Art Conservation Services for California Collectors & Institutions
Headquartered on California’s Central Coast, Central Coast Painting Conservation serves private and institutional clients throughout the region—from San Francisco to Santa Barbara—as well as the Central Valley and parts of Southern California, including Ventura, Los Angeles, and Long Beach. We work with collectors, galleries, museums, artist estates, foundations, auction houses, historic homes, and more. *Now with a satellite studio in north LA County as we split our time between the Central Coast and Los Angeles.
With over a decade of experience and a deep respect for each painting’s history, we provide thorough examinations and tailored treatments to ensure your collection is protected, preserved, and properly cared for.
Our Services
Painting Conservation Treatment & On-Site Examinations
This includes examination of paintings (using visible light, UV light, stereomicroscope, magnification, etc.), photographing paintings, drafting condition assessments, creating treatment plans, submitting proposals for treatment, and treating paintings in a variety of conditions.
Examination may be conducted on-site, but most treatment will occur in the studio — with the exception of large paintings or particularly delicate works. In some cases, condition reports are used by insurance companies and policy holders to determine whether art conservation is possible and reasonable.
Treatment can include anything from dry surface cleanings and removal of coatings to paint consolidation and structural care like reweaving torn threads or repairing stretchers. Please consult the Client Resources tab to learn more about what happens in a typical day at the studio or on-site.
Disaster Mitigation
This includes consultations (condition assessments, recommendations for stabilization and limiting damage from mold, mildew, flood, fire, earthquake, etc.,) triage, and treatment.
In some cases, I will treat pieces (partially) on-site if they are too damaged to travel safely or difficult to extract. For example, I have treated paintings that were impaled during an earthquake, those that developed mold after being sprayed down during a wildfire, and those that were cemented to the ground during a mudslide.
After stabilizing them, the pieces should come to the studio for further treatment.
Environmental Assessment, Collections Care & Preventive Conservation
This includes evaluating the conditions in which art is displayed or stored to protect collections from long-term damage. We take detailed measurements of environmental factors (temperature, relative humidity, and visible light) and assess the physical structure of exhibition or storage spaces. These findings inform tailored recommendations to mitigate climate-related risks.
Preventive conservation also includes integrated pest management; guidance on the safe display, transit, and storage of objects; and calculation of appropriate annual light exposure. We provide condition reporting for mixed media collections and design custom housing solutions—including crates, backing boards, and storage supports. Supervision of installation and de-installation is also available upon request.
Workshops & Courses
These include in-person and online instruction focused on preventive conservation. Hosted across Central and Southern California, workshops assist institutions (museums, galleries, historic homes, etc.) and individuals (artists, preparators, etc.). Online courses are held through the Northern States Conservation Center.
Download Our Info Packet to Learn More About Services, Past Projects, and More.
Ask Us a Question About Your Painting or Collection.
Have a question about your painting or art collection?
We’re happy to help. Fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible—usually within 1–2 business days.
About
Elizabeth Burton has worked in paintings conservation since 2013. From 2013 through 2021, she worked under Eugena Ordonez at Painting Conservation & Research in Los Angeles.
She has conducted environmental analysis and implemented climate control measures for museums since 2017 — during and after completing her MA in Preventive Conservation.
Elizabeth contributes to the museum studies and preventive conservation fields as an instructor for the Northern States Conservation Center where she teaches the following courses: "Condition Assessments," "Care of Paintings," and "Museum Cleaning Basics" several times each year.
With 11 years of experience in painting conservation, Elizabeth focuses on pre-modern, modern, and contemporary paintings completed between the 1850's and today. She is especially passionate about working on paintings of late 19th and early 20th century California artists as well as heirloom pieces close to the hearts of their owners.
As a paintings conservator who lived in Los Angeles most of my life and worked there for the majority 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”) that have been damaged by smoke, soot, fires, and/or associated recovery efforts.
This offer is for private collectors and public 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.
Resources for Collectors with Paintings Damaged by LA Area Fires
Learn how to care for paintings damaged by fire, smoke, soot, ash, and fire recovery efforts.
“5 Common Conservation Questions Answered: Contemporary and Modern Paintings”
FAQs
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Painting conservation is preserving and treating paintings to stabilize their condition, enhance their appearance, and protect them for future generations. It is distinct from painting restoration, which is more focused on cosmetics. Paintings conservation prioritizes reversibility, appropriate materials, and minimal intervention in addition to aesthetics. Painting conservators adhere to the American Institute for Conservation Ethics Standards.
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I treat oil, acrylic, and mixed-media paintings on canvas, metal, and wooden panel substrates. Less commonly, I will treat other historic and artistic works (painted objects and paintings on paper). I do not typically treat mural paintings but will work on those mounted indoors. I prefer to treat paintings created between 1850 and today (modern and contemporary).
