FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I buy an artwork from your site?
You click on the order button while viewing the artwork's details. Then you fill out the form and send it to us by pushing the send button. We confirm the availability of the work and e-mail to you payment details. You advance the indicated sum to our account. We begin to prepare the artwork for shipment. The artist obtains a certificate from the Ministry of Culture which allows the artwork to be taken abroad. Then the artwork is packed, shipped and delivered to your door. Usually, the whole process takes about 2 weeks.

Do your artworks come with any papers or certificates?
Yes, every artwork comes with an official paper from the Russian Ministry of Culture which certifies authorship and authenticity of the artwork. Such a certificate is also needed for customs purposes.

I would like to buy more than one painting. Do I get a discount?
Yes, you get at least a 10% discount. Greater discounts are negotiated.

What happens if I do not like the painting when I receive it?
You should let us know about this within 5 days after you receive the painting. You shall be reimbursed the price of the painting, excepting shipping costs, after you return it to us in undamaged condition.

What modes of payment do you use?
We prefer direct bank transfers. Smaller sums can be handled through Western Union, even though it is not our normal way of operation.

What currencies do you accept?
We accept US dollars, Euros, and Russian rubles.

Where do you get your paintings?
We work directly with artists. Consequently, most paintings represented on this site are property of the artist or their immediate family.

Some of the works are oil on cardboard or tempera on cardboard. Are these good mediums?
Yes, they are. If your new car can serve you well for about 10 years, these paintings are good at least for a hundred years. You should know that it is watercolors that require special care. It is true that oil on canvas is even more lasting and stays in shape for centuries. Our artists may be available to make an oil-on-canvas replica of their original artwork. Most replicas take from 2 weeks to a month to make and cost about 70-80% of the original artwork's price.

How long will it take before I receive the painting once I order it from you?
Usually it takes about 2 weeks from the time you e-mail us your order request before the painting is delivered to a destination in North America. Deliveries to Europe take about the same amount of time. If you need express delivery it can be provided at your expense.

I really like one painting but I think it is a bit expensive. Can anything be done?
In most cases prices can be negotiated. You can suggest your price and the artist may agree to lower the initial price within reasonable limits. There is another way to reduce the price. If you commission the artist to make a replica of the painting the replica will be at 20-30% cheaper than the original. The downside is that on the average you will have to wait from 2 weeks to a month longer.

Do I pay for shipment?
Depending on your location and the size of the artwork, you may be asked to contribute towards shipment costs. For North America, we normally charge $50 USD for shipment.

Are your paintings framed?
No, generally our paintings are not framed since frames are an embarrassment to ship.

Which postal services do you use?
We normally use Garantpost/US Postal Service. We are open to other options, especially if express delivery is needed.

I am concerned I will not get what I order. What can you say?
We believe honest business pays-off in the long run and we are here to stay. Other people have bought from us and were happy with their choices. Our transactions are transparent and involve only those people whose identities can be verified, including the site owner and the actual artists. We are happy to engage an escrow company (for example, escrow.com) to guarantee the security of the transaction if you are willing to pay for its services and do not mind waiting an extra week before the papers are processed.

Do you sell art prints?
No, we do not sell art prints. We sell only original works of art.

If you have other questions do not hesitate to drop us a line by e-mail and we will quickly respond to your message.