Vincent Art FAQ

Q: I need to get something right away. How soon can you have it done?
A: That depends. The majority of the prints featured on our website are always in stock. In some rare occasions, we may be out of a print or it may be on order. We are usually able to replenish our stock within the week, but this is not always possible given our reliance on the schedule of publishers and artists. If the print that you ordered is out of stock, we will let you know and give you an estimated arrival date. For framed artwork, the general rule is that we frame to order and our turn-around times are dependant on the time of year. We have a lot of festivals here in New Orleans, and Vincent Art gets very busy during times of the year such as Jazz & Heritage Festival and Mardi Gras. For most of the year, our turn-around time on framed artwork is one to two weeks, but during these busy times, it may take up to six weeks to process an order, as we operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you require a piece of artwork by a specific date—as a gift, for a home showing, etc.—we ask that you place your order at least a month in advance for framed artwork, and at least two weeks in advance for prints.

Q: What is the difference between a lithograph, a silkscreen, a serigraph, an etching, and a giclee? For that matter, what do open edition, limited edition, numbered edition, signed & numbered edition, artist proof, and remarque edition mean?
A: The short answer is that these are all simply different methods of making prints from an original piece of artwork, and that the edition refers to either the amount in a print run and /  or any embellishments added by the artist.
Briefly, a lithograph is a print made by carving different portions of a print on to cylindrical stones. Usually, a stone is made for each color-portion of an image. The image is carved in negative, and the print is made using hydrophobic inks. The paper—lithographs are usually printed on a lighter weight, sometimes glossy paper—is then rolled through each stone until the image is transferred as a positive. Serigraph is another name for silkscreen, and the process involves transferring each color-portion on to a fine-mesh screen using a photo-emulsion process, usually as a positive. Hydrophobic inks are then applied to each screen in a series using a squeegee to push the ink through the silk mesh. Each color is applied individually, resulting in a positive image. Etchings are made by the artist using a tool called a burin to carve the image on to a metal plate coated in wax. The wax-coated plate is then submerged in an acidic bath and, when removed, doused with a base neutralizer. Tonal depth is created both by the depth of the cut and the amount of time the plate is left in the acid. The image is usually carved as a negative. Multiple prints can then be made from the etched plate by coating the plate in ink and then running both plate and paper through a press. Etching is the first mass-production print-making process to be developed in the western world. An etching that has been aqua-tinted has had colored ink added to it by the artist. Otherwise, etchings are black and white. Finally, giclees are now normally printed using laser-printing technology in the CYMK color schema. The schema is Cyan-Yellow-Magenta-Key, and a giclee is run through the printing process once for each color-set. Giclees are considered to be the finest reproduction prints available on the market today, and have grown in popularity as a way to have a piece of artwork on stretched canvas without incurring the cost of purchasing an original.
"Open edition" implies that a print has been and will be reproduced endlessly until either the artist or the publisher wishes to cease production. Posters are a good example of open edition prints.
"Limited edition" implies that the print run is limited to a number set either by the artist or the publisher. For example, a print run might be limited to 500 prints. After that run has been completed, the piece will not be printed again.
"Numbered edition" is akin to a limited edition, though the print run can be repeated. If a numbered edition is limited to a 500 run, each print in that run will be numbered 1 out of 500, 250 out of 500, etc. In some cases, an artist or publisher may choose to reprint a certain piece, and will again limit the second printing to a 500 run. However, numbered editions are also often limited editions, as is the case with Jazz & Heritage Festival posters and James Michalopoulos' silkscreens.
"Signed and numbered edition" is the same as the above, with the added bonus of the artist's original signature, usually found at the bottom of the print, outside of the image.
An "Artist Proof" is from the original print run. Usually smaller in number than a limited run, a proof run is used to determine whether or not the reproduced colors are to the artist's satisfaction. Some artists, if they are pleased with this initial, trial run, will choose to sell these pieces as proofs. Artist proofs tend to be unnumbered, however.
A "Remarque edition" is usually a signed and numbered (though it can be an open edition as well) print to which the artist has added an original drawing, usually located at the bottom of the piece, outside of the image near the artist's signature.

Q: Will you carry my artwork?
A: Vincent Art prides itself on carrying work by our local New Orleans artists, and about 90% of what we carry is artwork either done by New Orleanians, or features New Orleans themes. If you are interested in having your artwork hung or your prints distributed by Vincent Art, please bring a sample by our gallery to discuss an arrangement with either Rob Lombardi or Kami Ownbey. We generally take original artwork on consignment only, and will usually take a small print run on consignment to test out a new print. We would be happy to evaluate your artwork and its applicability to Vincent Art, but don't be disappointed if we decline—keep in mind that our forte is very specialized.

Q: What will you frame? If I send you something, will you frame it?
A: Vincent Art is pleased to frame almost anything, from band posters and original art to sports jerseys and objects. We offer canvas stretching, shadowboxing, fabrics framing, and matting. We are also able to provide conservation framing, but please keep in mind that we do not stock a full array of conservation materials, so conservation framing is done only by request and may take longer than usual. For an estimate and options, please come by our shop.
You may also ship a piece of artwork to us to be framed, though we ask that you please call in advance of making the shipment so that we can discuss your framing options with you.

Q: How much will it cost to have something framed?
A: There are simply too many factors that go into framing for us to give an estimate over the phone or via email. We have to evaluate what methods will go into framing your piece—does it need to be dry mounted? Is it a fabric? Multiple mat openings? Etcetera—and you must select the materials that will complement your taste and décor. To have an estimate done on a particular frame job, please bring your artwork to our shop, and we will be pleased to create a custom framing design that's sure to delight.

Q: What professional qualifications do you have?
A: Vincent Art has been certified by the Professional Picture Framers Association for continually adhering to their standards of business ethics and framing quality.

Q: What can you tell me about Pirate's Alley, Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, and other New Orleans landmarks?
A: The history and culture of New Orleans is simply too rich and extensive to cover in this short FAQ. If you have a specific question, you may call us and we will be happy to answer. Otherwise, check out one of the many great books dedicated to our history and culture, such as Leonard Victor Huber's Landmarks of New Orleans or Joan B Garvey & Mary Lou Widmer's Beautiful Crescent: A History of New Orleans. 

Q: I have a different question that isn't addressed in this FAQ.
A: Please give us a call at (866) 846-2781.