Hep me pick some framing for these

[Marc Lzier]

As always it's hardest to pick framing for your own stuff. So how 'bout a little bit of help.

Think of this as a Blue Sky project.

Suggest the realistic to the fantastic. The mundane to the magnificent.

This is one I framed a while ago

It has a 1 x 1 1/2 dk blue lacquer frame. Crescent Desert Sand top mat. 1648 Ultramarine, and 1646 Sky Blue as fillet with 1/16 showing of each.

Rather pedestrian.

These two below are 11 x 15 oil pastel on coldpress paper, also done in 1977.

Remember, the sky's the limit, but I still want it to be something executable.

Any thoughts?


[This message has been edited by Marc Lzier (edited March 23, 2001).]

 

[Kit aka emrr]

Once upon a time a customer brought some similar pieces into our shop. I was just about to say how much I enjoyed framing childrens' art when she told me they had been painted by her grandmother!

If you, as a customer, brought these pieces to me to be framed I would start by asking for more information. Will they hang as a pair (or a trio)? Are we re-framing the train? Do the other two need to co-ordinate with it? What kind of look do you want to end up with: sleek and modern? traditional? Ralph Lauren? Is that a hole in the owl picture? Why does your last name sometimes have an "i" in it and sometimes not?

This project looks like great fun. Can't wait to see the results. Kit

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Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana

 

[JPete]

The Little Engine that could? I think I can, I think I can. Just brings back those memories of reading to my first born.

Great appeal to grandparents. 1. Clone the owl and make your own mat. 2. Extend the tree branches. 3. Get funky, put it in a really large ornate frame with large mat.

 

[Charles Lowry]

Being a country boy, and a totally incurable, but colorblind traditionalist, I would go for the rough look. A barnwood-type frame, maybe. We have an artist in out building who paints some really neat stuff on her mats. Sorta lets the matted piece 'overflow' onto the mat. She also is a graphic artist, and could scan the owl and fix the little hole in it. She does that stuff all the time. If I was at the shop, I might have a chance at picking out a mat or two, but would defer to Janet in that department.

 

[Marc Lzier]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>If you, as a customer, brought these pieces to me to be framed I would start by asking for more information.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Okay. I'm game. I did these in 1977, when I was 7, at my grandmothers house, on the floor in the upstairs bedroom.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> Are we re-framing the train?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The train is hanging in my kids's room, next to a Thomas the Tank Engine thing. The framing is fine, and I think it looks good there.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> Will they hang as a pair<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't think so. It is hard to reconcile the one being vertical, and one being horizontal thing. I don't want to 'force' anything. I think they, like most framing will be better suited to fit the framing to the art. i have no idea where I will put them, but I do want them to look nice.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> Do the other two need to co-ordinate with it? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

no.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>What kind of look do you want to end up with: sleek and modern? traditional? Ralph Lauren?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I like the rustic idea mentioned by JPete and Charles. But I hat it when it looks contrived, and machine distressed. I think a frame made from hardwood branches lap jointed, crossed and bound would be nice on the owl(the mention of branches made me think of that). And then simple on the matting becasue of the busy-ness of the frame.
Duck blinds on the duck?

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> Is that a hole in the owl picture?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

reflection on the glass of the frame they are in now. the paper is not torn.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> Why does your last name sometimes have an "i" in it and sometimes not?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It always has an 'i', it just seems to move around sometimes.

c'mon folks. more?

 

[Janet]

Marc,
I'll bet the owl doesn't give a hoot what you do to him!

I recently had a couple in my shop who were decorating their baby's room. Each of them brought in something they had drawn when they were in elementary school and we framed those as a pair as both pieces had the same colors and were wildflower drawings. But they wanted them CHEAP! (one mat-metal moulding, no extras) I figured the baby wouldn't care!

Wish I was at my shop where I could go through my samples and "create" something for you.

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How cheap do you want it to look??

 

[Ainsley]

You are so right about your own art being the hardest to frame. I can look at mine for days before I decide...after all we framer artists know how many different options are available.
Consider using liners instead of mats. A 3" Q from Falcon East with a half round top ornament all covered in linen (FE 5320 - Rye would be nice or one of the nubby ligher linens) Top with an authentic Barnwood from Rustic Creations Tel 903-599-4105. They are REALLY rustic with nailholes, etc.
Good Luck!

 

[Rick Granick]

For the train, may I suggest a look I used on a train print of mine: Use a flat moulding, and on the surface, mount an actual HO scale train track. I mitered the track sections with a cutoff wheel on a Dremel tool. (Wear eye protection and watch out for flying bits of "railroad ties".) Affixed the track to the moulding with Superglue. I had the idea about 10 years before I actually executed it. (The right print finally came along.) I'll try to post a scanned photo of this if I can figure out how to put pictures on the Grumble.
Rick

 

[Susan May]

Just a thought...

