last Supper pigment samples when this drama unfolded.

It was very exciting as the crane pulled the large scoop through the mud and guess what??!! In the process, up came four heads that were unmistakingly Modigliani! What a find! Italy went nuts. It was in all the papers, on TV, replayed a millions times.

Immediately, the committee went to five or six of the most famous art historians in Italy for confirmation that these newly found marble heads were by Modigliani. Of course, the experts had seen the heads come up out of the canal behind his studio on TV. Of course the experts were even willing to authenticate the new finds, they gave their bombastic opinions, grabbed some free publicity… all by phone.

Then they took the heads to the analytical labs for analysis to confirm the authentication and, of course, the scientists had also seen on TV the heads come out of the canal behind Modigliani’s studio and blessed them as authentic with only a cursory look. The CNR lab I was visiting had also been consulted on this find and had given them two thumbs up with only a superficial look.

I think it may have been on the nationally famous host, Mike Buongiorno’s TV talk show that they were discussing excitedly (everything was exciting on Mike Buongiorno’s talk show!) the monumental find and taking call ins. In the middle of the show, on live national TV, they get a call in from two guys that claimed that they had made three of the heads with their Black and Decker power chisel, washed them in acid and had dumped them into the canal as a joke… and they had shot of video of them doing it to prove it!

Oh my gosh… talking about stirring up a hornet’s nest! These guy’s claim spread like wild fire over the media so when Mike Buongiorno brought these two guys on his TV show and they showed the video of every step they went through including dumping the heads into the canal, ALL of Italy was watching.

You never saw so much scrambling, accusations, humming and hawing going on among art experts! The Italian art historians and analytical labs were the laughing stalk of the international art community… which is exactly why the forgers said they had done their deed; to embarrass the pompous art scholars.

But wait! That still left one other head that was probably authentic! Well, a day or so after the fire storm died down and the two forgers we not arrested, Mike Buongiorno received another phone call, while on live TV. A second party was claiming to have made the fourth head and had a video to prove it. Turns out that someone else had the same idea but was working totally independent.

The next day, in the national newspaper, The Repubblica, the following delicious ad was run by Black and Decker

Modigliani flap in Italian newspapers

“Its easy to be good with Black and Decker”

The moral of the story was underlined for me during the heated discussions at the CNR labs while I was there: If you are an expert and people depend on your expertise, ALWAYS check things out and apply your knowledge. Don’t ever assume or take other people’s (expert’s) word for it. Check out the details and give an informed decision worthy of your expertise and reputation.

I thought this ad was hilarious. I’ve got it framed in my art conservation lab to remind me to always check things out for myself when I’m asked my opinion.

So, you can imagine that I took seriously the request to look over an inherited work of art, a Modigliani hopeful, for the Kardasian family, who wanted to put the whole process on their TV program, “Keeping Up With The Kardasians.” The entertaining video clip from that episode can be found at the bottom of the list of links on this page: https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/media-room/

Here are a few more art authentication thoughts that may entertain you: https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/research-and-authentication/new-twists-on-authenticating-artwork/

Artnet magazine lead off its well written expose’ on difficulties in the Modigliani market and the issues with authenticating a Modigliani: http://news.artnet.com/people/kardashians-dreams-dashed-by-fake-modigliani-62526

Scott M. Haskins

Fine Art Conservator

Please do not publish. All rights reserved, Copyrighted 2020.

 

 

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“That’s Texas for you!” Is it the type of job… or is it me?!

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Scott M. Haskins

I had something happen to me and I’m not sure what to think about it… whether it’s odd or funny or…?

As you can see from previous posts, we are working on the side of a freeway in Grand Prairie (Dallas), Texas to save, preserve and restore perhaps the longest mural in the America. Actually, the mural is located along the on ramps and off ramps and in the underpass of Belt Line Rd at the I-30.

So, we’re working away as the traffic is getting off the freeway and is having to stop at the signal. This means, of course, they get to sit and watch us work and we get to listen to their music blare. We get honks of acknowledgment and lots of people with big smiles and thumbs up.

