Art

I have never owned an original piece of artwork.  I have several prints, copies of prints, and lots of photographs.  Nothing original.  I've even had several of my own photographs enlarged and framed.  But never a painting. 

Recently, I had the opportunity to meet Walt Kowalski's family.  His brother is an artist on the side.  He does beautiful watercolor paintings.  Walt Kowalski has several of his prints of paintings and one original painting. 

The original painting is a beautiful winter scene, except over the years of moves and storages, the painting was exposed to the elements.

When Walt Kowalski got the painting back it had water damage and was molding.  I stashed it behind a piece of furniture for safe keeping and forgot about it.  After visiting recently, this specific painting came up in conversation.  Walt Kowalski said we still had the painting, but didn't know about the condition. 

This weekend he remembered the painting again and we moved the furniture and dragged out the painting.  Armed with a screwdriver and utility knife, we disassembled the frame and painting.

The water damage was only to the mat! The mold was only superficial on the glass and mat. The painting was in perfect condition. 

Away to the craft store we went. Frame and mat measurements in hand.

They had a small selection of mats in the size we needed.  Anything could be ordered, but the on-hand supply was small.  Small, but perfect.

The original mat was a cream color. The new mat is a pale blue. It pairs nicely with the blues of the painting. 

We are proud to hang an original painting on the wall of the Cat Ranch.