Lath Frame Update

No useful links this week, but I do have a followup to the Friday, May 25, 2007 blog about lath frames for those readers who are artists and collectors looking for a simple, attractive and inexpensive way to frame a pre-stretched canvas. Here is what I have learned so far:

My lumber source was Home Depot. In the molding and trim isle, locate the 3/8" x 1 1/4" x 9' Finger Jointed clear pine strips (Item # CP 433 FJ). These are $.52/ft. in my San Diego store. (If you prefer the non-finger jointed strips, they will be closer to $.90/ft.) The strips have a slight curve along one side, which I chose to use on the front of my frame. FYI, this product is grown under the Forest Stewardship Council AC.

Tomatoes 11 was framed using this product. The canvas is only 5/8" thick but I think the frame gives it quite a bit more heft and presence and a nice, finished look. A 1.5" thick canvas would have cost about twice as much, minus the cost of the lumber, is heavier to handle while painting and costs more to ship. Here's how I made the frame.

1. Measure the height.
2. Measure the length. Add 3/4" to allow for the 3/8" thicknes of the lath. Add more if you want to float your piece in the frame. Note: If you float your painting, a small bit of the nails will be visible.
3. Cut 2 pieces of each size. I did all my cutting at Home Depot in the molding and trim isle, where saws and tables are set up for this purpose. They will also cut it for you with the power saw if you prefer. I did that once and there was no charge for the cuts. Lightly sand the raw ends to smooth. Don't sand much or you will alter the measurements.
4. Stain or paint each piece on all sides. (tip: staining is messier and takes longer to dry. I plan to try painting with an acrylic wash)
5. When dry, using fine wire brads (or similar, small, fine finishing nail) about 5/8" long, nail the width pieces to the top of the height pieces, using 3 brads or nails/end.
6. Place painting face down on a clean surface. Lay frame over painting. Use 1" long, fine wire brad or finishing nails to nail frame to canvas stretcher bar at about 1" and 3" from each end, or as you see is needed.

Don't use the frame as a handle for carrying the painting. Use the stretcher bars or the picture hanging wire that is attached to the painting.

If you have comments or suggestions please leave them in the Comments section of the post. Thanks!
Thank you to my artist-friend in New Mexico for saying even the 1.5" thick pieces look more finished when framed with simple wood strips, which started me on this investigation.

Abstract with Orange - SOLD

Click Image to Enlarge.

Just a reminder, the useful links for this week are in the preceding post.

Useful links

This Week's Useful links:
If you are, or will be in the Myrtle Beach, South Carolina area between now and September 2, 2007, consider visiting this exhibit of Jasper Johns wonderful art prints. Per The Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum: "Jasper Johns, one of America’s most revered artists, has been credited with two major feats in the art world: as the artist who paved the way from Abstract Expressionism to Pop Art and Minimalism, and as the creator of the highest-priced work by a living artist sold at auction (his 1959 painting False Start sold for $17 million in 1988)"... MORE

Abstract with Red

Click Image to Enlarge.
Size: 36"h x 24"w



Please scroll down to previous entry for this week's useful links. I am experimenting with posting those separately to keep up with good blogging practices! Thanks for visiting and looking forward to seeing you again next week.

Updates

No, it is not Thursday again. But I am posting to my blog. As I read more about how blogging works and what makes it effective, I find it is important to make at lease 2-3 posts per week and to update the tags accordingly in Technorati. So, since I have some useful links to share, I will add those as the update.

The first link is to an article about the importance of blogging and where I read about the above-referenced information. If you have something to say concerning your life or your business, it seems blogging about it can help a great deal to make you or your product known. Blogging increases traffic. This article is from StartupNation, an information site for entrepreneurs.

If you are an artist, painting on larger, 1.5" thick, pre-stretched, gallery-wrapped canvases, you have noticed how costly they are. Most artists selling in this size category on eBay do not frame these pieces, considering that the painted sides are sufficient and the thickness provides enough presence for their art. But here is another idea that was spawned by an artist-friend in New Mexico. She feels that they need the frames and was looking for simple frame called a butt-strip frame or lath frame. I could not locate pre-cut strips, but I think the lath materials can be purchased at DIY centers. The strips should be about 3/8" thick and as wide as you would like your art to appear to be deep. I got to thinking that if these are simple to make one could purchase less expensive 3/4" thick canvases that are stapled rather than gallery-wrapped and give them the dimension they need with the lath. The result would be a professional-looking piece for a fraction of the cost. I am going to try this out and will post the out come. In this link about DIY framing you can read a bit more.

Thinking in Pencil - SOLD

Click Image to Enlarge. Bidding has ended.
Size: 8"w x 6"h



This week's useful link is to ArtDaily, The First Art Newspaper on the Net. Includes museums, exhibits and artists. This is an inspiring and informative site. If you are an artist I think you will enjoy this site!

Planning to paint an abstract for next week. See you then!

Red Bicycle - SOLD

Size: 18"w x 14" h.
Click image to enlarge. Bidding has ended.



This is one of two postings for this week. Please scroll down to see the second listing too.

Did you notice the new blog title and URL? It has been changed to reflect more accurately the way I have been painting. The new title and description are a combination of reader suggestions. The new title does not limit me to abstract art, which, although it is still a favorite, is one of many styles I enjoy.

This week's useful links:
Art classes are available online. Click here to read more:
Virtual Painting Classes
Be aware of the effects of various artists' materials on health. This article will help you select materials wisely.
Read about the scientific reasons that art is good for you

Mrs. Onstad's Grapefruits - SOLD

Size: 8"h x 8"w.
Click image to enlarge. Bidding has ended.



I met a friend at an art museum last week. She brought me oranges, lemons and grapefruits from her mother's trees. I sliced open a grapefruit and began painting an interpretive still life of the fruit. It had a wonderful fragrance and when I finished the painting, I enjoyed eating every juicy bite of it. This week's painting is of Mrs. Omstad's grapefruits.

Mother's Day Tomato

Size: 7"w x 5"h.
Not for sale. Click to enlarge

This Thursday I am posting 2 paintings again. Be sure to scroll down to the second post to see the other painting and this week's useful links. And once again they are not abstracts! Perhaps I can argue that although they are not abstract on the outside, they are on the inside? I am still awaiting reader recommendations for a new blog title that describes more than abstract art. One reader agreed with my idea of "interpretive" art. What do you think?

My mom loves tomatoes. She grows them in pots in her patio garden. But since she can eat them only sparingly, due to an apparent allergy to them, she mostly grows them for me. I love tomatoes too! In honor of my wonderful mom and her love of tomatoes, I painted this little painting for her kitchen. Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Ice Plant

Size: 7" h x 5"w.
Click image to enlarge. Click title to purchase at Yessy Gallery

Painting #2 Reach

I noticed a small patch of ice plant on my walk. This is such a common plant in my neighborhood I had not paid much attention to it. But this day I was struck by its humble beauty. It seemed not to notice that it was common and reached its arms to the sky as though in an attitude of worship, thankful for another day to enjoy being ice plant.

The useful link for this week: Watch short clips of artists Duane Keiser and Hall Groat painting recent works in this YouTube link. Click on a painting. This will start a video clip. Each lasts about 4-5 minutes. If you are learning to paint, it is helpful to see how these artists work. If you simply enjoy art, they are still inspiring and fun to watch.

In support of local artists: I love to see the various venues artists use to express their creative talent and making a living with their art. At Never Settle Designs artistic talent is applied to the walls of homes. It's another way to add art to your home!