Conservation Painting & Consulting

Conservation of decorative finishes and artwork is a specialty of Canning Studios.  Firm principal John Canning is a Professional Associate of the American Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC), and our studio adheres to the AIC’s code of ethics and guidelines for practice.  We are guided by the principles of “do no harm,” reversibility of treatments, and documentation. Our areas of conservation expertise include oil, acrylic, encaustic, distemper, and casein paints; glazes and transparent finishes; gold and other metallic leafs; plaster and scagliola.

We frequently provide consulting services for historic finish studies, plaster condition surveys, art and finishes conservation, restoration consultation, and period interiors. Our scope of services includes preparation of treatment plans, documentation of cultural resources before and after treatments, and environmental monitoring.