The Collector’s Guide
A thoughtful approach to bringing art into your life.
Navigating the Gallery
1. Notice What Holds You
Begin with the work that keeps bringing you back.
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It may be the expression in a portrait, the shape of a machine, the lettering on an old map, or a landscape that feels familiar before you know why. You do not need a better reason than wanting to spend more time with it.
2. Look at the Details
Every listing should give you a clear account of what is being offered. Look for the artist or maker, title, medium, dimensions, framing, edition information, condition, price, and known history.
When something is uncertain, we will say so.
3. Ask for a Closer Look
A single photograph cannot always communicate surface, scale, color, or age. Additional photographs, detail views, video appointments, and in-person viewings may be arranged depending on the work.
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Tell us what you want to see. A signature, frame corner, side profile, surface detail, or view beside a person can answer questions more clearly than another paragraph.
5. Bring It Home
Field & Found can coordinate local North Texas delivery and, when appropriate, professional hanging. Shipping is also available for many works and objects, with the method determined by size, value, material, destination, and packing requirements.
4. Confirm What Is Included
Before purchasing, confirm the complete price, framing, documentation, applicable taxes, delivery or shipping arrangements, and any additional charges.
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For Robert de Leon’s available paintings, the listed price includes the pictured frame unless a listing states otherwise.
Collecting does not begin with knowing every artist, movement, or piece of art-world language. It begins when something holds your attention longer than expected.
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This guide explains how to understand the work presented by Field & Found, arrange a closer look, consider framing and placement, and make a confident purchase. If something remains unclear, ask. Good questions are part of collecting.
Curation & Care
Every work in our collection undergoes a rigorous curation process. We personally verify provenance and condition, ensuring that each piece meets the high standards of Field & Found. Your investment is protected by a signed Certificate of Authenticity, documenting the work's origin and significance.
Shipping fine art requires precision. We utilize professional-grade, museum-style packing methods to safeguard your piece during transit. For framing, we partner with artisan framers who use archival, acid-free materials to preserve the integrity and longevity of the work for generations to come.
Frames and Presentation
A frame is part of how a work meets the room, but its role varies from piece to piece.
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Robert de Leon selects and installs the frames shown with his paintings. Those frames are included in the listed price unless otherwise stated.
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Vintage and historic prints may be offered framed or unframed. The listing will identify which. An older frame may have character and history of its own, but it may also show wear or use materials that are no longer preferred for long-term preservation.
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Works on paper generally benefit from acid-free mats and backing, appropriate glazing, and enough separation to keep the artwork from resting directly against the glass. UV-filtering glazing may help reduce light exposure, although no glazing can make prolonged direct sunlight safe.
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Oil paintings are commonly displayed without glass. Unusual materials, fragile surfaces, valuable historic works, and conservation concerns should be discussed with a qualified framer or conservator.
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If you want to reframe a piece, we can help you think through the visual direction and coordinate with an appropriate local professional when available.
Collector Inquiries
How do I choose the right size for my space?
Consider the scale of your wall and surrounding furniture. Large-format works serve as anchors in living areas, while smaller studies are ideal for intimate corners or gallery walls. We recommend using painter's tape to mark dimensions on your wall before purchasing.
Does the gallery offer framing services?
Original works on canvas are finished with clean edges for a modern look, while paper editions require framing. We partner with local artisans to offer custom walnut and oak frames that complement the tactile quality of Robert De Leon’s work.
What is the investment value of these pieces?
We prioritize artists with a distinct viewpoint and sustained practice. While we encourage collecting for personal resonance, the limited nature of original paintings and curated editions ensures long-term cultural and secondary market value.
How are the artworks shipped?
Each piece is professionally handled, utilizing custom-built crates for large works and archival packaging for editions. All shipments are fully insured and trackable, ensuring your selection arrives in pristine condition.
Can I view the work in person before buying?
Yes, we offer private viewings at our North Texas creative house by appointment. For collectors living outside the region, we provide high-resolution photography and video walk-throughs to capture the texture and scale of the work.
Understanding What You Are Looking At
Original Artwork
An original is the individual work made by the artist. This includes paintings, drawings, and other unique works. Unless specifically stated otherwise, only one exists.
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Original works represented directly through Field & Found include the artist’s name, title, medium, dimensions, price, framing information, and available documentation.
Limited Editions
A limited edition is produced in a stated quantity. A marking such as 73/200 identifies that example as number 73 from an edition of 200.
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The edition number does not automatically establish rarity, value, or whether a signature was applied by hand. We describe the visible markings and make clear what has and has not been verified.
Vintage Prints and Printed Matter
A vintage print may be an artist-issued edition, exhibition poster, commercial illustration, automotive study, map, museum print, sporting target, or another period piece.
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Age alone does not make every print rare or valuable. We consider the image, maker or publisher, markings, printing history, condition, and strength of the individual piece.
Reproductions and Prints Made to Order
A reproduction presents an existing image through a later printing process. A print made to order is produced after a customer selects the size, paper, and available framing options.
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These works are identified as reproductions or made-to-order prints. They are not presented as original paintings or period editions.
Reading Dimensions
For original artwork, dimensions are generally listed height × width. A painting described as 14 × 11 inches measures 14 inches high and 11 inches wide.
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Artwork dimensions refer to the painted surface unless the listing says otherwise. The outside dimensions of a frame can be larger, sometimes considerably so. Framed dimensions are available upon request when they are not already listed.
For objects, we provide the measurements most useful for understanding placement and scale. Ask if you need a particular clearance, depth, weight, or hanging measurement.