Debra Keirce

I know this has been done countless ways in countless places, but it just never gets old...

You just finished the most amazing painting and now you want to frame it. You found just the right moldings and had your favorite frame supplier (I like Franken Frames) make you a frame to fit your perfect painting. Now - what to do?

Here you go - A step by step with pictures. I prefer to paint on panels, and I like a clean, covered back to my paintings, so that is what I will show here. If you prefer not to use a dust cover, or if you use canvas instead, you can still use these suggestions for framing your work.

First, make sure you have all your tools assembled. You will need a drill with a drill bit that is just a bit smaller in diameter than the hardware you attach to the back of the frame for hanging.

You will also need these:

A framing tool

    - I use the Logan Dual Driver. You load it with "points" that drive into the side of the wood frame, to hold your painting in place.

Dust cover paper

    - These rolls of brown paper are available from art and framing supply stores. I buy mine from DickBlick.com

An acid free glue to secure points so they don't rattle around behind the dust cover if they shake loose.

    - I use Aleene's Tacky Glue, available at craft stores

A Scotch ATG 700 tape gun loaded with acid free double sided tape.

    - This is hands down the best tool on the table. Available at packing supply stores like Demco.

Wire for hanging, available in framing supply aisles at stores like Home Depot

Your painting 

Acid free foam core board, cut to the same size as your painting. You can buy it at any art supply store, like Plaza Art

Hardware for hanging

   - You can purchase these D rings in the framing aisle of your local hardware store, or frame supply stores. You could also use screw eyes and for larger, heavier pieces, I use flanges.

Of course, you will need your frame

Not shown here, you will need an exacto blade or sharp box cutters.

And, it helps to have a seldom used air hockey table to use as a surface for assembling.

Now that you have everything you need, let's get started. Check your frame for any chips or blemishes. I can't tell you how many times I've framed something only to find I can't use the frame after all. Best to check BEFORE you do the work. 

Clean your painting so it is free of dust front and back. 

Place it in the frame.

Turn the frame face down, but please make sure you keep the top of the painting in the top position. More times than I want to count, I have framed paintings only to attach the hardware upside down!

You can see I've used this frame before. Once you know how to frame your work, you will find yourself changing frames on pieces, just like you change outfits to look a bit more spiffy.

Now place the foam core on top of your painting. This will make the panel flush with the frame.

Next, get your loaded point driver. I like to load mine with rigid points, but you could use flexible or whatever ammo you prefer.

After you have secured your painting, and glued the points in place, it's time to use your ATG tape gun. Tape the edges of the frame, and place your dust cover over the frame. Use a larger piece of paper than you need to cover. 

It's time to get out that sharp blade. Exacto knife, boxcutters, whatever you have as long as it's sharp. VERY carefully, without damaging your frame, press the blade in the crevice between the frame and the surface it is resting on. You will want to place a piece of cardboard under the edge as you do this, so you don't damage your air hockey table... You never know when someone will want to play a game again. Also, and this is very important - It helps to prop the top edge of the frame up a few inches and press down on the bottom of the frame with one hand as you cut with the other hand. I use the corner of my postage scale to rest the top of the frame on while I do this. I have sliced frames and ended up with ragged cuts, before perfecting this step. I think it's the hardest part of the whole process. With practice, you get good at it though.

Run your finger along the edge of the frame to remove any remaining adhesive from the tape. Then, drill the holes for your hanging hardware, about one third of the distance from the top of the frame. You'll want to use a straight edge to measure and make sure you drill the holes the same distance from the top on each side. 

Wiring your frame sounds so much harder than it is, so I'll just show you pictures here. After you do it a few times it will become second nature. For smaller pieces, I find that just twisting the wire around the hardware is fine. But larger pieces with more weight are better off if you do this fancy macrame of a wiring job:

And there you have it! A custom framed painting. 

This process works for posters, prints and any other two dimensional art or decor as well. I hope you find this information useful. Now go beautify your world!

#Framing #CustomFrame #howtoframeyourart #framingpaintings #lovemyjob #keirce #debkart #frameityourself

If you follow me on Facebook, you just traveled to Japan and back with me. You're not suffering the jet lag or head cold, but you got a taste of what it was like to stay with artist friends at Yokota Air Force Base, tour shrines and temples, shop at thrift stores and shrine sales, visit museums, navigate the mass transit system, and try to find vegan friendly foods. It was inspiring! 

Here are some photos of my time in Tokyo. When you see Lucky Cats and Kokeshi dolls propped against obies in my future paintings, you will know that I am remembering my time there. More importantly, I am thinking of the honor and fortitude of American military families on foreign soil, and the amazing, kind, efficient people of Japan. And, okay - I'm also thinking of how much it felt like being on the Small World ride at Disney the whole time I was there!

Living on an air force base in Japan is a great responsibility. The families at Yokota are not just serving America. They are the proud examples of Americans. For some Japanese Nationals, these are the only Americans they will ever meet. 

In Kamakura, The Great Buddha statue and temple, built in the 16th century, is a world icon. For 20 yen, which is about 15 cents USD, you can go inside and look up at the head. You cannot purchase buddha statues outside shrines and temples in Japan. (Unless you have internet access and go to Amazon.com of course.)

In this country, modern architecture dances with ancient constructs.

Storefronts that are familiar to western eyes mingle with Japan's love of ice cream and sweet shops.

Local fashion favors western trends, except that pink is the national color. Men and women alike love pink. Photo booths love pink. In many stores, you are asked to wear slippers provided, out of respect and to protect the floors and grass mats. 

It takes a bit of searching to find art in Japan, but if you look you will see Rodin statues, Monet exhibits, beautiful manhole covers.

And of course, the zen gardens, beaches and beautiful urban landscapes are an art all their own.

Dining in Japan is an experience. Little fish are everywhere. My food allergies are not severe, so I found plenty to eat, but Americans might find some of the items on the menu a bit entertaining!

Whether it is the Japanese love of bright colors, their adoration of Mario and Hello Kitty characters, toilets with lighted bowls and heated seats that sing and spray water at you, the fact that their Seiyu, owned by Walmart, has a 50,000 sq. ft. section for arcade games and slot machines, or the display of straw covered saki barrels donated to a local shrine each year to honor the gods... The Japanese culture kept me smiling and shaking my head in confusion/wonder/amusement/amazement the whole time I was there. I left shaken.

For example, crime...In the USA, show me a fully stocked pharmacy where narcotics are secured by a cloth net. All hours at night, the subway and train stations in the heart of the city are free of crime. Where are the homeless? Where are the pick pockets? Where is the graffiti? Why isn't Tracy Chapman singing to me while I wait for the train? Garages full of belongings have no doors or locks. Cars and houses are unlocked. There is NO litter - anywhere. There are lit up vending machines EVERYwhere, so you know there is the potential for litter. When you contemplate these things, it's eerie.

The Japanese love to give gifts. Even their magazines often come with little gifts wrapped inside. I consider this trip to the orient to be the gift of a lifetime. I feel so blessed. Thank you to the friends and family who supported me in this adventure!

Now I am as curious as you all, to see how Japan finds its way into my artwork!