FRAMING
This is for the artists that understand a framed
piece quite often is worth more than an unframed
one. Also, a framed artwork usually sells easier
than unframed ones (at least in my experience).
However, there is something to be said for allowing
the buyer to purchase your piece at a lower price
and have it framed to suit their needs. Again, my
experience is most buyers wouldn’t know what to
pick out or just don’t want to bother with having to
take it to a framer.
Many encaustic artists finish the sides of their
paintings in wax, allowing the creativity to flow out
all sides. It is contemporary in look and some of
these are good as stand-alone art. You have to be
the one to judge that for yourselves. However there
is one problem in this style for galleries who store
your artwork. Even thought most storage spaces
are covered with carpet or soft surfaces, there still
is a big risk that when theses pieces are set on their
sides, there is potential for chipping.
If you do frame your piece, it is better to set the art
back from the front of the frame at least 1/8 of an
inch. If it is even with the frame, then there is possibility
that it may get damaged. For those of you who
beautifully paint on all of the sides, a good option is
to float your art inside the frame 2 – 3 inches within
a border around the art, so the sides can be seen.
If you have never done this, take one of your small
pieces to a framer and have them show you what
it would look like. You might be happily surprised.
HANGING
The best looking piece of art on a wall is one that
is level, and parallel with the wall not on an angle.
With most constructed encaustic art panels, the
piece can be hung by its frame. It takes two level
nails, and when hung – the artwork is level and
does not move. If you use an eye hook and wire
ALWAYS put the eye hooks inside the frame not on
the outside. This way it will hang flush on the wall.
The saw tooth hanging clips are really hard to deal
with, again because of the way the painting cannot
hang flat on the wall.
ALWAYS sign your art. Collectors look for signatures
and often decline a sale for lack of signature.
A signature can be on the side as well as the back,
if you are not inclined to sign on the front. A date
when the artwork was finished is also appreciated.
Included should always be a label on the back
with your name, title, size, date painted, price and
description of the piece. Also a phone or email
address is always appreciated. This label can be
taken off by the buyer if they want, but the label also
needs to be secured well enough that it doesn’t
come off when transporting.
All About Encaustic
19
Winter
www.EAINM.com