Hope's Art Journey

When I was getting artwork ready for my one person show,  I decided to frame two of the gallery-wrapped pieces.  They were painted to the edge and I did not want to lose any of the image.  So I ordered two shadow box frames, one 16 x 40 and one 20 x 20, clearly not standard sizes.  I have been working with Florida Frames in Clearwater for at least 25 years  and have been pleased with their service.  When I measured for the frames, I did not allow enough room for the gallery-wrapped corners which I make rather generous.  Anyway, I could not use the frames and it was my fault.  So, rather than trash them (oh no!), I began to figure out how to use them.

First, I checked the local Michaels to see if the 16 x 40 they had in stock might be less than the full measurement listed.  Not so.  I began to research substrates that I could get the hardware store to cut to fit inside the frame.  I came up with woods and masonite on which canvas can be glued.  Some people paint directly on wood by sanding and gessoing it to a smooth surface.  It appeared that whatever I used would have to be custom made.  I decided to look at thin stretchers.  I usually use the heavy ones  but could see that this might be the answer since I only needed 1/8 inch.  I bought the separate strips (the cheap ones) and cut off the ends with a box cutter.  Then, I stretched the canvas on the stretcher frame being very sparce on the corner tucks.  It wouldn't matter anyway since I was going to cram it in the frame.  Oops!  The wood was so flimsy that it bowed on one of the long sides.  I should have braced the middle.  However, I determined that it would work if I turned the frame over.  I really didn't want to restretch it considering the condition of my wrist (tendonitist).

That will work.  All I need to do is paint the frame .  Also, since it is a shadow box, it covers 1/2 inch on the stretched canvas, leaving me with less surface.  This time I am drawing it out and planning not to paint all the way to the edges of the canvas.  The next order of business was to determine what to paint.  I felt the horizontal shape would work well with an ocean scene. 

When I get ready to plan a painting, I go through many of my photographs.  I lay paper or matboard on the photos to crop them down to the size I need (or to what is appealing composition wise). I use a proportion wheel to determine the exact enlarged size.  Thus, 2 3/8 on the photo placed on the 14 1/2 mark (which is what I will have showing under the frame) shows me where to crop the other sides.  It at least gives me a starting point and a visualization.  When I get into the painting, I will still have to adjust elements (such as the waves and rocks) to get a pleasing composition.