But, given the 1,000s of cars, I’ve only had  four people roll down their windows and strike up a conversation while they’re waiting in line. Interestingly, they were all four each driving beat up pick up trucks, were very supportive of our work to restore the mural, seemed positive minded and all of them were somewhere in their 60s with long gray beards and they all four spoke with a strong “Texan Twang.” Basically, they were not slaves to fashion and drove whatever the hell they wanted!

They were all very pleasant and I enjoyed the chitchat with them. But as they were all the same stereo-type driver I wondered what it is about the work or about me that attracts hillbillies! lol… I thought it was strange if not funny that a certain type of free spirit would want to engage me.

I told the story to the city official who is overseeing our work and with a smile and half a giggle she said, “That’s Texas for you!” Another funny thing, I’ve heard that expression several times in the last week since we got here whenever something kind-of odd happens, LOL.

I’m wondering, is it me (a vibe I transmit)? If it is, that’s ok. I like to be respectful and on friendly terms with the natives.

Scott M. Haskins working on restoring freeway murals

Haven’t read about the freeway mural conservation project? Click here: https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/murals/mural-restoration-experts-from-facl-conserve-longest-mural-in-usa-located-in-grand-prairie-dallas-texas/

Call to discuss your questions:

Scott M. Haskins, Virginia Panizzon, Oriana Montemurro Art Conservators

805 564 3438

faclofficemanager@gmail.com

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Mural Restoration Experts From FACL Conserve Longest Mural in USA, Located in Grand Prairie, Dallas, Texas

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Scott M. Haskins

One of the biggest works of art in the USA is right here in Grand Prairie, in plain view. In fact, you may have driven past it and not really known much about this iconic public work of art in the Dallas Area that is now getting some love after 17 years of severe exposure to the elements and car exhaust. (see video at end of this article)

The environmental-prairie-themed mural is located along the Interstate 30 on the walls of the underpass of Belt Line Rd. that was painted in 2003-2004 by local artist Tommy Weddle to commemorate the Breeder’s Cup Thoroughbred Horse Race at Lone Star Park in 2003.

The mural, painted directly on the walls of concrete with sign paint, spans 2,400 linear feet (a ½ mile) and depicts prairie scenes and wetlands from the city’s frontier days. It was a gargantuan undertaking.

The fine art mural depicts very high quality beautiful images of groups of wolves, deer, bison, cranes and, of course, horses… now faded, grimy, peeling, hazy, dried-out, graffitied, and tired.

One would think that the accumulation of 17 years of auto exhaust, dust etc would require hard-scrubbing removal techniques… or perhaps some detergent or solvents, but its not that simple. Because of the badly deteriorated varnish from many years ago, whatever is used to clean the exhaust, also damages the original paint, a no- no in the professional mural conservation profession.

Knowing the quality and value of the public art, the Grand Prairie City Hall held out to find the right expert for a quality mural restoration job, yet were extremely frugal when spending tax-payer’s money.

Scott M. Haskins with Denver Dillon, Conservation Tech.

At the writing of this article, nationally renown mural conservation expert, Scott M. Haskins from California-based Fine Art Conservation Laboratories (FACL) is undertaking with his team the mural restoration work which will focus on saving, preserving and restoring the original art of Tommy Weddle. This requires stabilizing the flaking paint and previous varnish which is now in bad shape.

Contrary to common thought, restoration of the mural does not include repainting, another huge professional no-no when conserving historical art.

The painting restoration work will also include recoating with superior quality varnish that was not available a decade or so ago and has been vetted for use on outdoor freeway murals by over 3 decades of tests and trials by the Department of Cultural Affairs in Los Angeles (they like to call themselves the mural capitol of the world) and the California highway maintenance department, CalTrans. The varnish will protect the mural against the elements and graffiti, saturate the colors and give the mural some “pop and pizzazz” again.

Haskins and his company FACL were also the team entrusted with the uncovering and restoration of the 8,000 sq. ft of murals on the Centennial and Food and Fiber Buildings in Fair Park back at the beginning of the 1999-2002. Mr. Haskins is not a stranger to Dallas or to saving and preserving big artwork! He has also been involved with the conservation treatments on important murals in Houston, for the Texas State University and for WPA murals is several small West Texas towns.

