C
Cliff Wilson
Guest
Woman comes in with an old pastel. Mold spores on it in about 6 places.
We call in my local conservator. Good guy. Knows what he's doing. He gives her a quote of about $300. She, of course, freaks out. Wanted to spend about that much WITH a rematting and mounting job. (reuse the not bad frame)
The matting and mounting comes to just over $200 (includes a fillet). With all kinds of caveats and "I could totally ruin it!" disclaimers, I agree to give it a try.
I don't have an aspirator (right word? a soft gentle vacume device?), so, I disassemble it outdoors and use a VERY soft brush to gently remove the mold spores. Then I retouch 2 places (this is why I agreed to it! I paint with pastels and I was itching to see if I could do this!) Total time about 1/2 hour. Charged her $50.
BUT, it was one of the most nerve racking things I've done! every step you feel like you could ruin the piece! Wouldn't want to do this on a regular basis! Won't do it again.
Customer was thrilled. Had a couple of local artists in and they couldn't find where I did my work, so I guess I did ok.
I warned her that although you couldn't see any mold now, there was probably some dormant and she should not keep it in a moist or warm environment. She said it would be in an air conditioned house. We'll see.
This is something I am glad I did ONCE!
We call in my local conservator. Good guy. Knows what he's doing. He gives her a quote of about $300. She, of course, freaks out. Wanted to spend about that much WITH a rematting and mounting job. (reuse the not bad frame)
The matting and mounting comes to just over $200 (includes a fillet). With all kinds of caveats and "I could totally ruin it!" disclaimers, I agree to give it a try.


I don't have an aspirator (right word? a soft gentle vacume device?), so, I disassemble it outdoors and use a VERY soft brush to gently remove the mold spores. Then I retouch 2 places (this is why I agreed to it! I paint with pastels and I was itching to see if I could do this!) Total time about 1/2 hour. Charged her $50.
BUT, it was one of the most nerve racking things I've done! every step you feel like you could ruin the piece! Wouldn't want to do this on a regular basis! Won't do it again.

Customer was thrilled. Had a couple of local artists in and they couldn't find where I did my work, so I guess I did ok.

I warned her that although you couldn't see any mold now, there was probably some dormant and she should not keep it in a moist or warm environment. She said it would be in an air conditioned house. We'll see.
This is something I am glad I did ONCE!