Venetian Mask

Paul N

SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
Joined
Jun 10, 2005
Posts
17,354
Loc
CT, not far from the LI Sound
Just finished this one. It is a Venetian mask I bought in Venice a few years ago.

It will sit in the window display before I take it home.

VenMaskSB.jpg
 
Love it Paul, is that the Nurre shadowbox? Always wanted to see something in that, great choice.
 
I like it and it looks typical of something I tend to do. However I'm trying to get out of that rut.

If I may be totally constructive. More more more! It just needs something. What about some stripes of another color or two of matboards? Instead of that solid back drop what about some wavy silk for depth? Usually when you see those they are to be held on by a ribbon. What about a rich gold ribbion snaking around in there? What about a gold fillet on the back seam where the walls meet the backing?

Just some ideas. Please take them in the spirit they are given.
 
Patrick:

It is a BB silk mat.

Steph:

It is a Nurre shadowbox frame, good eye!

Jay:

Very good ideas, appreciate that. I thought about a gold fillet, but the frame has 2 lines of gold already and it would be overkill. A ribbon is a good idea, although it needs one that would blend with the mask which is very ornate to begin with.

I also tried 2 different matboards (one of my employees suggested that): Gold for the background and the red for the sides, but it didn't look right to me; too much contrast with the mask. The red just gave it a simple, strong background without lessening the impact of the mask.

I will try a gold ribbon and maybe combined with silver too.

Thanks again.
 
Paul - while you're out hunting for ribbon - there are ribbons with shimmering metallic threads woven into them in different colors - makes them look like gems - you may get lost in the ribbon department!!! Or blinded by the light!

I think it looks terrific on the red and I love the frame!!! Can't wait to see what ribbon you find!
 
Thanks for using Nurre and BB!! I love that particular moulding, and I like the simplicity of the framing, it really lets the mask stand out as the main focus, I thinks its a case of "less is more". Great job!
One of my framers in the Santa Cruz area framed a similar mask, but used a natural elements metal frame (the scoop profile) and a suede mat, the mask stuck out from the frame in a 3D effect, it looked very cool!
 
Paul, that's really stunning. I think what Jay was talking about with the wavy silk, was actual silk fabric, sorta draped around as the background, instead of matboard. Right, Jay? I think that would be really dramatic, and not overkill.

How did you mount that? I have 2 Mardi Gras masks coming up to do, and could use some inspiration. Nice work. Thanks.
 
Val:

Mounting the mask was actually easy. It already came with 2 holes in the back (not visible from the front) so people could hang it (those Italians thought of everything!).

We used fishing wire through the holes and the mat.
 
Nice job Paul........

A couple was invited to a swanky masked ball.

She got a terrible headache and told her husband to go to the party alone. He, being a devoted husband, protested, but she argued and said she was going to take some aspirin and go to bed, and there was no need for his good time to be spoiled by not going.

So he took his costume and away he went. The wife, after sleeping soundly for about an hour, awakened without pain and, as it was still early, decided to go to the party after all. As her husband didn't know what costume she'd be wearing, she thought she'd have some fun by watching her husband to see how he acted when she wasn't around.

She joined the party and soon spotted her husband cavorting around on the dance floor, dancing with every chick he could, getting a little kiss here and a warm squeeze there. His wife went up to him and being rather seductive herself, he left his current partner high and dry and devoted his time to this new babe who had just arrived.


She let him do whatever he wished, naturally, since he was her husband. Finally he whispered a little proposition in her ear and she agreed, so off they went to one of the cars and they did it all! Zowie!

Just before unmasking at midnight, she slipped away and went home, put the costume away and got into bed, wondering what kind of explanation he would have for his behavior.


She was sitting up reading when he came in. She asked how the evening had been? He said "Oh, the same old thing. You know, I never have a good time when you're not there." Then she asked, "Did you dance much?"

He replied, "You know, I didn't dance even one dance. When I got there, I met Pete, Bill Brown and some other guys, so we went into the den and played poker all evening.
But I'll tell you...from what I heard, the guy I loaned my costume to, sure had a real good time!"
 
Ha. My Halloween as Zorro was awesome. ;)

As for the subject of this thread, I agree with those who find it needing a little something to complete the look. Which of the suggestions have you tried? Do you have a final result yet?
 
I like the simplicity of it.

One idea, though, for subtly sneaking a little more detail into it, is to use the spacer. I would have played with the idea of covering it with a glitzy fabric, a fancy paper with some metallic gold stripes, or some funky festive print- I am thinking of those neat venetian printed papers. (Just the spacer, though, I would leave the backer the way it is.)

But that's just fanciness, it's lovely and mysterious the way it is.

edie the redgoeswitheverything goddess
 
I have a couple of ideas but didn't get to that yet.

Also, working on another interesting project, will post pictures in a day or 2.


Thanks for all suggestions!
 
In my opinion it is just right..Not overdone. Knowing when to quit is an art all by itself. I know cuz I never know..I always tend to overdue. Somehow empty space doesn't sit well usually with me.In this example though I like it the way it is..Reminds me of the masks they use at madi gras..
 
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