I have addressed damage caused by mudslides, wildfires, house fires, floods, and leaks in homes during heavy rains. I also have experience dealing with damage resulting from disaster response efforts—i.e., when firefighters spray down a home or when homeowners move delicate pieces in a rush to protect them from said disaster.

When paintings are damaged by natural disasters, conservators often work closely with insurance companies to ensure proper handling and compensation. Initially, conservators conduct a thorough assessment of the damage—providing detailed condition reports and treatment estimates that are essential for insurance claims. These reports include high-resolution photographs, documentation of the damage, and a comprehensive treatment plan. 

Conservators then collaborate with insurance adjusters to validate the extent of the damage and the costs involved in the treatment process. Throughout the treatment, conservators maintain open communication with both the insurance company and the artwork owner—providing updates and ensuring that all treatments align with the agreed-upon plan. This partnership ensures that the artwork is stabilized and returned to its pre-damage condition as closely as possible, while also facilitating the financial aspects of the recovery process.

When paintings are severely damaged by natural disasters, conservators may sometimes determine that the artwork is either beyond repair with current conservation techniques and materials or that the cost of treatment would exceed the value of the damage. In such cases, the conservator provides a thorough evaluation and detailed documentation to the insurance company, the artist, and the owner. 

If the painting is deemed irreparable or the conservation efforts are not justifiable, the decision may be made to destroy the artwork. This decision is taken with great care and often requires the consent of the artist, if available, or the owner. Once the artwork is officially declared beyond repair, the insurance company processes a claim to compensate the owner for the loss, based on the appraised value of the painting before the disaster. 

This process ensures that the owner receives fair compensation for their loss, while also acknowledging the practical and ethical considerations of attempting to restore a work of art that cannot be effectively conserved. This collaborative approach between conservators, artists, owners, and insurance companies helps manage the financial and emotional impacts of losing valuable artworks to natural disasters.

Damage experienced by your painting(s) will depend on the type of disaster. For example, mold growth and degradation is common after floods, mudslides, and fires because of the moisture exposure during emergency response.

Other common damage includes warping of the secondary support, undulations in the primary support, foxing and rust, soot and smoke residue, structural instability, tears, punctures, varnish blooming, separation of paint layers, and disintegration of the canvas due to mud and/or mold.

I prioritize rapid intervention to stabilize and protect affected paintings. I am prepared to respond quickly to emergencies to minimize further damage and begin the conservation process. As soon as emergency services and local government agencies deem your home safe to enter, I can travel to assess the damage.

I will travel anywhere in the Central Valley, along the Central Coast, or in SoCal. I will also treat paintings on-site in some parts of Northern California. Counties in which I treat paintings include:

• San Luis Obispo

• Santa Barbara

• Ventura

• Kern

• Monterey

• Fresno

• Kings

• Tulare

• Santa Cruz

• San Benito

• Merced

• Madera

• San Joaquin

• Stanislaus

• Alameda

• Contra Costa

• San Mateo

• Santa Clara

• San Bernardino

• Los Angeles

• Orange

• Riverside

• San Diego