FAQ

Where are you located?
Artist Studio & Fine Art Gallery
Our Flagship studio is located in Laguna Beach, California

What are your hours of operations?
Our hours of operations are:

Sun - Thur: 10am - 9pm
Fri - Sat: 10am - 10pm

How do I speak to a company representative?
You can email us here at [email protected] with any questions or concerns you may have.

Who is Marlon Holden?
A local Laguna Beach artist, Marlon Holden was born on The Big Island of Hawai’i and spent his life immersed in the elements of nature. Inspired from a young age by the explorations of his family, Marlon’s father was a big game fisherman, artist and talented musician whose rebellion against societal confines led his family on a seven-year sailing journey around the world. A fifty-eight foot sailboat carried them as they visited off-grid archipelagos and little-known remote islands. Never taking more than what was needed, they lived sustainably and organically off the earth as nature intended. While sailing the vast expanses of ocean, Marlon learned celestial navigation and later became a Master Merchant Mariner where he refined his ability to listen to Mother Nature and the habits of her natural elements. These were the formative years that would define Marlon’s search for the path less traveled and his maverick sensibilities as an artist and outdoorsman. From his humble beginnings, a passion for the arts and outdoors helped Marlon transform circumstances of adversity into resilience, persistence and a drive to always seek the beauty in life. Amidst the challenges in coming of age abroad and often times isolated at sea, Marlon found solace through artistic expression. Marlon attributes much of the inspiration in his role as an artist to his raw experience in nature. The influence of his parents, world-renowned artist Ruth Mayer and acclaimed musician Randy Holden, encouraged Marlon to pursue his natural talents and galvanized Marlon to pursue his passion for the arts and The Great Outdoors. The model of his parents’ creative process and their success as professional artists set a foundation for Marlon’s unwavering ability to pursue his calling. For decades, Marlon’s pursuit in the art of photography has become an opportunity to share with others the healing powers of Mother Nature and his unbridled faith in something greater than us all. Through his camera’s lens, he aspires to bring that same light into the lives around him in capturing and exploring the raw beauty in nature.

Where is the artwork displayed publicly?
You can view Marlons work in our flagship studio located in Laguna Beach, California.

What does Limited Edition mean?
Limited Edition means that there will only be a certain number of prints produced for each artwork. After the edition completely sells out, there will never be another reprint produced of that particular artwork.

Are there multiple sizes to choose from?
Yes. Our Limited Edition works come in four different sizes and our Artist Reserves are completely customizable for each client for those looking for a more limited and custom piece. 

Are there additional limited works?
Yes. We specialize in the most custom Fine Art Photography known today with our various options for more exclusivity to help your vision come to life in the home or office.

Artist Proofs:
These editions are very personal to the artist and are often times offered to close friends, family, and collectors seeking more exclusive artworks. Highly sought after, these Artist Proof editions of 10 are available in four different sizes and allow for unique opportunities involving the artist directly.

Artist Reserves:
For those looking for a more customized option, we offer an Artist Reserve edition of 20. These limited works of art allow our designers and clients alike to collaborate directly with the artist to create a custom work specific to their personal space and vision. 

Untouched Series:
The Untouched series is a collection of images that were captured through exploration, gritty determination and an appreciation for Mother Nature at her purest. Each image is a moment found in isolation allowing a silent place for meditation, peace and tranquility. A place for those who desire to reconnect with what was lost. The Untouched series will consist of small editions of only 10 echoing the far reaching and intimate places reserved for those who hold the treasures of the Earth close to their hearts. In this case, less will always be more. 

Originals: 
Originals are very exclusive, one-of-one artworks that are completely coordinated with Marlon and the client/designer. An original artwork is generally left up to Marlon on how long it takes him to capture that particular scene. They are our most rare and valuable fine art photographs we offer today.

Does the artist sign and number his work?
Yes. Each artwork is hand signed and numbered in the bottom right hand corner with the appropriate edition number given or selected by the client.