You might try to add a second opening to one of the pictures. Add a little bit of calligraphy, perhaps a poem, or a clip from a story. The owl reminds me of Winnie the Pooh's friend, perhaps you could write on the mat, "Did I ever tell you about my dear Uncle..."

As for the duck, I would probably use a mat that looks like reeds, with a fillet. Rustic frame, and fillet to give the "Natural" look.

Hope this helps.

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Sue May
"You want it when?!?!?"

 

[Frank]

I've used the train track too only I used N scale flexible track and run it across the bottom of the mat in a serpentine pattern, over the corner of the art, and out towards the top of the mat. Looked pretty cool.
Is that a barn owl? Maybe you need to build a barn for it.

 

[Kit aka emrr]

Hep me, Rhonda. Hep, hep, me Rhonda.

Sorry.

Okay Marc. Since you were kind enough to answer all my questions (even the irrelevant one) I've had time to do a little playing with the sample corners. I love the idea of real branches fastened to a flat moulding to frame the owl. I would also use LJ's Cortona fillet (127825) in a Bainbridge Sawdust denim mat (B4954).

I'd go a bit more uptown on the duck just to be different: JL Damira silver fillet (122037); Bainbridge Imperial blue silk mat (B4836) at least 3 - 4 inches wide depending on the size of the drawing; Damira silver frame (532037). I think the sheen of the silk and the silver frame would give the piece a 'water-y' look.

This is fun! Thanks, Marc, for bringing it up. Hope you'll post photos of the finished framing. Kit

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Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana

 

[Kit aka emrr]

Another marginally related thought occurs to me: when framing for a child's room I recommend plexi instead of glass and suggest that the picture be hung at the CHILD'S eye level. How much enjoyment would you get from your own art work it it were hanging two feet above your head? Kit

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Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana

 

[Frame Harbor]

Hi grumblers,

This is supposed to be a brain storming design challenge thread. Marc has all those corner samples, mats and filets that you are mentioning and, also, the ability to go through permutations and selections for himself. Marc is an accomplished framer and a PFM regular. Let's not patronize him and better bring out our original design solutions.

 

[Rick Granick]

Very funny, Kit! Gave me a big laugh. I wasn't going to mention the spelling in the title though, because I know Marc is a "Hep Cat"!
Rick

 

[Audrey]

Marc--

Oh, dear. *sigh* I always read the grumble at home, and I haven't been framing long enough to have sample numbers memorized. LOL But I do like Kit's description, inasmuch as I can picture it without the samples in front of me....

I myself would like to see something very earthy on the owl, with textured denim fabric mats and a dark, chocolatey, barnwood frame....but a crucial part of the process for me is handling the mat and corner samples WITH the picture...and all my samples are at work. LOL Sorry I can't be more help. I'm really looking forward to seeing the finished pieces, though.

And Frame Harbor, you continually amaze me. LOL How can you critique Kit for mentioning what Marc already has, when a.) you have made no suggestions yourself, and b.) if we are not to suggest samples and frames that Marc already has, what are we to suggest? Mats and frames he DOESN'T have, and can't get? I believe he was asking for design help, not a new distributor. I myself find it difficult to frame for myself, as do most framers, I think, and the difficulty is not in the availability of samples, but in choosing the vital few that will make the picture look the best. I wish I could be more help. LOL

Please, don't critique others for making thoughtful suggestions when you don't care to make any yourself. No one likes a Monday morning quarterback....


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I don't care what color your sofa is.

 

[Marc Lzier]

Ainsley,
Thanks for the liner thoughts.

Rick and Frank,
You have inspired me. I think there is something more deserving for the train then what I have it in now. The tracks is a cute idea, without being too cutesy. I have done a train trestle frame before, but that was for 'real' art. I think you would get a kick from it. Too hard to describe, I'll dig up a pic.

SueMay,
The poem or childrens book line might be a nice touch.

Frank sez:
"Maybe you need to build a barn for it."

A door that covers the art, and opens. Very clever.

kit sez:
"real branches fastened to a flat moulding to frame the owl."

I'm think'n if I gonna go thru the touble to get the right branches I will dado them, and use them as is.

and kit also sez:
"Bainbridge Imperial blue silk mat .I think the sheen of the silk would give the piece a 'water-y' look."

Have you seen the "India" silks from Framing Fabrics? Maybe that on Ainsley's liner instead?

FrameHarbor,
"Marc is an accomplished framer"
does that really matter? and is that really true?
" and a PFM regular."
that does not matter. infact, here I am just a framer. my opin is not better (but maybe worse) because of that.

FH also says:
"Let's not patronize him and better bring out our original design solutions.Marc has all those corner samples, mats and filets that you are mentioning and, also, the ability to go through permutations and selections for himself."

