Framed

It usually takes about an hour to frame each piece.  First the pieces need one last look, a signature, a name and trimmed to fit the frame.   I usually use standard frame sizes for the economy.  I want to sell my art so framing expense needs to be reasonable.  The frames you see in the picture are from an online art website.  My friend Gail and I watch for the sales and buy in large lots to get the "free" shipping.  The glass is also purchased in bulk.  I use non-glare.  There are conservations between using regular glass, non-glare and museum glass.  When you see a piece framed in each of the styles you can decide which you prefer.   There must be a riser between the glass and the pastel image.  Since none of these pieces are matted the riser is thin and set on the edge of the frame. 

Notice the piece on the top right still needs glass.  I need to check my inventory as the 16x20 size is depleted.  The piece is called Rejoice and will be on display at the Cheyenne Artists Guild Easter show in April.

These pieces were painted over the last few months.  The studio is now ready for new inspiration.

Etsuko Ichikawa at UW

We had almost canceled the 45 mile/minute trip across the high plains route from Cheyenne to Laramie with the snow and wind, when at 3 PM it cleared.  The University of Wyoming Art Museum is a jewel, not always discovered, but the current installation should change that. 

 Ichikawa's "NACHI -- between the eternal and the ephemeral --," inspired by a waterfall in her native Japan, incorporates more than 11 miles of twine shaped into a spiraling waterfall and six, 14-foot pyrographs, all hanging from the museum's ceiling, as well as audio and video components.

http://www.uwyo.edu/profiles/extras/art-museum.html  

click for more about Etsuko

http://www.uwartmuseum.blogspot.com/ 

Only click here if you are not going to UW... this is just a tease from the experience of her art

As a new artist the process of inspiration is just beginning to form for me.  Etsuko's inspiration was explained and you can see the components from her moments at the falls with the many elements of the installation.  You can smell the twine and hear the sounds from the video component, and move through the art.  The piece is at UW through August so plan now not to miss. 

See the youtube link on the Museum (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wnsXY6zBmM

enLiven

Kristin, my biggest fan and my daughter, suggested the name for a business card.  That means my art needs to get into the world and that means more shows and galleries and finding ways to share my creations.  A BLOG?  I may not be very conscientious with a blog but if my pastel pal Gail can keep up with one I guess I will try.

This is all I have time for today.  I hope to add more images and share a bit more about this new phase in my life as a new artist.   Oh, I finally feel like an artist after being accepted into the Western Spirit show which opens March 5th at the Old West Museum in Cheyenne. Check out the art...

http://www.oldwestmuseum.org/western_spirit_art_show_2011.aspx