How to light art like a gallery

Lighting is very important in visual aesthetics. As humans, when translating external data to our internal brain, our primary input sensory system is vision. Proper lighting transforms your art and space from meh to amazing!

Here’s the basic concept — you want light heads that have

  1. tiltable angle

  2. high CRI

  3. modifiable (in terms of light spread)

Depending on your purchased art product line and your ceiling types, consult with your interior designer for optimal art placement, lighting schematics, and safety inspections.

Read how to display art like an art gallery here.

Thanks for reading. Until next blog!

—xoxo, L

The Art of Printmaking 101

Li_Gao_Art_Gallery-2.jpg

Lithography: dispense photo sensitive polymer onto a substrate, expose the substrate to a UV light source, and then develop away the unwanted polymer.

Etching: engrave or etch lines into a metal plate, then transfer onto paper.

Monotype printing: draw on a smooth metal plate with printer’s ink or oil paints.

Block printing: carve into wood, linoleum, or foam, coat it with ink or paint, and then imprint onto paper or fabric.

Screen printing: ink is pushed through a mesh screen or stencil to print a design, also on paper or clothing (ie. t-shirt)

Stay tuned for deep dive on digital printing. Thanks for reading. Until next blog!

—xoxo, L


How to Care for Fine Art?

Li_Gao_Art_Gallery-1.jpg

Congratulations on your purchase! Here are some quick DOs and DON’Ts

DO

  • Store your fine art pieces on a flat horizontal surface until ready to display.

  • Use a soft, nonabrasive cloth and water to clean your fine art pieces surface.

  • Avoid direct sunlight exposure.

DO NOT

  • Lean your fine art pieces against the wall or other vertical surface for a prolonged period of time, as this may result in bowing and/or warping.

  • Use cleaning products that contain alcohol or ammonia, as they will damage your art piece.

  • Expose your fine art piece to direct sunlight or outdoor elements unless your product line is approved by vendor for exteriors.

Thank you for reading. Until next blog!

—xoxo, L

When to use Fine Art Canvas vs Board?

Fine Art Canvas is made of woven cotton duck, woven linen, or synthetic materials. Use it for wet paints like oil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, and mixed media. To create custom sizes or very large artworks, purchase canvas in rolls, then cut, stretch, mount and prime prior to use. To display artwork without a frame, attach canvas to the stretcher bars via back stapling method, then paint all 4 sides.

Fine Art Canvas Board is covered with cotton or linen canvas that is mounted securely to a MDF backing or hardwood like maple, birch, and basswood. Use it for non-flexible paints like tempera, encaustic, and casein. Best displayed with a frame: open back frame or float frame.

Thanks for reading. Until next blog!

—xoxo, L

How to Display Art Like an Art Gallery

Li_Gao_Art_Gallery-7-1.jpg

3 common art display systems seen in galleries and museums are

  • Tracks and molding

  • Stainless steel cable

  • Clear tape

Depending on your product specifications and your wall types, consult with your professional interior designer on best systems to use. Your interior designer can help you plan your project in terms of art placement and lighting design (and we all know careful planning is key to ensure top-quality results.) Need a referral? I know great NYC New York based architectural designer and firm.

Thanks for reading. until next blog!

—xoxo, L

How to Install Acrylic Fine Art

Acrylic Art, French Cleat System Installation

  1. Use a level to place the unattached French Cleat in the desired position. Using a pencil, mark two holes on the wall. Drill pilot holes in the center of each circle and insert wall anchors. We recommend a 3/16” drill bit.

  2. With the sharp point away from the wall and pointed upwards, mount the French Cleat to the wall using the two 1/8” screws.

  3. Hang the French Cleat attached to your product onto the bottom half mounted to the wall. Your Acrylic Art now locked firmly in position. 

Acrylic Art, Stainless Post System Installation (Your Acrylic Art comes with four pre-drilled holes for Stainless Post assembly.)

  1. Using a level, place your Acrylic Art against the wall in the desired location and trace the four holes with a pencil.

  2. Drill pilot holes in the center of each circle and insert wall anchors. We recommend a 3/16” drill bit.

  3. Using a Philips screwdriver, insert the included screws through the Stainless Post barrels and into the wall anchors.

  4. Place your Acrylic Art against the Stainless Post barrels and insert the Stainless screw caps through the hole in the barrels. Hand tighten to secure the art pieces. 

Thanks for reading. Until next blog!

—xoxo, L

How to Make Walls Look Taller?

