[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"app-navigation":3,"blog-category-for-professionals":138,"posts-1-10-for-professionals":141},{"tree":4,"leafs":137},[5,30,47,64,77,133],{"uid":6,"label":7,"to":8,"children":9},"MTM0","Custom Frames","/ctg/custom-frames",[10,14,18,22,26],{"uid":11,"label":12,"to":13},"MjI3","Custom Wood Frames","/ctg/custom-frames/wood",{"uid":15,"label":16,"to":17},"MjI2","Custom Metal Frames","/ctg/custom-frames/metal",{"uid":19,"label":20,"to":21},"MjI4","Custom Floater Frames","/ctg/custom-frames/canvas-floater-frames",{"uid":23,"label":24,"to":25},"MjI5","Stretcher Bars","/ctg/custom-frames/stretcher-bar-frames",{"uid":27,"label":28,"to":29},"MjMw","Frame Samples","/ctg/custom-frames/frame-moulding-samples",{"uid":31,"label":32,"to":33,"children":34},"MjMz","Glass & Acrylic","/ctg/framing-supplies/glass-and-acrylic",[35,39,43],{"uid":36,"label":37,"to":38},"Mjk0","Non-Glare Glass & Acrylic","/ctg/framing-supplies/glass-and-acrylic/non-glare",{"uid":40,"label":41,"to":42},"Mjky","Standard Glass & Acrylic","/ctg/framing-supplies/glass-and-acrylic/standard-glass-acrylic",{"uid":44,"label":45,"to":46},"Mjkz","UV Filter Glass & Acrylic","/ctg/framing-supplies/glass-and-acrylic/uv-filter",{"uid":48,"label":49,"to":50,"children":51},"MjMx","Matboards","/ctg/framing-supplies/mat-board",[52,56,60],{"uid":53,"label":54,"to":55},"MjY0","Custom-Cut Matboards","/ctg/framing-supplies/mat-board/pre-cut-mats",{"uid":57,"label":58,"to":59},"MjM2","Full Sheet Matboards","/ctg/framing-supplies/mat-board/full-sheet-mat-boards",{"uid":61,"label":62,"to":63},"MjM1","Matboard Color Samples","/ctg/framing-supplies/mat-board/mat-board-samples",{"uid":65,"label":66,"to":67,"children":68},"MjMy","Foam Boards","/ctg/framing-supplies/foam-board",[69,73],{"uid":70,"label":71,"to":72},"Mjg5","Custom-Cut Foam Boards","/ctg/framing-supplies/foam-board/custom-foam-board",{"uid":74,"label":75,"to":76},"MjM3","Full Sheet Foam Boards","/ctg/framing-supplies/foam-board/full-sheet-foam-boards",{"uid":78,"label":79,"to":80,"children":81},"MTM1","Framing Supplies","/ctg/framing-supplies",[82,107,120],{"uid":83,"label":84,"to":85,"children":86},"MTM1-group-0","Assembly & Mounting","/ctg/framing-supplies/assembly-and-mounting",[87,91,95,99,103],{"uid":88,"label":89,"to":90},"MjQz","Adhesives & Glue","/ctg/framing-supplies/photo-mounting-supplies/adhesives-glue",{"uid":92,"label":93,"to":94},"MjQy","ATG Tape","/ctg/framing-supplies/photo-mounting-supplies/atg-tape",{"uid":96,"label":97,"to":98},"MjQw","Hinging Tape & Tissue","/ctg/framing-supplies/photo-mounting-supplies/hinging-tape-tissue",{"uid":100,"label":101,"to":102},"MjQx","Photo Corners & Strips","/ctg/framing-supplies/photo-mounting-supplies/photo-corners-strips",{"uid":104,"label":105,"to":106},"MjM0","Picture Frame Spacers","/ctg/framing-supplies/picture-frame-spacers",{"uid":108,"label":109,"to":110,"children":111},"MTM1-group-1","Hanging & Finishing","/ctg/framing-supplies/hanging-and-finishing",[112,116],{"uid":113,"label":114,"to":115},"MjQ0","Hanging Hardware","/ctg/framing-supplies/picture-frame-hanging-supplies",{"uid":117,"label":118,"to":119},"MjQ2","Cleaning Supplies","/ctg/framing-supplies/cleaning-supplies",{"uid":121,"label":122,"to":123,"children":124},"MTM1-group-2","Protection & Storage","/ctg/framing-supplies/protection-and-storage",[125,129],{"uid":126,"label":127,"to":128},"Mjk4","GalleryPouch™ Art Bags","/prod/gallery-pouch",{"uid":130,"label":131,"to":132},"Mjc4","Photo Storage Boxes","/ctg/framing-supplies/backing-and-protection-supplies/clear-bags-and-storage-boxes",{"uid":134,"label":135,"to":136},"Mjgx","Sale","/ctg/picture-frames-discount",{"MjI3":10,"MjI2":14,"MjI4":18,"MjI5":22,"MjMw":26,"Mjk0":35,"Mjky":39,"Mjkz":43,"MjY0":52,"MjM2":56,"MjM1":60,"Mjg5":69,"MjM3":73,"MjQz":87,"MjQy":91,"MjQw":95,"MjQx":99,"MjM0":103,"MjQ0":112,"MjQ2":116,"Mjk4":125,"Mjc4":129,"Mjgx":133},{"id":139,"name":140},"dGVybTozNTU=","For Professionals",[142,161,172,184,195,206,217,228,239,250],{"id":143,"title":144,"uri":145,"content":146,"excerpt":147,"date":148,"categories":149},"cG9zdDo4Nzgz","Should you apply for an Artist Residency?","/for-professionals/should-you-apply-for-an-artist-residency","\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-image\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\">\u003Cimg width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-public-id=\"blog/MayArtiegramArtResidencyBlog-/MayArtiegramArtResidencyBlog-.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_1024,h_1024,c_fill,g_auto/f_auto,q_auto/v1746831826/blog/MayArtiegramArtResidencyBlog-/MayArtiegramArtResidencyBlog-.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-8783 wp-image-8786\" style=\"width:281px;height:auto\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1746831826\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\u003C/div>\n\n\n\u003Cp>For many artists, the idea of an artist residency carries a powerful mix of excitement and pressure. It’s a chance to step away from daily distractions, dive deep into your work, and find fresh inspiration. But often, the pressure to \"get it right\" when applying can feel overwhelming — like you have to somehow predict and plan your greatest masterpiece in advance.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If you’ve ever stared at a residency application wondering if you're \"enough\" — enough of a visionary, enough of a planner, enough of a polished communicator — you’re not alone. The truth is, \u003Cstrong>the key to a meaningful residency experience starts long before you ever step foot into a studio or residency space. It starts with openness.\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Let Go of the Pressure\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>First things first: \u003Cstrong>you don’t have to have it all figured out\u003C/strong>.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>One of the biggest myths about artist residencies is that you need a grand, fully-formed project to get accepted. In reality, what most programs are looking for is \u003Cstrong>a sincere, committed exploration\u003C/strong> — not a final product. They want to see your curiosity, your willingness to engage with a place, a community, or a question.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Instead of asking yourself, \u003Cem>“Is my project impressive enough?”\u003C/em> try asking, \u003Cem>“Am I genuinely excited about what I want to explore?”\u003C/em> That excitement, that authenticity, is magnetic. And it shines through in applications more than rigid plans ever do.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Pick a Topic, Focus on It\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When preparing your residency application, think about the themes or questions that are currently calling to you.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Pick a topic. Focus on it.\u003C/strong>\u003Cbr>But don’t chain yourself to it.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You’re not writing your artistic destiny in stone — you’re picking a \u003Cem>starting point\u003C/em>. A clear topic gives your application structure and shows reviewers that you’ve thought intentionally about your time. Yet it also leaves you room to evolve once you’re actually immersed in the residency experience.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Maybe you want to explore the relationship between memory and landscape. Or the language of color in urban environments. Or how soundscapes shape emotional memory. Whatever your focus, \u003Cstrong>trust that the topic will lead you into unexpected places\u003C/strong> — and that’s a good thing.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Residencies often have a way of gently rerouting our plans for the better. The light, the people, the rhythm of a new place — they can shift your vision in ways you couldn’t have anticipated.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Find a Way to Express It\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Once you’ve picked your topic, the next step is finding a way to \u003Cstrong>express it. \u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For visual artists, expression could be be a small sample series, sketches, or a mood board. Depending on your topic and/or the length of the residency, you might even complete your project, but don't make this the goal otherwise the pressure could become overwhelming. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Whatever medium you work in, the goal is to \u003Cstrong>make your idea tangible\u003C/strong> — not perfect, but \u003Cem>real\u003C/em>. You’re offering a glimpse into your creative mind, inviting the selection committee to imagine the journey with you.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And remember: \u003Cstrong>you are not being judged against perfection\u003C/strong>. You are being considered for your ability to imagine, to wonder, and to pursue a thread of meaning with heart and dedication.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Stay Open During the Residency, Too\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If you’re accepted — and even if you’re not right away — it’s crucial to carry this spirit of openness with you.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Residencies are fertile, living ecosystems. Sometimes your project will blossom exactly as you envisioned. Sometimes it will morph completely, responding to conversations, collaborations, or even quiet moments of solitude.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Both outcomes are equally valuable.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Success isn’t measured by how closely you stick to your original plan. It’s measured by your willingness to listen — to yourself, to the environment, to the unexpected callings that arise.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>It’s Okay If It’s Messy\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Art — real art — is messy. Growth is messy. Transformation is messy.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s okay if you don’t have a tidy answer when someone asks what you’re working on. It’s okay if your project spills into directions you didn’t predict. It’s okay if some days you just sit and think, or walk for miles, or spend an afternoon making one rough sketch that leads nowhere obvious.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>These moments are not wasted. They are the soil from which deep creative work eventually grows.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>A Final Thought: Trust Yourself\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If you take one thing from this, let it be this: \u003Cstrong>You are enough.\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Your questions are enough.\u003Cbr>Your imperfect sketches are enough.\u003Cbr>Your evolving, curious, searching self is enough.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Residencies are not just about producing work — they are about giving yourself the space to dream, to question, and to expand. Your willingness to stay open, to be present with your topic, and to trust the process is the most important thing you bring to any creative opportunity.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When you \u003Cstrong>pick a topic, focus on it, and find a way to express it \u003C/strong>— all while giving yourself permission to be human and imperfect — you’re already well on your way.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The rest will unfold, just as it’s meant to.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>P.S.  I had my first artist residency last month at \u003Ca href=\"https://wildacres.org/\">Wildacres Retreat\u003C/a>. Initially, I hesitated about applying because I didn't have a fully formed project. As a nature artist, I knew that I wanted to focus on black bears and their role as seed dispersal agents in forests, however, I had no idea how that might be expressed visually. I stuck with the \u003Cstrong>topic\u003C/strong> though. Once I arrived at the residency, an idea about how to express it visually formed and continued to evolve while there through my \u003Cstrong>focus\u003C/strong> on research, conversations with others I met, and being in the environment itself. At the end of my one-week residency, I \u003Cstrong>expressed\u003C/strong> it with a digital story \u003Ca href=\"https://www.canva.com/design/DAGkGSxfJyE/qYDIBNWQD6osyT_DkiV6sw/view?utm_content=DAGkGSxfJyE&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=hcba35b8fe7#1\">\"Seeds on the Move: a seed's journey through black bear scat\"\u003C/a> combining watercolor, digital illustration, and animation. Is it finished, NO, but the residency afforded me time I wouldn't otherwise had to develop my topic into a pleasing rough draft that can complete later. The residency itself was amazing! I spent time in a gorgeous area, met new friends, and was taken care of by the staff. These are some pics from my time at Wildacres. Check out their \u003Ca href=\"https://wildacres.org/wildacres-residency-program/\">website\u003C/a> for more information about their residencies.  \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"480\" height=\"640\" data-public-id=\"blog/IMG_9951/IMG_9951.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"8793\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_480,h_640,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1746831784/blog/IMG_9951/IMG_9951.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-8783 wp-image-8793\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1746831784\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"360\" height=\"640\" data-public-id=\"blog/IMG_0039_878759ef3/IMG_0039_878759ef3.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"8787\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_360,h_640,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1746831798/blog/IMG_0039_878759ef3/IMG_0039_878759ef3.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-8783 wp-image-8787\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1746831798\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-public-id=\"blog/IMG_0053/IMG_0053.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"8789\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_640,h_480,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1746831803/blog/IMG_0053/IMG_0053.