Kristen J. Loudermilk
703.380.6331
LoudermilkConservation@gmail.com
Education
2005 MA Art Conservation, Paintings
Queen’s University Kingston, ON, Canada
2003 BS Biochemistry
BA Chemistry
BA Art History
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA
Magna cum laude
Work Experience
Loudermilk Conservation LLC
1/2018 – Present
Principal and Conservator of Paintings
Over fourteen years of paintings conservation experience examining and conserving museum-quality paintings from the 17th– through the 21st-centuries, representing a range of easel paintings, murals, and painted architectural finishes in oil, acrylic, distemper, and mixed media on substrates such as canvas, wood, paper, Masonite, and plaster.
Museum and institutional experience includes an extensive history of collections surveys, consultation with public institutions and large private collections on conservation needs, and collections moves.
Analytical and examination experience includes stereo- and polarized light microscopy, infrared and ultraviolet imaging, cross-section analysis, and solvent testing to assess paintings, painted surfaces, and contemporary art. Skills include professional studio photography, multi-spectral imaging, and in-depth before- and after-treatment documentation for all condition reports and treatment reports.
Management experience includes writing, budgeting, and carrying out large conservation contracts for major museums and private collections. Writing, editing, and submitting responses for government Request For Proposals (RFPs). Designing budgets, evaluating, hiring, and coordinating subcontractors, overseeing all conservation work, assessing and hiring conservators.
Artex Fine Art Services
9/2006 – 12/2017
Senior Conservator of Paintings, Project Manager, and Lab Manager
Examined and treated paintings from the17th– through the 21st– centuries, including easel paintings, murals, and painted architectural finishes, in oil, acrylic, distemper, and mixed media on canvas, paperboard, wood, Masonite, and plaster. Examination included microscopy, ultraviolet imaging, cross-section analysis, and assessment of paintings, architectural painted surfaces, and contemporary art for conservation treatment. Prepared condition reports, multi-spectral imaging and treatment documentation for museums and major private collections, including the US House of Representatives, Architect of the Capitol, and the Smithsonian Museum of American Art. Carried out collections surveys, consulted on conservation needs, undertook a wide range of conservation treatment projects.
Managed large ongoing conservation contracts including the Washington Convention Center Art Collection, NIST, and Federal Reserve, designing budgets, coordinating subcontractors, and overseeing conservation work. Wrote, edited, and submitted proposals for fulfilment of RFPs. Directly oversaw the work of ARTEX paintings conservators, allocating tasks appropriate to individual levels of experience and competency, reviewed reports.
Conservator of Paintings 2009 – 2015
Conservation Project Manager 2014 – Present
Conservation Lab Manager 2015 – 2017
Assistant Conservator of Paintings 2006 – 2009
Painting Conservation Intern 2004
National Gallery of Art
09/2005 – 09/2006
Intern, Painting Conservation
Undertook treatment and documentation of modern and old master paintings; carried out technical examination of paintings including radiography, pigment analysis, and comparative research. Prepared conservation documentation including condition assessments, technical reports and treatment proposals for works ranging from a 15th-century panel paintings to 20th-century modernists. Acted as art courier; conducted outgoing loan reports; performed daily gallery checks.
Research project:
1952.5.32, 15th-century French Master, The Expectant Madonna with St. Joseph
Heinemann research grant, 2006
The Corcoran Gallery of Art
05/2005 – 08/2005
Painting Conservation Intern
Prepared condition reports for outgoing loans and traveling exhibitions Encouraging American Genius and Black is a Color. Conserved frames, performed minor treatments on paintings for outgoing loans.
The Freer Gallery and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
06/2003 – 08/2003
Conservation Intern
Examined paintings, works on paper and sculpture using x-radiography, FTIR, infrared, and ultraviolet imaging in conjunction with scientists and conservators for acquisitions and the Whistler exhibition, Mr. Whistler’s Galleries: Avant-Garde in Victorian London.
Advanced Training
- Leadership, Team-Building & Coaching Seminar, Fred Pryor Seminars, Washington, DC, Aug 10, 2016.
- Conservation and Exhibition Planning: Material Testing for Design, Display, & Packing, National Portrait Gallery & Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, DC, Nov 19-20, 2015.
- Laser cleaning of Surfaces: Artifacts and Architecture, P. Hatchfield, H. Salmon, and R. Kaczkowski, Miami, FL May 12-13, 2015.
- New Methods of Cleaning Painted and decorative surfaces including the Modular Cleaning Program, R. Wolbers and C. Stavroudis, Montreal, Canada June 2-5, 2008.
Affiliations
- Washington Conservation Guild(2005-present). Membership Secretary (2011-2014)
- American Institute for Conservation(2005-present). Professional Associate since 2012
- International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (2016-present)
- American Alliance of Museums (2017-present)
Professional Publications
- Conservation of The Spirit of Sunday in Shaw by Billy Colbert: Challenges of Treatment Design and Execution for an Oversized, Contemporary, Multimedia Artwork. Poster presented at: The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works Annual Meeting; May 29 – June 2, 2018; Houston, TX.
- Great Expectations: Conservation of the 15th Century Painting, The Expectant Madonna and St. Joseph, presented to the Washington Conservation Guild, U.S. Navy Museum, Washington D.C., March 2006.
- “WCG 3-Ring Circus Paintings Tent, January 2006 Meeting,” Washington Conservation Guild Newsletter, March 2006.
- Adhesive bond strength suitability of BEVA D-8, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada, 2005.
Languages
French: intermediate spoken and written
German: novice spoken and written
Software Skills
Photoshop, Bridge, Acrobat, WordPress, MacOS, Microsoft Windows and Office