Did you know that the human eyes have a natural tendency to track lines? When placing art, you can create an illusion to shape audience brains to perceive a room to have taller walls and higher ceilings than it actually does. Here are 3 tips on how to create make walls look taller using art!


1. Orient your artwork vertically. 
2. Hang frames higher than you normally would. 
3. Use recessed lighting and wall scones.

Stay tuned for how to make rooms look bigger. Thank you for reading. Until next blog!

-xoxo, L

What is Solar Etching Printmaking?

Solar etching printmaking by Li Gao.

Etching is the process of printing from etched out areas on a metal plate such as copper, zinc, aluminum, then rubbing ink onto the etched plate. Metal plates are printed using a roller press to transfer inked cuts onto paper. Solarplate is a light sensitive, steel backed polymer used to produce prints without using toxic grounds, acids, and solvents. The image above is a photograph of a print I made via solar etching method. The valuable thing is you can rapidly duplicate your etched plate onto whatever surface material, over and over again in large quantity in a safe eco-friendly way.

Thanks for reading. Until next blog!

—xoxo, L

How to Hang Metal Fine Art?

Li_Gao_Art_Gallery-10.jpg

Framed Metal Fine Art can be hung using the wire hanger provided or directly from the inside edge of the frame with a wall hook. Make sure that your wall hooks have the appropriate strengths to hold the weight, so that the art does not fall. You may want to install wall anchors or other secure hanging devices and hardwares. Consult with your interior designer.

Stay tuned for how to care for your acrylic fine art. Thanks for reading. Until next blog!

—xoxo, L

How to Care for Metal Fine Art?

Li_Gao_Art_Gallery-10.jpg

Metal Fine Art can be cleaned using a soft cloth or towel. Avoid paper towels and scratchy textures. If needed, use water or window cleaner (windex) to remove fingerprints and dusts. For Metal Fine Art with Float Mounts, please make sure to remove all tape securing the art to the box so that the art is not bent when you remove it from the box. For Metal Art with Flush or Inset Frames, please be careful not to twist the frame when removing he art from the box or crate. After cutting the plastic strapping bands, lift one side straight up and rest the art gently along the other edge, carefully removing any foam packing strips. Careful not to drop or bump the edges or corners.

Stay tuned for how to hang your new metal fine art and free pdf instruction on the art of caring & installing metal fine art.

Thank you for reading. Until next blog!

—xoxo, L

How to Care for Acrylic Fine Art?

Li Gao Art.png

Your Acrylic Fine Art should only need occasional gentle dusting with a non-abrasive cloth. To remove any dirt or streaks, use a small amount of mild soap with water and rub gently with a clean, soft cloth. Follow up with a clean, damp cloth and dry by blotting with a soft cloth. Never use any products that contain ammonia or alcohol as they will damage the acrylic. Novus #1 Cleaner can be used for cleaning acrylic to a beautiful glossy shine. Proper storage is a key factor in minimizing the possibility of warping or edge curling. Store your fine art flat until ready to hang. Standing or leaning your fine art for long periods of time prior to hanging may cause fine art to cold form or take the shape of the uneven surface. Do not use paper towels or other rough materials. Never get the back of your Acrylic Fine Art piece wet.  Consult with your interior designer for details.

Stay tuned for how to install acrylic fine art and free pdf on the fine art of caring & installing acrylic fine art.

Thank you for reading. Until next blog!

—xoxo, L

Art Museum in Senior Living?

Own or operate a senior living or rehabilitation facility? You really should work with an artist, architectural designer, and art advisor to help create your very own state of the art museum! Basically, we’ll be able to customize your site with community luxury, from bespoke content creation, art gallery and lighting design, to art printing shipping and installing. From a business development perspective, it’s an innovative solution to inspire your staff, attract VIP clients, and engage investors with your in-house art museum. Plus it’s great for your press releases and marketing campaigns!

Below are few behind the scenes and timeless portraitures of elderly with Dementia and Alzheimers that Li Gao Photography had the opportunity to capture, process, develop and fabricate on canvas for a luxury art gallery installation in the memory support unit of senior living nursing care facility, Evanston Chicago, IL.

What’s your mission? How can I help?

Li Gao setting up fine art exhibition at the Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, for the Chicago senior living healthcare community.

Li Gao setting up fine art exhibition at the Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, for the Chicago senior living healthcare community.

Li Gao developing fine art prints in the darkroom for Chicago senior living healthcare facility.

Li Gao developing fine art prints in the darkroom for Chicago senior living healthcare facility.

Li Gao. Art and Lighting pre-installation at the Evanston Chicago senior living facility.