Where I Work
Art Conservation Services Along the Central Coast from Santa Barbara to Monterey County
*On-site examinations and stabilization in Los Angeles County, Ventura County, and the Central Valley, with transportation required to our studio (or another conservator’s) for full treatment.
At Central Coast Painting Conservation, LLC, I proudly work with museums, galleries, artists, foundations, auction houses, insurance agents, and private collectors along California’s Central Coast and in the Central Valley, including Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo (SLO), Kern, and Monterey Counties.
From treating 19th-century California Impressionist paintings to conserving contemporary works, I care for paintings with much thought, precision, expertise, and respect.
**While I work primarily along the Central Coast in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Monterey Counties, I will also travel to Los Angeles County, Ventura County, and the Central Valley for on-site examinations and stabilization after disasters or other serious damage. Paintings from anywhere can be shipped to the studio if the client elects to do so, but we might refer you to a local conservator if your painting is particularly fragile.
On-Site Assessments, Disaster Response, Transport to Studio, and More in Santa Barbara County
Cities and Towns to Which I Will Travel:
Santa Barbara, Ojai, Carpinteria, Goleta, Montecito, Isla Vista, Summerland, Santa Ynez, Solvang, Lompoc, Buellton, Los Olivos, and surrounding areas.
What I Do in Santa Barbara County:
I examine and (occasionally) treat paintings on-site in Santa Barbara County for minor condition issues. I will also transport smaller paintings in stable condition from SB to our studio in Paso Robles, California. Clients must arrange professional transportation prepared by art handlers for paintings in unstable conditions. Services support private collectors, galleries, and institutions in preserving and preparing their pieces for their own enjoyment, exhibitions, auctions, or transport.
If desired, I am also happy to provide referrals to local conservators. In many cases—particularly if your painting is especially large or delicate—I will recommend that you work with a conservator close to your home or gallery instead of transporting your painting to my studio up here in Paso.
Services in Santa Barbara County:
On-Site Examinations: Provide thorough evaluations of paintings directly at the client’s location (home, gallery, office, storage site, etc.). Assess the condition of each piece and prepare detailed proposed treatment reports (finalized in-studio).
Disaster Response: Conduct on-site triage for paintings affected by disasters, including fire, saltwater exposure, mudslides, pest infestations, vandalism, recovery efforts, or improper handling. When feasible, I stabilize the painting temporarily to prevent further damage until it can be treated more thoroughly. Clients receive condition and treatment reports to facilitate conservation, either in my studio or with a conservator closer to their area.
Minor Painting Conservation Treatments: In some cases, I conduct limited treatments on-site. This may include consolidating flaking or lifting paint in specific areas that would make the painting too unstable to transport or lightly cleaning and addressing minor damage on otherwise stable paintings, particularly for large or unstretched works requiring preparation before exhibition.
Preventive Conservation for Collections: Assess your collection’s specific preservation needs and create customized strategies, including recommendations for climate control, light management, and proper storage.
Courier Services (less common): I oversee the safe transport of paintings to exhibitions, auctions, or other destinations.
Personal Transportation to Studio: For smaller paintings (up to 5 x 5’ framed), I will personally transport to my studio for more in-depth conservation treatment if needed. A signed transportation waiver is required.
Services Completed In-Studio (Paso Robles)
Painting Conservation Treatments: Restore and stabilize paintings by addressing structural and aesthetic issues, including supports, paint layers, coatings, and frames. Treatments respect the artist’s vision and the painting’s history, adhering to AIC ethical standards.
Written Condition & Proposed Treatment Reports: Comprehensive condition and treatment reports are completed in the studio following on-site examinations or studio-based assessments.
Examinations, Painting Conservation, Disaster Response, and More in San Luis Obispo County
Cities and Towns Served:
San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, Atascadero, Cambria, Los Osos, Arroyo Grande, Nipomo, Templeton, Cayucos, Avila Beach, and surrounding areas.
What I Do in San Luis Obispo County:
In San Luis Obispo County, I provide both on-site assessments and studio-based conservation services. Paintings can be examined in clients’ homes, galleries, or storage spaces. They can then be transported to our studio in Paso Robles for more thorough treatment. I happily work with private collectors, auction houses, insurance agents, museums, and other collecting institutions.
On-Site Services in San Luis Obispo County:
On-Site Examinations: Conduct detailed examinations of paintings on-site, assess their condition, and prepare proposed treatment reports (completed in-studio).
