The Euro Art Gallery in Thailand
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PAGE CONTAINS SELECTIVE ARCHIVED CONTENT FROM THE ORIGINAL SITE.
Since the site will not be exactly as you remember it, please be indulgent
Hello and Welcome to my Art Gallery.
The computer genius (myself) who constructed this website, said it would be a good idea if I told you something about myself and just how the Euro Art Gallery came into being, so here goes.
I am Dutch by nationality. I am 37 years old and I trained as an artist in Holland. As a small boy and during my university holidays I used to spend my time, whenever I could, visiting Museums and Art Galleries in Paris, Italy and Rome. I dreamed of making enough money one day to be able to afford to own a Picasso or a Matisse.
In 1997 I took a holiday in Thailand. I visited the usual temples and marveled at the sculptures I found, some of which dated back to the 15th century. I found art schools dating back to 1296 (Chiang Saen).
My girlfriend, who is Thai and also an artist, insisted that we spend some time on the beach so we traveled south to the enchanting Thai Island of Phuket.
There, I stumbled across a colony of artists who were busily engaged in painting local scenes and sometimes reproductions of pictures that tourists had given them to copy. I was amazed at the quality of the work I saw. The "Master" explained to me that Thais were essentially copyists, their art history having been founded in reproducing Buddha's image.
However, during Buddha's lifetime his express wish was that no images were produced, so after his death, artists took license, in interpreting their memory of Buddha, reproducing his image and in turn, copying it over and over.
There the germ of an idea of having a gallery was born. With the help of my girlfriend Ming, we recruited the best 6 painters we could find. I returned to Holland, sold my home and borrowed some money from my father and bought as many art reference books as I could afford.
I visited my old Art Professor and asked his advice on materials. He, like me, was obsessed with quality and advised me to only use the best linen for canvas, not to use the local Thai paints but to visit Windsor and Newton in England and buy their paints, which I did.
I returned to Thailand with 80 kilos of overweight luggage. For the next year, my artists painted exclusively for me, under the guidance of the Master, I had first met. For the first time in their lives they had proper reference books to get true colours to follow. The results were astounding and very gratifying.
In 1998 we were ready and we opened the first European Art Gallery in Thailand. It was an immediate success. We sold over 500 paintings in our first year, to visitors from all over the world.
Today our team of artists has grown to 16, other artists bring their work to hang in our gallery and we sell over 1500 paintings every year. Many of our paintings go to galleries in Europe, Asia and the Americas, but many go to private clients, who like my original dream, can now buy an affordable, quality reproduction oil painting, to hang in their home that they can take pleasure from and that is difficult to differentiate, from the original.
Even Rembrandt would be proud of the copies we paint of his masterpieces!
Our Website
Many visitors to our gallery in Thailand, who had bought paintings from us, come from other countries. Several suggested that it would be a good idea to create a website, where they could not only keep in touch, but also to browse through their favorite or other artists' work, if they wanted to buy another picture.
So, in 2001 our website was born.
We try to keep it as informative as possible, but know, that there are always ways we can improve and we welcome any suggestions you may have. click here to see how to win a free original oil painting.
Every day, we get more than 1200 visitors on our site. Many of whom are return visitors. We have received several awards from various website authorities, which we find very flattering - thank you, to those who have paid us such nice compliments ! Click here to see our awards.
The sincerest form of flattery, it is said, is imitation! Since starting our website we have been told about and have seen, many other copies of our website, on the net. Some have copied pictures, others, large chunks of our text (even including our spelling mistakes)!! We always try to stop this, through reporting it to the various authorities on the net, but the very nature of the medium makes this a difficult task.
Please be careful and Beware of Imitators. Often, they have no (real life) gallery. They copy their paintings from computer downloads, with its attendant problem of color distortion. They use cheap hemp or jute based canvas to paint on and if you buy from them you will inevitably be disappointed with the result. Always ask them if they, like us, offer you a "No Quibble Money Back Guarantee".
We will never compromise on quality, or the standard of our service to you, our customer. We want you to be pleased with your purchase from us, for many years to come.
If there is anything we haven't covered on our website, please just e mail us at [email protected]
Please address your questions to me, personally. I will always reply to you, within 24 hours.
Ray Lukassen.
EURO ART GALLERY - OUR STOCK OF PAINTINGS
You don't want to wait for three weeks for your painting? We always have many copies of various artists' masterpieces in stock in our Gallery.
How can I buy one and how much do they cost? We like to keep things simple. We always sell our stock paintings at one price. For just 295 USD you can own one that will be shipped to you within 24 hours of us receiving your credit card details or your money transfer.
Simply choose the painting you want and go directly to our order form.
All stock paintings are sold exclusive of courier costs, but, they are always covered by our No Quibble Money Back Guarantee. You don't like the painting you receive? It didn't live up to your expectations? Simply send it back to us, in its original packing and we will refund your 295 USD.
PAINTS
As a world renowned Chef, will only use the finest ingredients in cooking, so we at Euro Art Gallery are equally fastidious in the choice of the oils we use in our paintings.