Is the work authenticated?
Yes. Upon arrival of your artwork to the home or office, a Certificate of Authenticity will be mailed out that contains all of the proper documents and verification regarding your fine artwork.

How do I clean my artwork?
Although we use the finest materials in the industry to mount your photograph, it is not immune to scratching. Please be mindful to always treat your artwork with care.

For regular maintenance of your artwork, we recommend using a microfiber cleaning cloth. Be sure to remove any tags from the cloth first in order to avoid scratching the surface of your photograph. Should dust or residue build up, our recommendation is to use either Brillianize or an eyeglass cleaner for resin lens' with your microfiber cloth. NEVER use any ammonia or alcohol based cleaner or paper towels. The recommended cleaners have a glossing agent in them that helps reduce dust and fingerprinting. Strong cleaners will statically charge the Acrylic and attract dust and need more cleanings.

How do I light my artwork?
Lighting your image properly is always recommended for day/night enjoyment depending on the set up of the home or office. The proper degree of lighting will depend on the distance of the light fixture from the artwork. While several light bulbs can sufficiently light your image, we use Soraa MR16 LED bulbs for the best results. It is best to seek the advice of an electrician or lighting professional to ensure the proper balance of light and presentation of your art.

How do I hang my artwork?
Your artwork has been shipped with the appropriate hanging equipment which is attached to the back of the frame. We use the French cleat method which allows you to mount the hardware directly to the wall using dry wall anchors with the cleat facing out at the 45 degree cut. The artwork then has a lip on the back of the frame located at the top which allows you to slide the artwork onto the cleat until fastened securely. Double check to make sure it is evenly placed on the cleat and the piece doesn’t move at all on the wall.

Do you ship internationally?
Absolutely! We ship all over the world.

Note: Please bear in mind we may decline to ship to certain destinations, such as countries subject to embargoes, sanctions, war, disturbances, local regulations, or other restrictions.

Is my artwork insured?
Yes. We ensure full coverage for all of our shipments in case of any damages that may occur during transit. In case of this unfortunate accident, we will replace or repair any damages that occur during transit from our printing facility to your destination. If damages happen during a relocation of the artwork in example to another location transported by you or a third party, we are not responsible for any damages.

Note: If the artwork arrives damaged please contact us within 24 hours of delivery and provide photos for us to investigate so that we may get a replacement into production for you right away.

How long does it take for my order to arrive after purchasing?
Upon order, we allow each artwork to take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks until production is complete. This timeline generally allows for the Lucite Acrylic to cure and the print to be thoroughly inspected for any defects before being shipped. This time frame is not a guarentee across all projects. Each order and the overall production duration could vary depending on the size of the project and how many orders are ahead in queue.

How Is My Artwork Shipped?

Your artwork arrives to your doorstep in a nearly indestructible Masonite faced crate that handles any set of shipping conditions fully insured for worldwide logistics and delivery. We take great pride in ensuring that your new artwork arrives unscathed and in perfect condition, every time.  Prior to accepting delivery, inspect the box visually to ensure that there are no punctures to the crate, after that if everything is intact, your artwork should be perfectly secure inside. If in fact, there is anything wrong with your artwork inside the box, reach out to your consultant immediately or within three days of receiving your container and your representative will make arrangements for the artwork to be picked up by one of our logistics specialists.  It is important that you retain your artworks custom-made shipping container for these purposes, so make sure to keep your packaging until your work is inspected. If you have discarded of your artworks shipping container, a new one can be shipped out to you, however there is a custom crate and materials fee that will be added to any artwork requiring logistics without its original packaging. Reach out to your mhfa representative for specific details.

How Long Until My Custom Artwork Arrives?