Disaster Response: Offer on-site triage to address damage from fire, saltwater exposure, mudslides, pests, vandalism, recovery efforts, or improper handling. I provide temporary stabilization when feasible to prevent further deterioration before full treatment. Clients receive condition and recommended treatment reports to proceed with conservation, either in my studio or with a trusted conservator in their area.
Preventive Conservation for Collections: Evaluate collections’ needs and create tailored preservation strategies, including recommendations for climate control, light exposure, and storage conditions.
Courier Services: Supervise paintings during transport to ensure safe handling and delivery for exhibitions, auctions, or other destinations.
Personal Transportation to Studio: I will personally transport smaller paintings (measuring under 5 x 5’ framed) to my studio.
Minor Painting Conservation Treatments: Though less common, I do conduct certain treatments on-site. For example, I might consolidate flaking or lifting paint isolated to one area of the painting that would be too unstable to travel. Alternatively, I have lightly cleaned paintings and addressed distracting losses or accretions on otherwise stable paintings prior to exhibition. This is more common for very large or unstretched paintings.
Services Completed in Studio (Paso Robles):
Painting Conservation Treatments: Stabilize and improve the structural integrity and aesthetic appearance of paintings, including supports, paint layers, coatings, and frames, always respecting the artist’s intent and the piece’s historical context while following AIC ethical guidelines.
Written Condition & Proposed Treatment Reports: While initial examinations can occur on-site, all comprehensive condition and treatment reports are finalized in the studio.
On-Site Examinations, Disaster Response, and More in Monterey County
Cities and Towns Served:
Monterey, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Pacific Grove, Salinas, Seaside, Marina, Big Sur, Pebble Beach, Gonzales, Greenfield, King City, and surrounding areas.
What I Do in Monterey County:
I will travel to Monterey County for on-site assessments and consultations for minor condition issues and offer transport options for smaller, relatively stable paintings to our Paso Robles studio. Larger or unstable pieces require professional art handlers for safe transportation.
I am proud to help private collectors, galleries, and institutions preserve and prepare their paintings for exhibitions, auctions, or long-term care. However, if desired, I am also happy to provide referrals to local conservators.
Services in Monterey County:
On-Site Examinations: Examine paintings on-site, describe their condition in detail, and provide proposed treatment reports (completed in-studio).
Disaster Response & Stabilization Treatments: This is on-site triage. In a client’s home, storage facility, or gallery, I assess damage caused by fire, saltwater exposure, mudslides, or pest infestations, as well as vandalism, recovery efforts, or improper handling. I will temporarily stabilize the painting if possible—to prevent it from worsening before treatment (whether this treatment is done in my studio or by another conservator). I will provide copies of my condition and recommended treatment reports to the client so they can either proceed with treatment or share those with another conservator in their area.
Preventive Conservation for Collections: Assess a space and develop customized preservation strategies—including climate and light monitoring—to protect collections.
Courier Services: Monitor paintings during transportation to exhibitions or auctions.
Services Conducted in the Studio (painting must be transported):
Painting Conservation Treatments (better known as Art Restoration): Stabilize a painting’s secondary and primary supports, paint layer, coating(s), and frame if needed. Address the cosmetic condition of paintings if appropriate—always respecting the artist’s intent and the painting’s history while adhering to the American Institute of Conservation Ethical Guidelines.
Written Condition & Proposed Treatment Reports: Paintings can be examined on-site or in the studio, but thorough reports are always completed in-studio.
*On-Site Examinations, Stabilization, and Referrals in Ventura County and Los Angeles County
Cities and Towns to Which We Will Travel:
From Ventura to Long Beach and surrounding communities in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.
What We Do in Ventura & LA Counties:
Because Ventura and LA Counties are a bit further south than our desired service areas and because there are several qualified conservators available locally, it’s rare that I travel to on-sites in these areas. However, I am often in LA and Ventura visiting family, friends, and colleagues; thus, I am happy to schedule examinations and stabilization projects (prior to transport) while in town.
Examinations can take place in homes, galleries, or storage facilities. For more comprehensive treatments, paintings can be stabilized and transported to our studio in Paso Robles.
More commonly, I am proud to offer referrals to trusted local conservators who may be able to treat paintings in studios/labs much closer to you.
Our Services in Ventura & LA Counties:
On-Site Examinations and Assessments: Evaluate the condition of paintings (after a disaster occurs, before auction, before gallery shows, and/or before transporting for treatment). Condition reports are completed in-studio (not on-site). Treatment recommendations are made at this time as well. I am happy to work with owners, insurance adjusters, and museum/gallery/auction house staff.
