![Custom & Personal Frames]()
When we display artwork in our homes we are letting people see into a piece of ourselves. We are showing what we find beautiful or moving. We are saying something about ourselves. The same goes for those cherished photographs of vacations, graduations, weddings, family, etc. We show our history when we put those photographs on the walls or on the mantles, which says something about us and where we came from. No ordinary frame that anyone and their mother can purchase should do for our own personal pieces of artwork or photographs.
You could go to a chain craft store and over pay for a machine made frame that lacks quality and being original. Or maybe you do go to a frame shop to get something unique but are completely shocked when you are given the quote and therefore head back over to the chain craft store where you will still over pay. OR, you get in touch with Lawson Woodworks.
All custom frames created by LW are done with the client and the artwork constantly in mind. The frame is meant to display the artwork or photograph, to bring the viewer over to get a closer look, but also to show that the piece inside the frame is special and important. When I am working with a client building and designing a custom frame I stay in touch with that client through email, texting, social media, etc to let him or her know where the process is and to get the client’s feedback to make sure we are both on the same page and moving in the right direction. The client doesn’t just mail me or drop off their artwork and then get it returned in a new frame (seeing it for the first time).
All custom frames are handmade with quality pine wood and then hand-painted and designed to complement the encased artwork or photograph. The completed frames are not only custom but they are personal; they are made for the client and their artwork making each frame one of a kind and unique to that client and their art.
I know that when people see the word custom applied to something handmade they usually think expensive. I get that. And I have seen some crazy quotes from frame shops that do over charge for their services. However, people are usually surprised by the quotes I give them for custom, personal frames. They usually refer to the quotes that they received from frame shops asking how is it possible?? The truth is that purchasing a custom frame is not as expensive as you might think if you go to the right person (hint-hint).
Contact me today to get a quote for a frame for your favorite piece of artwork or that cherished photograph. Check out some of my custom work for clients all over or visit the shop for frames (and other one of a kind goods) all ready for purchase.
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![Frottage Faux Finish]()
There are so many faux finishes. Some are over-the-top and tacky, while others are beautiful and add much dimension. But one misconception about faux finishes is that they are difficult to accomplish. Like all things it takes practice and there are finishes more complicated than others, but with practice they can be achieved with success. Some simple faux finishes for the beginner are dry-brushing, stippling, and ragging. One of my favorite simple faux finishes is called frottage. Frottage is two colors that are layered on top of one another (usually the darker on the bottom). The top layer is pulled off exposing the bottom layer in pieces. It is a fast paced technique but simple to accomplish (and fun!).
The pictures above show my process when doing a frottage faux finish on frames. Before doing anything I choose a color that will complement but not overpower the art or photograph that will be encased in the frame. After that decision is made I black out the frame and tape out the areas in which I want to remain black (Or to be painted a different color).
One of the most important elements of frottage is the paint mixture. I combine flat (matte) paint with wallpaper paste. I eyeball the combination to my own satisfaction, but I would say it is close to 50/50 - a little also goes a long way. The wallpaper paste is crucial to creating the proper and final effect.
The paste dries slightly faster than the paint which helps create the final effect. Because of that it is important to have your materials at hand and to work quickly. It also can get messy so you should make sure surfaces like tables and floors are covered and protected. Painters gloves are a must.
I brush on the paint/paste mixture in sections. Then I use crumpled up sales ads and dab the paint. The dabbing action pulls away the mixture where the paste has begun to dry. I continue to dab until I am satisfied with the finish and blend into the unpainted areas. I repeat this whole process over the frame. I use the sales ads (ones you get in the newspaper) because the paper is usually better quality and the ink does not transfer to the frame (regular newspaper print tends to tear after a bit and the ink can bleed on to the piece).
After the frame has dried I carefully pull off the tape and then touch up the frame with black and with the left over paint/paste mixture. If I decide that the frottage finish is all I am doing with no additional design then it is time to hit it with several coats of water based poly to complete it. The poly not only protects the finish and the frame but it will also make the colors of the finish separate and pop.
I love this finish because it is quick and extremely effective. The result is always beautiful. Currently I use the frottage finish for frames but I have also painted entire rooms with it. Like with all painting techniques I recommend to beginners to practice and complete test pieces before applying it. Most importantly though is to have fun with it! Experiment! What color combinations would you use? What would you "frottage"?
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