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-8783 wp-image-8789\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1746831803\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-public-id=\"blog/IMG_9996/IMG_9996.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"8792\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_640,h_480,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1746831808/blog/IMG_9996/IMG_9996.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-8783 wp-image-8792\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1746831808\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-public-id=\"blog/IMG_9981/IMG_9981.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"8790\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_640,h_480,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1746831812/blog/IMG_9981/IMG_9981.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-8783 wp-image-8790\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1746831812\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-public-id=\"blog/IMG_0073/IMG_0073.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"8788\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_640,h_480,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1746831817/blog/IMG_0073/IMG_0073.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-8783 wp-image-8788\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1746831817\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-public-id=\"blog/IMG_9962-1/IMG_9962-1.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"8791\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_640,h_480,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1746831822/blog/IMG_9962-1/IMG_9962-1.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-8783 wp-image-8791\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1746831822\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-public-id=\"blog/IMG_9961/IMG_9961.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-id=\"8794\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_640,h_480,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1746831779/blog/IMG_9961/IMG_9961.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-8783 wp-image-8794\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1746831779\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C/p>\n","\u003Cp>For many artists, the idea of an artist residency carries a powerful mix of excitement and pressure. It’s a chance to step away from daily distractions, dive deep into your work, and find fresh inspiration. But often, the pressure to “get it right” when applying can feel overwhelming — like you have to somehow predict […]\u003C/p>\n","2025-05-09T18:20:00",[150,153,155,158],{"name":151,"slug":152},"Customer Spotlight","customer-spotlight",{"name":140,"slug":154},"for-professionals",{"name":156,"slug":157},"Resources","resources",{"name":159,"slug":160},"Uncategorized","uncategorized",{"id":162,"title":163,"uri":164,"content":165,"excerpt":166,"date":167,"categories":168,"image":170},"cG9zdDo4MDY3","Best Practices for Shipping Your Artwork","/for-professionals/best-practices-for-shipping-your-artwork","\n\u003Cp>I recently had my first solo exhibition at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts. The gallery’s policy is that all artwork must remain at the exhibit until after the show closes. One of the customers who purchased a framed artwork from me lives in another state and couldn’t make a return trip to pick up her purchased art. The gallery doesn’t ship artwork and rather than lose a sale, I decided to pack and ship it myself. We’ve worked with FedEx for many years now at Frame Destination because of their positive track record for package handling, I chose them as my shipping company. I listed the steps with shipping it below along with some tips I thought might be useful for artists who are new to shipping their artwork. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create an Account with Your Shipper \u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I created a business account with FedEx because it allows me to keep track of my shipments in one place and I can pay my shipping bill monthly. For opening an account, I received a small discount (turned out to be around $6.00 on this shipment). Once you open an account a representative will start calling you immediately. Up to you whether you want to engage; however, if are planning on doing a lot of shipping I would talk to them because you can negotiate better rates if you meet a certain shipping volume. Also, know that if you use a FedEx ShipCenter to pack and ship your artwork the receipt they give you may not be the final charge to your account. FedEx can tack on extra fees later resulting in an unpleasant surprise. Get a rep with whomever you open an account with and make sure you understand their billing practices. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Prepare the Frame for Shipment\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You can bring the frame to your shipper as is, but I feel preparing it yourself is a better (and safer) business practice. I photographed Mark, our co-owner, preparing the referenced artwork for shipping using \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/s/frame-corner-protectors-12-pack.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">corner protectors\u003C/a> from Frame Destination. Corners are typically what gets damaged during transit and our corner protectors act as a cushion for all the bumps and dings that happen on your item’s journey. Mark is securing the corners with \u003Ca href=\"https://www.uline.com/Cls_03/Stretch-Wrap?keywords=stretch+wrap&SearchKeyword=Stretch%20wrap\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">stretch wrap\u003C/a>, which can be purchased at Uline and other packaging companies. He finished with a layer of bubble wrap (convex side facing the artwork), which can be purchased at numerous places. TIP: if you buy frames from us SAVE your packing materials! \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\">\u003Cimg width=\"640\" height=\"514\" data-public-id=\"blog/FD-BlogHero_ArtWithCorners/FD-BlogHero_ArtWithCorners.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_640,h_514,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1703188094/blog/FD-BlogHero_ArtWithCorners/FD-BlogHero_ArtWithCorners.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Corner protectors\" class=\"wp-post-8067 wp-image-8069\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:840px;height:auto\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1703188094\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\">\u003Cimg width=\"640\" height=\"640\" data-public-id=\"blog/FD-BlogHero_ArtWithBubbles/FD-BlogHero_ArtWithBubbles.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_640,h_640,c_fill,g_auto/f_auto,q_auto/v1703188091/blog/FD-BlogHero_ArtWithBubbles/FD-BlogHero_ArtWithBubbles.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"bubble wrap\" class=\"wp-post-8067 wp-image-8070\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:840px;height:auto\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1703188091\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Boxes + Handling Fees\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>FedEx sells boxes at their authorized ship center locations. If you aren’t shipping more than a few pieces a year this is probably the easiest option because you don’t need to worry about storing the boxes and shipping materials. For my framed artwork plus the corners and bubble, they used the \u003Ca href=\"https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/packing/supplies/boxes.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Medium framed art box\u003C/a>. You can determine your approximate box size and cost ahead of time by measuring the outside dimension of your framed artwork and adding 2 - 3 inches to each side. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>FedEx isn’t the only place to get boxes suitable for shipping artwork. Uline is the premier packaging company and they offer a wide variety of boxes including ones suitable for art. They do have to be purchased in quantity and shipped. U-Haul is another option. They have a mirror and picture moving box, and you can order and pick up boxes from them at your local U-Haul facility.  It’s a rather large box, but it’s possible you could cut it down to fit your artwork. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>FedEx, at least the one in Asheville, NC, charges a $10 handling fee for putting the art in a box, and they don’t add corner protectors. You can bypass this fee, and have more security about shipping your art, by buying the box in advance and preparing/boxing it yourself. When preparing it for shipment remember to pay attention to the corners, use protectors if you can, and make sure the wrapped frame is centered inside of the box with at least one inch, preferably 2-3 inches depending on the frame size, between all sides of the frame and the box. Add some additional packing material on all four sides such as crumpled paper. Also, \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/sh/standard-acrylic-1-10-inch.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">acrylic glazing\u003C/a> is always a safer choice when shipping than glass. Keep this in mind when you are framing your artwork if you think there is a possibility of shipping it to a customer. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"1024\" height=\"858\" data-public-id=\"blog/FD-BlogHero_Illustration/FD-BlogHero_Illustration.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_1024,h_858,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1703188087/blog/FD-BlogHero_Illustration/FD-BlogHero_Illustration.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Packing material illustration\" class=\"wp-post-8067 wp-image-8071\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1703188087\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dimensional Weight Shipping Fees\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I hate paying shipping as much as you do; however, after being in this business since 2004, I understand it. Shipping charges are based on dimensional weight, also known as volumetric weight, which is a pricing technique for commercial freight transport using an estimated weight that is calculated from the length, width, and height of a package. This means a large framed artwork that might only weigh a few pounds can cost a lot. Basically, they are charging you for how much space your artwork takes up in their truck or airplane. One of the best ways to control your dimensional weight is by packing your artwork in a box that’s closest to the size of your artwork while still providing adequate protection. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In summary, shipping artwork, just like framing it, is a whole other ballgame beyond creating the art. We at Frame Destination are here to help! Please feel free reach out to us at 972-479-1188 or info@framedestination.com.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Learn more about an additional option to keep your art protected with \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/for-professionals/clear-bags-saved-my-business\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Clear Bags\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Last Updated December 21, 2023\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Written by \u003Ca href=\"/info/joely-rogers-author.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Joely Rogers\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/c_lpad,dpr_2.0,q_auto/v1/media/wysiwyg/FD_Web-Joely_Painting.jpg?_i=AB\" style=\"float:left;height:100px;width:100px;padding:5px;\" alt=\"Joely Rogers\"> Joely C. Rogers is an artist/illustrator and writer living in the mountains of western North Carolina. She has professional training in both natural science illustration and the culinary arts, as well as graduate academic training in education, sociolinguistics, and folklore/storytelling. She is a Blue Ridge Naturalist candidate with the North Carolina Arboretum and a member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators.\u003C/p>\u003Cbr>\n\u003Cstyle>blog-post img {max-width:100%; height:auto;}\n.v-application .my-8 {display:none;}\n\u003C/style>\n\n\n\n\u003Cstyle>.blog-post img {max-width:100%; height:auto;}\n.has-fixed-layout {width:300px;margin:20px 0;}\ntable, th, td {\n  border: 1px solid black;\n}\n\u003C/style>\n","\u003Cp>I recently had my first solo exhibition at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts. The gallery’s policy is that all artwork must remain at the exhibit until after the show closes. One of the customers who purchased a framed artwork from me lives in another state and couldn’t make a return trip to pick […]\u003C/p>\n","2023-12-21T13:47:58",[169],{"name":140,"slug":154},{"url":171,"label":163},"https://frameblog.framedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/FD-BlogHero_Shipping.jpg",{"id":173,"title":174,"uri":175,"content":176,"excerpt":177,"date":178,"categories":179,"image":181},"cG9zdDo3NzA4","How to Pursue, Secure, and Prepare for an Art Show","/for-professionals/how-to-pursue-secure-and-prepare-for-an-art-show","\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Case Study: \"Night Creatures of Rainbow Mountain\"\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What do Bobcats, Flying Squirrels, and Eastern Screech Owls have in common? They all party in my backyard at night.\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Of course, I fully approve of these nocturnal revelers. We set up game cameras around our home on Rainbow Mountain in Montreat, North Carolina, just to capture images of the various animals roaming our property from dusk to dawn. From these photographs, I created\u003Cstrong> “Night Creatures of Rainbow Mountain\u003C/strong>” — a series of 30 digital illustrations depicting 16 wild animals within their natural environment, along with a corresponding portrait rendered in greater detail. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>The Why: \u003C/em>\u003C/strong>My goals were to raise awareness about the animals living in Montreat, educate the public about the key roles these animals play in a cove-forest ecosystem, and inspire a sense of wonder at the beauty and diversity of our Appalachian wildlife. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>The What: \u003C/em>\u003C/strong>I wanted to accomplish these goals through an art show where some of the proceeds would benefit \u003Ca href=\"https://www.appalachianwild.org\">Appalachian Wildlife Refuge\u003C/a>. As a professional artist, I planned to benefit financially as well, and crunched numbers on how best to make a profit while making my work accessible. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>The Call: \u003C/em>\u003C/strong>When Black Mountain Center for the Arts issued a call for submissions, I’d already laid some groundwork. I’d attended their shows, taken a few classes, and participated in two group exhibits. With a relationship built, I felt confident approaching the gallery with my “Night Creatures of Rainbow Mountain” work, knowing it would strike a chord with our nature-conscious community. And so I submitted my \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/resources/how-to-write-an-artist-statement\">artist statement\u003C/a>, my \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/resources/writing-artist-biography-vs-statement-why-you-need-both\">artist biography\u003C/a>, and a PDF discussing “The Why” and “The What.” The PDF included the images, their sizes, and how I would frame them. I did not suggest pricing because I wanted to discuss that with the gallery if my work was accepted. Fortunately, the gallery’s board of directors chose my work. Feeling grateful and excited, I designed the exhibit poster myself in Adobe Express, printing it via Vistaprint. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If you’re in my neighborhood this November, check out the exhibit. I hear there will be animal-themed cupcakes at the show! \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-medium-font-size\">\u003Cstrong>“Night Creatures of Rainbow Mountain” Exhibit\u003C/strong>\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-medium-font-size\">\u003Cstrong>Black Mountain Center for the Arts\u003C/strong>\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left has-medium-font-size\">\u003Cstrong>November 3 - November 26, 2023\u003C/strong>\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>What’s Ahead in This Post:\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>Tips for Approaching a Gallery\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>How to Memorably Tell Your Art Series Story\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Maximize Your Art’s Value with Quality Paper and Frames\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Gift Shop Prints: Choosing Which Artworks to Sell \u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Digital Illustration at a Glance\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Tips for Approaching a Gallery\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Do your homework. \u003C/em>\u003C/strong>Before you approach any gallery, you should research which ones are a good fit for your work. Don’t be afraid to look outside your immediate “comfort zone.” \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Go to gallery events. \u003C/em>\u003C/strong>There’s no better way to become familiar with a gallery’s audience than attending various events. If the gallery is too far away, peruse their social media to see recent work and gauge response from followers.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Beef up your social media and website. \u003C/em>\u003C/strong>Keep your website as up to date as possible, with titles, measurements, the medium used, and descriptions. Instagram and Facebook are great ways to create an even more \"current\" vibe; you can share time-lapses of your work in progress or short videos where you talk about what inspired a particular piece. People love a good story — and seeing the artist behind the art.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Make a shareable portfolio. \u003C/em>\u003C/strong>Rather than sending a gallery director to your website and expecting them to follow through, include a PDF directly in your email. The PDF should comprise the proposed works you’d like to show, any previous sales, your \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/resources/how-to-write-an-artist-statement\">artist statement\u003C/a>, and your \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/resources/writing-artist-biography-vs-statement-why-you-need-both\">artist biography\u003C/a>. Keep your email brief, friendly, and professional. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>How to Memorably Tell Your Art Series Story\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If you’re an artist, you know how passion influences your work. For me, “Night Creatures” was an ideal assignment: It combined my professional training in natural science illustration, my graduate academic training in education and storytelling, and my overall affection for beings that crawl, climb, hop, and fly. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Organizing the Critters: My Cast of Characters\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When you have multiple pieces in a series, the first step is to organize the work. I asked myself, “How do I share this ‘wild’ story in a systemized, yet interesting, way?” Then I came up with groupings and titles that hint at each animal’s role and personality. For example, the Luna Moth in the featured image (top of article) begged for the title \u003Cstrong>“Night Dreamers.”\u003C/strong> A large, brightly colored insect found in broadleaf forests, Luna Moths are named after Luna, the Roman moon goddess. Most human interactions with these elusive winged creatures occur when artificial light sources attract them. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Meet the Stalkers, Singers, Flyers, and Hustlers\u003C/strong> \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Let’s meet a few more of my backyard buddies… \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"1468\" height=\"1100\" data-public-id=\"blog/FD_Blog-IMG_4up/FD_Blog-IMG_4up.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_1468,h_1100,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1695842704/blog/FD_Blog-IMG_4up/FD_Blog-IMG_4up.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Abstract Wildlife Art\" class=\"wp-post-7708 wp-image-7745\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1695842704\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Clockwise from top left:\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp> ~ \u003Cstrong>“Night Flyers” \u003C/strong>(aka, Southern Flying Squirrels), cover up to 150 feet per glide and disperse seeds, nuts, and fungi as they forage year-round.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>~ \u003Cstrong>“Night Hustlers” \u003C/strong>(aka, American Raccoons) are intelligent scavengers. Their extremely sensitive front paws have specialized hairs that identify objects by touch.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>~ \u003Cstrong>“Night Tricksters”\u003C/strong> comprise two types of foxes. The American Red Fox is a playful creature who can run up to 30 mph while evading predators. Gray Foxes are a bit smaller and have retractable claws that allow them to climb trees, making them more adaptable to certain ecosystems.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>~ Iconic American Black Bears are our \u003Cstrong>“Night Walkers.” \u003C/strong>Omnivores who will walk up to 20 hours during their hyperphagia feeding phase, Black Bears play an important role in the ecosystem as seed dispersal agents.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>All four of the above prints measure 16”W x 12”H, with an outside frame size of 22”W x 18”H. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Maximize Your Art’s Value with Quality Paper and Frames\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Do you really need to use the highest quality materials? In my experience, yes. You’ve worked hard to create a one-of-a-kind work of art, spending untold hours and diving deep into your unique imagination. Why would you showcase your masterpiece in anything less than the very best light? Answer: You wouldn’t, and you shouldn’t!\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Taking my own advice to heart, I printed all 30 “Night Creatures of Rainbow Mountain” exhibit images with archival ink on \u003Cstrong>Epson Hot Press Natural Paper \u003C/strong>— an acid-free 100% cotton rag content with a natural smooth finish. I’ve hand-signed, dated, and framed the images using the components listed below.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/frame/wood-frame-profile-532.html\">Wood Profile 532 in Satin Pewter\u003C/a> ~ Neutral frames can enhance your art, rather than distract from it by looking “amateurish.” Black, white, and gray are great choices.\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/mat/crescent-select-4ply.html\">Crescent Select 4Ply Window Mat Boards\u003C/a> ~ As the “frame within the frame,” matting draws in the viewer’s eye and helps create the mood and substance of your art. I created a double mat: the top mat is white while the bottom has a colored border.\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/sh/acid-free-3-16-foam-board.html\">Acid Free 3/16\" Foam Board\u003C/a> ~ Although 1/8” is also an option, a 3/16” backing board is less likely to warp, providing additional stability for large picture frames.\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/sh/uv-non-glare-acrylic-1-10-inch.html\">UV/Non-Glare Acrylic\u003C/a> ~ For larger works, UV/Non-Glare is a nice lightweight option and less prone to breaking than glass.\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/ck/fs1-framespace-spacers-cut-to-size-3-16-air-gap.html\">Spacer - Black FS1\u003C/a> ~ Picture frame spacers do just as their name suggests — they add space within the frame, which prevents frame glazing from contacting your art and potentially causing damage.\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/c/wood-frame-hanging-kit.html\">Wood Frame Hanging Kit\u003C/a> ~ This kit includes adhesive bumpers to protect your frame and wall.\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Below we see my “Bobcat” image both unframed and framed. As \u003Cstrong>“Night Stalkers,” \u003C/strong> Bobcats (or wildcats) are territorial and typically solitary when it’s not breeding season. They’re carnivores and help maintain reasonable population numbers of animals like rodents and rabbits.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-public-id=\"blog/BobcatFinal/BobcatFinal.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_1024,h_1024,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1695753295/blog/BobcatFinal/BobcatFinal.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Bobcat Illustration Art\" class=\"wp-post-7708 wp-image-7711\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1695753295\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>“Bobcat” // Print Size 14”W x 14”H // Outside Frame Size 20”W x 20”H\u003C/em>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Gift Shop Prints: Choosing Which Artworks to Sell\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>During an exhibition, many art shows offer matted prints in smaller sizes presented in clear bags for sale in their gift shops. After conducting an informal Facebook survey, I chose 10 images with the highest votes. I matted these prints using cheaper, non-archival materials for cost-conscious individuals. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Now let’s look at the medium that inspired all this work!\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Digital Illustration at a Glance\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Digital illustration uses computer technology to craft artworks from scratch — as opposed to scanned art or digital photos. Rather than using pencil, ink, or paint on paper or canvas, the artist uses a variety of tools like a mouse, stylus, or other digital devices.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Mathematician and computer scientist \u003Cstrong>Frieder Nake \u003C/strong>was one of the world’s first digital artists. He used a finely tuned drawing machine to create over 300 “aesthetic drawings” in the 1960s. Another early adopter of this new art form was \u003Cstrong>Susan Kare\u003C/strong>, best known for creating pixel art and icons for maiden Apple Macintosh computers in the early 1980s.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Now that technology has caught up with our collective imagination, digital art is pervasive across the globe. Today’s top digital artists include \u003Cstrong>Mike Winkelmann, aka “Beeple,”\u003C/strong> famous for selling a portion of his works for $98 million. Check out our article on \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/resources/digital-illustration-as-an-art-medium\">Digital Art\u003C/a> to see artworks of past and present digital artists.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Are You Inspired?\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I hope my “Night Creatures of Rainbow Mountain” case study equips you with the steps and the inspiration to pursue, secure, and prepare your own art show — whether it’s digital art or another medium. If I can do this, you can too! Share your story with us when you do. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Bonus Tips and Further Reading:\u003C/em>\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/resources/5-tips-for-a-successful-gallery-show\">5 Tips for a Successful Gallery Show \u003C/a>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/for-professionals/how-to-inventory-your-art\">How to Inventory Your Art\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/for-professionals/tips-for-framing-art-for-a-gallery-show\">Tips for Framing Art for a Gallery Show\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/resources/writing-artist-biography-vs-statement-why-you-need-both\">Writing an Artist Biography vs. Statement: Why You Need Both\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Last updated September 28, 2023\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Written by \u003Ca href=\"/info/joely-rogers-author.