• www.cartc.co.za is pronounced ”C – art – C” Collaborative-art-creations. We use the letter ”C” in the logo for Collaborative, a play on meaning of the words, ”C” or “see”, then ”ART”, and then the ”eye” which alludes to ”seeing art” as well as ”creating” what’s in our minds eye.
• In essence its for you to “see art see” and enjoy our collection of pieces.

How do we create our art works

• Unique work: quite simply means a unique once-off piece, in a medium such as oil, acrylics, pen and ink, atomized acrylics .
• New Media:  New media art includes artworks designed and produced by means of new media technologies, comprising virtual art, computer graphics, computer animation, digital art, interactive art, sound art, Internet art, video games, robotics, 3D printing, and cyborg art.

• The process of creating Digital Art: My digital paintings/Art are created in a software program. The initial process involves making use of 100’s of reference photographs and layers. I use multiple vanishing points and have to dissect, warp and rebuild elements to create a concept which resembles and matches that of my imagination. Once I have the concept in place, I  start the painting process using multiple software brushes. A Digital work takes several months to create.

• The process of creating Digitally transformed art: I create an traditional original work of art using a traditional medium, such as oil, acrylics, pen and ink, atomized acrylics on canvas/paper etc. After completion, the original work is professionally photographed. I then use these files to digitally transform & enhance the image in software programs such as Adobe photoshop. This process involves transforming the work with computerized brushes, fine tuning and editing colour, and adding additional layers, adding and altering elements so that the work becomes an original digital piece. This piece is then available as a limited edition print or unique work.

• The process of creating atomized acrylic art: This type of art is creatied using various types of spraying methods, by using spray guns, air brush and spray cans. This can be on canvas, paper, perspex or aluminium.
• What is Photography :  Photography is the art of  capturing light with a camera, usually via a digital sensor or film, to create an image. With the right camera equipment, you can even photograph wavelengths of light invisible to the human eye, including UV, infrared, and radio.
• An original print indicates that the print is of the original medium that the artist created the work in. For example, a photograph printed is an original print. Any type of printmaking is an original print (intaglio, monoprint, etc). A work of art created digitally on a computer and printed out is also an original print. Original prints are valued as collectible as any other artistic medium.
• How are the circles created :

  The concentric circles are created with a specially designed spinning device. The spinning device concept came about after Laresa, wanted to have a rotating easel to make working on geometric art works a lot easier on the shoulders. Her first spinning device was made out the rotisserie motor of her braai (barbeque). She woke up early one morning and dismantled the family braai. She then made a very primitive rotating device that she burnt out within a few days. And so, the process began of refining what she needed the final unit to do. The process of refining the device took approximately 2 years with a lot of sketches, homemade prototypes, and designs. Now Laresa has a unit that can be used in all the ways she has in her mind. Her final design with all the alterations and amendments was put together by an engineering company in Cape Town.

  The various units she designs to execute her artwork, is an integral part of her process of creation. To date she has come up with 3 main designs, with each having their own unique functions with various appendages

• Archival prints: Giclée prints are the ideal solution for fine art reproduction. This archival printing style is popular with painters, illustrators and photographers alike. Images are printed in high-resolution by specialized inkjet printers using pigment inks on a choice of fine art papers. We offer 8 art papers in our range, all varying in texture, finish and paper tone to get the perfect desired print finish. The result: exceptional quality prints, offering brighter colours, crisper details and long-lasting colour.
• Acrylic/perspex prints: Reverse printing onto Acrylic, otherwise known as Plexiglas or Perspex, gives your prints a high-gloss finish and contemporary feel. Unlike most substrates, Acrylic prints allow natural light to refract through your artwork, giving your image a 3D feel, while enhancing the colours, brilliance and intensity. Ideal for high contrast images with bright colours. Archival properties: The UV cured inks are not archival but through simulated testing, are said to last 75 years out of direct sunlight and 5 years in direct sunlight.

  This substrate has a glossy finish, is extremely durable and allows for high light transmissions while blocking harmful UV radiation. Artwork is printed in high resolution, with UV cured inks onto the reverse of the Acrylic and an additional layer of white block out is added to the reverse of this print.

• Diasec: is an archival mounting and framing method.
  It is the process of mounting and sealing a print between two substrates – acrylic glass and Dibond® – to create a rigid, high-quality, exhibition standard artwork.
  The process w
  How does it work?
  Artwork is first printed onto a fine art or photographic paper of your choice.
  The print is then face-mounted, image side up, to transparent acrylic glass (Perspex) using advance mounting techniques and a series of chemicals.
  Adhesion of the print takes place chemically when two liquid components come into contact and thus leaves the print archivally sealed – dust and air free.
  The back of the print is then mounted onto Dibond® – an aluminium and plastic composite sheet. Sandwiched between the acrylic glass and Dibond®, the print is left perfectly flat with a high-gloss finish.
  What are the advantages of Diasec?
  Unique light refraction properties emphasize colour contrast and detail
• • Colours are brilliant and the images appear sharper, due to the refraction properties of acrylic glass and the specialised adhesion process
  • The print is more resistant to harmful UV rays and discolouration;
  • The print is effectively protected against mechanical stress
  • Traditional framing isn’t necessary as a hanging mechanism is attached directly to the Dibond ® backing – which floats the artwork 25 mm from the wall
  • If you prefer a more contemporary framing look, the Diasec® mounted artwork can be fitted into a frame.

