Blog

  • How to frame paintings

    How to frame paintings

    E.G., a 30″ x 40″ painting:

    1. Get your supplies at lowes or homedepot or whatever

    -2 x these for the outer frame: 

    https://www.lowes.com/pd/1-1-2-in-x-8-ft-Pine-Wood-Lattice-Moulding-Actual-1-5-in-x-8-ft/1000443635 (or deeper than your painting**)

    -2 x these for the inner frame: https://www.lowes.com/pd/EverTrue-1-1-8-in-x-8-ft-Pine-Wood-Lattice-Moulding-Actual-1-125-in-x-8-ft/3042181 (or less deep than your painting**)

    -Clear (or whatever color you want) and Black wood stain like this:

    https://www.lowes.com/pd/Cabot-Tintable-Solid-Exterior-Stain-Actual-Net-Contents-7-25-fl-oz/5001615019 (or use sharpie or acrylic paint or whatever)

    -Wood Glue

    -Clamps

    -Miter saw (if you want to miter) or just a good hand saw

    -Sand paper

    **Make sure the painting is somewhere between the depth of the lattice strips:

    They sell lattice in various depths, so the links I pasted above would be good for a 1 1/4″ deep painting.

    2. Measure and cut 

    That diagram shows you the general idea of where to make your cuts and how to line up the strips, but in reality those exact measurements won’t be perfect. So actually line up the lattice strips and mark them with pencil, then cut along the line. Err on the side of too long; you can always shave more off. Gaps are bad. 

    3. Sand the cut edges and stain them. You can use sharpie marker if you don’t feel like waiting for the stain to dry…

    4. When the stain is dry, run some wood glue along the bottom edge of the black lattice and clamp them to the stretcher. Those will be the inner frame.

    When that’s dry enough (like the next day) do the same with the natural stained lattice. Use as many clamps as you can to hold it together. You can even run twine around to make it super tight, but it’s probably not necessary unless you only have a couple of clamps.

    Once the glue is dry, it’s pretty solid. You can drill small holes and hammer brads in, then cover the openings with wood putty but that’s a lot of hassle.

    If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try mitering the corners. Use the pencil measurement method, then cut with a miter saw. Make sure you have extra wood since you will mess up the first time. It’s really not necessary though.

    Good luck!

  • Intellectual property

    So I think our DMA grads could be better suited to pursue IP law than any other program’s grads in the country.

  • Crystal Beach 7-28-23 — 7-30-23

    What a weekend. It’s an idyllic Eden here. Days were spent laughing on the deck and the beach. Nights were filled with music and magic. So many beautiful people.

  • Urinals

    Urinals are cool. I want one in my house.

  • Speakers

    The speakers are good, but it is hard to sit still for hours at a time. I like workshops much better.

  • Had to be the most beautiful day

    Went up to Canada with Nancy and her friend. Stopped at the grocery, got the guac stuff and some burger meat.Chased a few house wrens away. Cleaned the cottage up while the girls made guac. Went surfing at Pleasant, watched Nan and her bud get sweet rides. Got a ticket there and almost towed but that’s fine. My fault. Back to the cottage, ate some Mabel’s pizza, made some burgers. Checked in with the neighbors. Came home to a wide open Peace Bridge, no wait, no hassle. Sky was epic with clouds and light all day. Home now and idling until Twin Peaks. Let’s hope Audrey Horne finally shows up.

  • A good beach day

    Well there’s nothing like spending a 90º summer afternoon in a cool lake with your three kids, all under the age of 12 mind you (that’s key), wrestling and throwing them around in the waves, with high winds whipping up one-footers. Of course it ain’t the Atlantic, but whatryagonnado. We followed it up with some Pad Thai a-la-cart which I’ll post recipe for asap. Altogether an epic day!