Once or twice a year, artist Christopher Pierce
presents exhibitions of his own work in his
studio. All the works are framed and hung to
signify a professional, gallery atmosphere. |
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Gaining exposure and recognition for one’s work starts with putting finished pieces in
the public and critical eye. This can mean participating in local
community shows or full-fledged exhibitions, entering competitions, and
hanging pieces in galleries. It is an exciting prospect, but it can
also be stressful to prepare works for shipment and display.
Framing
is the first step when readying a painting or drawing for transport.
Box frames are standard and provide adequate protection for pieces that
will be handled often, such as during a show. Frames are usually built
of hardwood or metal, and should have a rabbet on their inner edge
where the work sits suspended. Beyond that, there are plenty of choices
to consider, including size relationship between the picture and the
frame, frame color, molding profile, and mat size and color. Framing,
Matting & Hanging is an instructional
DVD that covers much of this and shows how displaying your work like a
professional makes a big difference in how it is perceived.
When
packing a piece for shipping, bubble wrap and rubber foam padding are
both good choices. Wrapping an oil painting in brown craft paper is a
good idea as well; it won’t stick to the painting and provides a
barrier against debris and dust. After the piece is wrapped, it’ll need
to be taped so the shipping materials don’t shift during transport—but
don’t adhere the tape to the work itself. Tape it to packing material
and fold over one end of the piece of tape before securing it, creating
a tag that allows the tape to be easily located and pulled off. By
creating a tag, no scissors or knife has to come near the work and
possibly damage it when it is being unpacked (I learned this trick from
a conservator friend).
What have your experiences been like when
putting pieces on view in shows and galleries? Leave a comment and
share your experiences and tips. To explore the possibilities of
framing your work like a professional, Framing, Matting & Hanging
is available now and can give you a solid foundation for making savvy
choices. You can find a free preview of the video guide here.