• Certificate of authenticity: Our COA will include: Title of art work, No in the edition, size, medium, date of production, no in edition (where applicable) an image of the artwork for easy identification, as well as the artists signature/stamp.
• Each limited Edition print is digitally signed with the unique signature of the artist, and comes with a certificate of authenticity.  (either shipped with art work, posted or emailed)
• Each unique work, is hand signed by the artist and comes with a certificate of authenticty (either shipped with art work, posted or emailed)

COLOR REPRESENTATION OF THE ARTWORK

We do our utmost to represent the true colors of the artwork. The images that we use are photographed by Laresa, who has been a professional photographer for over 30 years, specializing in photographing art. All images are been color-corrected to provide the most accurate color representation of the piece, as well as edited on a color calibrated professional monitor. We also ask our guest artists to do their best when providing us with images of their work.

It’s important to note that even with these measures, there may still be slight variations in color between what is seen online and what the artwork looks like in person, as various factors can affect the variation in color such as:

• Device screen settings
• Type of device viewed on i.e. monitor, smart phone, iPad etc.
• Position of monitor/device in your home, i.e. window light behind your monitor, viewing at night and so on.
• Color of the walls in the room where your monitor is located.
• The lighting in the installation location. Daylight balanced, warm light, cold light, fluorescent and so on.

For detailed information on how we photograph our artwork, please see the Blog post: How we photograph our artworks.

We always package your art work with the utmost of care. We have taken weeks, and sometimes months to create the work, and we make sure it is packaged very well, in order to have a safe journey it’s new home..

We are environmentally friendly and try to reduce, reuse and recycle as possible to decrease our impact on our wonderful planet.

For local deliveries in South Africa, we will wrap your artwork in layer of Airothene, then bubble wrap prior to packaging in repurposed materials and corrugated board. We make use of Rebul crates for our crating.

Artworks to be delivered internationally will be packaged in a crate or a tube, depending on the artwork.

Should you live in South Africa, you are welcome to collect your artwork directly from our printers, if its a archival print, perspex, or canvas. If the artwork is in our studio, you can collect directly from us. Alternatively, we will courier the work to you, either from our studio or from our printers. This can be discussed on a case by case basis by emailing us. Please note we cannot ship to P.O. Box numbers.

Shipping time depends on on the country of destination. On average, delivery time once payment has cleared our account, and your order has been processed is

• 10-14 working days, within South Africa.
• 14-21 working days for International deliveries

Check the packaging for any damage 

Make a video or take photographs before opening the package

Do not sign for your package until you are happy its in prefect condition

Carefully unpack your artwork, on a clean surface {bigger than the artwork} .The surface should be clear of any other objects, liquids, foods, pets, 

If you find any damage after signing for your artwork, please report this damage directly to us by email, within 24 hrs of receipt. Please send accompanying photos of the damage with your email

Care for your archival prints:

• Should be framed behind glass, this will ensure it lasts for many lifetimes

There are many types of glass used for framing and it will depend on your country of residence as to what is available

Plain/standard glass

Plain glass, which is the least expensive option for framing, is usually between 2mm and 3mm in thickness. It’s sometimes called standard, float glass, or basic glass and you can find it in ready-made frames. This is the lowest grade offered and suitable for many types of framing work. 

Its Inexpensive, protects against dust, can see the art clearly, but can have a slight green tint, reflects overhead lights and sunlight, which can obscure your view of the picture

Non-Glare Glass/Art glass

You get many types of non glare/art glass ranging from entry level to highest museum quaility. Ask your framer for the different options

• anti-reflective glass with 99% UV protection,  provides the same UV protection at a more affordable price than the anti-reflective option. However, the Artglass  also gives you 8% less reflection than standard glass, making it a fantastic compromise between the two.

• performance anti-reflective glass due to the ‘invisible’ glass ensuring a neutral reflection colour, which prevents the keepsake from fading. It combines ‘superb clarity with the best possible UV protection and is highly valued amongst industry professionals and museums’. If you’re looking to preserve true colour, texture and beauty of the framed artwork then this is the perfect option for you!

Care for your canvas prints

canvas prints are very durable

Avoid direct sunlight

Hanging your canvas print in a well-lit area of your home can bring out its colors, especially if its a sweeping landscape or a bold artwork. 

However, you’ll want to avoid placing your print in a spot where it will receive direct sunlight for extended periods of time. Most canvas prints are sprayed with a UV-resistant coating, but direct sunlight day after day can still cause your print to fade over time. 
In addition to avoiding direct sunlight, you’ll want to think about temperature and humidity when deciding where to hang your artwork. Cool and dry conditions are best, since heat and moisture can cause your canvas to stretch over time. Avoid locations in your home like bathrooms and unfinished basements where moisture build-up is common. You’ll also want to avoid placing your canvas print in rooms like the kitchen, where cooking can generate smoke and moisture.

