High Desert Gallery Presents: Art and Framing Tips · Here are some ideas to consider when choosing...

High DesertG A L L E R Y

Central Oregon Artists & BeyondTM

10 NW Minnesota Downtown Bend

Award Winning Fine Art & Stellar Custom Framing

541-388-8964

th453 SW 6 Downtown Redmond

281 W Cascade Ave Downtown Sisters

WWW.HIGHDESERTGALLERY.COM866-549-6250

High Desert Gallery Presents: Art and Framing Tips

Presented by Myrna Dow, Owner High Desert Gallery

Conservation Framing

Five Tips for DesigningPicture Framing

Design: What a Differencea Frame Makes

Ten Tips for Framing Artwork

Tips for Hanging Pictures

Creating a Picture Wall

About High Desert Gallery

Topics Include



DowntownRedmond & Sisters

More than Just Blue Ribbons

HIGHDESERTGALLERY.COM541-388-8964

Fine Art and Stellar CustomFraming

1ST

Conservation Framing

Conservation Framing (sometimes called Preservation Framing) refers to the materials and techniques used by picture framers to frame valued art and objects to the highest standard. From matboards to glass to the paper cover on the back of the frame, today’s framers can provide a variety of specialized products and methods to display art and objects in the best possible environment.

As in any skilled craft, each professional framer develops an individual style of Conservation Framing, but there are a few principles generally regarded as standard: All materials used in the framing should be stable, non-staining, and acid-free. All attachments used to support art or objects in the frame must be completely reversible, with no harm to the art or objects.

If glass is used in the framing, there must be space between the art and the glass.

What deserves Conservation Framing? Anything being framed that has value to its owner. This might be fine art or investment art, or it may be a family heirloom. It may be a college degree—or it may be a child’s crayon drawing of a sunny day.

Conservation Framing helps to preserve the value and condition of the framed art and objects you display in your home or office, and it usually doesn’t cost much more than standard framing. Ask your framer about conservation services any time you have something framed that is valuable to you.





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Five Tips for Designing Picture Framing

Here are some ideas to consider when choosing framing for your artwork.

1.Look to the art you are framing for clues about color and style: bright? subtle? formal? modern?

2.Look at framed pictures in magazines and on television to figure out what styles you like.

3.Experiment with wide mats or mouldings--they can look great even on small artwork.

4.Try several different mats and frame mouldings until you find the combination you like best.

5.Remember: The goal is a balanced design that enhances and provides a good presentation for the art, without overwhelming it.

Design: What a Difference a Frame Makes

From fancy gold leaf to colorful textures, frames are now available in an incredible selection—but how do you choose the right one for your picture?

The style and size of the frame should be coordinated with the artwork and any matting or other decorative elements that will be used. The goal is a balanced design that enhances and provides a good presentation for the art, without overwhelming it.

Whether seeking period authenticity or eclectic flair, or anything in between, there is a line of frame mouldings to suit every style. Some people use narrow, contemporary frames on all of their art, while others enjoy the elegance and drama of wide, ornate mouldings, even on small artwork. The best framing for each piece of art evolves from a combination of personal preference, current fashion, and cultural traditions.

Visit High Desert Gallery, a professional frame shop and art gallery and try several different mouldings on a picture you want to have framed. Notice how different mouldings affect the appearance of the art: some look important, some look formal, others playful. There are many possibilities and looking is fun!





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Ten Tips for Framing Artwork

1.Narrow mats create a busy target. Don’t be afraid of large mat borders.2.Don’t try to match room colors exactly.

3.The framing should not overpower the art.

4.Hang pictures at eye level.

5.Mix frames of different colors and styles in a room.

6.Reframe pictures and reuse frames: perhaps a new mat color is all you need to coordinate

your old artwork with your new decor and High Desert Gallery has hundreds to choose from.

7.Use plexiglas on art that will hang in children’s rooms or play areas. It does not shatter like

glass and the edges of broken pieces are not as sharp.

8.If color is critical, bring samples of fabric and paint with you while visiting High Desert Gallery.

9.Look at room decor in magazines and on television to help figure out what you like.

10.Ask questions while visiting High Desert Gallery, why are we using certain materials, the

more you know, the better you can make decisions about framing your art and objects.

Tips for Hanging Pictures

1.Not too high! Think in terms of eye level, so that the eye of the average viewer falls about one-third of the way down from the top of the picture. This will be about 55 to 58" from the floor.

2.Be sure to use hangers that are strong enough to hold the weight of the picture. Two hangers are better than one for large pieces—the weight will be distributed and the picture will be less likely to shift.

3.When hanging a pair or trio of pictures, group them together so they relate to one another instead of appearing to float in a large space on the wall.

4.When hanging a picture wall, create alignments, so the viewer’s eye has lines to follow. These visual lines may be horizontal or vertical. If a picture wall contains many pictures, there may be several of these alignments. Any two frames should have a common line, horizontally or vertically.

