by Scott M. Haskins, Art Conservator

Salt Lake City – Art restoration of heirloom oil paintings is a vexing problem to think about because not many people really know the science and the professionalism required to do the right job. I often meet with people throughout Utah to discuss painting conservation questions for works of inherited treasures at people’s homes and offices (we pick up and deliver with people I meet). And this last week I even consulted for a couple of projects for the City of Salt Lake.

Here’s a testimonial from one of our clients last week that wanted to reassure you that it was an interesting and stimulating process to discuss your preservation questions with us:

Artworks and heirlooms being passed down to the next generation are full of memories… “triggers” for good family history stories and I always enjoy speaking with people about their family heirlooms. These types of items with positive vibes help people to remember their loved ones. But even though these types of items have most often been treasured, once they change hands as they have been passed down in the family, I am often asked, “Is it worth restoring?”

How can something be priceless when its not worth anything? What is worth saving and protecting of our “stuff?” Some people “get it” at a DNA level that family history is important for lots of profound reasons and some of those reasons are multigenerational. Other need some time to come to their senses.

Some people would have just thrown this keepsake from grandparents away!

Consider that there are three types of value I urge you to consider: 1. financial value, 2. emotional value and/or 3. historical value to be considered. It’s doubly nice when your emotional ties or historical connection, like with a family heirloom, is also a really nice work of art. Affecting value, is the condition and the needed oil painting restoration (painting conservation, art conservation, art restoration) like rip repair, cleaning a painting, flaking paint repair.
This family in Pasadena, California is now handing down the treasures that the parents collected as their family grew. There are lots of memories. We were honored to preserve, restore and assist them with a couple of dozen items. This is their quick testimonial.

BEFORE someone tosses your family heirloom painting in the trash, give me a call!! Here’s my mobile 805 570 4140

Here is our webpage for other testimonials. Scroll down the page… I think you’ll find several of the examples interesting and entertaining: https://www.FineArtConservationLab.com/testimonials

Here is our YouTube playlist of other testimonials for family heirlooms: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL41D80C1C65FF2CE7

This painting was neglected in a storage area that took on water, damaging more than just a few boxes of stuff. Memories, family history and family member’s hearts were damaged. But as hopeless as this flaking and discoloration may seem, give us a call to discuss 805 564 3438