Frequently Asked Questions
 

CPF...Certified Picture Framer
CPF means "certified picture framer".  The Professional Picture Framers Association certifies individuals after extensive testing.  This certification gives the consumer an assurance that the framer they've chosen has some background and knowledge in the art of custom framing.  So look for the "CPF" behind your framer's name.  Oh, and by the way, the Professional Picture Framers Association DOES NOT certify a gallery or frame shop...only the individual that takes the exam.

S/N...signed and numbered
Each print in a limited edition is signed and numbered by the artist.

LE...Limited Edition
A fixed number of identical prints of an image, signed by the artist, sequentially numbered, and showing both the print's number and the total edition size. Each print is referred to as a "limited edition print".

Will Limited Editions Increase in Value?
The value of a limited edition print is unpredictable and based upon the public's demand for this image. Since it is a limited edition and only so many prints will be sold, when the print is sold out the value may increase if additional people desire to purchase it. Limited editions and all other art work should be purchased because you love it and want to enjoy it everyday. If a print increases in value, then you have an added bonus.
                                                            

AP...Artist Proof
An Artist's Proof is a smaller edition of an image that also has a regular edition size. It is usually no more than 10-15 percent of the regular edition size. It will be consecutively numbered and be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. APs are often considered more valuable.

Remarque
An original drawing by the artist usually in pencil and is located just below the image of a print...either a portion of the signed and numbered edition or an artist proof edition.

HC...Hors de Commerce
A small edition of equal quality. Originally used for promotions by the artist.

Enhanced
The artist enhances a print by painting into the image, causing the print to have similar characteristics of the original. Highlights are added to create drama.

                                                               
Secondary Market
Secondary Market is one source for obtaining prints or canvases after the edition is sold out from the publisher. The value and availability are based upon supply and demand. The secondary market can be extremely unpredictable as price is determined by the value of the print to the individual consumer and may differ from one geographic area to another.

                                                               
Serigraph
Serigraphy is a silk screening process. This process can produce prints of startling clarity or subdued elegance depending upon the artist's wishes. To make a serigraph from an original piece of art, every color in the original must be identified and separated. After the separation has been made, a screen is made for each individual color. Those areas that are not to be printed are blocked out to prevent the transfer of ink or paint to paper or canvas. The paper or canvas is then placed under the screen and the ink is forced through the open mesh. This process is repeated for each individual color. Serigraphs can have up to hundreds of separate colors. Although this high quality process is extremely time consuming, it creates an image that is not only luxurious, vibrant and often-textured but also affordable.
                                                               

Giclee
Giclee (pronounced zgee-clay) is a French term meaning "spraying of ink." Printing directly from information obtained from the original painting, Iris printers spray microscopic drops of color on to a fine art paper or canvas. Displaying the full color spectrum, these artworks have vibrant colors and a velvety texture.

More details:

The Giclee Canvas
With the advent of giclee, (pronounced zgee-clay by the French) the art of fine printing has become even more precise. Because no screens are used, the prints have a higher apparent resolution than lithographs. The dynamic color range is like serigraphy. In the giclee process, a fine stream of ink, more than four million droplets per second, is sprayed onto a specially treated canvas. The effect is similar to an airbrush technique but much finer. Each piece is carefully hand-mounted onto a drum which rotates during printing. Exact calculations of hue, value and density direct the ink of 6 nozzles. This produces a combination of 512 chromatic changes, (with over3 million color possibilities) of saturated, nontoxic water based ink. The artist's color approval and input are essential for creating the final custom setting for the edition.

The latest advancements in the giclee process have been in the higher resolution machines, more colorful and light resistant inks, and protective coatings for canvas art.  The inks that are  normally used are rated to undergo no less than 20 years of normal exposure to light without any measurable fading. Finally, each canvas is applied with a special UV coating varnish. This coating insures UV light protection and protects the surface from scratching and other normal hazards.

Displaying a full color spectrum, giclee prints on canvas have the ability to capture minute nuances in original painting in which other processes fall short. The highlights are brighter, contrasts are better defined, and the colors are more exact than any comparable reproduction process. Simply, this is as close to an original work of art as can be reproduced.

                                                           
What is an Offset Lithograph?
Offset Lithography is the process of taking an original piece of art and separating the colors using a scanner or digital camera which feeds the image directly into a computer. Using this information and utilizing the photo offset printing process the press recreates all the colors in the original artwork. Additional tints or touch plates may be added to produce a print that is an exact match to the original painting.


Open Edition
The quantity of prints reproduced is not limited. As long as the image is in demand, it will be printed.

Publisher Sold Out
The Publisher has sold all prints in the edition usually increasing their value.

                                                                
How do I find out how much my older prints are worth?
There are a few sources for finding value on older prints. InformArt is an excellent one and they can be found online. To subscribe, you can call 203-262-9220.


How can I get art framed in my colors?
Two ways!  Use the method that makes you most comfortable.

You can email me and give me detailed information on the room, the colors and the wall space that you have to work with and I'll do my best to please you.

OR....  you can give me a call at 1-228-832-3177.  I'll be happy to work with you on color and design that fits your needs.

References are available upon request!

Do you ship?
Indeed we do!  My hubby oversees the shipping end of this business so let me sing his praises for a moment.   Since we've successfully shipped to every part of the U.S. without claim of damage, my hat's off to his wonderful capability in safe packing.

We try to be fair on pricing so each piece is handled individually, weighed and priced accordingly.  We will quote you a price before shipping either by email or phone...whichever you prefer.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~***~*~*~*~*~*~

If you have any further questions, please feel free to email me: artkeep@aol.com