171. Put Me In, Coach!

'Put Me In, Coach!'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

My most recently acquired 'junking' treasure. 

Happy Birthday to me. :)

(Some of the info printed on the glove: MacGregor, Made in USA, 

Red Schoendienst Autograph Model, G119.)

I kinda love it, especially since this year my oldest boy started Little League.

I completely enjoyed watching him play, and it made me realize why my mom rarely missed a game of ours. (And there were a lot of us!) 

Something about watching your kids learn a new skill and have fun while doing it -- really cool. :)

sold

170. Ahead of the Curve

'Ahead of the Curve'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

We had a great weekend in the Columbia River Gorge with a few of my sisters and their families. It is just so stunningly beautiful in the gorge - a must see if you're visiting this area.

I snapped this shot on our way home as the sun was settling in the west - my favorite time of day. :)

sold

169. Red Doors

'Red Doors'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Hey! It's Friday, it's my birthday, it's the start of a three-day weekend...everything is awesome. :)

I painted the front half of this mid-40's Ford back in 2012, and it's fun to see how my painting style has changed since then - here they are together:

     

Thanks for viewing, and have a great Memorial Day weekend, everyone!

sold

Wide Open Air

'Wide Open Air'

24" x 12"

oil on gessoboard

A change of pace this week -- working much larger and trying to 'think big' again! It was a fun challenge, and I think I shall finally declare this complete. The scene is the sun setting just outside our little town, where the flat, marshy dikelands sprawl between the hills and ridges that contain the mighty Columbia River, just an hour upstream from where she joins the Pacific. When I see hints of skies like this through the trees, I zip out there to soak it all in. :) 

This painting will be part of the Spring Auction at my boys' elementary school, and I've chosen the image and title as my interpretation of the auction's theme, Dr. Suess', "Oh, The Places You'll Go!"

"It's opener there

in the wide, open, air."

This auction is organized by the teaching staff, and we're so grateful to be part of a school where the teachers and parents go the extra mile. Last year was the first of these auctions and I was blown away by all the work put into it -- really, really great. I love our school!

I've been posting some progress shots on Facebook and Instagram (user name norabergman), and I've shared them below. 

I'd love to have you follow me either place, -- every so often I'll post paintings in-progress, or you can see what boring things my boys and I are up to. ;)

tuesday

wednesday

thursday

friday

Thanks for viewing my work!

168. Never Mind the Rain

'Never Mind the Rain'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

The rain has been relentless the last couple of days, but I don't mind.

I find the fog and clouds to be a blanket of balm; the pounding of drops a soothing lullaby.

sold

167. Cream of the Crop

'Cream of the Crop'

6" x 6"

oil on gessobord

A little scene from last month's Tulip Festival in Woodland, WA.

My fellas indulged me (briefly) and endured the flower fields on a warm Sunday afternoon. :)

sold

(Reminder; Blogger oversaturates the photos here, - to see a more accurate representation, visit my Daily Paintworks gallery.)

166. Work in Progress

'Work in Progress'

6" x 6"

oil on gessoboard

Alternate title: 'It looks like something you'd like', which is what my husband said when I showed him the phone pic and asked if I should paint it. :)

He is oh-so-right. 

Some of the shops in our town are getting new paint jobs, and when my littlest guy and I walked down the main street yesterday, I literally stopped in my tracks. I mean, come on. All those ladders, their shadows, all the lines -- it's as if someone set out four ladders just for me. :)

sold

Framing

I was recently asked about framing small panel paintings, specifically about 'floating frames' and how they work. A floating frame is designed to have the artwork installed from the front/finished side of the frame, therefore leaving the entire image exposed. 

I think they're kind of ideal for small paintings made on panels.

(Disclaimer: None of this information is original to me, I've merely learned from others, especially Carol Marine, and adapted to my liking.)

Similar to regular install-from-the-back frames, floating frames come in a variety of finishes and profiles. I'm a simple girl, and I really like these straight, black floating frames from Franken Frame. 

(This particular frame is item no. 2026 on their website. My panels are 6" x 6" so I order the frames at 6.25" x 6.25" to allow for the little space.)

(front)

(back) 

(These frames come without any hardware, I added the wire and bumpers myself. Little known fact: one of my part-time jobs in college was a framing assistant at The Great Frame Up. :) )

Securing the painting to the frame couldn't be easier!

I use industrial strength self-adhesive black Velcro. It comes in rolls or sheets, and I've bought it at craft stores and hardware stores and, of course, it's available on Amazon. 

I cut the appropriate length strips (1/4" to 3/8" wide), and attach the hook (rough) piece to the frame;

and the corresponding loop (soft) piece to the back of the panel.

To install, just put the two together! Easy as pie! 

I usually put one hand up through the back side and lower the artwork with that hand so I can clearly see all the edges while lowering slowly onto the frame. A couple of firm pushes on the corners to make sure it's attached, and that's it!

Here's my little rotating display in our living room:

I love using the Velcro for a couple of reasons; one, it has some thickness so it lifts the panel away from the back of the frame a bit, and two, even though it's incredibly secure, it's not permanent! I can change out the art in my frames as often as I like, and have my 'For Sale' pieces displayed nicely. 

How do you frame your small panel paintings? Share your tips!

April in Review...

Ok, this feels a little pathetic - only four paintings in April. :/

It's hard for me to be too bummed about that, though, because... I sold over twenty paintings last month!! 

That, my friends, is blowing my mind. 

Thanks, all!