We want your painting to be, not only beautiful to look at but, for us, the painting you receive, has to be of the highest quality. We look for the following qualities in our oils : permanence, light fastness, ingredients (toxicity) and the precise color index of the pigments. We want to know just how the pigment holds up in combination with other pigments and its durability over time.
Accordingly we only use Windsor and Newton oil colours - an English company, established in 1832, with a worldwide reputation in the art world, for their excellent and consistent standards of their paints.
The Romans had a saying that art is long and life is short.
Our paintings, you can be assured, are properly made. We are concerned, not only with the moment of creation, but also, that your painting will give you enjoyment for years to come.
CARING FOR YOUR PAINTINGS
Paintings may be objects of great beauty or of historical importance, providing an important cultural link with the past. They may have great monetary value or have sentimental value to their owners. Whatever the case, paintings are fragile creations that require special care to assure their continued preservation.
Paintings consist of various layers. The paint is applied to a support, typically canvas or wood, which is first primed with a glue-sizing and/or ground layer. Traditional paintings are finished with a coat of varnish. Contemporary paintings, naive, or folk art may not have a ground layer or varnish coating.
Paintings that do not have all of the traditional layers may be more fragile and susceptible to change or damage. The paint layers can be made of pigments in oil, acrylic (or other synthetics), encaustic (wax), tempera (egg), distemper (glue), casein (milk), gouache (plant gum), or a mixture of media. The paint can be applied on a wide variety of supports.
Although the most common are canvas and wood, other supports include paper, cardboard, pressed board, artist's board, copper, ivory, glass, plaster, and stone. Paintings on canvas are usually stretched over an auxiliary wood support. An adjustable support is called a stretcher; a support with fixed corners is called a strainer.
Paintings change over time. Some inevitable results of aging, such as increased transparency of oil paint or the appearance of certain types of cracks, do not threaten the stability of a painting and may not always be considered damage. One of the most common signs of age is a darkened or yellowed surface caused by accumulated grime or discolored varnish.
When a varnish becomes so discolored that it obscures the artist's intended colors and the balance of lights and darks, it usually can be removed by a conservator, but some evidence of aging is to be expected and should be accepted. However, when structural damages occur in a painting such as tears, flaking paint, cracks with lifting edges, or mold, consult a conservator to decide on a future course of treatment for your painting.
MAINTAINING A SUITABLE ENVIRONMENT
It is important to maintain a proper environment for your paintings. The structural components of a painting expand and contract in different ways as the surrounding temperature and humidity fluctuate. For example, the flexible canvas may become slack or taut in a changing environment, while the more brittle paint may crack, curl, or loosen its attachment to the underlying layers.
If a painting could be maintained in an optimum environment, in one location at a constant temperature and humidity level, many of the problems requiring the services of a paintings conservator could be prevented. Paintings generally do well in environmental conditions that are comfortable for people, with relative humidity levels between 40 and 60 percent. Environmental guidelines have been developed for different types of materials.
Paintings on canvas may react more quickly to rising and falling humidity levels than paintings on wood panels, but the dimensional changes that can occur in a wood panel can cause more structural damage. Owners of panel paintings should be particularly conscientious about avoiding unusually low or high relative humidity and temperatures to prevent warping, splitting, or breaking of the wood.
Museums strive to maintain constant temperature and humidity levels for works of art, but even with expensive environmental control systems this task can be difficult. In most cases, gradual seasonal changes and small fluctuations are less harmful than large environmental fluctuations. Avoiding large fluctuations is very important. For example, a painting stored in what would generally be considered poor conditions (such as a cold, damp castle in England) may remain structurally secure for centuries, but begin to deteriorate rapidly if moved into "stable" museum conditions simply because of the extreme change in its environment.
One of the simplest and most important preservation steps you can take is have protective backing board attached to paintings. A Fome-Cor (or archival cardboard backing) screwed to the reverse of a painting will slow environmental exchange through a canvas, keep out dust and foreign objects, and protect against damage during handling. Be sure that the backing board covers the entire back of the picture; do not leave air vent holes, which can cause localized environmental conditions and lead to cracks in paint. The backing board should be attached to the reverse of the stretcher or strainer, not to the frame. Have a conservator or reputable framer attach it for you.
DISPLAYING PAINTINGS
The display of paintings requires careful consideration. Direct sunlight can cause fading of certain pigments, increased yellowing of varnish, and excessive heat on the painting surface. It is best to exhibit paintings on dividing walls within a building rather than on perimeter walls where temperature fluctuations will be greater and condensation can occur. If paintings are placed on uninsulated exterior walls, it may help to place small rubber spacers on the back of the frame to increase air circulation.
Although a fireplace is often a focal spot for a room, a painting displayed above a mantel will be exposed to soot, heat, and environmental extremes. Hanging paintings above heating and air conditioning vents or in bathrooms with tubs or showers is also inadvisable because the rapid environmental fluctuations will be harmful. Select a safe place away from high traffic and seating areas.
