Sunday, May 2, 2010

Framing (Arggh!) and a Show







When will I ever learn? Hours and hours have been spent framing paintings for an upcoming show. I undertake framing because, well...I'm cheap! I always underestimate the time it takes. These frames are made from scratch, starting from 1 x 2 lumber. Simple frames, right? Shouldn't take long, right? Wrong!

On the plus side, I really like their clean, contemporary look, with the images "floated" on background panels. The top one is a stretched canvas, floated with a recessed space around the edge, painted black. In the lower image, the canvas panel is attached to the background board with velcro strips. The painting is picking up a lot of glare in the photo, but the frame shows pretty well.

Now, the show: I'll be exhibiting some recent realist paintings at Banner Bank, in La Grande, Oregon. The show's only going to be up for a couple of days. The reception is this Tuesday, May 4th, 4:30 to 7:30 PM. If you're in the area, please come. I'll be there. (That may not be enough of a draw--did I mention they're also serving wine and cheese?)

26 comments:

Micah Neff said...

Don, do you "cradle" your boards? I have a commision to do a larger landscape painting and was going to cradle the masonite myself. Will be approx. 20" x 40" Am going to attempt to do it in acrylics and want to make sure I do the prep correctly.

Jean Victory said...

Don,
I love the look of the paintings! Nice and clean look. I also like your idea with the velcro strips and floating the paintings. Good luck with your show!

Anonymous said...

Love how you framed these! Gosh, I wish I was motivated enough to make my own frames. Have a great time at your show.

Don Gray said...

Hi Micah. I used to cradle panels, but rarely do it anymore, except for very large sizes. I probably wouldn't cradle a 20 x 40 unless I wanted a dimensional edge to the panel. I have found the Masonite Duolux brand boards to be very stable, in both 1/8" and 1/4" thicknesses.

If you do cradle, be sure to use very straight, kiln-dried wood, or the warps in the cradling will warp the panel. Finger-jointed wood is another option to avoid warpage.

Don Gray said...

Thanks a lot, Jean. The velcro seems to work like a charm. I like that I can easily change out paintings in a frame this way. And the velcro can be completely removed from the panel without damage, if desired.

Don Gray said...

No you don't, Silvina--trust me. All the time you would spend framing would be better spent painting. Then you've got more paintings that you might be able to sell to buy frames!

Thanks for the well-wishes.

Anonymous said...

:)) i think you will get the punters through the door with that little stint! Like i said in a previous post, you seem to be able to work in any medium... including woodwork:) Wish i could come to the show but i'm a wee bit far away: wishing you a successful show. r.

Simon Jones said...

Did you say cheese? great paintings, great frames. I recently had a bash, after years away, of just painting a frame, took me almost as long as the painting itself, and you have to be so neat and tidy...

Sheila Vaughan said...

Great modern, unfussy look to these frames Don. It must have been worth it but I know the effort it takes. Have had my fill of framing in the past. It is no fun. Good luck with the show!

Katherine said...

These look great Don. It's amazing what framing does to a piece of art. They're not behind glass right? All this for a couple days at Banner Bank? You are a champ. Then you'll have the frames. Will you be showing these in Walla Walla?

Dean Grey said...

I love the first painiting a lot, Don, BUT I don't like the black trim surrounding the artwork!

It's a bit too dark IMHO. Maybe if it were a charcoal gray instead? Just a bit lighter of a shade so as not to compete against the darks of the actual painting.

Just adding my two cents!

-Dean

Don Gray said...

Ah c'mon, Rahina, Scotland's just a hop skip and jump from Oregon! :^) Thanks for the well-wishes.

Say, what exactly is a "punter?" (I'm an ignorant American.)

Don Gray said...

And wine too, Simon--come on over!

I think one needs a lot of patience to be a framer, don't you?

Don Gray said...

Hi Sheila--thanks a lot. I think it's just that while we're making frames we're resentful that we're not making paintings, don't you?

Don Gray said...

Thanks, Katherine--yeah I like this clean look. I'll be showing them elsewhere, though not likely at Walla Walla. I keep telling myself it will all be worth it.

Susan Beauchemin said...

Hi Don,
After all that framing, and it IS work, very precise work--agh! The show should be up for more than a few days! another agh! Your frames are even made by hand--I'm impressed, and they look great. There's a part of me that really likes to frame--to finish off a painting and hopefully send it along to a new home. Another part of me, my back and nervous system, are not too keen on framing. I'd love to be able to see your show!

Don Gray said...

Hi Dean--thanks. The black is actually a recessed space along the edge of the canvas stretcher. Hard to show it in a photo, but it makes more sense and looks better, I think, in person.

Micah Neff said...

Thanks for the info Don, that helped me a lot. Was going to go with stretched canvas, but the person I am doing the painting for may not remember how to care for it. And being a guy he will not mind the masonite will be heavier to hang. Sure wish frames built themselves! My mitres never come out as neat as yours LOL Your frames are beautiful. Am gonna keep that velcro idea in my pocket for later :)

Don Gray said...

Susan--Happy Birthday to you and your son! Age is but a number, right?

You're absolutely right about the challenges of framing, and the show duration seems awfully short. But oh well, they'll be ready for other exhibits now. Thanks for the note.

Perry Brown said...

Hi Don- the framing and the work are superb; very clever way of showcasing your work. Good luck with the show. I am sure you will have a large crowd at the opening!

http://www.onpainting.wordpress.com said...

Love the light on that building!

Don Gray said...

Hey Perry, thanks for the encouragement and well wishes.

Don Gray said...

Much appreciated, Bill! Nice painting of your daughter on your blog.

Diane Hoeptner said...

Don, the frames look great--wonderful craftsmanship. Thanks for sharing your process there!

Don Gray said...

Hi Diane--thanks! Great to see your new paintings.

Kristen's Paintings said...

Your frames look great. I like to do everything myself if I have the skills.