Projects: A Tall, Frame, order

Our custom framing service really knows no bounds. We can frame most anything, no matter the size or how intricate. And, in all reality, it's never easy and we know it. However, this was a challenge unto it's own!

The timeline for 4 giant posters did not seem overly complicated when they were dropped off and designed at the beginning of August. However, we would have never expected that a Derecho would hit our city and knock out power, phone and internet for as long as it did and slam our frameshop schedule right into the preparation for our current exhibition. Read more below for the details and how we got it all done!

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When we got the call about bringing in a few large posters we had no clue just how large they were! So, of course, when the client shows up for her appointment we knew we were in for a fun project!

Each poster gets unraveled and we chat about what frames suit each piece the best. Projects like these sometimes end up having matching frame packages, so it was AWESOME to let each one have a voice of it's own, playing around with different frame lines, stacking frames, and getting a custom color on a mat that was over-over-sized.

Not just huge...vintage too.  3 of the posters were printed on paper and previously mounted onto canvas to adhere tears and keep them from further deteriorating.

We get the frames ordered along with the frame orders for our upcoming exhibit. No big deal- work on the giant frames first, save space and work on smaller frames around the big ones. August 10th- giant frames are built and are ready for 'fitting' or assembly, one by one, knowing that we'll have two weeks to get the artworks framed and ready to open the exhibition. Being on-schedule in the frameshop leading up to a show is unicorn-like magic. Checked off the list.

August 10th at noon: insert Derecho. Power is out, cell service is barely working and widespread damage can bee seen and felt across the city. We were very fortunate to not have any major damage to the gallery, but that first week after hurricane winds destroyed our whole city, it was tough to focus on anything except to fix our houses, help our neighbors, and try to get food and gas and other supplies to just get through.

Deadlines. We have pressed on throughout the pandemic- the derecho wasn't about to knock us out either. Even while we didn't have power, there was just enough natural light in the frame shop to 'fit' some of the small stuff. We had to wait until power was restored to get these monsters assembled. A week later, among other chaos, we get electricity back and were able to really grind away at catching up.

The Details

The Rolling Stones

Framing package: Glam--stacked frames

• Black lacquer finish. Bauhaus 3"W from Larson Juhl
  
• Red mottled gloss 1 1/8"W from Evald
  
• Plexiglass
  

The approach:
The poster had SO much color and activity- it would be a disservice if the framing wasn't as loud as Mick Jagger's personality. We decided to go for high-gloss and a pop of color too. "I see a red door and I want it painted black"... too on-the-nose? We loved it anyway!

Indianapolis Dirt-Track

Framing package: Vintage, not rustic--double mats

• Natural slant. Madison 2 3/8"W from Larson Juhl
  
• Double mats with 1/4" reveal
  
• UV plexiglass
  

The approach: The client wanted the framing to look older, but not necessarily rustic, tasteful but aged. We sifted through A LOT of options for this one, but the natural, unfinished grain reflected the motion in the track and was too good to pass up. The williamsburg blue bottom mat pulled the color in the scarf to really round it out.

Tam O'Shanter Cycles

Framing package: Period piece--custom color oversize mat

• Aged Anubis Black. Cabane 2 1/4"W from Roma
• Nubby silk. Willow from Framing Fabrics
  
• Non-glare plexiglass
  

The approach: Fun fact: you can only order oversized mats up to 60" for specific colors. Mats that exceed that size only come in white and cream. The size of this came to 45" x 61.5" and we inadvertently designed the package around the perfect green mat. Drat! No matter, we ordered the "over-over-sized" mat in white and hand-wrapped the perfect color linen to match the tartan green we picked out. The mat size was pretty tight to begin with since we were covering a little damage at the edges of the print.

Omega

Framing package: Again, Vintage-not rustic--double mats

• Oxidized metal finish. Foundry Flat Rust Brass Larson Juhl
  
• Double mats with 1/4" reveal
• Non-glare plexiglass

The approach: Thinking about age and wear, we thought a rusty metal look would be better to go with the bike theme. While it's not quite an orange rust color, the warm tone in the frame complements the pale orange tones at the bottom of the poster and lets the vibrant yellow lettering pop.

As much as we hate doing it, we had the final products out in our exhibit space while we were furiously trying to assemble the other frames for the show. They were so large, there was hardly any room to put them!

...the cherry on top

We originally wanted to just get photos of the frames next to gallery staff to show the scale of the project. But, when the client arrived to pick up the framing in her Rolling Stones mask, we HAD to get a photo of them together!

To have an enjoyable project to work on amidst the chaos was a welcomed retreat. Sure, the pressure was on (and still is), but to see these turn out perfectly was a real pleasure.

"You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You get what you need"