Framing "Dad's Army"

I’ve just spent the better part of three days framing ten works on paper (my Dad’s Army series - see the post dated May 22nd). I ordered most of the components necessary for creating shadow box frames so you might think it would take me a day maximum. That’s what I thought too. But the required precision and cleanliness was time consuming and tedious. I began to understand why framing costs so much. But the final pieces look great!

Setting up my tables with all the components and artwork.

Lining them up - I still have to seal the backing and wire the frames.

On the wall.

Fort Mason piers

Fort Mason No 13. 48" x 48". Mixed media on wood.

I started going to Fort Mason in 1996, a few months after arriving in the US. I wanted to see how I would fare as an artist so I signed up for a beginners painting class at the Fort Mason campus of San Francisco City College. I remember being stunned by the location right on the water’s edge – after having lived and worked in London for many years the freshness of the air was amazing. And having being involved in the architectural field for many years I was taken by the simple proportions of the utilitarian pier buildings. The colors also inspired me – who chose those two different Reds to use on the door openings? Did they know how, even when the paint is peeling, it would glow at sunset? These buildings never stop inspiring me! After a long gap, during which I have painted many other buildings and piers, I returned to Fort Mason to visit an art fair and saw the buildings again as if for the first time.
As you will see from the name of this painting I’ve just finished I have done thirteen paintings of the Fort Mason pier buildings so far, and that doesn’t count the really early works. Who knows when this will end?

Val's artwork

A friend in of mine in Nottingham, England creates beautiful art pieces out of found and salvaged “bric a brac”. She uses everything from lace trim, sequins and buttons to packing materials and the foil from chocolate bars. Her work is often inspired by European religious icons and is based in sewing and fabrics.
Unfortunately she does not exhibit her work and it is not seen by many people. I get lucky every Christmas and birthday when a wonderful gift arrives for me in the mail.

I thought I’d share these recent acquisitions with you:

Birthday card. 7" x 6".
Fabric, sequins, buttons etc. sewn onto card.

Christmas card. 9.5" x 8".
Fabric, foil, buttons, photos, lace and crucifix
sewn onto silver padded packing material.

Fabric photo album. 7" x 6".
Front cover: Foil, beads, medals, and color
copy of British postage stamp commemorating
 the late Queen Mother.

Thank you Val!