This project at Belt Line and I-30 is expected to lead to traffic delays and lane closures on the on and off ramps through March 15, according to Grand Prairie police.

Tommy Weddle, the artist was born on April 14, 1947 and passed away on Monday, January 23, 2017.

Tommy Weddle, Artist of Grand Prairie Mural

Click on this link to see the website of  Fine Art Conservation Laboratories

See FACL’s Capability Statement (past projects): https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/mural/

See the “Media Room” for Scott M. Haskins and FACL: https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/media-room/

For more info contact

Scott M. Haskins, Virginia Panizzon, Oriana Montemurro Art Conservators

805 564 3438

faclofficemanager@gmail.com

Many thanks to James Dunbar from Hydrobrite who was great to work with                                           and did an exceptional job. Call 214 232 3575

 

Our sincere thanks for the excellent service and quality products of RainGuard who provided the protective varnish and anti-graffiti layer. Call 949 515 8800

Julie Stephenson, Art Conservator from Santa Fe has worked on projects with FACL for 20 years

News Coverage was enthusiastic and made multiple visits for updates.

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WPA Murals On US Postage Stamps A Weird Idea

Posted on March 5, 2020 by Scott M. Haskins

As you read this, our team is working to preserve and restore an “environmental mural” painted on the side of a freeway that is 1/2 mile long!!! (not the freeway, the mural!) in Grand Prairie, Texas (Dallas – more on this next week).

Which got me thinking how weird- stupid it is to take a picture of a mural… which is a giant painting… and shrink it down to an US postage stamp! Artwork created to be huge, shrunk down to postage stamp size! But then I was thinking…

If you lick the stamp and stick it on a wall… its a mural again!!! That’s twisted.

Fine Art murals funded by the Works Project Administration during the 1930s are one of our favorite types of historic paintings to save, preserve and restore. I’ve worked on the preservation and restoration of more than a dozen… maybe two dozen… WPA (Depression Era) murals over the last 40 years all over the USA.

Here’s a quick vid of mural conservation work done on WPA public library murals for the City of Long Beach CA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJJ7C7edoLs

A WPA mural in West Texas was saved from the demolition of an antiquated US Post office, preserved, restored and reinstalled into a community building. In fact, I was a bit nostalgic when we drove to Dallas for the project we are actually undertaking at this moment and we drove through Lamesa where this mural is located, The Horse Breakers by Fletcher Martin 1939: https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/travel/cowboy-rodeo-wpa-mural-to-be-removed-conservation-consultation-and-restoration-in-lamesa-texas/

We look forward to discussing with you your project!

Click here for a video of examples of several different kinds of mural removal projects: https://youtu.be/9iOiL2urctM

For more information on our background experience with murals click here: https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/mural/

For testimonials, click here: https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/testimonials/(some mural testimonials towards the bottom of the page)

Questions? Call Scott M. Haskins

805 564 3438 

faclartdoc@gmail.com

#WPAMurals  #NewDealArt  #DepressionEraArt, #RegionalismArt  #ArtConservation #MuralConservation  #ArtRestoration  #MuralRestoration  #HistoricPreservation

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Protecting The Kobe Bryant Memorial Mural 2020 With An Anti-Graffiti Coating

Posted on February 26, 2020 by Scott M. Haskins

I was in downtown Los Angeles this morning for the memorial of Kobe Bryant and to inaugurate the completion of a memorial mural of Kobe by renowned artist Paul Daniels​. A couple of weeks ago the artist brought us on to his team to consult about techniques and materials for outdoor murals and how to protect it from vandalism. Here’s a short video about this mural:

I’ve written before about applying the anti-graffiti varnish designated by the Department of Cultural Affairs of Los Angeles for outdoor murals. Actually, in the last month, that particular varnish (GCP 1000) is not compliant with new CA law and is now out of production. But, that varnish was not the only aliphatic polyurethane varnish sold for anti-graffiti purposes. I’ll comment in another article the claims of the manufacturer of superiority, especially when considering the art conservation standards for works of art.

