Today's postings
- [Baren 24874] Re: framing tools ("Matt Laine")
- [Baren 24875] RE: Framing economics ("marilynn smih")
- [Baren 24876] Re: framing (James G Mundie)
- [Baren 24877] Re: New Baren Digest (HTML) V27 #2621 (Apr 16, 2004) (Sharri LaPierre)
- [Baren 24878] Sakura Matsuri ("April Vollmer")
- [Baren 24879] Re: framing tools ("Joseph Sheridan")
- [Baren 24880] more framing (Barbara Mason)
- [Baren 24881] Re: Sakura Matsuri (bettewappner # fuse.net)
- [Baren 24882] Re: Sakura Matsuri (ArtfulCarol # aol.com)
- [Baren 24883] St Marys and color (Barbara Mason)
- [Baren 24884] Re: Sakura Matsuri (JEANNE CHASE)
- [Baren 24885] Re: framing tools ("Maria Arango")
- [Baren 24886] Re: Self Portrait Exchange ("MPereira")
Message 1
From: "Matt Laine"
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 10:12:43 -0400
Subject: [Baren 24874] Re: framing tools
Send Message: To this poster
I would really like to learn more about " OLFLA". Like where to buy it! I
assume direction for using it would come with the item.
>...I have been framing my own work for years. I have also owned and operated
>a custom framing store. I have a few comments regarding framing your own
>work. The best hand held cutter is a plastic thing called " OLFLA". This is a
>SERIOUS cutter that costs under 50 dollars...
assume direction for using it would come with the item.
>...I have been framing my own work for years. I have also owned and operated
>a custom framing store. I have a few comments regarding framing your own
>work. The best hand held cutter is a plastic thing called " OLFLA". This is a
>SERIOUS cutter that costs under 50 dollars...
Message 2
From: "marilynn smih"
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 08:02:02 -0700
Subject: [Baren 24875] RE: Framing economics
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You folks speaking of ordering items are not living in Baja Sur, Mexico. I
said that in passing as an example. (if it is labeled art it costs more) As
always you artists have found your own creative ways around those framers.
Guess I could use cactus instead of wood, huh?
Marilynn
said that in passing as an example. (if it is labeled art it costs more) As
always you artists have found your own creative ways around those framers.
Guess I could use cactus instead of wood, huh?
Marilynn
Message 3
From: James G Mundie
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 11:32:24 -0400
Subject: [Baren 24876] Re: framing
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Ah, framing - the constant bugaboo of the exhibiting artist.
I am rather lucky in that I have an excellent framer here in Philly that
I've been using since 1992. They know me, I know them - they do great
work, and give me a substantial discount for the amount of business I've
sent their way. I cannot afford to have them do the whole job, but I
have them make my frames in their shop a few at a time, and I buy the
requisite sheets of glass or plexi, which I keep in the studio and pull
out as I need them. I have neither the tools nor patience to cut and join
moulding myself, so I figure why not let the experts who are set up for
the job do it?
In the long run, I'm paying about US$20 (including glazing) for a
well-crafted museum-style maple frame with spline joint corners. I get
'em raw (as in sanded but not finished) and just clean them up a bit with
a tack rag before I pop the work in. Sometimes I wax the frame, but
usually the wood is so pretty it doesn't need it. It's a simple elegant
frame which presents the work well without distracting from the image. I
want somebody looking at my work, not the frame.
I do the mat cutting myself (though my framer would happily do that,
too), which is where the real savings come in. I use a Logan Compact
cutter, and because my work is hardly ever exactly square I ignore the
border guide on the side (which never seemed to be exactly parallel to
the cutter rail anyway). The Logan was one of the best investments I
ever made - inexpensive and a heck of a lot less aggravating than the old
straightedge and C-clamps method I was taught in school.
I long ago learned that standard sizes are where it's at when it comes to
framing your own work. It's much better to have any number of frames on
hand readily recyclable than to have somebody make one in a custom size,
one at a time. I tend to work fairly small, so a 16 x 20 inch frames
serves my needs for most everything I do. Handily, that's a quarter
sheet of 32 x 40 inch museum board, so I can just cut a bunch of blanks
all at one time and then pull them out to cut the 'window' as necessary.
