These past few weeks I've been busy doing a lot of small collages, using bits of painted papers (read more about this process here) and other elements. Here is one I'm calling "A Difficult Subject."
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I used some charcoal in the background, then used clear gesso, followed by the collage elements, and finally, some watercolor. (really not so difficult, and definitely a whole lot of fun)
While we're on the subject of fun, this past year has been one of creative frenzy for me as I've rediscovered my love of creating and making art. One thing I've become very good at is starting a lot of paintings. Sometimes my work just flows and comes together easily into a finished piece, and others, well...let's just say I've got quite a few of those! I can't make myself throw them out, though. I put them away for awhile, hoping that I'll figure out how to finish them someday. Here is one of those paintings. I can't even remember how I started this one. I think I was probably using up paint that I'd put out and didn't want to waste. I know I worked on it at several different times. The other day, I took it out again and decided I kind of like it, just as it is. So, here is my newly finished painting of the week, "Sunscape".
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Which leads me to a question. How should I frame small pieces such as these? Some are standard size, and others are not. The small collage is actually on mat board. How do you all do it? Do you know of sources for economical (but nice) frames? Do you make your own? Thanks in advance for your advice!
Such beautiful work..totally gorgeous and the second one feels full of motion..expressive..magical!!
ReplyDeleteShine on!
Victoria
I love both of your paintings. Colors are great. I really use all different things and ways to frame my pictures. Sometime my husband makes my frames.(Thank goodness he is a contractor) Other times I have a frame already and just cut a board the size of the frame and then paint.
ReplyDeleteI love your paintings, particularly the first. Love the text and charcoal and blues.
ReplyDeleteGreat pieces, I especially like the "Sunscape", lots of interesting textures, motion and colors! <3
ReplyDeleteThis I like a lot.
ReplyDeleteBoth paintings are smashing and the last one has loads of exciting energy. Happy PPF and enjoy the weekend, Annette x
ReplyDeleteI never throw my paintings away. Like you said, I wait for a while if inspiration comes over if not, I paint them over. But never throw them away. :) Keep on starting. :)
ReplyDeleteI like your work solarium, I do not see the works if I'm not going to expose, so is original, anything goes at home of an artist...
ReplyDeletelovely abstracts, I'm looking for tiny easels myself!
ReplyDeleteLove your collages, they always seem thoughtful to me, not as though you just slapped random bits together, the sort of thing I would hand in a spot where I had a few moments every day to look at it, and see something different all the time.
ReplyDeleteAs for framing, I try and keep my stuff standard sizes so that if I sell it unframed it wouldn't be difficult to get framed without spending too much. I worked in a frame shop for awhile in school, learned the tricks and bought all my own tools. It's saved me a pile of money over the years.
Oh lovely, both are wonderful abstracts. The colours combinations and textures work so well. Kim
ReplyDeleteFun works here. I'd frame the painting(s)...I like finding old frames in thrift stores personally. But if I am framing for a show I might buy one at Michael's, my local art/craft store.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are exploring and playing and getting back to your creative self ~ lovely work ~ the last painting I turned computer upside down ~ and saw a woman to the left and the sun in the sky ~ wonder if your or anyone else saw this ~ Sign of good abstracts that they work many way ! thanks for sharing, namaste, ^_^
ReplyDeleteI love both pieces so much - the colors in the 2nd piece really resonate with me! I wish I were more organized and always created in standard sizes - but I don't. Or I forgot and put something important right at the border of the picture! Oh well
ReplyDeleteHi Debbie, I love both pieces but the second painting really speaks to me. The colors are so vibrant and energy just pops off of the canvas. I am so glad you kept it. I find that if I allow time after I do something and then go back and revisit the painting I often like what I created. Even though my work is really basic it still means a lot to me and I find I can't part with it which is unusal because I am always giving things away.
ReplyDeleteMy husband used to make lots of our frames and it did save us lots of money.
I really like the "Sunscape"....the "swish" summer frenzy it says to me.....awesome colours.
ReplyDeleteblessings,
Cindy♥
Both pieces are so beautiful! I love how you arrange your art!
ReplyDeleteFun pieces. Framing is hard if you dont have a standard size. if its a canvas and odd size my husband can cut one down to fit or put on a molding frame. But if you can afford it a professional job is worth it.
ReplyDeleteLove both of them!!! Small easels are great for displaying small works.
ReplyDeleteLove that first piece with all its textures and blues!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun process!
♥♥♥
Happy PPF!!
Mary
Mixed-Media Map Art
Love the textures in your first one and that you started off with charcoal. Sunscape is sooo expressive and colorful - love that one too!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree! These are wonderful - I love the first one with the charcoal and clear gesso and your second piece is great too - how funny that you realized that it was done after all!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I would take a piece like this in an odd size and put holes directly on the top and hang it with wire. Other than that, I would have asked the same question ;) xo
That second piece is especially beautiful and hope you come up with a good way to deal with the framing dilemma... it is always a hassle when you work small and one I have never found a great answer for...xx
ReplyDeleteThe second piece is great, although I like the first collage, too. I mostly work with boxed canvases, which are often on offer here, but I have never tried framing....Valerie
ReplyDeleteThat second piece is simply gorgeous. I'm like you and never quite sure when something is "finished."
ReplyDeleteMy favourite piece is the second one. The colours are so bright and fun. Framing is always hard, I often just use canvas and paint around the edges, cheating but it makes it easy with no frame.
ReplyDeleteVon
Oh Debbie, i love both of these but the first one (a difficult subject) really speaks to me. The composition, colors... i love everything about it. i'm glad you took up art again & decided to share with the world. :-) xoxo
ReplyDeletethe difficult subject has such a great feel to it! Almost the energy of many people awkwardly in a room thinking about the one thing nobody must mention.... framing is the bane of my existence LOL! That's why I've switched to driftwood - aside from that, here's a great tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2aPROSgHaA - and here an article from lifehacker, always a good source - http://lifehacker.com/5843205/make-your-own-picture-frames-for-5-each
ReplyDeleteI like the second piece and how it all comes together! I love making collages, using bits and pieces and of this and that, and then when it meshes, it's magic! Patsy from
ReplyDeleteHeARTworks
I really love the almost deserted piece really great feel of texture and interesting strokes,too.
ReplyDeleteAs far as framing. no matter what size it is, have a mat cut that will fit in the next size larger standard frame that will give your piece a 2 1/2 to 3" mat around all sides and place your piece in the somewhat center...by that I mean that the sides of your piece should be equal distance from the vertical sides of the mat, but the top area of mat should be a little shorter top to bottom than the bottom mat below your artwork, thereby giving the bottom area "weight".
You mentioned using clear gesso on the first piece...I have never tried the clear, and need to give it a try! These are both great, but I'm especially drawn to "Sunscape"--glad you decided it was finished and shared it with us :)
ReplyDeleteI love all the colors and layers in these!!
ReplyDeletewow, both pieces are great, I really like Sunscape, it draws me in, stunning!
ReplyDeleteBoth paintings are wonderful, the newly finished piece is particularly stunning, I love it when that happens, when you put it away and then see it with fresh eyes and it's somehow resolved itself:)
ReplyDeleteFraming? I paint on boards, some I back myself ready to hang, some I get framed by my local framer, others I put in frames I've either purchased new from a store or second from the op. Shop.
I think you should frame them if they are not backed ready to hang, it finishes of the piece nicely. Good luck with finding the right solution for these, I like the comment about the Matting for works on paper.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this sunscape! It spells freedom to me. Shine, shine, shine! :-)
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