In addition to thinking madly about non-verbal communication through appearance, ushering for a musical, and getting ready for Christmas, I’ve also been continuing to learn to paint in watercolor. Recently I’ve completed these two landscapes:
If you like the one on the left, with the silo, you may want to visit the web-site of one of my instructors, where she is offering the original that we copied from for class. If you like the one on the right, you may want to subscribe to Sunset (1-year)
I did have a little bit of a set-back last week though: I discovered just how expensive it is to get a painting matted and framed. No wonder all these fabulous paintings sit in boxes and drawers in people’s basements! I’m already committed to taking class next quarter, but then I’m going to have to give serious thought to whether it makes sense to continue. Because I am not at all interested in simply producing boxes full of pretty paper!
Rebecca, I agree, framing costs can be prohibitive. However, it is possible to do a nice framing job yourself. When Billy and I were first engaged I bought him some beautiful calligraphy scripture art. My artist friend bought a frame from Michael’s (her tip was to check the corners…make sure there’s a “perfect” join like you’d find on a professional frame) and a mat (also from the craft store). Her husband placed it all in the frame and finished the back with brown paper and a hanger, just as you would if you paid to have it done. It really looked stunning, for a fraction of the cost.
If your painting is an odd size, I bet you could just have a mat cut at a frame shop and maybe cut a standard frame down using a miter saw. Staple the frame together from the back with wood staples. Then putty any cracks in the corners with a wood putty that matches your frame, smooth, and buff for a seamless finish. (My dad used to work at a custom frame shop and I puttied frames during the summer!) That would cost a bit more, but not nearly as much as having it framed.
OH–one more idea–I have seen a lot of people do really cool things with thrifted frames. You can even remove ugly art from an old frame and refurbish it with some paint. Then continue as you would if you had bought it new.
Stephanie’s ideas all great. I used to make my own picture frames from decorative molding with a cheap wooden miter box and a small backsaw. No big deal.
Anyway, if you see pictures of artists’ studios don’t you notice all the canvases leaning against the walls. Seems standard for artists not to frame all their work. I guess you have a big enough family you could want to frame your paintings for gifts but in your own home eventually you run out of wall space. 🙂
I have two pictures from my daughter hanging in the living room, plus an oil done by her son. Another oil by the son is at the top of the stairs. We did some of the framing, but one oil looked better where it is with just a glue-on hanger on the back. Did I tell you …. I LOVE to see them? Brings a smile every time.
Running out of wall space is definitely a realistic possibility. I have yet to frame a painting for myself!
Thanks for all the creative constructive ideas. Another possibility we are considering is having the hero take a matting class. And he said he figured he could learn to build frames (and that my dad would no doubt already have the skills and be willing to share them).
I had a recent bit of serendipity when a friend gave me a watercolor done by his late wife and it fit perfectly in the frame and matt of a picture I had that I wasn’t crazy about.
One thing I probably won’t do: change to oil, in order to avoid the necessity of framing. I just like how clean watercolor is! 🙂