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Joely Rogers\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/c_lpad,dpr_2.0,q_auto/v1/media/wysiwyg/FD_Web-Joely_Painting.jpg?_i=AB\" style=\"float:left;height:100px;width:100px;padding:5px;\" alt=\"Joely Rogers\"> Joely C. Rogers is an artist/illustrator and writer living in the mountains of western North Carolina. She has professional training in both natural science illustration and the culinary arts, as well as graduate academic training in education, sociolinguistics, and folklore/storytelling. She is a Blue Ridge Naturalist candidate with the North Carolina Arboretum and a member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators.\u003C/p>\u003Cbr>\n\u003Cstyle>blog-post img {max-width:100%; height:auto;}\n.v-application .my-8 {display:none;}\n\u003C/style>\n","\u003Cp>Case Study: “Night Creatures of Rainbow Mountain” What do Bobcats, Flying Squirrels, and Eastern Screech Owls have in common? They all party in my backyard at night. Of course, I fully approve of these nocturnal revelers. We set up game cameras around our home on Rainbow Mountain in Montreat, North Carolina, just to capture images […]\u003C/p>\n","2023-09-26T13:39:58",[180],{"name":140,"slug":154},{"url":182,"label":183},"https://frameblog.framedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/FD-BlogHero_Exhibit_B.jpg","",{"id":185,"title":186,"uri":187,"content":188,"excerpt":189,"date":190,"categories":191,"image":193},"cG9zdDo2NTky","Affordable Art for Small Spaces and Small Budgets","/for-professionals/affordable-art-for-small-spaces","\n\u003Cp>As an artist I enjoy creating my own work but I also love to see what other artists make. I wish I had the financial resources to be an art collector! I have done a lot of thinking about this and realized I have limited space as well as limited funds. Does this mean I can not support and enjoy other artists? Does becoming an art collector mean I have to buy expensive, large pieces of art?\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hand Pulled Prints to the Rescue\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I may not be able to afford large works with high price tags but I realized there is an art form out there I can afford. Printmaking! I am not talking about computer reproductions or giclee prints. I am talking about etchings, engravings, linoleum and wood cuts, mono prints and more. In some cases it requires an etching press. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There are many different forms of traditional printmaking. It is exciting because there are so many fabulous contemporary printmakers producing hand-pulled prints and the price point is affordable! I started collecting and I am hooked!\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a Solar Etching?\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In college I took printmaking and learned all the different processes and enjoyed creating limited editions. The draw backs for me were the acids and chemicals involved in printmaking. They can be toxic and harmful to both the artist and the environment.  I stopped working as a printmaker because of this. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In 2017 I discovered a form of etching I fell in love with! It is called Solar Etching or Photo Gravure. This modern day technique for printmakers allows the artist to blend current technology with traditional techniques. An artist creates the image in whatever media/technique they like. The original (which can be sold as a One of a Kind) is  scanned into an editing program. I use Adobe Photoshop. I convert my image to greyscale and then work with polymer plates which have a light sensitive coating. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The image is transferred to the plate, exposed to UV light, and then washed. The areas where there are tonal values become “indented or etched” into the plate and become ready for inking. Each plate can produce anywhere from 20-50 images before the plate is no longer viable. Each one is hand inked and hand-pulled by the printmaker, creating a limited edition. Afterwards the artist can opt to leave the print as a single color (monochromatic) or it can be hand tinted with multiple colors. I love hand tinting my etchings for an even more incredible bonus! Each one is made by me and is unique….. and affordable! Win! Win!   \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Here is a short little video on hand pulling the print: \u003Ca href=\"https://youtu.be/L8ctRBW4OnE\">What is a Solar Etching?\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Framing Etching or Prints\u003C/h2>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Most of the prints I purchase are found online through Instagram, Etsy, ArtFinder etc. The artist ships the art flat or rolled in a tube. When it gets to me I have the task of framing it. This can be daunting for people with no framing experience. I have been framing my original art as well as my limited edition etchings for years. It has saved me thousands of dollars. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I found Frame Destination awhile ago and was so impressed at how easy (and affordable) it was for me to pick out a frame, mat, glazing etc. Their website makes it super simple to order and assembly is easy too!\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I am in the process of updating my \u003Ca href=\"https://www.mindylighthipefineart.com/collections/92870\">website\u003C/a> to offer my Solar Etchings. I call it, “Affordable Art for Small Spaces”. I am partnering with Frame Destination to offer a framing solution for customers who purchase my etchings and need to do the framing themselves. I like simple elegant frames for my prints and really like the option of either a \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/frame/wood-frame-profile-502b.html\">solid wood black frame #502b\u003C/a> or the \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/frame/wood-frame-profile-554.html\">white distressed wood frame #554\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Here you can view my “how -to” video on measuring the art, choosing a mat, ordering the frame and final assembly to get the art framed and on the wall!\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\u003Cdiv class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n\u003Ciframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Framing Your Prints and Etchings - DIY Guide With Mindy Lighthipe\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/XjoUX2Eadhw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C/iframe>\n\u003C/div>\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Author\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Learn more about the author and see more of her work in our Artie’s Eight Artist Spotlight featuring \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/arties-eight/mindy-lighthipe-spotlight\">Mindy\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Last Updated November 1, 2022\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cstyle>\n.wp-block-embed__wrapper {\nposition: relative;\npadding-bottom: 56.25%;\nheight:0;\noverflow:hidden !important;\n}\n.wp-block-embed__wrapper iframe {\nposition: absolute;\n    top: 0;\n    left: 0;\n    width: 100%;\n    height: 100%;\n}\n.wp-embed-aspect-16-9 {max-width:640px;}\n\u003C/style>\n","\u003Cp>As an artist I enjoy creating my own work but I also love to see what other artists make. I wish I had the financial resources to be an art collector! I have done a lot of thinking about this and realized I have limited space as well as limited funds. Does this mean I […]\u003C/p>\n","2022-11-01T10:16:26",[192],{"name":140,"slug":154},{"url":194,"label":183},"https://frameblog.framedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/FD-BlogHero_Alumni_MLighthipe3.jpg",{"id":196,"title":197,"uri":198,"content":199,"excerpt":200,"date":201,"categories":202,"image":204},"cG9zdDo2NDcy","Black & White Fine Art Photography","/for-professionals/black-white-fine-art-photography","\n\u003Cp>I have seemingly always had an affinity for “black & white.” My first Schwinn bicycle was black; several of my early cars were white; \u003Cem>all\u003C/em> my cars for the past 23 years have been black, and I recently ordered a new Jeep in yes, white with a black top. Has this lifelong attraction guided me to create black and white art? I don’t know, but what I do know is that I feel something in my black and white work that- to me - is missing in traditional color prints. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>All too often you may see a print that someone “converted” from color “just to be B&W” …\u003Cem>and it shows\u003C/em>. Just making a color image B&W is not creating black and white art, and that is why you see many black and white images with little to no contrast, definition, or impact.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\">\u003Cimg width=\"800\" height=\"719\" data-public-id=\"blog/BobbyBaker_First-Encounter-4-1/BobbyBaker_First-Encounter-4-1.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_800,h_719,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1665009119/blog/BobbyBaker_First-Encounter-4-1/BobbyBaker_First-Encounter-4-1.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-6472 wp-image-6496\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1665009119\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003Cfigcaption>\"First Encounter\"\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Seeing in Black and White\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I believe that key to creating black and white art is in “seeing” in black and white well before the shutter “click”… of being able to recognize the opportunity to render an image that will resonate in black and white; of being able to see the right contrast in shadows and light; seeing varying degrees of gray and securing a simplicity of subject that will allow the story to live…all while viewing your subject in color. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I do recognize that not \u003Cem>every\u003C/em> subject or situation may work well in black and white. I think that many would argue that sunsets should usually be rendered in color to capture that special moment, but that’s not always the case, at least not for me. Here is a quote from a magazine executive regarding one of my black and white sunset pieces: “You never fail to impress me how you can capture a sunset, and in a black & white format, make it as, or more, stunning than real life.” That is always my goal in creating my black and white art – “to make it as, or more, stunning than real life.” A lofty target, but so much fun to aim for!\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003Cimg width=\"800\" height=\"740\" data-public-id=\"blog/BobbyBaker_On_Coast_Guard_Beach-1/BobbyBaker_On_Coast_Guard_Beach-1.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_800,h_740,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1665009181/blog/BobbyBaker_On_Coast_Guard_Beach-1/BobbyBaker_On_Coast_Guard_Beach-1.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-6472 wp-image-6498\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1665009181\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003Cfigcaption>\"On Coast Guard Beach\"\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The Creative Mind’s Eye\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Shooting in RAW does retain color when downloading the files, but I find that when I am processing my files for slight edits and adjustments and that when I press the “black and white” tab in Lightroom, I am usually not surprised at what I see as I have seen this image before I created it. While in the field I recognized the desired subject, contrast, the light and shadows needed to render a dynamic piece in black and white. Yes, there are rare times that after pressing that button I don’t see what “I saw” …and that tells me that at the moment of “click” I missed something and the end result didn’t match my creative mind. Those occasions are a disappointment, but you do learn from it and that is \u003Cem>always \u003C/em>one of the coolest things of creating in photography. It is rewarding to figure out what was missing on the images that didn’t make the cut; Was it a poor choice of subject? Was it misjudging the light, the shadows, the contrast, or all the above? Or did I simply see something different in my mind’s eye that my real eyes just didn’t capture? If you find yourself in a similar position breaking down that image to scrutinize each element, each camera setting, is a great learning tool…or you may just eventually find yourself asking, “\u003Cem>What was I thinking when I took that\u003C/em>?” It happens.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003Cimg width=\"800\" height=\"770\" data-public-id=\"blog/BobbyBaker_Wood_Neck_Sunset-1/BobbyBaker_Wood_Neck_Sunset-1.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_800,h_770,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1665009223/blog/BobbyBaker_Wood_Neck_Sunset-1/BobbyBaker_Wood_Neck_Sunset-1.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-6472 wp-image-6499\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1665009223\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003Cfigcaption>\"Wood Neck Sunset\"\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>The Timelessness of Black and White\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Black and white photography transcends time. We look at B&W images taken 50 or more years ago, and they still work…\u003Cem>and they work well.\u003C/em> In today’s glut of social media color images pouring out of iPhones and such, most of those color images don’t stay in your mind but for a few minutes if that.  Of course, there are photographers doing great work in color, but I believe its just harder than ever for even very good color work to stand out in the current sea of color images easily found online, etc. To me, social media has created just as much harm to photography as it has provided incredible viewership.