Two new sketches as we get ready for a north east snow storm.  The one sketch is of a cat who was enjoying a drink today from our birdbath and the other is a furniture study of a kitchen chair.  I also recently went down to New Brunswick to pick up my watercolors that were in an exhibition.  I've hung two of them up to enjoy and remind myself of summer days.
  My brother's coming back home today to stay for the three day weekend.  I haven't seen him since he took a Christmas vacation with his girlfriend to Hawaii.  He's bringing me back some cool stuff like a really nice ukulele and some Hawaiian shirts.  Hawaii would be really nice right about now...stay safe in the storm everyone. 

  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 love the whole process of creating a work of art, but I also love the other processes involved with painting.  I love framing and hanging the piece because it really gives me a sense of accomplishment when I sketch my ideas out and then they become a reality.  I've made my own frames in the past, which is also something I enjoy doing.  This painting wasn't made as a commission, but it was a painting that I'd been wanting to do for a long time.  I painted it over the course of two mornings and let it dry before I varnished it with Gamvar and framed it.  
 Today, I sketched out where I wanted to hang it and measured out the space.  I love working with my hands and using tools so it's all part of the fun.  I guess there's an aspect of interior design also.  Now, the painting is hanging across the room, on the same side from where the original clock hangs.  I love the way it looks and I'm going to enjoy looking at it for a long time.   

  Merry Christmas!  My brother just sat for a charcoal portrait today so I framed it and gave it to him as a gift.  Enjoy your holidays everyone!