On-Site Stabilization After Serious Damage or Exposure: Temporarily stabilize paintings that have been damaged for safe transport, or address issues that could rapidly worsen (e.g., mold that could proliferate, mud that could eat away at the canvas, etc.) until treatment is possible/affordable.
*Referrals to Local Conservators: When on-site treatment or closer options are preferable (or safer), I am happy to refer you to local conservators in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.
As a paintings conservator who lived in Los Angeles most of my life and worked there for the first ten years of my career, I want to help where I can in response to the recent fires. I am offering free conservation assessments and comprehensive treatment for two small easel paintings on canvas (under 30 x 30” unframed) that have been damaged by the fires.
This offer is for people and institutions without insurance coverage or financial means to afford treatment. If you or someone you know has a painting in need of care, please email me with photos and details by May 1st. Treatment times will vary. I regret that I can only accept two paintings due to limited studio space and ongoing commitments, but I will also offer discounted rates to others affected by the fires.
Common Condition Issues I Treat
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Cracked, tented, and lifting paint with pinpoint losses
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Over-fill and overpaint
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Discolored varnish trapped in impasto
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Transfer, loss, and acidification from contact with frame rabbet
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Dirt and discolored varnish trapped in impasto
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Overstretched canvas with adhesive-laden paper covering tacking edge
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Sigmoidal (impact) cracking
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Tenting and lifting paint due to formulation and environmental factors
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Active mold on canvas and stretcher
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Pentimenti that confuses image legibility
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Accretions and splatter
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Tear due to frontal impact and contact with vertical stretcher member
Which treatment occurs on-site versus in studio?
Common condition issues in paintings require different approaches depending on the complexity of the damage, the painting’s fragility, and logistical constraints.
On-site treatments are best for immediate stabilization, environmental assessments, or minor issues like dust layers or localized efflorescence, especially for large or fragile works.
In-studio treatments provide the controlled environment and tools needed for comprehensive restoration, such as moisture treatments, varnish removal, structural repairs, and inpainting losses. Complex issues like flaking paint or deformed impasto require advanced techniques, like microscope-guided cleaning, only possible in the studio.
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Undulations, creases, and other deformities in the canvas
Slack canvas
Paint transfer
Discoloration and acidification from contact with the frame’s rabbet
Sigmoidal (contact) cracking
Cracking from the stretcher bar or improper keying
Overstretching of the canvas
Lifting, tenting, delaminating, and flaking paint
Tears in the canvas
Cracks in the panel (wood)
Cracks and warping of stretcher or strainer members
Mold or mildew
Accretions
Abrasions and scratches
Smoke damage (house fire and cigarette)
Discolored, blooming, or darkened varnish
Overpaint
Aged and discolored inpainting
Paint loss
Widespread cracking
Cropped canvases
Poor adhesion between the paint layer and lower layers
Dirt and debris layers
Dust, dirt, and discolored varnish trapped in impasto
Smashed or otherwise deformed impasto (often from glass or packing materials)
Transfer of packing materials to paint layer (burnishing)
Pest infestations and associated damage (including droppings and mechanical damage wrought by rats, mice, beetles, spiders, and more)
Efflorescence (salts, soaps) and exudation
Caked mud, soot, and water damage from natural disasters
Pentimenti (increasing transparency of certain paint layers over time)
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Condition assessments
Emergency stabilization after disasters, vandalism, or accidental contact
Relative humidity, light exposure, and other climate assessments
Addressing minor cosmetic issues like localized efflorescence, light dirt/dust layers, and accretions
Overseeing preparation for transport or unpacking after transport
Moisture treatments for paintings that are too large to be transported
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Condition assessments
Comprehensive disaster mitigation (removing soot, addressing water damage, etc.)
Moisture treatments
Surface cleaning and varnish removal
Tear mending
Mold and mildew mitigation
Pest management
Removal of widespread efflorescence
Structural repairs to panels, stretchers, and strainers
Consolidation of cracks and lifting, tented, or otherwise unstable paint
Removal of accretions like paint transfer, pest droppings, splatter, and more
Filling, reconstructing, and inpainting losses
Unstretching and retretching
Striplining cropped canvases and looselining delicate canvases that need more support
Cleaning impasto under microscope
And more.
Contact us.
elizabeth@centralcoastartconservation.com
(818) 326 - 3655
(805) 728 - 0650
Paso Robles, California
*currently accepting new clients with projects measuring less than 72 x 72”