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In my gallery I will often hear one speak of how they love black and white art. Maybe it’s a longing for a style of yesterday, the timelessness of black & white; or maybe in a world encumbered with so many over saturated color images dominating social media and ostensibly everywhere else, the contrast of black and white art brings a freshness to offset so much sameness…or yet perhaps creating in black and white allows the viewer of this art to mentally color outside the lines for themselves.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s usually not the best idea to be different just to be different but being good \u003Cem>and different\u003C/em> on a cluttered stage has its virtues.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Best Frames for Black and White Art\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>My gallery walls feature many prints in Frame Destination’s \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/frame/wood-frame-profile-503.html\">Black Wood Frame Profile 503\u003C/a>. This tall picture frame moulding completes the gallery look. Its slender, 3/4-inch wide face shows off the actual texture of the wood, but in a subtle way making this frame a complement to the elegance of black and white photography.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003Cimg width=\"1000\" height=\"1007\" data-public-id=\"blog/FD_Blog_BobbyBaker_Fence-In/FD_Blog_BobbyBaker_Fence-In.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_1000,h_1007,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1664998474/blog/FD_Blog_BobbyBaker_Fence-In/FD_Blog_BobbyBaker_Fence-In.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-6472 wp-image-6475\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1664998474\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003Cfigcaption>“Fenced In” - Custom framed in \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/frame/wood-frame-profile-s24.html\">Profile S24\u003C/a> in Matte White\u003C/figcaption>\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For a more dramatic look, I frame with \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/frame/wood-frame-profile-s24.html\">White Wood Frame Profile S24\u003C/a>. Suitable for canvases as well as matted prints due to its deep 1 5/16-inch rabbet, this frame is a timeless accent. Its 1-inch wide face and stark white or black color can make any piece of artwork a statement piece.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Author\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Learn more about the author and see more of his work in our Artie’s Eight Artist Spotlight featuring \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/arties-eight/bob-baker-spotlight\">Bobby Baker\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>All images ©️Bobby Baker Fine Art\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Last Updated October 5, 2022\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cstyle>.blog-post img {max-width:100%; height:auto;}\n.has-fixed-layout {width:300px;margin:20px 0;}\ntable, th, td {\n  border: 1px solid black;\n}\n\u003C/style>\n","\u003Cp>I have seemingly always had an affinity for “black & white.” My first Schwinn bicycle was black; several of my early cars were white; all my cars for the past 23 years have been black, and I recently ordered a new Jeep in yes, white with a black top. Has this lifelong attraction guided me […]\u003C/p>\n","2022-10-05T17:01:15",[203],{"name":140,"slug":154},{"url":205,"label":183},"https://frameblog.framedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/FD-BlogHero_Alumni_BobbyBaker3.jpg",{"id":207,"title":208,"uri":209,"content":210,"excerpt":211,"date":212,"categories":213,"image":215},"cG9zdDo2MzY4","How to Use a Museum Mounting Kit","/for-professionals/how-to-use-a-museum-mounting-kit","\n\u003Cp>You don’t have to be a museum professional to use a museum mounting kit. Professional artists and photographers often prefer this method when mounting their original pieces for clients. Other examples are collectors who purchased artworks at an auction, movie buffs who want to mount a limited-edition poster, and sports fans who scored keepsake tickets to a championship game. In other words, anyone in possession of a valuable piece of art is qualified to preserve that art in the most effective way possible. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Even though I fit into the professional artist category, I’m also someone who has a few boxes full of sentimentally valuable items tucked away in a closet. One box in particular holds items I fully intend to mount and display ... someday. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Someday Finally Came\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>In this blog post, I’m focusing on how to use our \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/s/museum-mounting-kit.html\">Museum Mounting Kit\u003C/a> to mount my grandfather’s hand-written plant identification cards. I wrote about these cards in a \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/diy/the-best-way-to-preserve-old-documents-plants-and-keepsakes\">blog on preservation\u003C/a> a few years ago. They’ve been safely stored inside an \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/c/archival-photo-storage-box-acid-free.html\">archival photo storage box\u003C/a> for the last six years.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Since I wrote the article, we’ve purchased a new home and finally have the wall space to frame and display some of these carefully crafted plant ID cards — a precious gift to someone like me who loves plants and makes a living illustrating them.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Our \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/s/museum-mounting-kit.html\">Museum Mounting Kit\u003C/a> is manufactured by Lineco and it contains the same materials used by museum professionals to mount valuable pieces of art. The kit comes with full, detailed instructions. But I thought it might be helpful to give you a preview, so I’ll share the kit components and what can be done with them before you spend any money. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Each Kit Contains\u003C/em>\u003C/strong>:\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>Pure wheat starch (powder)\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Japanese hinging paper \u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Blotting paper \u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Mylar\u003Csup>®\u003C/sup> separation sheets \u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Linen tape for hinging the window mat to the backboard\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"2000\" height=\"1441\" data-public-id=\"blog/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-1/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-1.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_2000,h_1441,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1663875802/blog/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-1/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-1.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Museum Art Mounting Kit\" class=\"wp-post-6368 wp-image-6369\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1663875802\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Additional Supplies You'll Need:\u003C/em>\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>Small glass jar\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Water (preferably distilled, filtered, or deionized)\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Spoon or wooden stirring stick \u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Standard paintbrush (can be inexpensive, but should be new vs. old and frayed or it might blend paint onto the hinges)  \u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Fractional ruler and 2B graphite pencil (optional) \u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Small, fine-mesh strainer (optional)\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>\u003Cem>Tips Before You Begin:\u003C/em>\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Col class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>Get all your mounting materials ready first: Make the wheat starch adhesive and tear the Japanese hinging paper in your desired size. \u003C/li>\n\u003C/ol>\n\n\n\n\u003Col class=\"wp-block-list\" start=\"2\">\n\u003Cli>Position your artwork using a fractional ruler and pencil to mark dimensions, if necessary, before beginning the mounting process. \u003C/li>\n\u003C/ol>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Making the Wheat Starch Adhesive\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Wheat starch powder is used to make wheat starch paste, a special type of glue used for adhering paper to artwork. It is a traditional, archival, and non-toxic product used in picture framing. You can make wheat starch paste on a stovetop; I used a small glass jar in the microwave for this project. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Per Lineco’s instructions, I used six teaspoons of water per one teaspoon of wheat starch. Add the water to a container — in my case a small glass jar — and slowly add the wheat starch, mixing until completely blended. Microwave on medium-high uncovered, checking every 10 seconds until the paste thickens. It took about 40 seconds for mine. Cover the paste and let stand until it cools into a semi-solid mass. You can double or triple the amount if you have a lot of mounting to do, but I had plenty for this mounting project. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\">\u003Cimg width=\"800\" height=\"812\" data-public-id=\"blog/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-2/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-2.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_800,h_812,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1663876034/blog/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-2/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-2.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Art adhesive glue\" class=\"wp-post-6368 wp-image-6370\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1663876034\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The Lineco instructions say to strain through a fine-mesh strainer. Since I didn’t have one available, I just diluted the paste with a little water when I was making the hinges. To do it the proper way, you can buy a small fine-mesh strainer at a local cooking store. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Store the paste in a cool, dark place and discard within two to five days or when you detect a sour smell. My paste lasted a solid week, but I live in a cool climate (western North Carolina) and kept it in our basement. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hinging the Plant ID Cards\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I decided to frame three of the \u003Cem>Ilex\u003C/em> (holly) genus plant ID cards since holly is one of my favorite plants. For this demonstration, I chose the \u003Cem>Ilex vomitoria \u003C/em>(Yaupon Holly), a beautiful southeastern tree with bright red berries, which are an important food source for birds. Bees produce a delicious honey from its flowers and the leaves makes a type of \u003Ca href=\"https://yauponbrothers.com/\">caffeinated tea\u003C/a> that happens to be the only naturally caffeinated herbal tea commercially harvested in North America. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The hinges for this project were created using Japanese hinging paper, which is a high-quality paper made from mulberry tree fibers. I used a T-hinge to mount the plant ID card to the mount board. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>T-hinges are used when the hinge can be hidden by a window mat. They are among the easier art mounting techniques. The trick is to line up your artwork properly on the mount board. I recommend using a fractional ruler to get a proper alignment unless you are good at eyeballing dimensions.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Below is an illustration of a proper T-hinge configuration. The pendant hinge is secured to the print first, and then strengthened by the application of a crosspiece, making a hinge shaped like the letter “T.” The entire T-hinge is then covered by a window mat board.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003Cimg width=\"800\" height=\"800\" data-public-id=\"blog/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-3/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-3.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_800,h_800,c_fill,g_auto/f_auto,q_auto/v1663876168/blog/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-3/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-3.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"T-Hinge Photo or Art\" class=\"wp-post-6368 wp-image-6371\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1663876168\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Wearing gloves to protect my mounting materials from the oils on my hands, I tore the Japanese hinging paper into (loosely) pre-measured strips. My aim was to place them to the left and right of the “Plant Materials” card title to avoid the hole punches. I typically prefer to cut my hinges with scissors; however, Lineco states that tearing the Japanese paper results in a feathered look that makes the hinges less visible. I’m not sure it matters because they are covered, but I tried it for this blog post.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"1661\" height=\"800\" data-public-id=\"blog/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-4/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-4.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_1661,h_800,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1663876282/blog/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-4/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-4.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Photograph mounting adhesive\" class=\"wp-post-6368 wp-image-6372\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1663876282\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Using a standard (inexpensive) fine art paint brush, I applied the wheat starch adhesive to the back of the pendant hinges and let them dry for about five minutes. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"1661\" height=\"800\" data-public-id=\"blog/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-5/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-5.