It's been awhile since I blogged about where it all began, back when framing was just beginning for Rustic Works. Lately I've had the incredible opportunity to create all kinds of neat projects, like shelving units, barn board walls, massive live edge mirrors and plenty of custom one-offs. I thought this month it might be nice to return back to the core of what Rustic Works is all about...the frames!
It's easy to see a beautiful print in a gallery, online or in your own home, and not necessarily see the frame around it. Often a simple black frame goes unnoticed until you take a print to a professional framing company and realize how expensive a simple black frame can be!
With Rustic Works, I knew I could create something unique that would compliment the print, art, or paper inside of it without distracting too much from what is being framed. One aspect of my business is making sure the frame matches what it encircles; whether it's through colour tones, wood character, or the overall weight and feel of the boards both in size and boldness.
As you can see above, this fun watercolour had plenty of colour in the print, so the wood needed to be understated but just like a pug is in real life, I knew it needed a little bit of fun. The heart in the wood along the top, the old nail hole on the bottom right and the playful widths of the wood gave it a whimsical look to match the original work inside.
As you can see above, here's another take on a traditional rectangular frame. A local artist had taken a photo from inside an aging barn and when we discussed what colours she was looking for at the time and the feel of the photo, I knew exactly what it needed. I wanted you to feel like you were peering out of a real barn maybe though a knot in the wood. The original painted red boards from an old barn set the perfect starting point, and the nice crisp lines didn't pull your eyes too far from the photo.
With the frame above, the art speaks for itself, Robbie Craig the artist has a way of mixing colours and nature in a beautiful way. When I decided to frame this print, the barn board I had felt like how a real caribou would look. Their coat isn't a perfect single colour, its full of muscle, and dark and light tones. The wood matched how I felt it would look to be standing close up to a caribou (hopefully not when they are butting heads though!)
In the frame above, the client had a stunning photo of a distant family member from the war and when we discussed the barn board she would like, I knew that I had a beam from a barn that was sliced up that would give a dramatic yet aged look to the frame. I don't often clear coat frames for pictures but this one called for a glossy clear coat.
Last but not least, photos of people, portraits or otherwise always seem to look great in barn board. Skin, clothing, hair, lighting and all the things that make each of us unique really pop with barn board since each frame and each board is unique!
In the end, the most important thing is that whoever I'm making the frame for loves it. I keep the process very simple: no one pays until they see the final product and they love it. The quote, the time to chat and making sure you are happy are always free! Do you have a print or piece of artwork you want framed? My framing costs are often less or on par with traditional framing and I guarantee you won't find anything like I do anywhere else! I'm more than happy to discuss your project big or small! Let's chat!