Georgian Bay Art Conservation
1735 4th Avenue West, 2nd Floor, Studio 18 N4K 4X7 Owen Sound, ON, Canada

1908 map of Grey County : Backing removal. #paperconservation #historicmaps #greycounty #artconservation #historicpreservation #georgianbayartconservation

This 1908 map of Grey County is showing its age after years of handling and use. Conservation treatment included removing the original lining, washing, relining to a fabric support and infill of losses. #paperconservation #historicmaps #greycounty #artconservation #heritagepreservation #georgianbayartconservation

When conservators match the objects they treat... #conservatorsofinstagram #colourpalette #pastel #maprestoration #artconservation #historicdocuments #georgianbayartconservation

After restoring the painting and frame we upgraded the structural supports and mounting hardware. We kept the original leather strapping for historical context and hid the new mounting hardware under it. #heritagepreservation #artrestoration #artconservation #paintingrestoration #preservation #restoration #georgianbayartconservation

Before treatment documentation for a 20th century’s terrestrial globe. The globe was accidentally dropped and the impact caused it to partially split horizontally along the equator and vertically towards the North axis. #askaconservator #artconservation #artrestoration #artconservator #globe #restoration #georgianbayartconservation

Conservator, Amber Harwood, works to mend the vertical split in the Northern hemisphere of the terrestrial globe. #askaconservator #artconservation #artrestoration #artconservator #globe #restoration #georgianbayartconservation

Reshaping, mending and rejoining the split and detached hemispheres of the terrestrial globe. #askaconservator #artconservation #artrestoration #artconservator #globe #restoration #georgianbayartconservation

#beforeandafter #firedamage #paintingrestoration #disasterresponse #painting #customframing #georgianbayartconservation

Removing years of accumulated dirt and grime from the surface of this painting using a gel based cleaning system applied on top of a layer of Japanese tissue. This technique is particularly effective for sensitive media where swabbing is too agressive. #artrestoration #artconservation #painting #paintingconservator #georgianbayartconservation

Even the hidden parts of this painting (see previous post) and frame have character and charm... and a whole lot of dust! I particularly love the leather strapping used to secure the frame to the painting. We plan to reattach these straps as decorative/historical elements on top of new mounting brackets once the painting and frame have been restored. #preservation #artconservation #artrestoration #familyheirloom #history #frameconservation #customframing #conservatorsconserving #georgianbayartconservation

We are looking for a paper conservator to join our team! Please help us spread the word. Interested candidates can email [email protected] for more information.

This is a detail of a much larger painting currently at the studio for restoration. Cleaning is underway to remove years of accumulated grime and surface soil. The owner’s grandmother painted this scene not long after the house was built in the late 1800s. What’s so special about this painting is that the owner still lives in this home and the painting will hang on it’s walls once the restoration is complete. #familyhistory #roots #heritage #geneology #artrestoration #artconservation #artpreservation #painting #paintingconservator #georgianbayartconservation

We cleaned and organized the two decks of cards, added a divider, and mended the torn corners of the box with Beva-Tex strips... because this is a gift, we also wrapped the box set with decorative Japanese tissue before we shipped it to the client’s son. #playingcards #familyheirlooms #preservation #artconservation #georgianbayartconservation

I can’t help but feel a little nostalgic while working on this project... #euchre #gamenight #familyfun #familyheirloom #preservation #artconservation #georgianbayartconservation

Varnish removal in progress... #paintingconservation #paintingconservator #artconservation #artrestoration #varnishremoval #painting #fineart #art #georgianbayartconservation

A section of this oversized wall map of Grey County is transformed! Image sequence: before treatment, after washing, after localized bleaching, and after toning with watercolours. #wallmaps #historicalmaps #maps #greycounty #georgianbay #artconservation #artrestoration #paperconservator #georgianbayartconservation

This project has really come full circle! This past Sunday was the opening reception for John Hawkins’ (1950-2018) retrospective. Friends and family gathered at Grey Gallery to view his work, eat delicious food prepared by The Gingerpress Cafe and listen to live music performed by an assortment of talented local musicians. #communityprojects #memorials #finearts #art #greygalleryowensound #artpreservation #collectionmanagement #customframing #georgianbayartconservation

After sorting through the extensive collection of works by #toronto #artist John Hawkins (1950-2018) pieces were selected for exhibition and framed. The remainder of the works were archived in portfolios and will be stored inside a custom archival box. #retrospective #artistlife #collections #collectionscare #artist #art #fineart #artpreservation #artconservation #customframing #framing #owensound #georgianbayartconservation

A little collection management and a lifetime of artistic creativity... busy, busy sorting boxes of sketches, prints and paintings (John Hawkins 1950-2018). #retrospective #artistlife #collections #collectionscare #artist #art #fineart #artpreservation #artconservation #customframing #framing #owensound #georgianbayartconservation

The transformation is dramatic! So very pleased with the result we were able to achieve... the treatment also revealed an artist signature! paperconservator #etching #fineart #art #artonpaper #artconservation #artrestoration #artpreservation #artgallery #museum #restoration #owensound #collingwood #greybruce #georgianbayartconservation

Localized light bleaching was required to further lighten the paper. paperconservator #etching #fineart #art #artonpaper #artconservation #artrestoration #artpreservation #artgallery #museum #restoration #owensound #collingwood #greybruce #georgianbayartconservation

An alkaline water bath helped reduce some of the soluble discolouration. paperconservator #etching #fineart #art #artonpaper #artconservation #artrestoration #artpreservation #artgallery #museum #restoration #owensound #collingwood #greybruce #georgianbayartconservation

It’s shocking how dark this etching has become! I pull out my mat board samples to colour match the discolouration vs the natural tone of the paper as an after treatment reference. #paperconservator #etching #fineart #art #artonpaper #artconservation #artrestoration #artpreservation #artgallery #museum #restoration #owensound #collingwood #greybruce #georgianbayartconservation

After treatment the silk painting was seated back into it’s original frame. #textileconservation #textilerestoration #silkpainting #african #women #art #restoration #textileconservator #artconservator #greybruce #fineart #georgianbayartconservation