I’ve also commented here in this blog and published articles far and wide, over the years, that I have seen some techniques of painting and types of varnish hold up better during maintenance and cleanup of graffiti or even after being painted out and then re-cooped! These had mostly to do with freeway murals in Los Angeles.

With the extra thick application of the anti-graffiti varnish, we are prepared for the best situation possible to remove grafiti in the future. As an example, let me tell you about a mural on Balboa Island, Newport. The 10’ x 15‘ mural is at street level and in a very high pedestrian traffic area. It was coated with a similar varnish product to the type we will use (which is now out of production). Actually, the product we are using is higher quality. Local senior citizens keep an eye on the mural and when it gets tagged (at least monthly) they immediately come out with Goo-be-gone and scrub it off. I inspected the mural many years after its creation and the application of the anti-graffiti varnish and I was amazed at how good it looked.

The anti-graffiti varnish type we applied is vetted and designated by the Department of Cultural Affairs of Los Angeles and Caltrans for outdoor murals. Diligence in removing inscriptions and graffiti on the part of maintenance personnel at the hotel will ensure that your mural remains more attractive and cleaner as this will discourage many other taggers.

Washing the mural with a hose or using detergents etc will damage the varnish and cause it to cloud or get hazy. Each repeated washing will compound the problem. 

For questions, call Fine Art Conservation Laboratories at 805 564 3438 faclofficemanager@gmail.com

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Preparing for the Henrietta Berk Retrospective at the Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University

Posted on February 24, 2020 by Scott M. Haskins

The Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University has collaborated with Steven Stern Fine Art and Fine Art Conservation Laboratories to present the fabulously wonderful Post WWII Abstract Expressionist Bay Area artwork for the Henrietta Berk Retrospective, which end Sat. Jan. 15th, 2022.

Here is a short intro video:

It is, essentially, the rediscovery and relaunch of the reputation of an exceptional artist and over the last few years, FACL, Inc. has been excited… even thrilled to be included in the art conservation preparation of the body of work for an exciting upcoming exhibition and publication!

Henrietta Berk (1919 – 1990) painted mostly in oil on canvas and loved strong colors. She attended the California School of Arts and Crafts in Oakland from 1955-1959 where she studied with and was held in high regard by Richard Deibenkorn and Harry Krell. The resulting painterly avant-garde style allowed her to be a well-considered part of a Bay area group of artists in the 1960s. Though these were challenging times given the difficulties for women breaking out of society’s set roles for them, she sold 1,000s of paintings and exhibited actively.

A retrospective exhibit of her work will open at the Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University June 13th, 2020 organized with the collaboration of by Steven Stern Fine Arts. A major book on her work is authored by Debra Solon.

Its been a thrill for Fine Art Conservation Laboratories to be the exerts that, physically, preserve this artwork for the next generations and to work with the consummate professionals that have gathered her work and relaunched the reputation of this exceptional artist.

Work by 1960s artist Henrietta Berk can be discussed with Steven Stern Fine Arts located at 2525 Main St. in Santa Monica, CA. stevensternfinearts@gmail.com

Painting restoration / conservation questions call Scott M. Haskins and Virginia Panizzon at 805 564 3438 faclofficemanager@gmail.com

#HenriettaBerk #HilbertMuseum #HilbertMuseumOfCaliforniaArt #FineArtConservationLaboratories #ScottMHaskins #VirginiaPanizzon #FACL #AbstractExpressionism #ChapmanUniversity #DebraSolon #StevenSternFineArts #SteveStern #GeorgeSternFineArts #InvestmentArt #ArtConservation #ArtRestoration #PaintingConservation #PaintingRestoration

 

 

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Preservation Houston Award for Mural Conservation Treatments of Historic National Treasure in 2020

Posted on February 20, 2020 by Scott M. Haskins

The restoration of the John Biggers mural at the Blue Triangle Community Center in Houston Texas received the Good Brick Award for excellence in historic preservation. The mural conservation treatments by Fine Art Conservation Laboratories, which saved the badly damaged mural work, was recognized during the presentation. Preservation Houston Executive Director, David Bush, produced an a/v program also highlighting the mural restoration efforts and credits.

