Frequently Asked Questions

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A Limited Edition print is restricted to a certain number. For example, we had 300 prints made from the original painting of "Anticipation,” which features a Piper Cub in the early morning mist. Once they’re gone, that’s it. There is no limit to the number of Open Edition prints of a particular painting. That’s why Limited Edition prints cost more than Open Editions: there are fewer of them. It goes with the belief that rare objects are more valuable.

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The great majority of items are sent via DHL orFedEx and are insured. If any damage occurs, we can take care of it easily. Just be sure to save the packing materials and call our toll-free number as you open the package: 800-544-4992. Loose prints are packaged in durable tubes and framed art is boxed very carefully to avoid any foreseeable damage. Small items or items shipped out of the United States are shipped via the U.S. Post Office. By the way, if you live in Alaska, Hawaii, or anywhere outside the continental U.S., you need to call Lyons Studio for shipping costs. The website shipping costs do not apply to these destinations.

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Framing enhances artwork considerably. Even paintings as beautiful as Sam's benefit from a well-designed frame. Think of it like this ... ice cream is good all by itself, but put some chocolate syrup, whipped cream and nuts on it — and you have an incredible treat. We take considerable time picking out the best colors and textures for the mats and frames for each particular Sam Lyons painting. The mood of the piece is also taken into account. Some prints also come with patches and plaques to make your selection a true masterpiece. Our framing is to the highest standards; all our mats, Foamcore backing, and museum mounts are acid free. This ensures your artwork investment is protected for a long time. The best reason to buy your print already framed? When it arrives, all you have to do is hang it on the wall!

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We put that question to Sam and he said, “I get inspired all different ways. A lot of times air shows are a great source for ideas. I’ll take pictures at Oshkosh or Sun ‘n Fun, for example, of planes that I love and that gives me an itch to do a painting. Living on a grass air strip, I see planes all the time and sometimes a particular scene grabs me. It could be the way the light hits or the mood of the day or the feeling a certain plane gives off.” There have been cases where a customer’s repeated requests eventually spur Sam to paint a particular airplane. “Tuskegee Ace” is a perfect example of that.

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All you have to do is ask! The first step is talking to Sam about what you have in mind. The best paintings result from letting Sam take your required elements (your airplane flying over water, for example) and running with it. You’re paying for his creativity and vision, and he’s pretty good at making the finished painting convey the feeling and kind of detail you want. Prices vary and there's quite a wide range. You can commission a good-sized colored pencil original for $2,000. Acrylic paintings range from about $5,000 to $15,000, depending on size and complexity. Just to give you an idea: a 15" x 30" painting with your airplane in the sky and clouds for background would usually be $5,000. For a larger painting with more planes, people, hangars, homes, etc., the cost goes up. (It make sense because it will take Sam longer to paint it.) You get sketches to approve before Sam goes ahead with the actual painting. A deposit is required when the commission is accepted to reserve your place on Sam's commission list. A second payment is due when the sketch is approved, and the balance is due before the original is shipped. Each of three payments are usually a third of the total cost. Go to our Commission an Original page for more information. Better yet, call Mindy at Lyons Studio, 800-544-4992, and ask her anything you'd like to know.

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Sam works in mostly in acrylics and occasionally in colored pencil. "Red Bird" is a wonderful example of a picture created in colored pencil. Sam likes acrylics for their versatility ... and the acrylics are a lot easier to clean off his brushes than oil paint!

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That stands for "signed and numbered.” All Limited Edition prints are signed and numbered. Besides the signature already appearing on the print from when Sam signed the original, Sam signs each one personally. He also assigns each print a particular number. For example, you might see 52/300 penciled in the lower right or left hand corner of a print. Some people prefer low numbers; some people collect a particular number because it holds a special meaning for them.

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If you have a particular style or color frame you’d like, we do our best to accommodate. We can usually fulfill your request at no additional charge. There’s no way to make a special request when you order through the website, so you would just have to call the Studio and talk to Mindy. Just so you know, the regular framing for each print is determined by Sam. He pays a lot of attention to picking just the right color and texture of mats and frame to complement the particular print. Colors as well as mood are taken into account.

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The answer really varies. Some paintings require a good deal of research. Some have many different elements, so completing them is very time-consuming. Others come together with less effort. The best answer ranges from a few weeks to a few months.

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You bet! He got his private pilot-glider license while in college. (We won’t say how long ago that was, but it’s been a while.) In 1995 he completed his single engine land add on. He flies as often as he can — but never often enough! Sam has had a J-3 Cub, a vintage Stinson 108-3, a Hatz open cockpit biplane, and now is back to a classic 1946 Piper Cub.

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The word is pronounced "gee-clay" (or close to that) and it defines a print that was produced one at a time, as opposed to a continuous print run of hundreds of prints. You have better color and quality control with giclees and they are generally more expensive than mass-produced prints. At Lyons Studio, we always try to give you extra value for your money so right now we don't charge extra for our prints that are giclees. Sam's earlier prints were produced by a print publisher. Now he mostly produces the prints one at a time on a professional printer he has at the Studio. The inks used are archival inks and are supposed to last 100 years. (We're not sure who can vouch for that!)

