Framing art more than a stylistic choice. There are choices about preservation, conservations, weight, color, size and what the artist or collector prefers. There are more choices than ever in the framing marketplace. After visiting a framer of art for with 50 years experience and personal art collection with 1500 pieces - yes, 1500 -works of art in Key West’s Stone Soup Art Gallery, I re-discovered many wonders and the importance of framing art.
To almost no one’s surprise custom framing can be expensive. Luckily, less expensive options are increasingly available. Acid free matting, ultraviolet acrylic glass-like covers, discounted floater forms, and options to frame delicate art at a more reasonable price is increasingly accessible. But I must admit there are many times the price of framing rivals or exceed the price of the art work itself.
A long term relationship with a framer is a bit of a friendship of shared information. So I must give credit to Frame Art in Miami’s popular Brickell neighborhood. This is where I learned about re-stretchting canvas, color options, and many of the framing techniques detailed here. It is the go-to custom frame business in Miami.
If custom frame is out of the budget, Amazon.com is the go-to site for art frames and matting in all shapes, colors, sizes and styles. Listed here are some ways to frame your art whether it is a signature piece or a favorite personal piece. Some of these link to affordable options on Amazon.
Gallery Frames: These are simple and elegant frames with a clean, modern look. They are often made of wood or metal and come in a range of colors and finishes. Gallery-style frames have no matting, so the artwork fills the entire frame. This type of framing is especially effective for modern and contemporary art styles. “Havana Club” is framed with a black gallery frame that makes the amazing colors in this piece pop. They are also called canvas floater frames and can be found at a discount at Jerry’s Artarama with many locations in South Florida and an online store of colorful surprises.
Shadow Box Frames: These frames have a deep, three-dimensional design that allows you to display objects or art with depth, such as sculptures, collages, or memorabilia. Maria Reyes Jones “Blue Coconut Palm” is a classic shadow box framed piece that makes the painting appear larger than life.
Ornate Frames: Ornate frames are often used to frame oil paintings or vintage photographs. They have intricate detailing and are typically made of wood or plaster. The framed “Paris” piece by Julien has a gold frame with ornate edging in a more baroque style. It is a beautiful way to upgrade the most glorious paintings.
Floating Frames: These frames are designed to make your art look like it is floating within the frame. They have a minimalist design and are typically made of metal or acrylic. Floating frames are great for prints. The piece often appears to be “painted”on the wall.
Collage Frames: Collage frames allow you to display multiple photos or pieces of art in one frame. They come in a variety of styles, from rustic and vintage, to modern and sleek.
Drawings and prints are delicate artworks that require special framing techniques to ensure their longevity. The best way to frame drawings and prints is to use acid-free matting and backing to prevent deterioration over time. A metal frame with an ultraviolet resistance acrylic cover is the most common method of framing drawings and prints. It is important to ensure that the frame is sized appropriately and complements the artwork’s style.
Specialized framings: Many items in this collection are over 100 years and are Egyptian Papyrus or ledger paper art circa 1896. Because they are authentic, one of a kind pieces and very rare, they are framed professionally so they do not oxidize as quickly. For many years, I did not know the papyrus 150 years old or more. Having collected art since I was a teen, I am assessing each piece I have in the hopes of preservation. Note, these pieces are protected between two panes of glasses or ultaviolet resistance acyrillic. Spacers are put in some pieces to make sure some air can flow through if the pictures are in a humid climate. Framing mats also provide the air flow similar to spacers to protect the art over time.
Framing can enhance the artwork’s aesthetic value, highlight its key features, and ensure its longevity. In this article, as well as future blogs, I will continue explore how to frame different types of art to maximize its impact. Art is a journey through time. Each artwork tells its own story - colorful, intense, and alluring.