Our Studio Services

   We are in the heart of College Park, Florida. Our studio is a full service reatoration art studio. I was introduced during the summer of 1973; it was from that point on, that I became mesmerized with his  many close accomplished artist friends but especially with Aubrey and his studio. Aubrey offeredme the opportunity to work beside him "lining paintings". During the weekly "lining  sessions", I was given a full dose of Art Restoration from this kind and gentle man who still holds a place in my heart not only as as my mentor also as my beloved friend..     Many people here in College Park may know Aubrey's" little and beloved" sister Rita Hutchinson.    Our studio uses the 17th Century Dutch method of Lining a painting with a Wax-Resin Method. We use only the finest European Linen Canvas in which to line paintings; whereas all the work is done by our hands. Everything we perform on an oil painting is reversible, from the very start.    The process of restoring an oil painting is to assess the age or damage first. We work on 18th, 19th and 20th century paintings which are in need of services due to age, care, damage, fire, floor water damage or by accident.   We perform only work that the painting deems necessary.  Every painting that comes into our studio is " treated like a Rembrandt".  This is our motto, handed down from Aubrey Pruet.  We will write a proposal for our client first and determine the need of restoration.    From there, we average 12 weeks to 16 weeks for completion of all work related to a particular oil painting. This includes:  removing the painting from the frame and the stretcher bar,  Cleaning the painting using organic solvents, ( my Formal Education is in Chemistry), next,  the painting must remain weighted for the duration of several days to "cure" from the Cleaning process and prepare the canvas to support the newly added Europen Linen canvas, which is the next step of restoration.    This is the most important processs and the most critical to the painting as we must prepare the table in advance; falong with the painting and the newly added canvas. In all this process takes an entire day from beginning to end. The Wax-Resin Lining is that of the Dutch Method process which again is applied by hand using old flat irons.    Once this is preformed, the painting must cool for 24-72 hours for best results. The next steps are preparing the painting on the stretcher bar.      However, after the painting has been completely restored, it is now ready for stretching onto a refurbished stretcher bar ( original is best for added worth). Once complete the conditions MUST be FAVORABLE for varnish. This is also a very important set in the restoration process.        At the end of this time, it is our pleasure to research your artist and provide you with the full restoration documentation; titled a "Condition Report" and photo montage for your archives and Insurance Company ( if necessary).     We offer appraisials upon request from a reputable Gallery owner, your framing needs also can be suggested at a nerby gallery as well and we stand by our services.       We have always offered Internships to local high school and college students for credit.  We have Lake Highland Prep and The Art Institute of Chicago as past students working in our studio. We also tie in with the Coop Program at most colleges, offering 9 hours of credit for a Summer Internship from our fully accredited studio.     We will meet our clients at their convenience as we pick up paintings and always deliver them once restoration has been completed.     Please contact us at 407 733 4528 to answer any questions you may have about any art work; paper, lithograph, watercolour, and oils.