Category Archives: In Lab

Maynard Dixon Painting Restoration, Art Conservation

Recently, a wonderful cowboy painting by Maynard Dixon was rediscovered after being hid away from the public for the last 110 years. It was found by super sluth art dealer Steven Stern Fine Arts. Here is a quick 2min. video … Continue reading

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William Sargent Kendall’s “The Artist’s Wife and Daughters” in the lab for Art Conservation Treatments

by Oriana Montemurro, Art Conservator In Stones of Venice John Ruskin wrote, “what we want art to do for us is to stay what is fleeting. Immortalize the things that have no duration.” In large part, that is what has … Continue reading

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Cleaning a Painting – A discovery process and the “unknown factor”

When I got this Victorian 1880’s oil painting from a friend/client (Thom Gianetto at Edenhurst Gallery) I thought the yellowed varnish would be an easy/quick, safe (for the painting) removal. After 40 years of cleaning paintings, you would think that … Continue reading

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Ripped Painting’s Damage Evaluation and Repair Proposal -Good info for art collectors and fine art insurance adjusters-

You will find it interesting… and USEFUL… to read over an evaluation I wrote for a claim on a damaged painting. Some details and names have been eliminated of course. The other day, I inspected a painting to evaluate the … Continue reading

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“Restored” Painting of Christ in Spain – “Behold, the Monkey!”

Isn’t there a movie or skit of Mr. Bean cleaning and then retouching a painting?! I never thought we’d see the real deal. Last week as this story leaked out onto the international news networks, I began having people mention … Continue reading

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Santa Barbara News Press Lifestyle Sunday Section Interview with Marilyn McMahon

I had a nice couple of hours with Marilyn McMahon, Santa Barbara News Press Staff writer extraordinaire, today in office at Fine Art Conservation Laboratories. She has been writing interviews and profiles for the Lifestyle section of the newspaper for … Continue reading

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Long Lost Edgar Payne Sierra Lake Scene Found- 2B Shown at LA Art Show

George Stern as been on the hunt! Look what he found just prior to the LA Art Show… its never been seen, worked on (cleaned or restored) or been on the market. Here’s what it looked like when it was … Continue reading

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Clean a Painting by William Wendt – Most Colorful Wendt You’ve Ever Seen? George Stern Finds Treasure

William Wendt’s (1865-1946) paintings were often produced with a predominately green appearance or predominately brown. So, is this the most colorful painting you’ve ever seen by Wendt? Leave a comment below. George Stern found this painting at the last minute … Continue reading

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Two Testimonials Received Today for Art Conservation and Painting Restoration Services

For those of you who have not done business with FACL, Inc. YET, let me share with you these two testimonials that we received today: “We have trusted FACL in Santa Barbara since 2002 with all our work, especially with … Continue reading

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Cleaning A Layer Of Nicotine Yellow Off A Painting – Case in Point, Delirium Flesh by David Mann

I’m delivering this back to its owner tomorrow. He’ll be thrilled to see the wonderful colors “back.” He really loves this print/giclee. It goes well with his Harley. This was a case when the love justifies the price even though … Continue reading

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