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_1661,h_800,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1663876476/blog/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-5/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-5.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"Plant ID card\" class=\"wp-post-6368 wp-image-6373\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1663876476\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>After the pendants finished drying, I affixed them adhesive side down to the back of the plant ID card, using the blotting paper to soak up extra adhesive. Keeping the blotting paper over the pendant hinges, I placed a metal weight on top and allowed them to dry for approximately 30 minutes.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"1661\" height=\"800\" data-public-id=\"blog/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-6/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-6.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_1661,h_800,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1663876749/blog/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-6/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-6.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"paper\" class=\"wp-post-6368 wp-image-6374\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1663876749\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>When the pendants finished drying, I applied wheat starch paste to the back of the crosspieces and laid them over the secured pendant hinges, using the blotting paper to soak up any extra adhesive. I again placed the metal weight on top of the crosspiece during a 30-minute drying period.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"1661\" height=\"800\" data-public-id=\"blog/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-7/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-7.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_1661,h_800,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1663876838/blog/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-7/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-7.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"press\" class=\"wp-post-6368 wp-image-6375\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1663876838\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Once it was mounted and dried, I added the window mat and framed it. I plan to frame the rest of the \u003Cem>Ilex\u003C/em> genus plant ID cards and display them an area of our home where I can enjoy memories of my grandfather daily.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"1661\" height=\"800\" data-public-id=\"blog/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-8/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-8.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_1661,h_800,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1663876976/blog/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-8/FD-Blog_MuseumMounting-8.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"mounted paper in frame\" class=\"wp-post-6368 wp-image-6376\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1663876976\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cem>NOTE:\u003C/em> The Lineco instructions included in the Museum Mounting Kit describe how to use a V-hinge. I did not use a V-hinge for this mounting application, so the Mylar\u003Csup>®\u003C/sup> separation sheets weren’t needed. Also, because this image was so small (8½” W x 5½” H), I didn’t think the linen tape for hinging the window mat to the backboard was necessary. I’d suggest using it for a larger image though. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>About the Frames and Components \u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>All frames are \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/frame/nielsen-profile-15.html\">metal Profile 15\u003C/a> in Frosted Bronze. I used our \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/sh/acid-free-1-8-foam-board.html\">acid free 1/8\" foam board\u003C/a> as backer and \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/sh/uv-filter-acrylic-1-10-inch.html\">UV Filter Acrylic 1/10”\u003C/a> as glazing. For the mat boards, I used \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/prod/mat/crescent-4ply-ragmat-museum.html\">Crescent 4-Ply Ragmat Museum mat board\u003C/a> in Archival Mist. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cstrong>Now It’s Your Turn!\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Which vintage keepsakes of yours deserve to be displayed and enjoyed? I hope this article inspires you to give it a try. Like I said earlier, the instructions included within our Museum Mounting Kit are much more detailed. If you have any questions along the way, please feel free to reach out to customer service at 972-479-1188 or \u003Ca href=\"mailto:info@framesdestination.com\">info@framedestination.com\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Last Updated September 22, 202\u003C/strong>3\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Written by \u003Ca href=\"/info/joely-rogers-author.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Joely Rogers\u003C/a>\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>\u003Cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/c_lpad,dpr_2.0,q_auto/v1/media/wysiwyg/FD_Web-Joely_Painting.jpg?_i=AB\" style=\"float:left;height:100px;width:100px;padding:5px;\" alt=\"Joely Rogers\"> Joely C. Rogers is an artist/illustrator and writer living in the mountains of western North Carolina. She has professional training in both natural science illustration and the culinary arts, as well as graduate academic training in education, sociolinguistics, and folklore/storytelling. She is a Blue Ridge Naturalist candidate with the North Carolina Arboretum and a member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators.\u003C/p>\u003Cbr>\n\u003Cstyle>blog-post img {max-width:100%; height:auto;}\n.v-application .my-8 {display:none;}\n\u003C/style>\n","\u003Cp>You don’t have to be a museum professional to use a museum mounting kit. Professional artists and photographers often prefer this method when mounting their original pieces for clients. Other examples are collectors who purchased artworks at an auction, movie buffs who want to mount a limited-edition poster, and sports fans who scored keepsake tickets […]\u003C/p>\n","2022-09-23T14:27:14",[214],{"name":140,"slug":154},{"url":216,"label":183},"https://frameblog.framedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/FD-BlogHero_MuseumMounting.jpg",{"id":218,"title":219,"uri":220,"content":221,"excerpt":222,"date":223,"categories":224,"image":226},"cG9zdDo2MDMy","Basics of Landscape Photography","/for-professionals/basics-of-landscape-photography","\n\u003Cp>I have always appreciated the beauty of nature and the awe-inspiring feeling it gives me. It’s why I photograph landscapes and it’s why I live in California.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>With any type of photo shoot there should always be meaning or a story behind it. The story acts as motivation for all that comes after whether it’s a fashion shoot or landscape.  For my landscape photography I choose a location that I feel evokes a feeling or mood and I ask myself if it’s an image I would like to hang on my wall. I come up with ideas for locations, colors and over all vibe that I want to create by deciding if I want full sun or a cloudy moody day, sunrise or sunset. I also allow inspiration to strike while on location. This is all part of preparation for the photoshoot.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The below image was taken in Maui. I wanted to capture the vibe and culture of the Hawaiian people. Every morning from my balcony I could see these canoes coasting by at top speed, it has been part of the Hawaiian culture dating back centuries, so this was inspiration that came to me while on location in Maui.  I’m always exploring and trying to find something new and interesting.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\">\u003Cimg width=\"840\" height=\"560\" data-public-id=\"blog/MorningCanoe_Maui_KorbinBielski-1-24/MorningCanoe_Maui_KorbinBielski-1-24.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_840,h_560,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1661443258/blog/MorningCanoe_Maui_KorbinBielski-1-24/MorningCanoe_Maui_KorbinBielski-1-24.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-6032 wp-image-6033\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1661443258\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Equipment\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>You will need the proper tools to get the best images not necessarily the best, most expensive equipment. Work with what you have, but there are some basics. A wide angle lens, I use a Nikon 16-35 mm and a lens that will get you closer to the subject as well, like a 50 mm or higher and a tripod. A tripod will help get straight angles as well as avoid camera shake and give you the opportunity to shoot with a long exposure. A good camera bag is great as well, if you are walking a long distance or hiking I suggest a backpack camera bag, one that you can strap your tripod to as well. If I’m traveling away from home I like to have my laptop with me so I can import all of my photos from the day and If I have time I start the retouching process in Lightroom. I always shoot in RAW so I have complete control of my photos in Lightroom.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" data-public-id=\"blog/MissingSummit_KorbinBielski-1-30/MissingSummit_KorbinBielski-1-30.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_1200,h_800,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1661443256/blog/MissingSummit_KorbinBielski-1-30/MissingSummit_KorbinBielski-1-30.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-6032 wp-image-6034\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1661443256\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Travel\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Traveling is a great way to capture landscapes that most people can’t get to or have only dreamed of.  It’s also a great way to challenge yourself and grow as a photographer.  I recently traveled to Maui a place I have never been, so I didn’t know the island.  I did as much research on line before I went, so I knew the places I wanted to go.  There is plenty of information on the internet that will tell you the best places to shoot and I will use those as guides then from there I find what inspires me. I will also walk or drive around exploring new places that I find interesting enough to shoot. It’s important to get outside of your comfort zone and explore!\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I create a shot list in a word document before each trip that I print, it’s just easier for me to have a hard copy on me, especially if I’m doing a lot of driving. The shot list has a day to day list so that I can keep on track and make sure I shoot everything I had planned. I list the day, time I want to shoot the location and address as well as what the significant landmark is, a tree or rock formation, etc. I will also note how I want to shoot it, sunrise, bright day light, overcast for a moody look or sunset to create interesting shadows. You can’t control the weather conditions, but you can get an idea of what it may be like depending on time of year and time of day.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\">\u003Cimg width=\"840\" height=\"560\" data-public-id=\"blog/DrivingAboveTheClouds_KorbinBielski-1-32/DrivingAboveTheClouds_KorbinBielski-1-32.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_840,h_560,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1661443255/blog/DrivingAboveTheClouds_KorbinBielski-1-32/DrivingAboveTheClouds_KorbinBielski-1-32.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-6032 wp-image-6035\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1661443255\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" data-public-id=\"blog/RelaxingUnderPalmTrees_Maui_KorbinBielski-1-36/RelaxingUnderPalmTrees_Maui_KorbinBielski-1-36.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_1200,h_800,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1661443252/blog/RelaxingUnderPalmTrees_Maui_KorbinBielski-1-36/RelaxingUnderPalmTrees_Maui_KorbinBielski-1-36.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-6032 wp-image-6036\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1661443252\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Post Production\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Retouching your photos is one of the most important part of landscape photography.  Most photos come out of the camera pretty flat and I always shoot RAW so that I have more control over my photos. Retouching is very subjective, some people like an HDR or a very saturated look and some like a more natural look or a classic black and white scene.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" data-public-id=\"blog/StandingStrong-38/StandingStrong-38.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_1200,h_800,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1661443251/blog/StandingStrong-38/StandingStrong-38.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-6032 wp-image-6037\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1661443251\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There are plenty of presets out there that you can purchase or use directly in Lightroom, post production is all part of the creative process, so play around and create your own style. There are so many variables but it comes down to the look and feeling you want to evoke.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Once you have your images retouched it’s time to share them with the world!  Get a professional website like Square Space or if you plan on selling them I would suggest Shopify. I use both, but for selling Shopify is the best.  Share your images on social media, this will help you gauge what people like and maybe what they don’t like as much.  It’s really just for learning don’t read too much into social media and peoples opinions.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Travel near or travel far, but get out and take photos of things that inspire you!