Chapter 14

Framing Your Art

Framing is probably the most important thing you will

ever do to enhance your viewing pleasure of wall art.

Choosing what frame you like is a subjective thing

and the more aware of your taste you are the longer

you will enjoy your choice. There are guidelines on the

do's and don'ts for framing artwork you can use to help

enhance your experience.

When you are looking for framers make sure the

framer is experienced in the type of artwork you

have purchased. This is especially critical if you own a

Giclée, because there is the danger of overstretching and

cracking the piece as it's being mounted for framing.

When you deal with a framer at first ask for references and

call them.

If you're stumped, ask the gallery for advice. If you

shopped with a local gallery, they may know a framer in

your hometown. Also, they may be able to advise you on

what they used in the gallery to frame your work, allowing

you to bring the list to the framer and have those materials

put in front of you to see if it's something you're going to

like.

If you are framing a paper artwork do not in

anyway alter or deface the paper, it will negatively

impact the value of the artwork. You may see "extra paper"

and be tempted to have the framer snip it off- don't! You

will loose money on the value of the work. But with

canvas once it's stretched framers will trim an excess to help

better fit the art into the frame.