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All Limited Edition prints are signed and numbered. Besides the signature already appearing on the print from when Sam signed the original, Sam signs each one personally. He also assigns each print a particular number. For example, you might see 52/300 penciled in the lower right or left hand corner of a print. Some people prefer low numbers; some people collect a particular number because it holds a special meaning for them.

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That’s a tough one. Sam said, “It’s hard to name just one, because I have deep affection for so many of them. What can I say, I like what I paint! Not to dodge the question, but my favorite is usually the one I’m working on at the time.” A general answer would be that Sam loves painting a picture that tells a story and makes the viewer feel something.

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There are two ways to answer this question. 1.You can buy a Limited or Open Edition print loose, matted or framed. "Loose" means you're buying just the print. "Matted" means the print comes with double or triple mats, an imbedded plaque, and any standard wings or patches. The matted piece arrives shrink-wrapped and all you have to do is add the frame. Framed prints come complete and ready for hanging. All of our frames are genuine wood. Prices vary and when you browse through Sam's art, you can see all the options and prices. Just so you know, when you buy a Print on Canvas, it automatically comes with a wood frame and linen liner.  2. You can buy Sam's art online, or by email, phone, or fax. Never hesitate to call if you need help with anything.

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That’s what we call an Artist Proof. An Artist Proof print doesn't look any different than a regular Limited Edition, it's just numbered differently. If the Limited Edition has 300 prints, there would  probably be 30 APs. (It's generally 10 percent of the number of Limited Edition.) This status is noted on the print. Sam would number it, for example, 3/30AP. Collectors prefer APs because their value increases even more than a Limited Edition as time goes by. Also, there are fewer of them so, again, that makes them more valuable.

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Lyons Studio produces, markets and sells Sam's artwork. The huge majority of his work involves aviation but he does do other subjects as well. (Check out the Non-Aviation category if you'd like to see.) Lyons Studio is manned (and womanned) by Sam Lyons, the immensely talented artist, and Mindy Lyons, his modestly talented wife. (Just so you know, Mindy is writing this.) Sam, naturally, paints the pictures and produces our giclees. In his spare time he does the bookkeeping, builds sunrooms and closets, flies, takes out the garbage, mows the lawn, and other assorted odds and ends. Mindy is who you will usally talk to when you call Lyons Studio, which is located in Woodstock, Georgia (north of Atlanta). She takes customer orders, processes invoices, ships art, writes and updates the website, oversees advertising, produces brochures, works with Dealers, organizes for air shows, sends out a monthly News Flash, and empties the kitty litter. (The Lyons have three cats so that's a big job!) Sam and Mindy work as a team and get along fabulously well for a married couple who spend almost 24 hours a day together!

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Many of our paper prints are also available as a Limited Edition Print on Canvas or POC for short. The key thing to know is that the finished piece is on canvas so it has a texture to it. All of our POCs come complete with a linen liner and wood frame to complement the image. No glass is used. Your artwork has the look of an original painting for a considerably less price. Sam personally signs and numbers each Print on Canvas. The majority of our Prints on Canvas are produced individually by Sam. The ones produced in that way are called Giclee. The ink used in the printing process is called 100-year archival ink. That means that the print will outlast us all!

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Generally speaking (because there are exceptions), a loose Limited Edition print will cost $15 to ship. We ship these in a sturdy tube and can send up to six prints in one tube for the $15 charge. Matted Limited Edition prints ship for $30. Framed Limited Edition prints and Prints on Canvas cost $40 each to ship. A loose Open Edition print (8" x 10" size) usually costs $6 to ship. Shipping cost for collectibles and books are based on the total price of your purchase. These shipping charges only apply to the Continental U.S.  You must call Lyons Studio for shipping outside the U.S.  Shipping prices are subject to change but we do our best to keep them extremely reasonable.

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That term refers to a change Sam makes on a print (or Print on Canvas) to personalize it. For example, he can usually change the N# of an airplane. Many people like to have their own N# on the plane in a print if it looks like their plane. Sam can also often change the name on a sign, like in “Yellow Lure” or “Field of Dreams.” Sometimes he can change the color of an aircraft stripe or alter the plane is some minor way. For example, on “Cross Country Champ” he’s taken off the navigation lights for a customer. We try to accommodate any special request, but Sam can only change a print up to a point. For example, he can’t change the entire color scheme of an airplane. There is a charge for remarques. N# changes and other typical remarques are usually $75. Always feel free to ask if you have a remarque request. Just call Lyons Studio and talk to Sam or Mindy. You’d be amazed all the ways you can personalize a print to make it even more special to you.

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Yes, in most cases. That's called a remarque and the charge is usually $75. There are also other ways Sam can personalize a print. Feel free to make a request by calling Lyons Studio. We'll do everything possible to make you happy with your purchase.