\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>About the Author\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Learn more about the author and see more of his work in our Artie’s Eight Artist Spotlight featuring \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/arties-eight/korbin-bielski-spotlight\">Korbin Bielski\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Last Updated July 12, 2022\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cstyle>.blog-post img {max-width:100%; height:auto;}\n.has-fixed-layout {width:300px;margin:20px 0;}\ntable, th, td {\n  border: 1px solid black;\n}\n\u003C/style>\n","\u003Cp>I have always appreciated the beauty of nature and the awe-inspiring feeling it gives me. It’s why I photograph landscapes and it’s why I live in California. With any type of photo shoot there should always be meaning or a story behind it. The story acts as motivation for all that comes after whether it’s […]\u003C/p>\n","2022-07-12T14:26:06",[225],{"name":140,"slug":154},{"url":227,"label":183},"https://frameblog.framedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/FD-BlogHero_Alumni_KorbinBielski2.jpg",{"id":229,"title":230,"uri":231,"content":232,"excerpt":233,"date":234,"categories":235,"image":237},"cG9zdDo2MDMw","7 Tips on Owning & Operating an Art Gallery","/for-professionals/7-tips-on-owning-operating-an-art-gallery","\n\u003Cp>After years of paying a 50% commission on my artwork exhibited and sold in other galleries, I was determined to have my own gallery where I kept all the sales dollars from my art - and where my work was always the main feature. Yes, there are now plenty of expenses and other things to deal with, but my business background of being a retired executive who ran a 21-location retail company provided me with plenty of business chops to deal with running a single gallery. But there are always surprises!\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Here’s how I maneuvered the process in Cape Cod, Massachusetts and a few tips I can offer other creatives contemplating their own gallery. Whether it be in a famous coastal community, a peaceful mountain destination, or a bustling urban environment, these techniques apply.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003Cimg width=\"900\" height=\"954\" data-public-id=\"blog/FD-BobbyBaker_Feature1/FD-BobbyBaker_Feature1.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_900,h_954,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1661443242/blog/FD-BobbyBaker_Feature1/FD-BobbyBaker_Feature1.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-6030 wp-image-6047\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1661443242\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Wait for the Right Location-Location-Location\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>My wife Dena and I set out to find a property on the Cape that not only had a building adequate to house a gallery but also would include a house in which we would now live. The search lasted for more than 2 ½ years, but eventually we found an antique Cape house with a barn both built in the mid 1800’s. Even better, the property was dual-zoned residential/business, and the location had good visibility. Now we’re on our way to opening an art gallery!\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>After getting town clearance to have the business, comes the necessary commercial insurance and if you choose, forming an LLC. If you are up for a gallery-owning adventure, be sure to have a serious discussion with your insurance agent and/or your attorney. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Give Visitors a Full Experience\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The first big decision was what to do with the barn; completely update the interior to “vanilla” walls or keep it as original as possible. After speaking with numerous people in and out of the art world it was unanimous: KEEP THE BARN ORIGINAL! And so, we did. With the big-time help of my father-in-law John and his buddy Curtis doing needed structural repairs, and having a professional electrician install the needed lights to show art, the “art-barn” was born and ready to exhibit art. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>The barn is a conversation piece for many visitors, and in its own way, it is art. Many people have a strong love for antique Cape Cod barns, and ours definitely has a personality that connects with many from its wide plank floors, wooden beams across the ceiling, and even the aged paint splashed walls that all say “art.” It is pretty cool, and so Cape Cod!\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003Cimg width=\"605\" height=\"454\" data-public-id=\"blog/FD-BobbyBaker_Feature3/FD-BobbyBaker_Feature3.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_605,h_454,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1661443244/blog/FD-BobbyBaker_Feature3/FD-BobbyBaker_Feature3.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-6030 wp-image-6046\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1661443244\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. It’s All About Presentation - Choose Wisely when Displaying the Art\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Hanging art on anything but flat, even walls and expecting it to stay, is a challenge. The Gallery System Art Displays hanging system solved the problems with their easy to customize art hanging approach. We highly recommend it for business and home application. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Also an important aspect of the presentation of the art is how it’s framed and the quality of the framing materials. My prints are finished with Frame Destination products, usually black \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/wood-frame-profile-503.html\">Wood Profile 503\u003C/a> with Crescent 4 or 8 ply mats with glass glazing. This combo always presents a high quality, gallery ready, product for our clients. \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/foam-board-self-adhesive-permanent-3-16.html\">Foam Board Self-Adhesive Permanent 3/16\u003C/a> - Mounting assures that the fine art print will not ever curl under glass, and Kraft Backing Paper Dust Cover Paper adds a very nice finishing touch and keeps dust out of the framed print. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I am also fortunate to have my wife Dena’s gifted merchandising eye to create great art displays with her “special touch” that makes people feel more “Cape” when visiting our gallery – and she also does an amazing job as our in-house framer.  \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Offer Authenticity \u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>There are a zillion art galleries on Cape Cod, most are open only for the season (late spring to late fall) with very few staying open all year long. Tourism drives the Cape in “season” not unlike other seasonal destinations, and that is when you want to be ready to rock for business! Since there are so many galleries here, it’s important to be something special, something that sets you apart from all the others. Our barn does provide some of that for us, but it is my black & white art that is well-known, and that which people come to see in our unique Cape Cod setting. It does set us apart from others.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>My work had become well established through other galleries, exhibits, magazines, etc. and of course would now be the featured art of our new gallery. For our very first Cape season we decided to be a gallery that also featured numerous other Cape artists; painters, potters, fiber artist. This was part of the learning process. With each year we learned more about what worked, and what didn’t. Space, especially wall space, is very valuable and you can’t afford to use it for extended periods of time for art that is not selling. Also, we learned the importance of being unique. No matter how talented an artist may be, if their work is in every shop, gallery, and roadside stand, you have nothing unique to show your clients – they’ve already seen it! Regarding any artist that you may represent, it is vital that you are well-versed on their “story” as it is so important to be able to successfully present that to potential clients.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Curate as Needed when Demand Shifts\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Working with other artists is interesting as well. If their work is not selling, they look to you to be sure that you are promoting it, merchandising it properly, and doing all that you are supposed to do as a gallery manager to sell the art. There are so many reasons as to why a piece won’t sell or will sell. We had one very talented painter who we couldn’t keep enough of her work on the wall as almost every piece sold as soon as we got it. Conversely, we had another painter whose work would just not move, could not find the right “connection.” Their work got plenty of compliments but no dollars, and such is the way it goes sometimes. With each new season, we slimmed our artist roster and used more space for my work, which was selling well. Eventually we decided we needed the entire gallery just for my work to be able to show a larger selection as it became clear that people were coming to BBG for my work, and not a collection of others; there were plenty of other galleries on the Cape to see paintings, pottery, and other cool artwork.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Have a Flexible Advertising Plan \u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Getting the word out about one’s business is also challenging as there is no shortage of avenues to advertise, but we have a budget to adhere to for what we can spend on ads. It’s so important to do your research and find out where your dollar can reach the most people - and the most appropriate audience. We get bombarded each spring with every magazine and tourist pamphlet outlet looking for us to buys ads. Social media can also be a help if you have cultivated a following for your art. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As with any new business you are starting from “0” and working to grow each year, or season. By the year 2020 we had several years of experience and were nicely entrenched in the Cape art scene. We continually tweaked our presentation to best accommodate what our client base was drawn to. We happen to live in one of those states that overreacted to a virus with mandated lockdowns, closing most businesses. By the time there was even a little wiggle room for businesses to reopen with limited hours and crazy restrictions, our “season” had passed and we, like so many others, had lost a year. Losing a year’s revenue is pretty damaging, but the negative effects of being closed for an extended period doesn’t just end. In many ways, you are starting over again rebuilding an awareness of your business’ existence. Just another challenge of having your own business in this day and age. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If there was a positive to come from the dormant 2020, it would be the creation of the Bobby Baker Gallery online store ( \u003Ca href=\"http://www.BobbyBaker.Gallery\">www.BobbyBaker.Gallery\u003C/a> ) which provided access to our art 24/7 for everyone, not just Cape residents and visitors. We shipped art across the US and Europe by way of the online gallery. I really didn’t want to have an online gallery/store, but as the days went by without any sales while being closed, it sure made sense to get the online version of BBG up and running ASAP!\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Stay Positive\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>By the time the summer of 2021 rolled around people had had enough of being constrained and were ready to hit the beaches and live again…and yes, the Cape “summer people” and the tourists visiting us were ready to buy art! In so many ways, art can lift one’s soul. I have seen the look in a client’s eyes when they connect with a piece as the image takes them to a special time or place…its very cool. And it felt as if many people wanted a piece of the Cape by way of my art. It was a very good year for our gallery. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>As I write this article, our 2022 summer season on Cape Cod has begun. All signs point to things being closer to “normal” than they have been the past few years, meaning lots of summer tourists and hopefully a lot of art lovers. There is no question that the Cape is a special place. It has its own distinctive vibe, its own style, and it lends itself so well to creating art. Once you come “over the bridge” and spend a little time here, you’ll know what I mean…and once you feel that Cape magic you may never want to leave!  \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003Cimg width=\"675\" height=\"900\" data-public-id=\"blog/FD-BobbyBaker_Feature2/FD-BobbyBaker_Feature2.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_675,h_900,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1661443241/blog/FD-BobbyBaker_Feature2/FD-BobbyBaker_Feature2.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-6030 wp-image-6048\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1661443241\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>About the Author\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Learn more about the author and see more of his work in our Artie’s Eight Artist Spotlight featuring \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/arties-eight/bob-baker-spotlight\">Bobby Baker\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Last Updated July 12, 2022\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cstyle>.blog-post img {max-width:100%; height:auto;}\n.has-fixed-layout {width:300px;margin:20px 0;}\ntable, th, td {\n  border: 1px solid black;\n}\n\u003C/style>\n","\u003Cp>After years of paying a 50% commission on my artwork exhibited and sold in other galleries, I was determined to have my own gallery where I kept all the sales dollars from my art – and where my work was always the main feature. Yes, there are now plenty of expenses and other things to […]\u003C/p>\n","2022-07-12T14:11:03",[236],{"name":140,"slug":154},{"url":238,"label":183},"https://frameblog.framedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/FD-BlogHero_Alumni_BobbyBaker2.jpg",{"id":240,"title":241,"uri":242,"content":243,"excerpt":244,"date":245,"categories":246,"image":248},"cG9zdDo1OTQ4","The Joy (and Abject Terror) of Art Commissions","/for-professionals/the-joy-of-art-commissions","\n\u003Cp>As with most things in life, there are two sides to every story.