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More About the Products
1. What's the difference between Matt Photo Prints and Giclée Canvas Prints?
Matt Photo Prints are literally printed as very large photographs. Therefore they have the same crisp detail, excellent colour richness and life span of a photograph. These prints must be framed behind glass.
Our Giclée Canvas Prints (pronounced gee'clay) are of the highest quality and are frequently mistaken for being original art works. Their colour depth is excellent and they have been treated for protection. These prints do not need to be framed behind glass, in fact they don't need to be framed at all, you can just ask your local framer to stretch them for you if you prefer that.
2. If I order a framed print, what will the frame look like?
To see a picture of the frames, click here.
All the materials are of the highest quality to bring out the absolute best in your art work. We choose to accentuate the prints with a dramatic, solid wood, outer frame which makes a presence on any wall and softer elements to offset against the painting, to bring out those delicate touches.
We have two different standard frames, one for Matt Photo Prints and the other for Giclée Canvas Prints. The differences can be described as follows:
Matt Photo Prints: These prints must be framed behind glass and frames include a double mounting, two gold slips and a dark wooden outer frame - all of which extends the total size of the print by 200mm in all directions.
Giclée Canvas Prints: These prints do not need to be framed behind glass but rather we use two inner frames, one gold the other ivory and the same dark wooden outer frame as above. Framing extends the total size of the print by 200mm in all directions.
3. I see something that looks like wood in the Limited Edition Print. Is that real wood or not?
Limited Edition Prints are generated from photographs of the original art works. This means that if the original work was mounted on wooden beams then the print will include those wooden beams in the image - but they it will be printed on the paper / canvas. So the answer is no, prints are not mounted on wood as are the original art works.
Shipping Questions:
1. Do you ship worldwide & what will it cost?
Yes we do ship worldwide. Shipping is calculated according to the dimentions of your parcel as well as the final destination. Because of this, shipping can only be calculated once you have added the items to your shopping cart. Begin the checkout procedure and your shipping costs will be calculated in step 3 of 6. You can always remove items from your cart before confirming the order.
Please note: Unframed prints are shipped in a tube and we highly recommend this option for all international purchases (outside of South Africa). Framed works can be shipped worldwide, however, we strongly urge you against ordering framed prints for international shipping because we cannot take responsibility for any damages incurred.
2. How long will my order take to reach me?
This will depend on what you have ordered and how far it needs to travel to find you. You will be able to see your order status online to know when orders are still pending payment, busy being processed or have already been shipped off to you. You will also receive e-mailed confirmation once you r order ships. Here are some general guide lines to help you:
All Prints, Gift items, Posters, Music and Books in stock, usually ship within 24 (but can take up to 48 hours).
Out of stock items (excluding Original art works, Music and Books) can be shipped within 3 working days.
Framing takes 8 working days.
Original art works often need to be crated first and usually ship within 3 working days (unless other arrangements are made).
Local shipping, to major centers within South Africa, is overnight and should reach you by the next morning. Some outlying areas will take a day longer for delivery.
International shipping takes 3 - 5 working days depending on your location.
Curious About the Creative Process?
1. How long does it take to make a painting?
This seems to always be the first question which pops out when people see the works in person. The answer is that it is a very time consuming process which demands heaps of patience, a calm spirit and often hundreds of hours.
2. What medium are the original art works done in?
Good old-fashioned, time-tested, unbeatably gorgeous oil paint is the only medium Lené uses for her paintings. The words 'is it air-brush' often come up in this question, but no, it's all done with traditional brushes.
3. Does Lené Pienaar always work in these colours?
This is another popular question. She does use other colours but most often with wildlife and flower studies. These specific sepia tones however are one of the most obvious trademarks of her work. The reason for it can be explained on various levels, but suffice to say for here that they stir from a warm place in her heart.
4. What is the inspiration behind the work?
Ah, the golden question! And one difficult to translate into words - so difficult in fact that she spends so much time trying to say it with pictures. You are not surprised are you? What would you imagine would drive a person to labour endlessly over a mammoth canvas only to end with some sense of unfulfilled expectation, and then take up the brush and try again? Year after year after year...
It will likely be a lifelong pursuit to find some way to express all she longs to of the endless wonders of her God. Just the tiniest attempt to worship Him who could never receive enough glory and praise.
5. Does Lené Pienaar do commissions?
Not at this point.
6. Does Lené Pienaar give art lessons?
Lené has, in the past, lectured at the University of Pretoria and given private art classes, but she chooses not to do so anymore.
7. Does Lené Pienaar mentor artists?
Also not at this stage, but it is quite likely to happen in some form in time.
More about the Exhibitions
1. How can I be included on the guest list for the next exhibition?
Simply send us your details on the Contact Us page and we'll send you the news as soon as there is any.
2. How often does she exhibit?
Technically she likes to exhibit one major solo exhibition a year.
3. Will Lené Pienaar be willing to exhibit at our venue?
It's always worth asking. Time is a big constraint on her recourses but she's always willing to listen to what you have on mind or what's on your heart. Exhibiting prints is much easier and you are likely to find that that is possible to arrange.
Answers for retailers and galleries
1. How can we get hold of these products for our store?
There are two steps to this process. Firstly register as a user on this website. That will serve as your ordering vehicle for stock from our store. Once that is done send us a mail with all your details and what you'd like from us. We will get back to you to set up a working arrangement and on-line retailer profile.
Tips on how to get the best out of your art work
1. Before you buy.
For Limited Edition Prints: There are two main things you should look at before you buy your art work, to ensure that you make the best selection. Firstly determine where you would like the work to hang. If it's across from a window or door, you're likely to need a canvas print. They don't reflect light like the glass will. Secondly, what is the size of your wall? For the best balanced effect, you'll want a work that fills between half and three quarters of the visual space open on that wall (use the frame size to determine that, not the art works size.) Use a tape measure to help you picture the size of the art work.
2. Hanging your artwork:
Try to hang the piece so that you look at it eye level when it's hanging, that's usually the most comfortable height. Also make sure that the nail is strong enough, you don't want your new treasure to come crashing down. In a strong brick wall, a well fitted screw and plug will be enough for a small to medium size art work. It's a good idea to drill the hole downwards (i.e. so that the skrew head is slightly elevated when in place.) Don't hang the work with gut or wire. Gut stretches leaving the hook exposed - not pretty. And wire has the nasty tendency of snapping a few months after you've hung it - usually in the middle of the night - enough said. About a 4mm thick nylon rope is your best bet for peaceful sleep.
3. Taking care of your art work:
Oil paintings can handle a gentle wipe with a damp (I didn't say soaking) cloth. This will be all they need to stay in pristine condition. Avoid scratching the canvas or resting it against objects or any friction on the painted surface. If you do need / want to rest it on something, like an easel for example, make sure it is resting against the frame and not the canvas - or you won't like the way you've modified it.