Your new artwork is made custom just for you.  Each artwork is created and assigned by their corresponding edition numbers and registered based upon your name and invoice number. As such, we ensure that each custom artwork is created individually, per your specific order.  We hand select your lucite as well as hand laminate your transparencies. Since our production workflow is extremely labor intensive and very hands on, we ensure only the best reproductions are shipped out to you. We employ only the most stringent of quality control protocols; If there are any defects in the print, we reject them and reproduce your artwork. The time period for our team of master printers to complete a finished artwork holds fairly consistent at four to six weeks. It is important that we allow our reproductions to rest and set.  We do not want to rush the settling process that will occur during the reproduction phase, as such, we ensure that your artwork is created in a temperature controlled clean room and appropriate amounts of time are allowed for the setting of your work.

How Is My Artwork Created?

We utilize only the clearest lucite made, created via the industry’s hottest pour methods to be defect free and acquired via special runs just for our application. Our lucite is formulated specifically for archival grade fine art replication. Lucite is utilized because it is the highest graded acrylic made. With proprietary formulas utilized containing higher levels of ultraviolet stabilizer within the polymer to ensure that with proper care, your artwork will never yellow, crack or fade. Our print masters have over seventy years of combined experience with print technologies and at the epitome of it all, we utilize highly sophisticated proprietary print technologies to reproduce your artworks. Our laminators are in airtight suits and only then are allowed into our state-of-the-art clean room where your artworks are assembled and allowed to settle prior to their final flushing and polishing. Once your artwork is assembled, each work goes off to receive its recess mount frame or depending upon your specifications, a traditional frame.

How Do I Light My Artwork?

Lighting your artwork is a very personal decision, however we do recommend that with any fine art acquisition that you consider lighting your artwork. In order to truly bring out the hues, textures and moods of the work, lighting really is of great importance. Over the years we have noticed that many collectors choose to only allow natural lighting on their artworks, however it is our professional opinion that lighting makes all the difference. Our recommendation on lights generally run LED vs halogen. LED is much more energy efficient and run much cooler than halogen bulbs. Light fixtures are certainly not on short supply, as such, choosing one that fits the bulb listed below and something that can be pointed in the direction of your artwork will suit itself to the task best. Our technical recommendation is to utilize a bulb that fits the following parameters:  7.5 watt, 3000K, 95CRI, 10-degree beam angle with bulb at around six feet away from the artwork. These parameters are a very good starting point and will give you a nice result, especially if you are able to utilize a dimmer switch.

What Is The Technology Behind My Artwork?

We specialize in top of the line printing technologies, known most commonly as lumachrome. Your lumachrome prints surpass any other technology on the market such as fuji flex or fuji archival by delivering incredible resolution, clarity, vibrance and dmax with unbelievable 3d qualities to your artwork which can appear backlit or holographic in nature. We create our own icc profiles with a modified tone curve allowing maximum 3d effect and 16-bit printing for the smoothest tone and print response. Lumachrome is only available as a face mount due to our proprietary process. Our prints are engineered to overcome and surpass the limitations of traditional chromogenic and inkjet processes. Details emerge from the depths of an image with the lumachrome process thanks to the transparency layers that are infused with iridium particles and encapsulated in a layer suspended between the white poly surface and lucite acrylic. Our brilliant color profiles can last longer than 120 years, featuring a much superior color gamut vs traditional fuji flex or fuji archival prints, incredible dimensionality, unsurpassed detail, superior shadow luminosity, detail and a radiant glowing response under led lighting

Should I Frame My Artwork?

Framing your artwork is a very personal point of view and specific to you, your home and your aesthetic.  With that said, your new artwork will come standard ready to hang with a kiln dried, Italian wood moulding from roma mounding’s.  These recess mount frames have a very sophisticated, streamlined and beautiful feel to them that realistically does not require additional framing whatsoever.  Should you decide that your artwork would look best in your home with a traditional frame, we have multiple framing options available to you through roma. Feel free to peruse our online catalog of framing options or speak to one of our representatives directly for more information on frames and framing options.

Hanging My Artwork?