This is actually one of my least favorite parts of the exercise and the
point where a single misplaced cut can ruin an entire sheet, so as a
further time and aggravation saver, I've been meaning to buy a package of
pre-cut museum boards from Light Impressions (25 to 100 precut 16 x 20
museum board sheets would be like living in a dream world!).
Like anything else, however, framing requires patience and attention to
detail. If your frame (or your mat) looks like crap (wonky, dinged,
smudged, weird color), that's going to detract from your work. By that
same token, a really nice framing job can make even a mediocre piece of
art look 'important'. I'm always impressed by the change that seems to
come over a print or drawing that had been languishing in a flat file
drawer but which suddenly blossoms under a crisp mat.
At this point, David is probably shaking his head in bewilderment
("Frames? You poor misguided souls...").
Jim
________________________________________
James Mundie
Philadelphia PA, U.S.A.
Prodigies: Anomalous Humans by James G. Mundie
http://www.missioncreep.com/mundie/images/
I am rather lucky in that I have an excellent framer here in Philly that
I've been using since 1992. They know me, I know them - they do great
work, and give me a substantial discount for the amount of business I've
sent their way. I cannot afford to have them do the whole job, but I
have them make my frames in their shop a few at a time, and I buy the
requisite sheets of glass or plexi, which I keep in the studio and pull
out as I need them. I have neither the tools nor patience to cut and join
moulding myself, so I figure why not let the experts who are set up for
the job do it?
In the long run, I'm paying about US$20 (including glazing) for a
well-crafted museum-style maple frame with spline joint corners. I get
'em raw (as in sanded but not finished) and just clean them up a bit with
a tack rag before I pop the work in. Sometimes I wax the frame, but
usually the wood is so pretty it doesn't need it. It's a simple elegant
frame which presents the work well without distracting from the image. I
want somebody looking at my work, not the frame.
I do the mat cutting myself (though my framer would happily do that,
too), which is where the real savings come in. I use a Logan Compact
cutter, and because my work is hardly ever exactly square I ignore the
border guide on the side (which never seemed to be exactly parallel to
the cutter rail anyway). The Logan was one of the best investments I
ever made - inexpensive and a heck of a lot less aggravating than the old
straightedge and C-clamps method I was taught in school.
I long ago learned that standard sizes are where it's at when it comes to
framing your own work. It's much better to have any number of frames on
hand readily recyclable than to have somebody make one in a custom size,
one at a time. I tend to work fairly small, so a 16 x 20 inch frames
serves my needs for most everything I do. Handily, that's a quarter
sheet of 32 x 40 inch museum board, so I can just cut a bunch of blanks
all at one time and then pull them out to cut the 'window' as necessary.
This is actually one of my least favorite parts of the exercise and the
point where a single misplaced cut can ruin an entire sheet, so as a
further time and aggravation saver, I've been meaning to buy a package of
pre-cut museum boards from Light Impressions (25 to 100 precut 16 x 20
museum board sheets would be like living in a dream world!).
Like anything else, however, framing requires patience and attention to
detail. If your frame (or your mat) looks like crap (wonky, dinged,
smudged, weird color), that's going to detract from your work. By that
same token, a really nice framing job can make even a mediocre piece of
art look 'important'. I'm always impressed by the change that seems to
come over a print or drawing that had been languishing in a flat file
drawer but which suddenly blossoms under a crisp mat.
At this point, David is probably shaking his head in bewilderment
("Frames? You poor misguided souls...").
Jim
________________________________________
James Mundie
Philadelphia PA, U.S.A.
Prodigies: Anomalous Humans by James G. Mundie
http://www.missioncreep.com/mundie/images/
Message 4
From: Sharri LaPierre
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 09:58:25 -0700
Subject: [Baren 24877] Re: New Baren Digest (HTML) V27 #2621 (Apr 16, 2004)
Send Message: To this poster
Barbara,
The wholesale place we use will deliver any order over $100 (I don't
know why they make that stipulation since I have never figured out how
to order less than $100) but, only to a storefront. So, you could have
them deliver to your gallery and pick it up when you're there. It saves
a trip to the East side!
