Creative Fine Art Framing

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There are many ways to creatively frame art, with the ultimate goal of preserving the original artwork using acid-free materials.

Recently, I acquired a unique etching from a local artist, Joseph Purcell, also known as Joe Black. This particular etching, created in 1983 during his time at NSCAD University, is a true gem in my collection. 

What is an etching print?

Etching, 'It was Foretold', by Joseph Purcell (Joe Black), 1983

One day, I will immerse myself in the art forms of printing, but in the meantime, I have Joe's work to inspire. 

My heart was captured by this piece, ' It is Foretold'. Joe's description of it being loosely based on the Eastern Shore of Nova Scotia, as well as the homesteads of his grandfather and uncle's house, resonated deeply with me. The figure on the right, resembling Joe, and the water scrying nude gal, added a personal touch to the artwork. 
To read more about scrying practice...

I decided to cut the silver shiny mat by hand to mimic the effect of water and movement. I have some ancient fabric foil glue by Plaid that creates a thick surface for the foil to adhere to. After cutting the mat with an Exacto blade, I applied the thick glue to the edge of the mat. After the glue dried, it was fun to add the foil.

Lineco is the only company I know that makes acid-free supplies for the preservation of objects, ranging from art to books. I used this water-soluble tape to attach the top edge of the etchings to an acid-free foam core board. In the future, it could be easily removed with a slightly damp sponge cloth.

There are a couple of ways to cut mat board, and one way is typically to cut at 45 45-degree angle, showing the inner core of the mat. However, not always is that kind of edge the best choice, as the eye is usually drawn to a white mat core, which can be distracting rather than enhancing the art. 

The other choice for cutting a mat is called the reverse beveled cut, which simply means cutting in reverse, where the 45-degree bevel is on the backside, resulting in a sharp, clean line on the outside of the mat with no core showing.

WHAT IS A REVERSE BEVEL CUT?

The fine art etching is carefully attached to the acid-free Foam-Core board, which is the same size as the frame, using acid-free double-sided tape. This ensures that the etching is securely and safely mounted for preservation. Then, the decorative matboard is attached to the foam core backing with more acid-free double-sided tape from 3 M. 

The top white mat layer features foam-core strips, known as spacers, and is attached to the underside, remaining hidden. Its purpose is to raise the top mat board from the foil mat board and create depth in viewing the art.

VIOLA... The finished frame is a contemporary black wood frame with the mat cut creatively, enhancing the viewer's eye to look into the etching by Joseph Purcell. 
 

Joe Purcell, the talented artist behind this etching, has since passed away on October 16, 2020, after a brave battle with cancer. His unique artistic vision and dedication to his craft have left a lasting impact on the art community. His work, including this etching, continues to inspire and captivate art enthusiasts worldwide.

May Joe's art continue to inspire and bring beauty to the world forever.

Minaz