Audrey Levins
MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Hey Grumblers!
Question here. I had a woman come in yesterday with an obviously old pastel of a small boy. The paper is yellowed, and covered in acid burns from the cardboard behind it--it has no mat--and I can already predict the ghosting on the glass. It's not in good shape at all.
Well, she asked me if one of my co-workers was there, and I told her no, he only works weekdays. She THEN proceeded to tell me that last time she'd worked with him on a "similar piece," he had "worked miracles," i.e., removed the mold, spots, and "touched it up" for her.
Now, I know for a fact that this co-worker has no more idea how to remove acid burns from a piece than I do, and if he did indeed "touch it up" I want to know how and why!
I told her that only a professional conservator is qualified to improve the condition of her piece--that all we as framers can do is see that it isn't damaged any further.
She insisted, very impatiently, that my co-worker had "worked miracles" and that I should just give the piece to him. What could I say? I told her I'd take the piece and give it to my co-worker on Monday, and have him give her a call.
Now what would you all do in such a situation? Would you have argued further with her, or just taken the piece like I did? And although I work tomorrow, and I intend to ask him, what on EARTH do you suppose he did to her other piece? I haven't taken the pastel apart yet, but it's obvious to me that what it needs is beyond a framer's help.
Any observations would be appreciated.
Frankly I'm baffled.
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I don't care what color your sofa is.
Question here. I had a woman come in yesterday with an obviously old pastel of a small boy. The paper is yellowed, and covered in acid burns from the cardboard behind it--it has no mat--and I can already predict the ghosting on the glass. It's not in good shape at all.
Well, she asked me if one of my co-workers was there, and I told her no, he only works weekdays. She THEN proceeded to tell me that last time she'd worked with him on a "similar piece," he had "worked miracles," i.e., removed the mold, spots, and "touched it up" for her.
Now, I know for a fact that this co-worker has no more idea how to remove acid burns from a piece than I do, and if he did indeed "touch it up" I want to know how and why!
I told her that only a professional conservator is qualified to improve the condition of her piece--that all we as framers can do is see that it isn't damaged any further.
She insisted, very impatiently, that my co-worker had "worked miracles" and that I should just give the piece to him. What could I say? I told her I'd take the piece and give it to my co-worker on Monday, and have him give her a call.
Now what would you all do in such a situation? Would you have argued further with her, or just taken the piece like I did? And although I work tomorrow, and I intend to ask him, what on EARTH do you suppose he did to her other piece? I haven't taken the pastel apart yet, but it's obvious to me that what it needs is beyond a framer's help.
Any observations would be appreciated.
------------------
I don't care what color your sofa is.