Putting a nice frame on a finished painting is an amazing feeling and can really make a painting look even better.  Anyone looking for custom frames should check out Art To Frames, which has great custom sized frames in a wide variety of styles.  Most of the frames pictured below came from Art To Frames, except the last frame in gold, which I got lucky and found at a local goodwill.  
  I used to make my own frames so I really enjoy the hands on aspect of framing also.  It's pretty simple to put a canvas in a frame, you'll just need some basic supplies, such as hanging wire, hanging hardware and some offset clips (sometimes called mirror holders); these are important to hold the canvas into the frame.  I've seen some people drive a nail through the stretcher bar into the frame, DON'T DO THAT because it weakens the stretcher bar and cause some serious problems.
  Have a great week everyone!

  I made a short video to tell people about a special hammer for stretching your own canvas!  I had some confusion when I first bought this tool and I hope this video helps anyone who had the same trouble!

  I did another flower painting today outside just as the sun was coming out.  I'm really excited about these new paintings and I can't wait to do a bunch more!
 This painting and one from yesterday have an elongated format because I found some left over Fredrix oil ground canvas in my basement and it was a long shape so I stretched two canvases in that format.  I have to say that Fredrix oil ground canvas is my favorite.  I've used other pre-made oil ground linen before, but what I really like about Fredrix is that it has very nice texture (not too smooth).  I just ordered a new roll of Fredrix Kent 125 DP (double-primed) from Dick Blick and I'm planning on stretching some larger canvases once it comes this week!
  I also want to say that I encourage everyone to test out a bunch of different materials including canvas, brushes, mediums, paint, etc.  I've tried many different supplies and these are my own suggestions, which I share with everyone as a suggestion.  Go out and paint this week!

  I set up my easel outside yesterday and did a painting of the flower pots outside my house.  I was so hungry to paint after returning from Spain so it was really satisfying to do some painting outside in the sunlight.
 I'm planning to do more of these and I'll put them up for sale in my SHOP in case anyone wants to own one!  This painting is currently for sale in that shop!

"When an artist begins to count strokes instead of regarding nature he is lost. This preoccupation with technique, at the expense of truth and sincerity, is the principal fault I find in much of the work of modern painters." - Sorolla