And before I know it, Audrey jumps in with:
"I myself find it difficult to frame for myself, as do most framers, I think, and the difficulty is not in the availability of samples, but in choosing the vital few that will make the picture look the best."

Its all a matter of how you (we) put it all together. In the end it is quality of design not complexity. Good point. Not every frame job will boldly go where no framer has gone before.

And she goes on to say:
"I wish I could be more help."

I think you just were.

and yes,
truly hep,
marc

[This message has been edited by Marc Lzier (edited March 26, 2001).]

 

[Frame Harbor]

Originally posted by Audrey:
Marc--

And Frame Harbor, you continually amaze me. LOL How can you critique Kit for mentioning what Marc already has, when a.) you have made no suggestions yourself, and b.) if we are not to suggest samples and frames that Marc already has, what are we to suggest? Mats and frames he DOESN'T have, and can't get? I believe he was asking for design help, not a new distributor. I myself find it difficult to frame for myself, as do most framers, I think, and the difficulty is not in the availability of samples, but in choosing the vital few that will make the picture look the best. I wish I could be more help. LOL

Please, don't critique others for making thoughtful suggestions when you don't care to make any yourself. No one likes a Monday morning quarterback....


Audrey,

I like the branch frame idea and so does Marc (in my opinion, anyway). I bet he does not have branch corner samples and he still went as far as to figure a joining (dadoing) technique for that challenging design option. Isn't that telling you that I may have a point there?
As of my design ideas, I'm still browsing them, as no corner sample references are involved in there, and my English limited technical vocabulary is likely to bring about more confusion than clarify things. I secretly hope somebody will be instrumental in alleviating my pain by presenting a project that would make mine irrelevant and useless.
Cornel.

 

[Mitch]

Oh my - Oh My - OH MY - I think I am going to be sick!


Please! --- This is Art. Let's treat it as such. Framers often view original art as a project that they have to make better...talk about misguided egos. I AM sorry if I hurt any ones feelings. BUT, I have been making my own art and helping children make art for over thirty years. The refrigerator would be better than train tracks, shinny silk, branches and barn wood. I would suggest a wide white rag mat (appliance white) with a charcoal or matte black frame.

 

[Framing Goddess]

Oh so many opinions here... The Goddess cannot help but throw in one (or two or three...) more!

The Goddess has been in an unshakeable "Bevel Accents" mood lately. Except that we call them "Ultra Deep Bevels" and we use our own materials to cover the fome core.
So, Marc, here are some Goddess Treatments for you to ponder...
The Goddess loves to match the paper (of the artwork) for her primary mat and use color and texture as accents. But these pieces deserve a bit more playful solutions.
Why not have your little one do some wild scribblings on some rag paper in some appropriate colors for the owl and the duck (and even the train if yer in a reframing mood) and use that to make your own "Ultra Deep Bevel Accents?" Or even some watercolor or gouache renderings by the same wee artist would look snazzy cut into strips for this. If you really wanted to be wacky about it, even the mat that has been so carefully chosen to "match" could be enhanced with some crayoned embellishments. And if you desired that stuffy European-framed-prints look, you could apply the above-mentioned strips as "marble" panels as some tweaked version of souped-up French mats.
I love the idea of rustic type frames. Logs, sticks & bones all sound fun but I must admit to finding the idea of some LaMarche mouldings appealing. ("Why spend the time if you can spend the money?"- The Goddess' mantra) The two brown (even the blue, too) "Country Cousins" profiles look nice and they come 3 1/8" wide which would be tres chic. Or how about something from their "Curator" collection? You know those delicious black/brown and red/brown encaustic finish frames? That way, when your young one at home lobs a croquet ball at the frame, he/she will only serve to enhance its battered charm. I would definitely use one with a gold lip or fillet for Mr. Owl. I'd even look at the white finishes from the same line for the duck. (maybe with a navy mat...?) Why not?

And, you realize, of course, that we expect "after" pics to be posted here as well...! So ya better git framin'!

-The Goddess

P.S. Yer a good artist!

 

[Marc Lzier]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mitch:
Please! . . . (and it goes on) . . . . <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Mitch,

I agree. A vast majority of the time, this is and should be the case (framing simple and complimentary to the art, not overshadowing).

If a customer brought these in:

Most likely . . . wide 8- ply white, off white, or cream Rag mat, and a simple frame (think black metal, thin black wood, slightly playful, but colorful wood or metal?), glass, plex, or uv-plex.

These are mine. They may go as store samples , or hang in the shop area, or at home, and be decor (or dreck-or) for a kids room. I appreciate your input, and your options were the same as what I kept pulling out and was stuck at before I asked the Grumblers out in GrumbleLand.

