Merry’s Musings

I just finished up a new painting. I haven’t done a big, round one in a while, but I knew I had a frame in storage so, that’s the one I was working on. I’m very happy with it too.

So, I got the frame out and put it on the new painting and……oh dear, oh dear!

It reminded me of a conversation I had with someone a while ago about the proper framing on a painting. They were actually complaining about the high cost of custom framing. If you’ve taken something to be framed lately you’re probably very much aware that it quite pricey.

As I was saying to the friend, the frame can make or break a painting. Yes, of course it can be done cheaper, if it is a standard size. If it isn’t and has to be custom framed, it does cost. But you’re paying for the frame and more importantly, the framer’s expertise in putting the right frame on the painting. It’s your ideas and their experience.

I have been painting for almost fifty years now. And yes, for a lot of those years, I used ready-made frames. For me it was economics as my work wasn’t very expensive and I kept prices fairly low. But I didn’t charge for frames and still don’t. It’s because a lot of clients want to do their own framing or just something different than what I chose. For me, it’s all about presentation.

But I am also a collector of art. And when I get a beautiful piece, I immediately want to take it to my framer and get the right frame on it. It deserves to right frame to hang on my walls.

But I digress. So, here’s the perfect example of the oh-so-wrong frame for my painting. The correct frame on a painting has a lovely discourse with it. This frame was screaming at it. So I immediately ordered the proper one. It should be here soon and the painting, and I will breathe a sigh of relief. Then it goes to the gallery. This is the one that didn’t work.

And this is the one I ordered, though the proportions will be the same. Definitely a lot less going on in the finish. I rest my case. The other one will be perfect for an otter painting. Eventually

In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve taken a different direction with my paintings. It is my Big Sur series. And yes, for those who know his work, I am trying to channel the incredible Eyvind Earle. Someone asked me if I had studied with him. No, but I have studied his art.

He lived in Carmel Valley, near my home on the Monterey Peninsula, till his untimely death in 2000. I only wish I had known him. But, no, I wasn’t so lucky to have even met him.

I have studied his work, and been fascinated by it, since I was very young. I watched rapt, as the countryside in the background of Sleeping Beauty unfolded, the lovely inviting town that Lady and the Tramp looked over, and then, the compelling image of the world beyond. I had all the art books on Walt Disney films I could find. I loved the enticing images of somewhere else. I looked at Never-never land and cried because I wanted to live there so badly. I have his gorgeous books, and been lucky enough to purchase several of his serigraphs. They are amazing.

Like many artists I admired, I tired to incorporate elements of their work and style into mine. I’ve actually tried to emulate his work a few times, but gave up discouraged. I walk around my home and admire everything about his art. He was just wonderful!

So, I had another go at them a year or two ago, when I was in need of a bit of inspiration to sit and paint. And, though each one had been a struggle, I am making headway. As always, I learn something new from every painting I do. I’m delighted with the end results so far. I hope you like them too.

As some of you may know, I’m having a show and painting demonstration tomorrow, Saturday May 23, 2015 at New Masters Gallery on Dolores between Ocean Ave and 7th St, Carmel , CA 93921, from 4-7pm. 831.625.1511, for any questions.

I decided to do a little coloring sheet for kids to hand out there. But I was so pleased with it, I thought I post it here so it can be downloaded anywhere. It is for kids big and small, who love to color. Feel free to color outside the lines. I do it all the time!

The local newspaper just ran an article about buying art. Actually it was about art investing and fraud.

It reminded me of a sale I had some years back. I had sold a painting though a gallery I showed in. I had a request from the client to give her a letter of authentication stating the painting was an original, and a one of a kind.

I was taken aback at first. Of course it was an original one of a kind painting. That is what I do. Even if I ever tired to duplicate one, I couldn’t. But I realized her concerns. It was the time of the infamous starving artist sales. Or painting by committee, as I like to call them.

As an artist, I know and understand the difference in originals and prints and original prints and multi-originals, photomechanical prints, signed and numbered, un-numbered. Don’t get me started on giclées I realize that the art market has become as complicated as the world of legalese. You need a lawyer to explain a document and you need an art expert, or someone knowledgeable to explain exactly what a piece of art is. Or what form of original.

I’ll give you my opinion on it, for what it’s worth. I managed galleries in my earlier career so I have been on different sides of the business. It is a tried and true method I think, unless you do have expert knowledge on the art market and it is simple. Do not ever spend a nickel more on a piece of art, than it is worth for you to see it on your wall. Be it a poster or a print or an original, it makes no difference. That is the formula for buying. You’ll never pay too much for art that way.

I don’t care who’s name is on it. If you are considering a piece of art and the salesperson uses the word, investment, run a mile. Art is not for investment for most people, or it shouldn’t be. Art is for enjoyment. If you buy a piece of art with the idea in mind that in a few years you can sell it for more than you paid, you’ll probably never have a moment of joy from seeing in on your wall or in your home.

I’ve collected art myself for many years. The way I see art is that it is like having small window into different worlds in my home. I have some pieces by artists you may have heard of. I have ones by artists you’ve never heard of. I treasure every one of them. I’ve paid more than I wanted to on some and got rocking good deals on others. I’ve never regretted a single purchase. Ever.

Art should make you smile, feel happy or remind you of a time or experience that bring up emotions, good or sad even. It should communicate something to you. Add ambience, or atmosphere to a space. If what it communicates and makes you feel is worth the price tag on it, buy it. In my opinion there is no other reason to. Or reason not to.