High Hand Gallery Artfest 2013

I made the decision to go ahead and participate in High Hand Gallery's Artfest slated for March 23rd and 24th.  This event provides an opportunity for artists to 'demonstrate' their artwork in progress.  Since it is hard to demonstrate photography processes (i.e., darkroom process, digital printing, photo transfers) in public I have decided to demonstrate matting and framing techniques.  It's not something I really wanted to do and I don't give lessons on 'how-to' photograph, but at least it's something that would be invaluable information for up and coming artists who need to know.  So there you have it.  I had already started writing procedures for cutting mats with drawings, so I've picked up on that and will finish the procedures for this event.  I will take my large mat cutter and other supplies to demonstrate mat cutting, and also demonstrate how to frame and close off an image with paper backing.

 

Blogs

When you have a blog, it's always on your mind first thing in the morning!  Whether or not you get side-tracked with your artwork, you sometimes get to it right away.  I have been so busy running around getting ready for the 'April in Paris' show that I am actually whipped to say the least.  Over the weekend I was still cleaning up my framed images:  unscrewing the frame, removing the matted image, removing the glass, cleaning the frame, cleaning the glass, re-framing, sometimes cutting a new mat - I mean I was on a roll.  So much so that I ended up stepping on a piece of my glass and breaking it!  I don't have that much non-glare glass left, but I think I have enough for replacement for this particular show.  That's when I left the room and stopped for the day.

Yesterday I went out to find another frame, just ONE frame for a digital print 11x17.  They have new digital frames at Aaron Bros.  It's not a huge selection, but I did find a gold frame that looked halfway decent for the St. Michel image I posted last time.  Today I'm working at the High Hand Gallery and I'm already tired.

I also got my Artist Statement together as the restaurant wanted one with no mention of a website, blog, phone number, etc.  I had three pages of paperwork to complete and mail that off.  I can have additional prints and cards, but I won't have additional prints since I only had two weeks to get ready for this, and I'm thinking maybe I'll take and display just the cards I have on hand of France.  I might have 20 - 25, but they just might not be the images on display.  My studio is a disaster right now.  Wednesday I'll be back in here, clean it up, and finish up with this project.  It's probably good that I'm working today, I need to step back as I'm feeling like this is almost like 'real' work!! ; )

Big Canvas Prints

Guess what I got in the mail yesterday?  That's right!  I received my two gallery wraps and they look beauteous!  They are both 16x24, came with a hanging wire, however, I'm not real sure if I'm really happy with the finish on the back.  I had ordered the 'mirrored' edges and I like the way they came out.  I think the blank canvas where the image ends could have been trimmed some.  Other than that, I'm pleased.  I also can't figure out if it really is glossy as I ordered, it might be.  I am definitely happy with the finish.  The lady who took my order said she had mistakenly clicked on the matt finish, but that she would correct it to glossy, which she did.  The colors were true to my original image.  They were both packaged in Styrofoam sheets, with Styrofoam packing material, in a heavy duty cardboard box.  No damages.  Awesome!

One of the issues I had with the gallery wraps was:  how do I sign it?  Should I sign it on top of the UV finish?  Inside?  On the stretcher frame?  I didn't sign them, but what I did was add a card with all the information and stapled it to the back off the extra canvas.  I think I'll email the company and ask them what their clients do in that respect.

So, then I decided to 'try' cutting some mats.  It was a little painful at first, but since I'm right-handed, I was using my right hand and arm, and just used my body weight to put the pressure on cutting.  First I started with the poster for the Artful Bra event for practice.  That came out really nice.  So I proceeded to cut the mats for two images from Santorini that I asked my husband for his opinion on which frames to use.  One of the digital images is black and white and I put it in a black wood frame with a little line of gold in it, with the white mat board.  It looks very sophisticated since the lines in the actual photo are clean and striking.  The other color digital  image is framed in a grey 3" wide wood frame with a white mat.  It is mostly whites and greys and a little rust color in the gate and urns.   I took a break for dinner and then finished up late last night.  Today I'll take them down to the gallery for the re-hang that starts Tuesday.

I thought I'd share the black and white image.  I titled it, "Oia Ocean View".

High Hand Gallery Artwork

This weekend I started working on my new pieces to take to the High Hand Gallery. I selected my photos that I was going to print, mat and frame. Two of them I've already posted on my blog: Venice at Sunset and the Grand Canal Gondolas. In addition I selected two that were pics I took of a gondolier who was on break or didn't have any takers for the moment. I actually took several shots of him as I thought it was unique at the time, something natural. So the one I really liked wasn't very clear (as I was trying to be sneaky about taking his picture). I kept walking when I took the first shot. But I liked it so much that I put a filter/layer over it (pastel pencil) and it came out pretty cool I must say! I printed two different pics of that scenario - giclees on smooth fine art paper and voila! A piece of new artwork.

I went to Aaron Bros. and picked out some frames and a fancy mat for the picture with the gondolas. I cut mats for the other three. The larger one of the Venice at Sunset (purple shades picture) I ended up cutting a double mat for that one. I just happened to have some gold mat board that matched the frame, so I used that under the cream colored and textured mat. I wished I'd taken pictures before I rushed off to the gallery, but I didn't and I had to get it down there today.

I am posting the original photo of the gondolier on break, and what the photo looked like with the filter of pastel pencil.