I have a Logan Framer's Choice mat cutter that I love. It will do
large mats, with a little finagalling and is impossible to do an
overcut (if you follow the directions :-) It is reasonably priced and
pays for itself in no time at all. I leave it up all the time and cut
anything needing a straight edge on one side of the cutter, a beveled
edge on the other.
I agree with whoever it was who said "use metal frames". I've found
them to be the most cost effective and change them in and out
whilly-nilly. I always put a framed and un-framed price on all work so
that if the buyer does not want the frame, the work can be quickly
removed and they are on their way. Wooden frames are more labor
intense to unframe as well as frame.
Cheers!
Sharri
The wholesale place we use will deliver any order over $100 (I don't
know why they make that stipulation since I have never figured out how
to order less than $100) but, only to a storefront. So, you could have
them deliver to your gallery and pick it up when you're there. It saves
a trip to the East side!
I have a Logan Framer's Choice mat cutter that I love. It will do
large mats, with a little finagalling and is impossible to do an
overcut (if you follow the directions :-) It is reasonably priced and
pays for itself in no time at all. I leave it up all the time and cut
anything needing a straight edge on one side of the cutter, a beveled
edge on the other.
I agree with whoever it was who said "use metal frames". I've found
them to be the most cost effective and change them in and out
whilly-nilly. I always put a framed and un-framed price on all work so
that if the buyer does not want the frame, the work can be quickly
removed and they are on their way. Wooden frames are more labor
intense to unframe as well as frame.
Cheers!
Sharri
Message 5
From: "April Vollmer"
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 13:44:39 -0400
Subject: [Baren 24878] Sakura Matsuri
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Saturday and Sunday, May 1 and 2, 2004 from 1:00 to 5:00 April Vollmer and
Sarah Hauser will show their Japanese woodcuts and demonstrate the technique
in the member's room at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Sakura Matsuri
(Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival).
I just got word that Sarah and I have been invited to show our prints in the
member's room this year. In years past, we have worked outside. It is nice
to be under the cherry blossoms, but it is a little hard to do a serious
demonstration of moku hanga printing with the wind drying your paper out. It
will also be nice to have a place to hang some finished prints for people to
see.
I just returned from a residency at St. Mary's College. While I was there I
made a new print of cherry blossoms to show at the Sakura. Photos of the
residency are on my website at www.aprilvollmer.com/stmary It was great to
have some quiet time to work. I also gave a lecture and taught a printmaking
class.
Oh, and as for pigments, there is a very useful book full of information,
the Windsor Guide to Pigment. It tells about the history and character of
the main groups of pigments.
Happy Spring, my month at last!
April
Sarah Hauser will show their Japanese woodcuts and demonstrate the technique
in the member's room at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Sakura Matsuri
(Japanese Cherry Blossom Festival).
I just got word that Sarah and I have been invited to show our prints in the
member's room this year. In years past, we have worked outside. It is nice
to be under the cherry blossoms, but it is a little hard to do a serious
demonstration of moku hanga printing with the wind drying your paper out. It
will also be nice to have a place to hang some finished prints for people to
see.
I just returned from a residency at St. Mary's College. While I was there I
made a new print of cherry blossoms to show at the Sakura. Photos of the
residency are on my website at www.aprilvollmer.com/stmary It was great to
have some quiet time to work. I also gave a lecture and taught a printmaking
class.
Oh, and as for pigments, there is a very useful book full of information,
the Windsor Guide to Pigment. It tells about the history and character of
the main groups of pigments.
Happy Spring, my month at last!
April
Message 6
From: "Joseph Sheridan"
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 13:43:04 -0400
Subject: [Baren 24879] Re: framing tools
Send Message: To this poster
Framing or matting..
I am an expert on neither but recently I did both for a different projects.
Here are a few web sites that might interest those of you looking for tools or frames.
