FAQ’S

A1.

Yes. Patricia Christie Galleries takes your privacy very seriously and we will take all measures to protect your personal information. Any personal information received will only be used to fill your order. We will not sell or distribute your information to anyone.

A2.

Our goal is to process orders of in-stock merchandise within 48 hours (2 business days) of receipt. Orders are processed Sunday to Thursday (excluding state UAE holidays). Shipping times will vary depending on country of delivery. Patricia Christie Galleries exclusively use DHL worldwide courier services to ensure the quickest, most trouble free delivery of your goods.

A3.

Yes, works of art can be delivered to any international location where DHL conducts business i.e. the vast majority of the world. Please contact Patricia Christie Galleries on [email protected] for shipping rates.

A4.

All works of art purchased in the UAE will be delivered on a stretch frame. Customers outside the UAE area can receive the artwork either in a stretch frame or rolled. Shipping costs vary between countries depending on the weight of the package. Actual rates are available by contacting [email protected] directly. Great care is taken to ensure that the work of art arrives in perfect condition for your enjoyment, and precise packing instructions are stringently followed for every piece. DHL Express is our partner courier company to ensure that the painting is delivered quickly, efficiently and securely.

A5.

Patricia Christie Galleries exclusively uses 2Checkout to process and protect online payments. 2Checkout is based in the United States and is one of the top globally trusted sources for on-line payments with millions of users worldwide. 2Checkout gives Patricia Christie Galleries customers a guaranteed secure service and simple processing of a full range of credit cards. (For more information on 2Checkout please visit

www.2checkout.com

A6.

Merchandise purchased on Patricia Christie Galleries may be returned, in its original condition, for full exchange or refund within seven (7) working days from the date of delivery. Before returning the item(s), you will need to CONTACT US by email to [email protected] or by phone at +447428383008 to obtain a Returned Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number and a Return Form that will be sent to you via email or fax. This form will include all necessary instructions, including the return address. The item(s) you return must be presented in their original condition, with the appropriate sales invoice and all original packaging and enclosures. Take care to return any certificates that accompanied the item. We recommend shipping returned merchandise via DHL for tracking purposes. We also recommend that customers request adequate insurance to cover the purchase price of the shipment. Patricia Christie Galleries cannot accept responsibility for reimbursement or compensation in the event that return packages are lost, stolen, or mishandled.

A7.

No taxes or duties will be charged for UAE customers. For customers outwith the UAE, there are certain countries where Patricia Christie Galleries will be required, by law, to charge state and local sales tax. Please contact Patricia Christie Galleries on [email protected] to clarify any details for your country.

A8.

With every purchase, a Certificate of Authenticity will be provided, which will include a photograph of the painting, media, dimensions, title of the work, year of painting and artist name. This will be signed by either the artist or the gallery owner, as proof of genuine providence of the art.

A9.

Should you misplace your Patricia Christie Galleries Certificate of Authenticity please send an email to [email protected] requesting a new certificate. We will need your name and address, artist name, title of work, date of shipping. A new certificate will be produced and sent as soon as payment of $50.00 USD plus postage and packing is received. Payment instructions will be provided in a return email from Patricia Christie Galleries.

A10.

It is important that you know how to look after your work of art properly, to protect your investment for the next generation. Our advice below on framing, hanging, handling and cleaning your artwork will help give you lifelong pleasure from your chosen piece.

Glass or no glass

Artworks like watercolours, pastels and charcoals should usually be framed with glass. Oil and acrylic paintings can also be framed with glass but this is normally done through choice rather than necessity. Occasionally, people decide on the extra protection of glass, or they select a frame which is more conducive to inserting glass. Generally speaking, oil and acrylic paintings are shown without glass to present the painting at its best, showcasing the technique, brush strokes, thickness of paint and balance of colours, and it is usually not necessary to cover with glass as most oil paintings have a protective coat of varnish. They can often be displayed in ‘floating’ or ‘box’ frames that have a gap between the frame and the actual artwork. This particular method of framing allows for any dust collected on the frame to be cleaned easily without the need to touch the painting. Gallery wrapped canvas panels can be displayed with or without a frame, and there is a strong trend among artists to finish their canvas this way, so as to avoid the need and extra cost in framing.

Hanging and display

Exposing paintings to extremely wide and sudden variations in temperature or humidity is not recommended. Paintings can look great in kitchens and bathrooms, but care must be taken to ensure they are not damaged in these environments. Hanging original paintings of all types – oils, acrylics, pastels and charcoals – in shower rooms should generally be avoided. If you wish to hang an artwork in your bathroom, ensure that the room is both large and well ventilated, to allow steam to dissipate quickly. If hanging artwork in a kitchen, ensure it is situated away from cookers, kettles, toasters, and any other sources that create steam or heat. It is also important to situate paintings, especially gallery wrapped canvases without glass, where they will not be exposed to splashes of water, cooking oils, etc.

Avoid hanging a painting on a damp or cracked wall.

It is advisable to avoid hanging artwork directly over heat sources, such as radiators or fireplaces, as dirt or smoke will be carried up and may damage the painting. Watercolours should generally be hung in indirect sunlight, as strong sunlight may fade or discolour the painting. Oil paintings are somewhat more robust, but if they are situated near high temperatures, they may dry or crack. Panels may also warp in extreme temperatures.

It is essential with gallery wrapped canvas paintings, that they are hung on a wall with a level surface, with nothing poking the canvas from behind (old nails, screws, etc.). Anything applying direct pressure to the canvas, even for a few minutes, can leave a permanent stretch mark or even a puncture.

Paintings can be hung in different ways. The best ways to hang your painting is to either use a high quality, multi-stranded brass picture wire, with eyehooks secured into the frame’s sides, (not at the top of the frame). The wire then rests on a picture hook in the wall. An alternative to using eyehooks and wire is the sawtooth hanger. No wire is needed as you simply rest the serrated edge on a nail in the wall. For canvases mounted on stretcher bars, the stretcher frame should simply rest on two hooks, or nails at the top corners of the picture.

Handling your artwork

Try not to handle your artwork too much. Even if your hands are recently washed, the natural oils in your fingers will transfer onto the art surface and may leave a print, which although won’t be obvious now, may become visible years later. If you need to move your painting you can wear cotton gloves or use tissue paper.

Cleaning

Artworks collect dust and dirt. If your painting is framed with glass, spray glass cleaner onto a soft cloth and gently clean the glass. Do not spray the cleaner on to the glass itself as it may drip down inside the frame and damage the painting. If your painting is not framed, or framed without glass, dust can be removed using a very soft brush. Avoid feather or sheep skin dusters as they are likely to catch and leave strands or filaments of material on the painting. Although most paintings have a protective varnish, never apply a damp cloth or cleaning fluids directly onto any painting.

If your painting becomes damaged

If your painting becomes water damaged, scratched, punctured, comes into contact with oil, grease or candle wax, or is damaged in some other way, contact a restoration professional as soon as possible. Patricia Christie Galleries will provide a Certificate of Authenticity which provides a valuation of the artwork for insurance purposes.

Sometimes, oil and acrylic canvas paintings mounted on stretcher bars can begin to “sag” after a period of time. A professional framer who can re-stretch the canvas across the bars easily rectifies this. Do not attempt to tighten the canvas across the bars yourself.

A11.

Our contact details are:

Address: 14 Phillimore Court, W87DS, London, United Kindom.

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +447428383008

We really appreciate any feedback you give us. Please help us to give you the best experience possible to enjoy your purchase. Thank you for supporting Patricia Christie Galleries and the Artists we represent.

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