The high profile mural conservation efforts were discussed and monitored at the highest levels of historic preservation professional circles, even in Washington DC. The mural conservation treatments and the quality of results was applauded by consultants and professionals within the Houston Museum of Fine Arts systems, from the board of directors of the Blue Triangle Community Center, and among historic preservation proponents in Washington DC.

This project was funded by the Houston Fine Arts Museum, Blue Triangle Multi-Cultural Community Center, Houston Endowment, National Endowment for the Humanities, Texas Historical Commission, The Kinder Foundation, Preservation Houston.

For more on the saving of this national treasure go to: https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/murals/mural-conservation-of-the-contribution-of-negro-women-in-american-life-and-education-a-national-treasure-in-houston-tx/

To support the very worthy efforts of the Blue Triangle Community Center go to: http://www.the-bluetriangle.org

If you would like to know more about our background in mural

restoration:

For our mural capability statement:

https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/mural/

For our mural consultation statement:

https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/consultations/

Our mural conservation videos on YouTube at

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE1FF71CC598A8E79

For general mural conservation capabilities videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld4l6EG8T-I&index=13&list=PLE1FF71CC598A8E79

Scott M. Haskins  805 570 4140    faclartdoc@gmail.com

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Keith Haring and Banksy in the House!! Saving, Preserving, Restoring, Conserving Street “Art?”

Posted on February 6, 2020 by Scott M. Haskins

One of the other street/graffiti artists that is well known besides Banksy is Keith Haring. We just had a paste-up come into the lab for preservation treatments (it doesn’t really need much in the way of “restoration”). It was obviously authenticated, having been sold in a public sale, I believe. If you’ve followed this Facebook page of our art conservation activities for awhile, you’ve seen our work with street art and contemporary artists. In fact, I’ll be speaking at the Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara on February 19th

Keith Haring Paste-up

A long time associate of ours in contemporary art is speaking on Keith Haring. Will Shank and Antonio Rava are highly experienced conservators who work on large scale artworks all over the world. They are visiting Melbourne to consult on the complex conservation issues of the Collingwood Keith Haring Mural. They will speak about the technical, ethical and community issues in the conservation of indoor wall paintings, murals and street art. Examples of artworks they have worked on in the USA, Italy, Spain, other parts of Europe, China and Cambodia will be discussed as well as Will’s work with the Rescue Public Murals initiative. https://events.unimelb.edu.au/events/14090-conservation-of-wall-paintings-murals-and-street-art-an?fbclid=IwAR01F9z6hdfab4MGBb7_nF8ebxHkxr857ZKgIF8iIwXntusOaVLf9mTyXnI

Also in the lab at the moment is an iconic rat by Banksy that is the featured start of the feature movie “Saving Banksy: https://movietimes.com/movies/saving-banksy?city&state&fbclid=IwAR3156XNnvn2sPSlaKBwfXrD0p9i086Ym03ylUR4qAVdceVVYnaK71zRS4Y

Scott M. Haskins will be speaking on: Saving and Restoring Contemporary Paintings Featured Expert Speaker Event at Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB)  February 19, 2020 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
For general info about the event, https://www.mcasantabarbara.org/event/science-talk-scott-m-haskins-saving-and-restoring-contemporary-paintings/?event_date=2020-02-12

General Inquiries
T 805.966.5373

Museum of Contemporary Art Santa Barbara (MCASB)
Paseo Nuevo Upper Arts Terrace
653 Paseo Nuevo
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
MCASB is located above Eureka. Use the tiled stairs facing Chapala Street to access the Paseo Nuevo Upper Arts Terrace. https://www.mcasantabarbara.org/visit/

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Art restoration in Pasadena, CA of a gorgeous garden mural of a peacock and flowers

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Scott M. Haskins

Expert painting restoration treatments saved a gorgeous outdoor mural in Pasadena CA (Los Angeles area) this week… and the mural isn’t even that old. Painted in 2004, the mural was painted onto a covered garden wall over a paint layer that wasn’t stable. So, once again, contemporary art is more temporary art than it should be due to the lack of knowledge and craftsmanship of the artist.