There are some novel ideas here (any more to come?).

I think I have something to go on here. I will post pix.

 

[rosetl]

Hmm -- with not thinking the sky is the limit -- but what might be a nice upgrade here are some thoughts:

I like the train mats as is -- maybe make a little narrower and use one of Roma's narrow black with brown -- like 17000 or 14000. Somehow they look like train to me.

My thought for the owl might be to have mat cut out around the shape of the owl -- extending on the sides an inch or so where the tree branch is, making the overall size a bit bigger. Color? A neutral owl brown! Mid tone. On the right "kid art" these things are fantastic -- but you gotta be good at that little hand cutter. I also like the idea of a bit of rustic to the frame, but not wide despite the current trend towards wide stuff.

The duck is a tougher one for me without seeing in person -- somehow I'd bring in some color with an inner fillet mat or possibly even a fillet. Or, one different look might be use a colored liner and place the glass between liner and frame and use one of those "in" wide flat mouldings -- hmm -- or a stack with a big flat one and a detailed interesting flat one to act as the spacer.

And -- please post the pics as you complete each item!

TL - Studio Frame

 

[Frame Harbor]

Marc,
A flat, rustic look is what I'd favor for the duck. Maybe just four wide, painted by hand boards as if your drawing was vaguely extending onto those panels. Distressed surface. Maybe you can use your kid's talents as to perform the painting with that naive touch that's so hard to duplicate...
I like the branch idea for the owl.
As of your train, same type of frame as the one I was suggesting for the duck or, maybe, something more creative with pale multicolor wooden cubes pasted together as to remind of cubicles trains kids of yesteryears used to play with under the Christmas tree at the age of 3 or 4. Scale is important. Four larger cubes at the corners. Something like that. I hate to see those drawings being treated with the house "special" menu: molding number such and such by famous multi-tones molding maker X, Y or Z, mat and filet number so and so, by another big name like above. But that's only me.

 

[Marc Lzier]

Okay,
Howze 'bout some updates?

I got in the moulding for them. A new one from LaMarche. It comes in two colors (one for each image). About an 1 1/4 wide, and looks like overlapping feathers or scales, for lack of a better description. I think subtle, yet ties in with the art. I'm sure y'aaaal 'll let me know what you think when you see it, in rather candid and honest terms, like the true Grumblers we all are inside, just waiting to get out.
For the mat I am going fabric from Frank's Fabrics (w/ wood a inner fillet). It is a new, super-secret, just arrived, and released, totally different fabric, up-to-now not available to framers.

. . . . HEMP

The stuff is totally cool. It comes in 3 weaves, only one color in each (all natural type colors). I bought a yard of each, and one will be the odd color out. One is a Hemp/Silk mix, that has the coolest "drape" and feel of any fabric I have seen. I am thinking of doing a promotion/post card based on the new fabric.

Imagine . . .

Now Available for use with any or all your framing needs : HEMP.

Free Zig-Zags with every hemp mat purchase.

Frank does tell me that if you smoke the fabric it will only give you a headache, but that seems to all the fun out of it.

But I digress.

Also in the above postings, the "Train Track Frame" seemed to get allot of comment.

I dug up some photos of frames I have made where the customer has specifically asked for a train-track look in the framing.

I love this frame. The image is inside an old rail car.

A museum in Spain. The framed image is a Ciba photo. Kindly ignore the fact the frame is on it's side, and that photo is in sepia.

A side view

The truck image is actually the same color color tone as the train image. Just caught a nasty blue-sky reflection on the glass on the shot. It is not a whashed out grey, as it looks here.

I call it my junkyard frame. The bolts are what is actually holding the frame together. No glue.

Feedback (whatever you have) is always welcome.

[This message has been edited by Marc Lzier (edited April 20, 2001).]

 

[Marc Lzier]

In retrospect, maybe the topic header shoulda been: Hemp me pick some framing for these.

Sorry,
couldn't resist.

 

[Jean McLean]

At 7 rs. old...impressive. Anything recent?

I suppose by now it is too late to add my idea but will take the chance anyway. I know that children love shadowboxes filled with items they relate to. How about taking the train as it is and mounting it into a much larger,deep, shadowbox and add lots of train-related items? Take the glass off the one you have and glue some track to the mat and let it lead your eye into the larger shadowbox full of model trains, etc. This could be quite a fun project and since you have kids...let them help choose what goes into it. Make them part of Dad's past. Then, add plexiglass over the whole, new thing and let them help you hang it in "their" room. Jean

 

[CharlesL]

Marc, the hemp is a great idea!! Do you find yourself becoming incredibly hungry after working with it?? Seriously, though, it bears looking into. I can see where it would look really good in a lot of applications. Your train frames look great!!

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I'm not totally worthless. I can always be used as a bad example... Woodchuck