8206 Cantrell Road
across from Pavilion in the Park
501-224-1335
cantrellgallery@sbcglobal.net
Monday-Saturday • 10:00-5:00, or by appointment • 8206 Cantrell Road • Little Rock AR 72227 Map & Driving Directions
Featured Artist - CiCi Davidson
Framing
Find out why serious collectors and museums select Cantrell Gallery to be their custom framer. Let Helen, Cindy and Clarke help you with designing and creating custom framing, using the highest quality materials available.
When you have acquired a piece of fine art, the presentation and preservation of it are vital elements, which will insure you years of enjoyment. Helen, Cindy and Clarke’s mission is to keep your treasure in mint condition using acid-free materials and UV protecting glass.
Thanks to our wonderful clients, who knowthat our qualityof materials, and our yearsof experience, make our very fair pricing worth what you get, when you have a piece framed by us. Every once in a while we do get a customer who wants to compare prices between us and some other frame shop, or craft store. We would like to explain some of what goes into our framing that sets us apart.
We made the decision many years ago, when all the archival materials were first becoming available to the framing industry, to switch over completely to using only acid-free mat boards and foam-core board backing, rather than the regular mat boards, and card board (for behind the art). The acid-free materials, that touch the artwork, are crucial elements in protecting the piece that is being framed. Regular mats and cardboard backing emit fumes, which transmit into the framed object and will, over time, ruin a piece that has been framed this way. If you have a piece that was framed some time ago, and you have any concerns about taking care of it, long-term, you can tell if the mat is acidic by looking at the bevel cut. If the bevel is white, it is acid free. If it has yellowed (even a little bit) this would indicate that the mat is acidic, and you should consider getting it upgraded. Also, you can feel the backing board, through the dust cover, and if you feel ridges when you rub it (up and down or side to side), you have cardboard backing. We have seen the damage that these products can cause – regular mats and/or cardboard will ruin (paper) art.
One of the benefits of using a mat (or a frame spacer) in your framing project is that it keeps the glazing (glass or plexi) off of the art. This is important, because if there is not room for air to circulate between the art and the glazing, it is likely that condensation will be trapped in the art, which will cause mildew. With the high humidity that we tend to have here in Arkansas, this is especially concerning.
All of the glazing options that we recommend have a UV filtering quality. This UV protectant blocks 90-something% (there is a slight variance between the different products) of the damaging UV rays. You may think that your art does not need to be protected from UV rays, because it does not hang in direct sunlight, but anyinterior light source, and especially fluorescent lighting, can damage art. Some types of art are more susceptible to fading than others. Any inexpensive print or poster will fade quickly under regular glass. So, you might be thinking about saving a little money on framing your art by using regular glass, but in reality you’re wasting money, when the art becomes damaged and needs to be replaced. You cannot see the UV filter, so the “Conservation Clear” glass looks like traditional regular glass.
All of the other glass options are more about the look of the glass. There’s “Conservation Reflection Control” which looks like traditional non-glare glass. It serves a function in certain situations, but we usually do not recommend it, because it adds a bit of fogginess. The newest glass option is called “Museum Glass”. It is anti-reflective, but in a very clear way. It is an amazing product that you must see in order to understand how great it looks. With “clear” glass, you’re looking through the reflections, with the “non-glare”, you’re looking through the cloudiness, but when you see a piece of art that has been framed with museum glass, you don’t immediately realize that there is glass on it. It is a little more expensive than conservation clear, and we don’t suggest putting it on every piece that we’re framing, but in the right situation, it’s perfect.
Many years ago, we would do anything to discourage people from using plexi-glass on just about any piece of art, because the product was so inferior to real glass. The old plexi was kind of thin, so it warped, and it ended up distorting the image. Also, it would scratch so easily, and when you have all of these scratches in front of your art, that is a distraction, too. But the plexi-glass that is available to our industry now is wonderful. The look of it has all of the qualities of regular glass. There are plexi products, which have all or any of the great features that I described above about the real glass that we sell, including a plexi product that is abrasion resistant. So when you are framing a piece, and glass breakage is a concern, plexi is the route to go.
There are a lot of decisions to be made when you are picking out framing. The mat color/texture, to use a fillet or not, does this piece need to be dry-mounted, which moulding suits the piece, and on and on! We feel that if you’re more informed about the in’s and out’s of what’s available, it helps you be a more confident shopper. So, the next time you are picking out your framing, ask to see the glass examples, and discuss with us which kind of glazing option is going to work the best. Because of our (39 +) years of framing experience we can help you make the right decision.
We have continued to stay on the cutting edge, as far as, not only using all of the best quality materials available, but also educating ourselves about the techniques for using these.
Cantrell Gallery specializes in custom framing original art, fine art graphics, shadow boxes, tapestries & other textiles – no project is too large or unusual. Cantrell Gallery turns mementos, photographs and other items into keepsakes that will last a lifetime. Helen, Cindy and Clarke do all of the custom framing, there in the workshop, on the premises.
“We love to frame artwork by kids!” Let Helen, Cindy & Clarke help you create self-esteem and heirlooms. Kids love to have their art custom framed – their kids will love it too.
“Naked walls are indecent! We’ll help you dress your walls with art you love.”