But it is a gorgeous painting of a peacock in a garden setting that most anyone would love to have on their wall in the garden. The surrounding features in this garden makes the whole “art presentation” very special and zen-like. Bougainvillea surrounds the mural which also has the flowering vine depicted and the receding perspective that takes your eye back into the distance makes the mural look like a passageway into another part of a manicured garden.

Here is the quick 1 minute video of the treatments to save the mural that was peeling off the wall:

Most often, cases of flaking paint are caused by maintenance problems… which are totally avoidable! And given that this disintegration of the painting is the fault of the poor craftsmanship of the artist, this instance was too avoidable. But, now, what to do?!

The mural conservation treatments should at a minimum include the injection of conservation quality adhesives in order to consolidate (stabilize) the flaking. Then local applications of heat are used to set the adhesive and relax the paint layers so that they go back into plane. As this painting cracked, the paint pulled apart and the cracks in the paint opened up. So, to make them disappear, they would need to be filled and then inpainted. And finally, since this painting has a thick layer of varnish, then complete revarnish was considered important.

One of our blog readers, Anne, imagining similar problems on her paintings she owns, ask having been in a distressing situation, asked on September 30th: “What if a painting has a few small holes in it…is it repairable? And how does one find an art auction catalog of an item if there are numbers, letters/words on back of canvas? And if one likes their painting, how much would it cost to repair holes in a canvas? Does the flaking/some chipping matter? If someone wanted to buy it, wouldn’t they rather see it in such a state and find their own restorer?”

“Once I sent pics of my painting and they said it was a reproduction but I hardly believed that their computer anaylsis of my painting was correct when even their Biography of the artist was not correct. Shame shame…this was a waste of time and money. Anyway, I need to find provenance no matter what.

Here is my answer:

All good questions Anne. Here are the answers:

  1. What if a painting had a few small holes in it…is it repairable? Yes, and you have two choices, usually: a. stabilize the problems but don’t work on problems that are only aesthetic (cleaning or inpainting) and b. do the conservation work to make the damage disappear.
  2. And how does one find an art auction catalog of an item if there are numbers, letters/words on back of canvas? Sometimes the numbers are not from an auction. The numbers could be a collector or artist’s inventory, a shipping ID or? If you KNOW that the number relates to an auction sale, then you can call the main auction houses and inquire if the numbers and abels are theirs, talk to the painting specialist and ask for some coaching.
  3. If one likes their painting, how much would it cost to repair holes in a canvas? How big of holes, how many, how much paint in missing, how big is the painting and other questions influence the cost. A ball park can be given from a photo but the solid estimate can only be given from looking at the actual artwork.
  4. Does the flaking/some chipping matter? Yes, it usually means the condition is unstable and more damage/loss is forthcoming. Stabilizing the structure of the flaking is the highest priority. Making it LOOK better, is secondary. If you don’t stabilize the deterioration, you’ll be throwing money away.
  5. If someone wanted to buy it, wouldn’t they rather see it in such a state and find their own restorer? The very experienced collectors and dealers usually have their own conservator to consult. Most “regular” collectors, however, like to buy their artwork already looking wonderful. Also consider that if a painting looks damaged or is ugly condition-wise, these will be reasons that the buyer will use to beat up the seller for a lower price. I see this scenario everyday.
  6. Some opinions can be given off of a photo but the most accurate opinion will be from the “expert” seeing the artwork first hand.

Did I answer all your questions? Thanks for leaving comments. I encourage everyone to stay plugged in.

Scott M. Haskins

If you would like to know more about our background in mural

restoration:

For our mural capability statement:

https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/mural/

For our mural consultation statement:

https://www.fineartconservationlab.com/consultations/

Our mural conservation videos on YouTube at

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE1FF71CC598A8E79

For general mural conservation capabilities videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld4l6EG8T-I&index=13&list=PLE1FF71CC598A8E79

So, that should give you plenty to go through. Feel free to call me or

write back if you have more questions:

Scott M. Haskins 805 570 4140    faclartdoc@gmail.com

Posted in Murals | Tagged | Comments Off on Art restoration in Pasadena, CA of a gorgeous garden mural of a peacock and flowers