Dust, don’t rub

Like any fixture in your home, a canvas print can collect dust and cobwebs over time. When it’s time for a cleaning, use a feather duster to wipe off the surface of the print. Never rub the print with your fingers or nails to remove dust or other debris, since that can scratch the print material.

If you need more cleaning power, try using a slightly damp microfiber cloth. Move the cloth in circles rather than pressing and rubbing, and make sure the cloth isn’t so wet that it’s dripping water all over your canvas print. 

Don’t use chemical cleaners

If a damp cloth can’t remove dirt or grime from your canvas print, don’t turn to a chemical-based cleaner. Household cleaning solutions can break down the UV coating on your print or even strip away some of the ink. Once you get chemicals into your canvas, it can be difficult or impossible to get them out without damaging your print.

Instead, your best option is to take your print to a professional cleaner. Your local art store may have canvas cleaning services available, or they can point you to a trustworthy cleaning service.

Store with acid-free paper 

When it’s time to rotate the prints on your wall, update your decor or move home, you might want to put your canvas print in storage. The key to storing prints for the long-term is to wrap them in acid-free paper or another acid-free material. The paper covering will protect the print surface from scratches, and since it doesn’t contain acid your canvas won’t yellow over time.

Make sure also to store your print in a cool, dry area. Moisture, excessive heat, and big temperature swings can cause your canvas to stretch or loosen over time.

Care for your oil and acrylic paintings and works on paper

The simplest way to clean up an oil or acrylic painting on canvas is to use a white cotton cloth soaked in a gentle soapy water; olive oil–based soap works wonders. You’ll be surprised to see how much grime comes off. Be gentle with paintings with thick impasto, as you do not want to break hardened paint. You might want to use Q-tips and work gently in crevasses.

If the painting still looks grimy, it’s better to see an art restorer that would use a stronger art cleaning product and may reapply pigment colors where need be. It’s surprising how a restored painting can show its true colors just by taking away the accumulation of cigarette or fireplace smoke. If your oil painting shows paint flaking off, it is better to leave the cleaning and restoration to an art restorer.

Many times canvases have become loosened on the stretcher bars. A simple method to retighten the canvas is to spray water on the back of the canvas and leave the piece to dry in the sun for a couple of hours. Canvases are made of fabric, and with time the weave has become loose. This process is safe and will not damage the painting itself.

As for works on paper, you need to determine first if it is a water-based paint or not. That could be done by wiping a damp white cloth in an area of the piece that would be behind a mat. If the color of the paint can be seen on the cloth, it is a water-based paint. For water-based paint, one would damage the piece while trying to clean using water. We recommend to simply dust using a dry soft and fine brush. If you notice a small stain that bothers your eye, you can try to gently wipe out using a damp, barely humid white cotton cloth, avoiding taking off the pigments.

With non-water-based paint, a soft cleaning with a damp, barely humid white cotton cloth can do wonders. Avoid wetting the exposed paper without paint, as you could create a water stain. With works on paper with lots of water stains, it is better to leave it alone or see an art restorer specializing in works on paper. They would be able to give you an estimate on the cost for restoring your works on paper.

Most of the time, a work on paper looks very grimy because of the accumulation of dirt on the glass itself, which could easily be cleaned up and the piece put back together. You might decide to further protect the piece by changing the mat to an acid-free mat.

We certainly recommend dusting paintings regularly using a dry, soft and fine brush. As for the frames, one can use a damp cloth or whatever is used with furniture depending on the material the frame is made of. A good piece of advice would be to keep works on paper away from humid areas — bathrooms or next to the stove in kitchen area.

Some useful tips and tricks

https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-an-Acrylic-Painting

Care for your Perspex/Diasec:

Contact with the acrylic surface (plexiglass) should be kept to a minimum. care for and clean as follows

• remove excess dust with a micro-fibre cloth or compressed air cannister
• wear latex or nitrile gloves while cleaning to minimize fingerprints 
• clean with ditilled water of isopropyl alcohol. Remove dust and marks with minimal force. excessive rubbing may generate static and may attract more dust
• Store and display out of direct sunlight
• the correct care and cleaning will ensure that your perspex print lasts a lifetime

When purchasing artwork, delivery overseas you may be subject to import duties and taxes which are levied once the package reaches the specified destination.  Customs policies vary widely from country to country, so please contact your local customs office for further information on duties and taxes.

Returns 
Our policy lasts 5 days from delivery for artwork. If 5 days have gone by since your delivery, unfortunately we can’t offer you a refund or exchange.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging. To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase.
Please do not send your purchase back without prior arrangement with CARTC.

Refunds (if applicable).
Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund. If you are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a store credit will be issued. We do not do cash refunds.

Shipping
To return your product, you should mail your product to address provided to you. You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. 
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over R2,000, you should consider using a traceable shipping service. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.