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Featured Paintings
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Frequently Asked QuestionsHow big are the paintings and photos once they've been framed?What is the difference between Economy framing and Deluxe Framing? Can I choose my own mat color and frame style? What does "archival" mean? What size picture should I get to hang in my home? Is there a difference between framing for photos and framing for paintings? How do you frame paintings and photos so inexpensively? Why are framing options not available for some paintings? What does framing include? How do I care for my artwork/print? AnswersHow big are the paintings and photos once they've been framed?The total size of the painting or photo (with frame) varies depending on whether you choose Deluxe framing or Economy framing. If you have chosen Deluxe framing, add 4.5" to both the width and height. For example, a 6 x 9 photograph would be roughly 10.5 x 13.5, framed. For Economy framing, add 2.5" to both the width and height. What is the difference between Economy framing and Deluxe Framing? The difference between Deluxe and Economy framing is not in the quality of materials used for framing, but in the type of materials. When you purchase an Economy frame, the painting/photo is placed in a narrow (1" to 2") off-white mat, which is framed in a simple, black metal frame. This sort of framing provides a very modern, minimalist appearance, and is quite attractive. When you purchase a Deluxe frame, the artist selects a mat color that complements the art/photo. The mat will also be slightly wider than an Economy style mat. Finally, instead of a black metal frame, the picture will be framed in a wooden frame, selected to complement both the picture and the mat. Click here for more information on framing. Can I choose my own mat color and frame style? If you are purchasing a painting and you want to choose your own mat and frame, select the "no framing" option. The painting will be sent to you unframed, and you can take it to a professional framing shop to have it properly framed. Please note that framing of artwork requires archival materials which protect the art, and is very expensive. Professional framing shops will often tell you they won't touch a framing project for under $100.00. If you are purchasing a photo: at this time, we do not offer unframed photo prints, so if you want to choose your own mat and frame, we recommend that you purchase the photo with an Economy frame. Once you have received the print, you can disassemble the frame (all you need is a flathead screwdriver), remove the print, and put it in a frame of your own choosing. You'll then have an extra frame you can reuse for another picture. What does "archival" mean? Archival is a term used by framers to describe materials which are designed to protect a painting for the long haul. The mat and backing board used to frame a painting are acid free, as is the tape used to affix the painting to the mat. In addition, the tape is very lightly adhesive, which means it can be removed at a later date without damaging the painting. The acrylic sheet used to cover the painting is designed to block harmful UV rays, in order to prevent fading of the paints. What size picture should I get to hang in my home? Everybody has different tastes and styles, but here are some general guidelines to follow. If you are hanging your picture above a large piece of furniture (a dresser, a cabinet, a sideboard, etc.) you should get a picture which is wider than it is tall. My personal rule of thumb for the width is: the width of the picture (framed) should be no more than 2/3 the width of the furniture. For example, if you want to hang a picture over a dresser that is 3 feet wide, two thirds of that is 2 feet. Take out about 4 inches for the frame and mat, and you're probably looking for a picture 20" wide. Our 18" x 12" photo prints would be just about perfect for that setting. Or, if the furniture is also tall, you might want to look for something long and narrow, like a 14" x 6" painting. If you have a medium to small room with a completely bare wall, one large picture (18" x 12") would probably be suitable. Alternately, consider two smaller pictures, dividing the wall into three equal sections. For a large room with a bare wall, two large pictures would be suitable. Is there a difference between framing for photos and framing for paintings? Yes, there is definitely a difference. For paintings, the materials used are more expensive, because they are archival materials. This means that they are acid free, and will not damage the painting. In addition, the acrylic sheet covering the painting is not just anti-glare, but also UV-protective. Paintings should never be hung in direct sunlight, but the UV-protective sheet helps keep the paints from fading over time. If you are not a professional framer, you should not purchase a painting and try to frame it yourself. Either purchase it framed, or take it to a framing shop. How do you frame paintings and photos so inexpensively? The answer to this question is very simple: the frames (both Economy and Deluxe) are sold to you with very little markup from our cost. We can do this because our profit is made on the paintings and prints. Why are framing options not available for some paintings? Occasionally you might spot a painting on this site which is available for sale, but has no framing options. The reason for this is very simple. These are paintings which I liked so well that I don't really want to part with them, and I've framed them to hang in my own home. You will notice that these paintings are slightly more expensive than others; that extra cost will help overcome my reluctance to part with these paintings! What does framing include? Your picture will be matted (a mat is essentially a special kind of cardboard cut in a rectangle slightly larger than the picture, with a "window" in which the art appears) and framed (a wood or metal frame, depending on whether you choose Deluxe or Economy framing). The picture is protected by a sheet of acrylic. Our acrylic protection is much better than glass because it won't shatter, and - even better - it is designed for anti-glare, drastically reducing the reflections which are common with glass! If you have purchased a painting, that acrylic sheet will also provide UV-protection for your art. Your picture will also be protected - and held in place - by a backing board (mounting board). The picture is sandwiched between the backing board and the mat. The frame will have "wall bumpers" attached to the back of the bottom corners; these protect your wall from being scratched by the frame. The frame will also be ready to hang. A wire is attached to the back left and right of sides of the frame, and strung loosely between the two sides. Simply drive a nail, screw, or picture hanger into your wall and hook the wire over the top of your hanger. This is the best system for hanging pictures; it is incredibly easy to get your picture centered and balanced so people aren't forever saying "Is that picture crooked?" Click here for more information on the differences between Deluxe and Economy framing. How do I care for my artwork/print? The most important thing you need to know about caring for your artwork or print is that it is protected by a sheet of acrylic, not glass, and it must be treated differently. Acrylic is perfect for protecting your art/print; it is lightweight, it does not shatter, and its anti-glare surface makes it possible to hang in many lighting situations where regular glass would produce unwanted reflections and glare. The downside to acrylic is that it is easily scratched. Thus, you must unpack, transport, and hang your framed product carefully to ensure it does not scrape against any sharp surfaces which will damage it. Also, you must not use traditional glass cleaners to clean the acrylic. You can purchase cleaners specifically designed for acrylic. If it is not convenient to use an acrylic cleaner, the next best cleaning method is as follows: Blow across the surface of the acrylic to remove any particles which might scratch the acrylic. Now use a soft, damp cloth with a little bit of dish detergent to clean the acrylic. Never use a dry cloth or paper towels, or try to wipe dirt off the acrylic using your fingers. Any dry method of cleaning the acrylic risks driving dirt into the sheet instead of cleaning it off. |