When lighting paintings, use indirect lighting. Lights that attach to the top of the frame and hang over the picture can be dangerous. These lights cast a harsh glare, illuminate and heat the painting unevenly, and can fall into the artwork causing burns or tears. Indirect sunlight, recessed lighting, or ceiling-mounted spotlights are best for home installations. Halogen lamps are increasingly popular, but halogen bulbs emit high levels of ultraviolet light (the part of the spectrum that is damaging to artworks) and should be fitted with an ultraviolet filter when used near light-sensitive materials. These bulbs also have been known to explode and may pose a fire hazard. Tungsten lamps may be preferable for home lighting.
HANDLING PROCEDURES
Pictures are usually safest when hanging on a wall, provided that they are well framed, with the picture and hanging hardware adequately secured. If you must store a painting, avoid damp basements or garages, where pictures can mold, and attics, which are very hot in the summer. A good storage method is to place the paintings in a closet with a stiff board protecting the image side of each artwork and a backing board attached to the reverse. Here again, a backing board attached to the reverse can protect your painting.
Do not risk damaging your paintings by moving them any more than is absolutely necessary. If you must remove a painting from the wall or move it to another room, clear the pathway of furniture and obstructions and prepare a location to receive it. The frame must be stable and secure. If it is old or there is glazing (glass), ensure that it can withstand being moved.
Determine if you can lift the painting safely by yourself. If the frame is massive or the picture is wider than your shoulders, ask someone to help you. If the painting is of a manageable size, lift the frame with both hands by placing one hand in the center of each side. Always carry it with the image side facing you. Remove jewelry, tie clips, belt buckles, or other clothing that might scrape the surface.
Hang paintings from picture hooks (not nails) placed securely in the wall; a heavy picture requires two hooks. Before hanging, examine the back of the painting to ensure that the hanging hardware is strong and secure. If the painting is framed, the hardware should be attached to the back of the frame, not to the stretcher or strainer.
If picture wire is used, attach a double strand of braided wire to the sides of the frame (not to the top edge) with "D" rings or mirror plate hangers (see diagram). These types of hangers are secured to the wooden frame with two to four screws. Hanging can be more complicated with contemporary paintings that do not have protective frames. Moving and hanging unframed or large paintings safely may require the services of professional art handlers, who may be reached by calling a local museum, historical society, or reputable art gallery.
- Framed painting with padded rabbet
- Backing board attached to stretcher with screws and washers
- "D" rings to hang painting
- Brass mending plates screwed into frame to secure the painting
- Rubber spacers for air circulation
FRAMING
If you intend to buy a new frame for a painting or have a painting treated by a conservator, take the opportunity to have it properly framed. Ideally, a painting should be held in the frame with mending plates that are attached to the frame with screws. Brass mending plates can be bent and adjusted so there is light pressure on the back of the stretcher or strainer.
Sometimes nails are used to frame paintings, but nails can rust, fall out, or protrude through the canvas. Ask the framer or conservator to pad the rabbet, the part of the frame that touches the face of the painting, with felt or another suitable material to protect the image.
HOUSEKEEPING GUIDELINES
After carefully examining your paintings for loose or flaking paint, dust them every four to six months. Feather dusters can scratch paintings. Instead use soft, white-bristle Japanese brushes, sable (such as a typical makeup brush), or badger-hair brushes (called "blenders" and used for faux finishes).
Never try to clean a painting yourself or use any liquid or commercial cleaners on a painted surface. Commercial preparations can cause irreparable damage to the fragile layers of a painting. Avoid using pesticides, foggers, air fresheners, or furniture sprays near artworks. Remove paintings from a room before painting, plastering, or steam cleaning carpets or wallpaper. Return the artworks only when the walls and floors are completely dry.
DISASTERS AND OTHER PROBLEMS
If a disaster such as a flood or fire occurs in your home, remove paintings from standing water or debris. If the paint is flaking, lay the painting flat with the image side up to limit paint loss. Consult a professional conservator as soon as possible for assistance in limiting damage to your artwork. Wiping smoke, mud, or other contaminants from a painting may result in additional damage. An information packet on disaster recovery is available from the American Institute for Conservation.
Other problems will require the help of a professional conservator. Insect infestation, flaking paint, paint loss, torn canvas, cracks with lifting edges or planar distortions (wrinkles or draws in the canvas), mold growth, grime, or very discolored varnish are problems that only a professional conservator is trained to address.
While I was researching this site before I decided to purchase the domain, I discovered that Ray Lukassen had posted on Pissed Consumer an issue he had with Dmitry V. Andrejev from In-technic. What followed was an obvious scam on the part of Dmitry V. Andrejev from In-technic. What a sham. I wish Ray had contacted the company I work for. We do custom application development for both large and small companies. Many of the security breaches that happen in e commerce sites are the result of hackers taking advantage of known weaknesses in off-the-shelf software, but with customized software development all security concerns can be addressed. One of the great things about custom software development is that it can be scaled up or down as needed, giving a company flexibility as it grows. Obviously Ray was unable to work out the problems he had with this site since the domain's registration was allowed to expire. When I recently discovered that the domain was once again available I decided to bring back Ray's site in a more edited version so visitors to the web who discover it would learn about the stock paintings his artists create. I definitely didn't want someone else purchasing the domain and re-purposing it for something that had nothing in common with the original website. I wanted to keep the spirit of the original Euro Art Gallery in Thailand website intact.