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I address a variety of condition issues, including:
Surface dirt, grime, or discoloration
Aged, blotchy, blooming, or discolored varnish removal
Flaking or lifting paint layers
Tears, punctures, or distortions in the canvas
Mold, mildew, or pest damage
Water, fire, smoke, or soot damage
Overpaint or improper prior restorations
Structural issues with the stretcher or frame
Cracking, tenting, or other form of delamination of paint layers
Paint loss or abrasion
If your painting has a unique issue, I can evaluate it during the condition assessment and determine an appropriate course of action. All works of art are different and require an individual approach to treatment.
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While I treat paintings primarily in my Paso Robles studio, I will examine paintings on-site anywhere along the Central Coast, in the Central Valley, and in SoCal. I will examine paintings in Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Los Angeles County. I will also stabilize paintings in these areas after disasters or other major damage if they cannot immediately be treated comprehensively due to budgetary constraints, fragility, or other reasons—halting the proliferation of mold after a flood or fire, for example. Paintings anywhere in California (and across the U.S.) can be shipped to my studio, though I may recommend working with a conservator closer to you if located on the East Coast. I will examine paintings on-site (with appointments) in any of the following cities/towns (and some others):
San Luis Obispo
Paso Robles (El Paso de Robles)
Atascadero
Arroyo Grande
Pismo Beach
Morro Bay
Grover Beach
Cambria
Los Osos
Cayucos
Templeton
Nipomo
Avila Beach
Santa Margarita
Creston
Shandon
San Miguel
Harmony
Santa Barbara
Santa Maria
Goleta
Lompoc
Carpinteria
Solvang
Buellton
Guadalupe
Los Alamos
Los Olivos
Santa Ynez
Ballard
Orcutt
Vandenberg Village
Mission Hills
Summerland
Montecito
Isla Vista
Monterey
Salinas
Carmel-by-the-Sea (Carmel)
Pacific Grove
Seaside
Marina
Del Rey Oaks
Sand City
Carmel Valley Village
Big Sur
Capitola
Scotts Valley
Watsonville
Aptos
Soquel
Felton
Ben Lomond
Boulder Creek
La Selva Beach
Davenport
King City
Gonzales
Greenfield
Soledad
Chualar
Spreckels
Castroville
Moss Landing
Pebble Beach
San Lucas
San Ardo
Bakersfield
Sacramento
Elk Grove
Folsom
Rancho Cordova
Galt
Citrus Heights
Fair Oaks
Carmichael
Antelope
Orangevale
Arden-Arcade
North Highlands
Rio Linda
Wilton
Gold River
Vineyard
Isleton
Walnut Grove
Herald
Hood
Los Angeles
Malibu
Santa Monica
Long Beach
Beverly Hills
Glendale
Santa Clarita
Lancaster
Palmdale
Pasadena
El Monte
Downey
Inglewood
West Covina
Norwalk
Burbank
Carson
Pomona
Torrance
South Gate
Whittier
Alhambra
Montebello
Hawthorne
Monterey Park
Arcadia
Covina
Oxnard
Thousand Oaks
Simi Valley
Ventura (San Buenaventura)
Camarillo
Moorpark
Santa Paula
Fillmore
Ojai
I also offer on-site treatment post-disaster to stabilize paintings in any of the above cities/towns. If you are located outside of the above jurisdictions, I recommend using AIC’s “Find a Conservator” directory, or searching “painting restoration” / “painting conservation near me” online.
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The cost of painting conservation or restoration varies depending on factors like the painting's size, condition, and the complexity of the treatment required. Conservators usually charge between $75 and $250/hour, depending on their location, expenses, education, experience, expertise, and skill. For example, a conservator in New York City or Los Angeles will charge more than a conservator in Fresno because rental rates are higher. Similarly, a conservator who works from a home studio will typically charge less than a conservator who works in a commercial building. As a conservator in Paso Robles, I charge between $105 and $125/hour, depending on the type of treatment.
Learn more about pricing by downloading our info packet here.
After an initial assessment, I provide a detailed treatment proposal with a cost estimate. Typical costs can range from a few hundred dollars for a specific treatment (like a light surface cleaning or addressing a small bump in the canvas) to several thousand dollars for extensive treatments (like those that include repairing tears, stabilizing paint layers, and removing multiple layers of varnish or overpaint). Extremely complex or time-consuming treatments (like those for particularly large or severely damaged paintings) could cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Feel free to contact me to schedule an assessment and receive an accurate estimate for your painting.
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Yes. I have been asked to examine paintings before clients bid at auctions, purchase from galleries, or make acquisitions (museums, foundations, universities, etc.). I am happy to examine paintings on-site and will communicate with gallery staff, auction houses, and donors if requested.
Ask a Question
“How to Photograph Damaged Paintings for Insurance”
Contact Us.
Please reach out with any questions or concerns regarding the condition of your painting or collection. If you want to send photos of the work in question, email Elizabeth at elizabeth@centralcoastartconservation.com.
Need another type of conservator? Searching for an appraiser?
If you seek an appraiser or are in need of objects, textile, paper, or architectural conservation, we encourage you to reach out to the organizations and professionals listed by SLOMA (San Luis Obispo Museum of Art) on their website at the bottom of their “About” page. Click the button below for resources—including their list of appraisers, conservators, and other arts/heritage preservation professionals in the SLO County area.