Of course LeeValley is a great source for so many things.
http://www.leevalley.com/home/main.asp
I am using a Logan compact model and find it fine for my needs. Here is site with their info:
http://www.logangraphic.com/contest/
And I just received a catalogue from Framing4Yourself. I am not sure how their prices compare with others but they have an interesting web site with all kinds of things I never knew I needed.
http://www.framing4yourself.com/index.htm
I purchased my Logan mat cutter sometime ago (on sale) as well as a point driver (at the lowest price I had seen on the net at that time) from Framing Supplies.com.
http://www.framingsupplies.com/index.html
Frames.. I have used Graphic Dimensions. They ship one to many frames. Their catalogue is pressed woods, true molding as well as metal frames .
http://www.pictureframes.com/scripts/WebObjects/PictureFrames.woa/wa/Home
And if you want to spend the day surfing the net for supplies.........
http://dmoz.org/Shopping/Visual_Arts/Supplies/
My neighbor has a stand of bamboo in his yard......... if only my Baren were 3" across!
Hope this information helps someone.
Joe S.
I am an expert on neither but recently I did both for a different projects.
Here are a few web sites that might interest those of you looking for tools or frames.
Of course LeeValley is a great source for so many things.
http://www.leevalley.com/home/main.asp
I am using a Logan compact model and find it fine for my needs. Here is site with their info:
http://www.logangraphic.com/contest/
And I just received a catalogue from Framing4Yourself. I am not sure how their prices compare with others but they have an interesting web site with all kinds of things I never knew I needed.
http://www.framing4yourself.com/index.htm
I purchased my Logan mat cutter sometime ago (on sale) as well as a point driver (at the lowest price I had seen on the net at that time) from Framing Supplies.com.
http://www.framingsupplies.com/index.html
Frames.. I have used Graphic Dimensions. They ship one to many frames. Their catalogue is pressed woods, true molding as well as metal frames .
http://www.pictureframes.com/scripts/WebObjects/PictureFrames.woa/wa/Home
And if you want to spend the day surfing the net for supplies.........
http://dmoz.org/Shopping/Visual_Arts/Supplies/
My neighbor has a stand of bamboo in his yard......... if only my Baren were 3" across!
Hope this information helps someone.
Joe S.
Message 7
From: Barbara Mason
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 10:55:32 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [Baren 24880] more framing
Send Message: To this poster
Sharri,
It has proven easier to just go get it....in the long run as I usually need to add some last minute thing to the order. And your are right, $100 seems to be a joke where framing is concerned....musem board is about $7 a sheet wholesale now or maybe more.
I have that "framers choice" cutter also, but the one that is one step down never requires any fanageling, it works perfectly every time! I have never had an overcut with it and the arm is square...and I can move it anywhere. You would think I could just leave it up, but even with lots of room I seem to need all the space for other things when not framing. I saw one studio where it was mounted on the wall at an angle, tipping out a few inches at the bottom...a real slick set up, but alas, I seem to have flat files or shelving on every wall.
Jim, you should fix that mat cutter arm so it is square, it will make life easier for you! I never use it for the inside cuts, I always measure everything. It saves your bacon to do so. Are you using raw wood frames? Doesn't the oil from hands mark the wood eventually? I think it might, but guess you could just sand it off....I do like the look of wooden frames but like Sharri, I have gone to metal. Easier, cheaper, faster.
There used to be a service here in Oregon that would just cut lots of mats for you, by hand. They have sold out, too bad. Although I am so fussy probably I would still have to do my own. I have trained three studio assistants to mat and frame in the last couple of years so I am doing my duty spreading the knowledge around! I was not mean to them, that is not why I had three...they moved on to bigger and better things! One moved away, one is expecting twins soon and the third one is here in Oregon only till August....but she cuts a mean mat after doing 50 of them for a childrens's art show I was involved in. Just doing it is the way to learn.
Best to all,
Barbara
It has proven easier to just go get it....in the long run as I usually need to add some last minute thing to the order. And your are right, $100 seems to be a joke where framing is concerned....musem board is about $7 a sheet wholesale now or maybe more.
I have that "framers choice" cutter also, but the one that is one step down never requires any fanageling, it works perfectly every time! I have never had an overcut with it and the arm is square...and I can move it anywhere. You would think I could just leave it up, but even with lots of room I seem to need all the space for other things when not framing. I saw one studio where it was mounted on the wall at an angle, tipping out a few inches at the bottom...a real slick set up, but alas, I seem to have flat files or shelving on every wall.
