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SEPTEMBER 2025 TOPIC: Adventures in Framing
T'Alyne
Award-Winning Fine Artist & Founder of Anderson Contemporary Center |
OUR EXPERT:
T'Alyne is an abstract artist and environmentalist currently living and working in a zero-emissions, off-grid solar home and solar-powered art studio in the mountains of Southern Colorado. She is interested in balance and environmental stewardship as well as modeling a positive impact for an ecologically conscientious way of life. T'Alyne is interested in capturing the temperament of her surroundings and reflecting her ever-changing environment. Flickering between two-dimensional and three-dimensional experiences, her work addresses the conceptual spirit of our environment. T'Alyne's work has been included in solo and group exhibitions throughout the United States and in New Zealand, France, Austria, China and Spain. She has won numerous awards and grants. T'Alyne founded Anderson Contemporary Center, which is offering online exhibitions on Artsy as well as a self-directed residency program for artists, writers, poets and creatives in an off-grid, unique space, a place to enjoy uninterrupted focus. Find out more about the Pyramid Project. |
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What glazing options do you use for wood frames? ~ Anna (MA)
Dear Anna, Thank you for your fantastic question. Currently, I don’t usually use glazing for my wood frames as my artwork is on wood panels. My process: I buy furniture grade lumber from a lumberyard in Colorado Springs that imports fine wood from all over the world. My husband rips the framing profile on the table saw. Then, I measure out the dimensions of the artwork to be framed. I use my miter saw to cut the 45-degree angle cuts. I assemble the frame and glue the corners. I use corner clamps to maintain perfect angles while the glue dries. The following day I use my brad nailer and compressor to shoot furniture brad nails into the corners to strengthen the frame. Afterward, I begin the sanding process — starting with 150 grit and finishing with 200 grit sandpaper. I stain and varnish the wood accordingly to each artwork. Finally, I use the brad nailer to secure the painting into the frame. |
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On the other hand, if I am going to frame an artwork on paper, I will use a museum-grade, nonglare glass. If I am framing one of my large fiberglass paintings, I may use a large museum-grade acrylic sheet to protect the work.
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I’m not an artist, but I’m wondering if you have an opinion about whether or not to use a mat with original artwork, or should collectors just frame the work without using any type of matting? ~ Deb (FL)
Dear Deb, Thank you for your very important inquiry: To frame or not to frame. To mat or not to mat. This is a question that plagues us all. The galleries say, yes frame, yes mat. The collectors say, don’t frame, don’t mat. The artists ask, how do I afford to frame and mat? The answer to this mystery will be ongoing. The way I answer this question for my own practice is simple. Some of my artworks I frame and mat. Some of my artworks I put in my flat files protected by glycine folders. Some of my artworks I place in mats with backer boards inside a plastic envelope. If a collector is going to buy artwork, they do so because they like the artwork. Most of the collectors have a color palette they want to match in their homes. So, they often will reframe to match their homes. If I am sending artwork to a gallery, they usually require some sort of framing in order to hang it on the wall. I build my own frames. When I frame artwork, I try to keep the frames neutral in color. If I am framing works on paper, I will use a mat. If I am framing non-paper works, I do not use a mat. |
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Click images below to view videos of T'Alyne creating custom frames for her work.
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