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I absolutely LOVE when someone contacts me to do a commission. It can be residential or corporate, it doesn’t matter to me. I love the challenge of drawing out the buyer’s wants/hopes/desires for the piece and then figuring out how to make them happen. It can be quite magical. I have had a fully-formed image swagger into my head of the finished piece while I am sitting in our initial meeting! Other times, I have to eek it out of the canvas as I go, bribing and cajoling all along the way.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I love it all.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Until…\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>…I have to show it to the buyer for the first time.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I panic. My heart rate increases, my anxiety rears its ugly head, and the internal critic starts telling me how the client is going to be so disappointed; how I missed it by a mile. What was I thinking using that color? Or that brush? I am sure it will be too wild or too colorful for the client. No doubt, there will be regrets about ever having asked me to paint for them.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I take the best possible photo I can. Often doing at least a dozen before I feel it shows the piece to its best advantage. Then I email or text it off to the client.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And I wait.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And wait.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I chew my finger nails. I plan out how to handle the rejection. I wonder why I ever decided to become an artist.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And I wait some more.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Ten minutes later comes the typical reply “We love it!! How did you ever capture us so exactly?”\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I breathe again. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Commissions can certainly be a roller coaster of emotion, but they are much more manageable and successful, I’ve found, by deploying a few techniques. Here are my top 3 tips for navigating the process:\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. \u003Cstrong>Ask Some Specific Questions in the Initial Meeting\u003C/strong>\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>I use a combination of the following:\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>What do you want to feel when you look at this piece?\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>What keywords represent those feelings or ideas?\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Are there specific colors or color combinations that represent you, your brand (if commercial), or your space?\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Any colors I should absolutely avoid?\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>Is there a particular song that evokes this feeling for you? Or one that means something to you and your partner?\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>What else is currently in the space where this will hang?\u003C/li>\n\n\n\n\u003Cli>In the case of an anniversary commission, I will ask for stories or memories of their life together.\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u003Cbr>2. During the Feedback Phase, Discuss a Few Finishing Details\u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>After the client has seen the piece and given initial feedback, we discuss minor tweaks if necessary and delivery options. We also explore different framing options that they may wish to use. Sometimes they have me add the frame for them, other times the buyer may handle framing on their own once I deliver the piece. When my buyers ask me to frame the paintings for them, I most often rely on simple and sleek canvas floater frames. I find they crisp up my work without competing with the art itself. I most often rely on Frame Destination’s F141 (shown) or F530.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">\u003Cimg width=\"650\" height=\"650\" data-public-id=\"blog/F141_Post/F141_Post.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_650,h_650,c_fill,g_auto/f_auto,q_auto/v1661443304/blog/F141_Post/F141_Post.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-5948 wp-image-5949\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1661443304\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Ch3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Enhance Your Client’s Experience with a Professional Presentation \u003C/h3>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>If local I arrange a time to hand deliver the piece. I can not live without GalleryPouch bags. Not only do I use them for the storage of my works in my studio, but I also use them when transporting commissions and purchases to local clients. These are the best way to transport art I’ve found. They are also reusable and sealable, so clients love having them in case they have to store or move any artwork in the future. It’s an extra added benefit I provide to make the experience even more special and to protect the art’s longevity. If the client is not local, I prepare the piece in specialty \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/resources/pack-and-ship-artwork\">packaging\u003C/a> and drag it to the shippers to insure and send it. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>It’s a very nerve racking thing to send your “child” off with strangers. (Much like when I used to send my daughter off on a plane as an unaccompanied minor to visit her grandparents.) You beg the shipping gods not to let anyone step on the package, or stack a ton of heavy boxes on it, or crash the truck it’s in. You obsessively check the tracking information to make sure it arrives at its destination. Then you sit on your hand so that you don’t text or call the buyer too soon. Let them receive it, open it, feel it out… then reach out to make sure they are still as pleased with it now that they have seen it in person.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>They love it more. WHEW!\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>And then the internal glow starts. The happiness and pride grow and I feel like I am floating around my studio. I feel amazing and so grateful that they love it. I wipe the sweat from my brow and wonder what I was all in a twist about.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Until the next commission.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>About the Author\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Learn more about the author and see more of her work in our Artie’s Eight Artist Spotlight featuring \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/arties-eight/energetic-expressions-meet-fine-artist-jen-sterling\">Jen Sterling\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Last Updated June 20, 2022\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cstyle>.blog-post img {max-width:100%; height:auto;}\n.has-fixed-layout {width:300px;margin:20px 0;}\ntable, th, td {\n  border: 1px solid black;\n}\n\u003C/style>\n","\u003Cp>As with most things in life, there are two sides to every story. I absolutely LOVE when someone contacts me to do a commission. It can be residential or corporate, it doesn’t matter to me. I love the challenge of drawing out the buyer’s wants/hopes/desires for the piece and then figuring out how to make […]\u003C/p>\n","2022-06-22T09:42:01",[247],{"name":140,"slug":154},{"url":249,"label":183},"https://frameblog.framedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/FD-BlogHero_Alumni_JenSterling.jpg",{"id":251,"title":252,"uri":253,"content":254,"excerpt":255,"date":256,"categories":257,"image":259},"cG9zdDo1NzAw","Clear Bags Saved My Business","/for-professionals/clear-bags-saved-my-business","\n\u003Cp>I got my first camera for Christmas at age 12. I took pictures all spring and summer! That summer, I entered 2 photos into the County Fair, and I won Best in Show in the Student Division! I was hooked, and I haven't put my camera down since photographing everything from flowers and gardens to real estate and architecture, landscapes and waterscapes, animals and birds. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Combining a love for outdoor photography with my interior design background, I founded Images Everything Photography almost 20 years ago. A mentor once told me to “look ahead” of your image — meaning, see the entire scene before choosing the composition. I live by that to this day. But this article is not about looking ahead, rather it's about looking back and acknowledging what saved my business through the pandemic when others were losing space in galleries and art shops. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>For about eight years now, I have been making photo notecards, as I found that customers really liked buying small art. I needed a way to protect and display my work. Clear Bags were getting glowing reviews from other professionals selling their work, so like them, I started using Frame Destination’s \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/protective-crystal-clear-bags.html\">Crystal Clear Bags\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"792\" height=\"1024\" data-public-id=\"blog/IEP-Valentine/IEP-Valentine.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_792,h_1024,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1661443655/blog/IEP-Valentine/IEP-Valentine.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-5700 wp-image-5701\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1661443655\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Crystal Clear Bags are perfect for print and photo display and storage. These museum quality bags are acid-free and lignin-free to protect your photographs or artwork during storage and display. The crystal clear transparency doesn't effect viewing, meaning you can keep your art safe even when it's framed and hanging. They also feature a peel-away adhesive strip on the bag - not the flap - so that your artwork will not get stuck to the adhesive when being inserted or removed. They are a great replacement or substitute for shrink-wrapping and are accommodating when I want to protect or ship larger size artwork like matted prints. They are available in over 25 sizes.\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" data-public-id=\"blog/Card-Rack-at-Rustic-Retail-December-2020/Card-Rack-at-Rustic-Retail-December-2020.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https://res.cloudinary.com/frame-destination/images/w_819,h_1024,c_scale/f_auto,q_auto/v1661443648/blog/Card-Rack-at-Rustic-Retail-December-2020/Card-Rack-at-Rustic-Retail-December-2020.jpg?_i=AA\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-post-5700 wp-image-5702\" data-format=\"jpg\" data-transformations=\"f_auto,q_auto\" data-version=\"1661443648\" data-seo=\"1\" />\u003C/figure>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>During the COVID pandemic these bags literally saved my business. At the time COVID hit, I was selling my work in several different shops. \u003Ca href=\"https://www.prestoflowers.com\">Presto Flowers\u003C/a>, in Hopatcong, NJ is one that has been selling my cards since 2015, and the owner, Sam, has a beautiful shop filled with goodies. She and her assistant Chuck are extremely talented florists. In all of the shops, of course, were customers going in and out, day after day. There was some concern that exposed art or decor products would be handled/touched often, possibly spreading the virus or that some products would be removed temporarily from the stores. Having the clear bags on my cards enabled the stores to continue to display and sell them without concern.  \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Additionally during this time, in some cases, the shops could only set up outside and hold sidewalk sales exposing the products and art to the outdoors, but I felt reassured my work was not in jeopardy of being damaged. The bags offered protection from the outdoor elements like dust flying around. Taking a cue from the shops, during this time, I even sold my work from my own front porch!\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Once the pandemic started easing, I participated in a few craft shows again, as I had done for many years. I felt comfortable offering my protected products, and my customers appreciated that they were in the Clear Bags, as well. Thanks to Frame Destination, I’m entering my 18\u003Csup>th\u003C/sup> year of business, even after a rough two years during a global pandemic!\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Along with the notecards and matted prints, I enjoy creating home decor and crafts with my photos. The Clear Bags are great for presenting and shipping those items too. I plan to expand soon by offering my art through my own website, but currently it can be purchased online through \u003Ca href=\"https://cheryl-williver.pixels.com\">Fine Art America\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>About the Author\u003C/strong>\u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cp>Learn more about the author and see more of her work in our Artie’s Eight Artist Spotlight featuring \u003Ca href=\"https://www.framedestination.com/blog/arties-eight/cheryl-williver-spotlight\">Cheryl Williver\u003C/a>. \u003C/p>\n\n\n\n\u003Cdiv style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\">\u003C/div>\n","\u003Cp>I got my first camera for Christmas at age 12. I took pictures all spring and summer! That summer, I entered 2 photos into the County Fair, and I won Best in Show in the Student Division! I was hooked, and I haven’t put my camera down since photographing everything from flowers and gardens to […]\u003C/p>\n","2022-03-15T11:56:51",[258],{"name":140,"slug":154},{"url":260,"label":183},"https://frameblog.framedestination.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/FD-BlogHero_Alumni_ClearBags.jpg"]