Jim, you should fix that mat cutter arm so it is square, it will make life easier for you! I never use it for the inside cuts, I always measure everything. It saves your bacon to do so. Are you using raw wood frames? Doesn't the oil from hands mark the wood eventually? I think it might, but guess you could just sand it off....I do like the look of wooden frames but like Sharri, I have gone to metal. Easier, cheaper, faster.
There used to be a service here in Oregon that would just cut lots of mats for you, by hand. They have sold out, too bad. Although I am so fussy probably I would still have to do my own. I have trained three studio assistants to mat and frame in the last couple of years so I am doing my duty spreading the knowledge around! I was not mean to them, that is not why I had three...they moved on to bigger and better things! One moved away, one is expecting twins soon and the third one is here in Oregon only till August....but she cuts a mean mat after doing 50 of them for a childrens's art show I was involved in. Just doing it is the way to learn.
Best to all,
Barbara
Message 8
From: bettewappner # fuse.net
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 18:05:07 +0000
Subject: [Baren 24881] Re: Sakura Matsuri
Send Message: To this poster
Happy April, April!
WOW, did I enjoy your photos of St. Mary's residency. The students
are so talented (young April's-to-be) and I'm drooling over 'your'
gorgeous art......you've truly blessed, girl. Every piece is great....and
the Sakura is SWEET :)
Keep spreading your cheer and passion to others.
Thanks for sharing,
Bette.
a tanka that I wrote this moring to share with you, my Baren friends.....
I see your beauty
now that you've opened up
our love blossoms
along with these orange tulips
ablaze with bursting pollen
love, b'oki.
(three buds opened up right in front of my eyes next to my computer
this morning. such intimacy between nature and life.)
"let the beauty we love be what we do" Rumi.
http://www.geocities.com/b_oki_art
http://www.simplyhaiku.com
WOW, did I enjoy your photos of St. Mary's residency. The students
are so talented (young April's-to-be) and I'm drooling over 'your'
gorgeous art......you've truly blessed, girl. Every piece is great....and
the Sakura is SWEET :)
Keep spreading your cheer and passion to others.
Thanks for sharing,
Bette.
a tanka that I wrote this moring to share with you, my Baren friends.....
I see your beauty
now that you've opened up
our love blossoms
along with these orange tulips
ablaze with bursting pollen
love, b'oki.
(three buds opened up right in front of my eyes next to my computer
this morning. such intimacy between nature and life.)
"let the beauty we love be what we do" Rumi.
http://www.geocities.com/b_oki_art
http://www.simplyhaiku.com
Message 9
From: ArtfulCarol # aol.com
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 14:16:26 EDT
Subject: [Baren 24882] Re: Sakura Matsuri
Send Message: To this poster
April wrote:
>www.aprilvollmer.com/stmary
Lovely prints! and photos. Thank you for sharing!
Carol
>www.aprilvollmer.com/stmary
Lovely prints! and photos. Thank you for sharing!
Carol
Message 10
From: Barbara Mason
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 11:22:01 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [Baren 24883] St Marys and color
Send Message: To this poster
April,
Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful time of peace and quiet and serious work. Did you turn the block to print the blossoms or did you carve it four times? I especially like the blue hint of shadow behind the center blossoms, it almost looks like they are leaping off the page into real time. Very nice. The only thing better would have been to have all the baren people at such a place, printing and taking that walk togehter!
I am going to look for the Windsor book, there is a lot of good color information on the Gamblin site, http://www.gamblincolors.com/index.html The owner, Robert Gamblin, is a color scientist and has been making great colored paint and ink for a long time..you will enjoy reading about the history and why certain colors do what they do!
Best to all,
Barbara
Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful time of peace and quiet and serious work. Did you turn the block to print the blossoms or did you carve it four times? I especially like the blue hint of shadow behind the center blossoms, it almost looks like they are leaping off the page into real time. Very nice. The only thing better would have been to have all the baren people at such a place, printing and taking that walk togehter!
