![]() and then to select a frame that matches the color of the inside mat. And pick an inside mat that matches a color in the focal point, which is usually a darker color. My favorite way to select mats and frames is to pick a top mat that matches the more overall color of the background of the art, which is usually a lighter color. The frame and mat become more about just separating the art from its surroundings and having a relationship to other simply framed art in a gallery setting than what makes each individual art “sing” on it’s own. It may seem like a daunting task, but if you can answer just a few questions you can eliminate 90% of the choices: Do you want a minimalist gallery look or do you want the frame and mat to relate to the color and style of the art? If you want a minimalist gallery look, most of the time this is accomplished with a white mat and simple black or white frame. Here in our little mom and pop frame shop we have over 4,000 frame styles and 1,000 mat samples to choose from. Others experts may have differing opinions. Remember these are all “my opinion” and this is how I do it. If you have any requests email me at and I will see if I can add the information. ![]() I have broken down the aspects of custom picture framing into 20+ categories. This “mass production” makes for an efficient use of time to complete each framing task. ![]() Once we have the whole group of art with mats, backing and frames completed then we start cutting and cleaning the glass and installing the individual projects. Then we glue and nail the first half of the frame corners together and after the glue has set, glue and nail the other half together to create the completed empty frame with nail holes filled. Next we cut the frames and check the size to make sure the frame fits the mat. We first cut the block size of many different customers' mats, then mark those mat openings, then cut the mat openings and foam-core backings and secure the art in the mat. We usually work on about 8 to 25 projects at a time. As I write this, I am almost 2 months behind in framing my customers projects. (If the artist has no money, I might even consider trading their time to clean, pull weeds or whatever, for space rent.) Since our little frame shop is lucky enough to be buried in work and I just don’t have time to be with artists one on one, I will pass along the information here in writing with photos and eventually videos. Artists are also welcome to bring their own supplies. I also sell framing supplies like 32 x 40 mats, cases of glass and frame lengths to artists so they can use their own labor to frame their own art at a fraction of the cost. I am renting out the space and equipment to starving artists for only 10 cents a minute ($6.00/hr) per person. ![]() I have set up a framing workshop, with duplicate picture frame equipment (mat cutters, miter vices, nail guns etc.) in my basement. Someone described them as “floating guts”. (One art series I did by putting myself under hypnosis with a pen or pencil in my hand and see what art would happen. I would often have customers in with their “ducks flying over water in sunset” prints for me to frame and they would see my weird hippy art and ask: “What the heck is that suppose to be?” I would explain that I did the art and most customers were very polite and felt bad that they cast aspersions on art I had done, so I eventually took pity on my customers and placed my art out of sight. At that time signed numbered wildlife prints were all the rage. When I first opened, I displayed my “Hippy Art” around the shop. The day I was going to drive a cab the employment agency called and had a job for me in a custom frame shop! I took to it right away and had the added bonus of saving lot of money using my own labor to frame my own art.Īfter 6 years of working for the frame shop, I opened my own shop in 1979. I remember not being able to afford to frame my art, so I would take a portfolio of my work around to banks and insurance companies and other businesses and offer my artwork for sale.Īfter getting nowhere trying to make a living as an artist, I gave myself 3 months to find a job related to art and if not, I was going to drive a cab. I had great joy in making art, but trying to pay rent and make a living from selling art was exasperating. Years ago I tried making a living as an artist. My wish is that everyone, including starving artists, also have a wonderful life: I wake up every morning happy to have another day to see and hear and walk and talk and think and frame pictures and visit with customers and annoy my wife and play with the dogs.
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