The Kaki Bassi Gallery has a large collection of high quality prints and frames. With over 10 years of experience in framing, we can put together a single piece or an entire collection.

We can also order almost any print form our catalogs and network.

Print # 301

Print #302

In May , 1961, Nolasco Martinez Vera took his first breath of scented Veracruzano air in a little pubelo called Castillo de Teayo. It must have been a very big breath indeeed for Nolasco has accomplished a great deal in his 39 years of existence. During the course of his education he became fascinated by poetry and through potery was enticed by art as well as music. And while his mind was attempting to assimilate the beauty of these three Muses he managed to earn himself a degree in architecture.

Although Nolasco continues to write poetry his forte is definitely painting. His magnificent watercolors are color intensive albeit his subject mattter is usually - ollas or clay, Mexican style, water pots. When asked which came first, the poetry or the painting, he answered that each was somethimes responsible for the other regarding his originlity. But why clay water pots? Why ollas? Because explans Nolasco, the ollas are made from the clay of the earth and we, each of us, will be returned to the earth, and the pots hold the essence of life - water. An acceptable explanation, but, really, how interesting can a watercolor of an olla possible be? Seeing is believing and you can be assured that once having viewed Nolasco's work you will be, regardless of your preferences and background, suitable impressed. Some of his works have a slight slant toward the surealism, as you gaze into one of his you will find yourself entering into two seperate landscapes. What you thought was a wall begins to fade into another landscape, or you may think there is a wall and window to find the window is suspended in the sky. It would require considerable more than a thousand words to accurately describe Nolasco's ollas Consequently, Ignacio Flores Autunes, publisher of the glossy quartely art magazine Arte & Artistas. Published an eight page color spread of his paintings and poetry - tanta mount to a solo exhibition in the country's most important art magazine in México.

FRAMING TIPS:

CARE OF FRAMED ART

Individuals own art pieces for many reason, usually emotional. A good presentation can support and protect the piece while displaying it to its best advantage. Appropriate framing should preserve, enhance, and relate information, while visually separating the object from its environment. If the presentation design is not aesthetically appropriate for the art, it can markedly reduce the visual message of the art. Each framed art piece should have a distinct presence of its own while harmonizing with the environment's total statement.

DO NOT ALTER ART
Altering art can decrease its monetary value as well as possible historical or cultural value. Cutting down a print to fit a frame will alter it. It is also not recommended that art be permanently glued down to its backing. Everything touching the art should be non-invasive and reversible.

GLASS AND ART WORK
Most items place in a frames came from an organic source, paper, canvas etc. They are alive and with the change of the environment hot to cold, air conditioners on and off they are moving the frame at all times. Artwork should never touch the glass, because of this movement they can stick to the glazing and ruin you valuable print, photo etc. We always recommend glass spacers or mat board to allow a space between the artwork and the glass.

ART ON PAPER IS FRAGILE AND VULNERABLE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS IN HOMES AND OFFICES
The ideal room temperature for art is 70 degrees. Paintings, prints, and needle art should never be hung over radiators or air ducts. Hanging art over a fireplace is especially harmful because of the heat generated; soot and gummy residues can stick to the surface. Outside walls can be cold and damp. Never store paintings, photographs, textiles, or prints in a cellar, damp basement, or attic. The idea humidity level should be 50%. Spacers or bumpers are placed on the lower corners of the frames to allow air to circulate freely behind them and to reduce dust collection behind them.

LIGHT WILL CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO ALL ART

Printing is done with inks and dyes, which will fade over time. Some painting pigments can also be fugitive. Ultraviolet rays in light present in sunlight and artificial light may fade colors within weeks and cause paper deterioration. Avoid hanging art where light from a window will shine directly on it or where there is strong reflected light. Use a glazing material, which filters out most of the harmful ultraviolet rays. Art is best illuminated with a spotlight or floodlight mounted three to four feet away.

PAPER IS REACTIVE
Good printing papers can be very absorbent and buckling or waving of a print can be expected especially during humid conditions. Any art process that requires the introduction of water or liquid into the paper carrier can cause buckling or cockling which is an inherent characteristic of the art and will show along the edges of the matting. Paper, which has been rolled for any amount of time, can be impossible to flatten satisfactorily. It is best to store anything of value in flat 100% acid free containers.

KEEP THE HANDLING OF ART TO A MINIMUM
Let the staff of Galería de Kaki Bassi remove art from its shipping material. Many collectors don't realize they are irreparable damaging art by rough handling. Support paper completely in order to not create cricks or creases in the paper. Do not touch the surface of the art because it can mar easily and permanently.

PAPER BORNE ART IS SUAULLY HINGED FROM ITS UPPER CORNERS
Until the framed art is hung. keep it in a vertical position so it will not shift in the housing and fatigue the hinges, possibly tearing them. The hinges are designed to tear before the art.

INSECTS AND RODENTS CAN IRREPARABLEY HARM ART.
Periodically check behind pictures for signs of insects and check stored art for rodent and insect damage areas with high humidity levels attract insects behind pictures. If you have the typical Mexican Rustic furniture and you start to see little piles that seem like saw dust your furniture, frames and artwork could be infested with post beetles. Every 5 to 10 years have a qualified picture frames check inside and out for damages or problems.

CLEANING FRAMED ART
Use a soft art brush to remove loose dust from paintings and frames. Rubbing a real gold leaf molding with a damp or wet cloth can remove the gold leaf. Use a damp, not wet cloth to clean glass. Never spray the front of a picture with glass cleaner because it can run down the surface, under the glass and spoil the art and the matting. If the picture has acrylic sheeting, use a cleaner especially made for plastic and a very soft cloth, not a paper towel

Galería de Kaki Bassi takes every precaution to protect your art and give you the best framing possible. A custom picture frame is hand crafted and requires, knowledge, experience and time.

We put CUSTOM into the word CUSTOMER.

If you have any questions about a picture framed by us, do not hesitate to call.

GALERIA DE KAKI BASSI

Morelos S/N Col Juarez

Cabo San Lucas, BCS, Mexico 23401

Phone from USA: 011 52 624 143 3510

E-mail: kakibassi@cabotel.com.mx