5.Two ways to “audition” a picture wall:

a.arrange and rearrange the pictures on a floor until satisfied with the layout before hanging on the wall.

b.make templates by tracing around each frame on a piece of newspaper, cut out and hang the newspaper samples (taped to the wall with small pieces of removable tape) until satisfied with the arrangement.

6.Use two hooks to hang the picture instead of one. Two hooks will keep the picture from tilting forward and shifting from side to side.

7.Avoid hanging valuable art in direct sunlight: excess light can damage many types of artwork. Use framing glass that filters Ultraviolet rays to significantly reduce harm from light exposure.





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Creating a Picture Wall

A picture wall displays a group of framed items in a coordinated design. The frames may all be

the same style or the same color, but most often a picture wall includes a variety of different

frames. The artwork may be united by a theme: vacation photos, a collection of sports

memorabilia, family portraits. Or they may be connected by subject matter: coastal scenes

depicted in photos, watercolor paintings, old engravings, and other media. Color can be the

unifying factor, and color-themed picture walls have a lot of impact, bringing the coolness of

blue or the vibrancy of red strongly into the room. Collectors of posters, etchings, photographs

or watercolors can develop a picture wall to show the variety within their collection. But some

of the best picture walls display a very eclectic mix of sizes, colors and styles that reflects a

range of personal preferences and experiences. And it doesn't have to be limited to pictures:

an arrangement can be enhanced by including mirrors, shelves, or objects in the mix.

When placing several different sizes of frames and art together, arrange each piece so that

one outside edge is in line with another picture next to it, either vertically or horizontally. This

technique helps bring a sense of balance to the grouping. Keep the space between frame

edges fairly small, typically about two to four inches; this will visually "gather the group

together". The grouping can build from the center and spread out in all directions. Or you can

plan to have it develop into a rectangular shape. An irregular shape is very useful if you are

likely to add to the wall after the first design is finished. One thing about a picture wall: it

involves a few nail holes. If you are a bit anxious about making those holes in the right spot

the first time, there are a couple of ways to determine your spacing before hanging: try

organizing the picture arrangement on the floor in front of the wall where it will hang, then hang

the pieces one-by-one. To get a more accurate visualization, cut pieces of newspaper to the

size of the framed items and tape them to the wall with removable tape. When hanging

pictures above a sofa, be sure that the bottom of the lowest frame leaves clearance for the

head of a seated person. But don't go any higher, or the pictures will seem to be floating

instead of visually attached to the sofa. If there is no furniture against the picture wall, and

there are a number of frames, the arrangement can cover the entire wall from ceiling to floor

for a dramatic presentation. Light is necessary to enjoy the picture wall, but avoid direct

sunlight or other strong direct light on the art. Keep track lighting and overhead picture lights

away from close contact with artwork-heat from the bulbs can cause damage to the art, and

fluorescent lights (including the new compact curly bulbs) may cause fading of some artwork.

A picture wall can be a significant design element in your home or office and a great source of





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About High Desert Gallery

High Desert Gallery & Custom Framing, The Art & Soul of Central Oregon™ is an

award winning fine art and custom picture framing gallery with retail locations in Bend,

Oregon (Opening in 2009), Redmond and Sisters Oregon specializing in Central

Oregon Artists & Beyond™ and Stellar Custom Framing. High Desert Gallery honored

in 2005, 2006 and 2007 by Decor Magazine as one of the top 100 Art and Frame

Galleries in America and voted "Best Art Gallery" in Redmond, Oregon (2006, 2007 &

2008) and Sisters, Oregon (2005, 2006, & 2008). In February 2008, High Desert

Gallery was awarded Top Honors in the Professional Picture Framing Association

2007-2008 International Open Framing Competition. For more information please visit:

www.highdesertgallery.com or call toll free 1-866-549-6250. High Desert Gallery &

Custom Framing of Central Oregon content copyright 2008. The Art & Soul of Central

Oregon™ and Central Oregon Artists & Beyond™ are trademarks of High Desert

Gallery & Custom Framing of Central Oregon.

Myrna Dow, owner, director, and professional picture framer of High Desert Gallery and

Custom Framing has a background in the arts and framing industry spanning more

than twenty years. Earning a BFA in Graphic Arts from Portland State, Myrna first

started in the graphic arts field working for several large agencies and typehouses. In

the early 80's she began her career in the gallery business as a sales associate and

gallery manager. After several years, she migrated to the custom framing environment

and mentored with an accomplished professional picture framer. In 1999 Myrna and her

family relocated to Central Oregon and soon thereafter established High Desert Gallery

& Custom Framing of Central Oregon.





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High Desert Gallery Presents: Art and Framing Tips · Here are some ideas to consider when choosing...

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