Your new artwork will arrive ready to hang.  Inside of your crate there will be an opposing French cleat block with attached hardware.  While the process for hanging your artwork is not necessarily complicated or difficult, due to the inherent value of your new artwork it is very highly suggested that you do not hang your artwork yourself and that  your new artwork be installed by a licensed and insured professional art installer.  Your artwork will come shipped to your door in a very robust crate, as such it is also very heavy and bulky, due to the difficulty in moving these crated artworks, it is suggested that a qualified art installer removes your artwork from its crate and hangs your artwork on your wall.  By utilizing a qualified professional as we suggest, you lessen the risk of damaging your artwork while removing it from its crate and allow for someone who is well qualified to place your new artwork in the exact place of your choosing.  It is very important that the artwork is not flexed, forced or bent into position.  Your walls must be flush, and your provided hanger must also be flush in order to properly install your artwork without damaging the artwork.

What Size Artwork Do I Need?

Our editions are created with all applications in mind.  We have thoughtfully created each edition to fit according to your wall size and ceiling height. For example, our OHANA/TETON edition was created in sizes that are made primarily for smaller more intimate spaces. Areas such as small nooks, reading areas, dens, powder rooms and locations where not much space is available however a much-needed artwork is required to bring cohesion to your small space.  Our OCEANA/SIERRA edition was mindfully sized to go into homes with ceiling heights that do not exceed eight feet as a general rule, for above sofas, headboards and family rooms; while the LAGUNA/DENALI edition is suited best for semi-custom homes where ceilings are from nine feet or higher and require large artworks to be impactful without being lost on a large scale wall.  In cases where a wall or room is exceedingly large and requires a statement focal artwork, the PACIFICA/EVEREST edition is best.  This size range works great for above large mantles and in large family rooms.  For those collectors seeking truly one of a kind acquisitions, we do offer original artworks as well as entirely custom sized and cropped murals and triptychs.  These large custom works are best spoken about with one of our in-gallery experts which can assist with any question that you may have. For most applications, out limited-edition artworks in the collection most often will fit every need you may have, however, we are ready to assist you with any questions that you may have.

Buying Made Simple?

At MHFA we are sensitive to the fact that a fine art acquisition is a very complex and personal decision.  Our team of dedicated associates are experienced and knowledgeable professionals with decades of fine art in their DNA. We pride ourselves on being human and understanding that you may have questions pertaining to your new fine art photographic purchase.  We pride ourselves on not pressuring something that should come naturally and easily.  While the act of buying fine art can be difficult for some, since for many this will be your first acquisition, we also understand that for many of our collectors, this is not your first acquisition and when you know what you want, you simply know. We are here to demystify the process and communicate transparently about what we offer and how the process is delegated from step one of choosing your desired artwork all the way to the fulfillment process.  We are dedicated and wish to ensure that your transaction runs smoothly and professionally with integrity and sophistication. For those on a budget, please make sure to send us an email to learn about our 0% percent financing as we have many collectors whom wish to collect fine art, however, they need a little assistance with the financing, rest assured we are here and ready to provide you with a solution oriented approach in order to get you started with your new fine art collection!

What Are My Next Steps?

Once you have measured your walls and know your ceiling height, this should make it much easier to actually choose the correct edition according to your size requirements, from there choosing your artwork title is the next step!  After you have decided your artwork title and your artwork sizing, it is time to place your order.  We have conveniently displayed all of these options in your cart and accept all major credit cards worldwide. For shipments occurring outside the United States contiguous, please email one of our representatives and we will promptly respond within twenty-four hours of initial email in order to work out duty taxes and any special shipping requirements of the country that we will be shipping your artwork to. For all orders within the United States, we are ready to assist you with full fulfillment as you will receive a confirmation of your order right after your order is placed, followed shortly thereafter with an email containing your invoice as well as confirmation of your reserved limited edition artwork number and corresponding transaction information. Your new artwork will be placed into production within seventy-two hours of your order being placed with full payment having been made.