Most Original Pieces are framed and are priced to include the frames as shown in this blog. This year I decided to depart from the traditional Glass/Mat Board and Frame as I had been doing for the last 15 years.
There were a multiple of reasons to making this shift. First and foremost was the glare from the glass which was impossible to avoid. Second was the pricing of the traditional frames, which added an exorbitant amount to the overall price of each piece, and then the size. The traditional Matting and Framing added an extra 30%+ to the overall size of the piece and I have found that many folks simply do not have the wall space to accommodate such a large piece.
After making several prototypes, I decided that a Rustic Old Distressed Barn Wood or Drift Wood motif might look best in keeping with the Maritime Theme. Each frame I make by hand in my wood shop.
The frames are constructed from Poplar Wood, which is a sustainable and renewable species, readily available and easy to work with. The wood is distressed by hand using a variety of tools, wire brushes, hammers, nails etc.., to create a remarkably realistic "Aged" look.
I added small decorative corner guard accents to finish off the distressed finishes.
The finishing consists for (3) different stains, and finally a matte clear coat. The frames are hand signed on the backs.
Once I have laminated the Original Piece to a Gesso Coated substrate, each piece is sealed with an Archival Wax Coating - DORLAND'S WAX MEDIUM, which protects the piece. The coating allows the pieces to be touched, and wiped clean if needed.
The wax coating dries with a slight sheen, but enhances the rich colors and allows the pieces to be viewed without the glare of the glass.
Once laminated and waxed, the Original Piece is glued to the frame. The Original can be removed should another frame be preferred.
I think the new framing looks much better than the traditional Mat Board and Glass. I think you will agree. Cheers!
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