I am going to look for the Windsor book, there is a lot of good color information on the Gamblin site, http://www.gamblincolors.com/index.html The owner, Robert Gamblin, is a color scientist and has been making great colored paint and ink for a long time..you will enjoy reading about the history and why certain colors do what they do!
Best to all,
Barbara
Message 11
From: JEANNE CHASE
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 11:39:32 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [Baren 24884] Re: Sakura Matsuri
Send Message: To this poster
CONGRATULATIONS , APRIL AND SARAH.
YOU TWO ARE REAL PROS!!!!!!!
JEANNE N.
YOU TWO ARE REAL PROS!!!!!!!
JEANNE N.
Message 12
From: "Maria Arango"
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 12:18:25 -0700
Subject: [Baren 24885] Re: framing tools
Send Message: To this poster
Joe, this was VERY HELPFUL!!!
Nothing like having a choice of approaches to a problem.
I will add that we are ya-huh-too indeed expected to be decorators when
selling directly to the public, like it or not. Much as we like our
prints to shine, plain matting and simple metal frames just don't
attract the attention of average Joe, although collectors insist on it.
The few collectors that venture outside the gallery setting simply have
ordered the prints from me without matting or framing; I happily oblige.
Everyone else is thinking of that spot just over the couch. Having said
that, I stick to one or two styles of frames to make my little
tent/gallery look cohesive. Anything larger than 22 x 28" I buy metal
frames.
Also, flexipoints make snapping prints in and out of wood frames just as
easy as metal. I think I probably frame, re-frame and de-frame prints
3-5 times per festival; customers don't so much want or not want the
frame, they just like to feel specially tended to (pain in the whatsie).
Lately I have been better at convincing customers that really really
really that print looks best exactly the way I have it. Nice try. I
still like matting and framing the least of all the wonderful tasks I
do, but it has gotten easier over the years.
Then there are those rich folk that buy framed stuff without looking at
the price tag, laugh and comment to their spouse: "well, of course we
will have it reframed, dear..."
Maria
Maria Arango
www.1000woodcuts.com
Las Vegas Nevada USA
Nothing like having a choice of approaches to a problem.
I will add that we are ya-huh-too indeed expected to be decorators when
selling directly to the public, like it or not. Much as we like our
prints to shine, plain matting and simple metal frames just don't
attract the attention of average Joe, although collectors insist on it.
The few collectors that venture outside the gallery setting simply have
ordered the prints from me without matting or framing; I happily oblige.
Everyone else is thinking of that spot just over the couch. Having said
that, I stick to one or two styles of frames to make my little
tent/gallery look cohesive. Anything larger than 22 x 28" I buy metal
frames.
Also, flexipoints make snapping prints in and out of wood frames just as
easy as metal. I think I probably frame, re-frame and de-frame prints
3-5 times per festival; customers don't so much want or not want the
frame, they just like to feel specially tended to (pain in the whatsie).
Lately I have been better at convincing customers that really really
really that print looks best exactly the way I have it. Nice try. I
still like matting and framing the least of all the wonderful tasks I
do, but it has gotten easier over the years.
Then there are those rich folk that buy framed stuff without looking at
the price tag, laugh and comment to their spouse: "well, of course we
will have it reframed, dear..."
Maria
Maria Arango
www.1000woodcuts.com
Las Vegas Nevada USA
Message 13
From: "MPereira"
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2004 21:29:36 -0300
Subject: [Baren 24886] Re: Self Portrait Exchange
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Hi, Bárbara P.
to the exchange:
Murilo Antonio Pereira Selfportrait
Florianópolis SC Brasil
Technique: Silkscreen
Paper: French Canson 200
Paper dimension: 38,1 cm x 20,7 cm
Image dimension: 31,2 cm x 21,5 cm
Color: B&W
Printed with Typographic ink
in January 2004
"I think I am the contrary of Dorian Gray:
I am growing old but my selfportrait isn't."
Barbara,
if I wrote something wrong please correct.
Next week I will be sending you the return postage.
I think fifteen bucks will be enough. What do you say?
Thanks for everything.
I am very very happy in participating of
this exchange.
Thank you for include me
Murilo in Floripa.