I am not sure I have a lot new to say about this, as it's a continuation from our last blog, but I just can't stop tangling about it!
Next time you are at a museum, take special care to notice the frames and mats – those burled wood and gilded moldings; those inner frame liners and gold French mat lines; the marbled details and delicate hangers; the custom carvings and verdigris finishes.
After you notice those frames created by other artists and craftspersons who are specialists in presentation, design and preservation, notice the artistry that frames those frames! Appreciate the artistry of those who designed the space so that you look at a painting the very best way – the lighting and layout of the exhibit, the proportions of the room, the colors on the walls, the typography of the descriptions, the floors, window designs, the benches to sit on so you can rest as you appreciate your favorite painting.
(Molly's husband just designed and made a series of benches for a museum. They are beautiful. Understanding the thought, design, and craftsmanship he put into them inspires us to notice and appreciate those sorts of things even more now.)
All this art to support appreciating art. How cool is that!
Rick adds:
Those frames go on like infinite Russian nesting dolls – with no apparent end to the larger, or the smaller. That gallery is framed by a museum, which is framed by a city layout, which is framed by a geography, which is framed by a continent, then planet, then patterns of planets tracing celestial tangles one orbit at a time, framing . . .
And that painting frames colors, framing brush strokes, framing chemical bonds, framing molecules, framing atoms, framing electrons tracing their tangles one orbit at a time, framing . . .
All in an elegant presentation of lighting and dimension, proportion and perspective – such a beautiful wonder to behold.
How does a trip to a museum or gallery inspire you? Let us know by commenting below and we'll pick one randomly to receive one of this blog's tiles.
Congrat's to Joy Dolan, who received our previous blog's give-away!
Click images for larger views.
I am lucky to know a framer who is a real artisan. It's a joy to listen to him talk about a particular piece and why he frames it the way he does. A frame can do more than contain the art, it can speak with it and make it more alive. A good framer can release the energy of the art rather than keep it contained.
ReplyDeleteMost of the time I can't even say why I'm attracted to a piece of art. I think it must be all that energy from the art itself that inspires me. It seeps into me somehow and makes me want to put my hand to paper once again.
Thanks for sharing your gorgeous and energetic tiles, Maria!
Framing is indeed an art in itself. I, too, knew a wonderful framer, who was able to see things in a piece of art, and then create a mat and frame that would pull out and enhance those details.
ReplyDeleteA good frame draws me right into a piece of art and I feel part of it.
Thanks again for sharing.
...forgot to leave my e-mail address, just in case...
ReplyDeleterenata.lessismore@gmail.com
Maria, Thanks so much for these fabulous ideas on frames. Your work always leaves me breathless! This is perfect timing - my niece is getting married and a mat is what I am going to create for her!
ReplyDeleteDiane
Time just seems to fly by when I visit a gallery or a museum. I find studying what an artist has accomplished is very energizing in my own art practice. I also get this energy by studying this blog...it is an online gallery! I love going back through past posts and re-looking at the tiles that you both have created.
ReplyDeleteThanks Maria and Rick!
fsriley@gmail.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI forgot my e-mail:
ReplyDeletesharcamp3@gmail.com
These frames are all beautiful but I love, love, love the tilted frame with verdigogh running 'thru it. Verdigogh is one of my favorite tangles. My e-mail is above.
ReplyDeleteThis Friday evening we are going to an Art Exhibition opening, so I will be looking out for something special. It will be hard to top your delightful treats though. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI guess what Rick is saying is that nothing has an independent existence. Everything is a part of everything else. Pictures, frames, paint molecules, cities, etc.
ReplyDeleteFor me,looking at art is like talking a walk in nature. I feel energized and at peace.
Blessings to all.
wholtzman717@gmail.com
Until I took CZT training, I was in a museum for the art; not really paying attention to anything but that which was featured. I remember going to RISD one afternoon after training and realizing how much more of an experience I had, noticing patterns, not just the ones I was told to look for in the notes on the exhibit.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, inspiring. I love the contrast of the black and white on the last tangle especially--brings out the beauty of the tangles.
ReplyDeletetreeoflifedesigns@yahoo.com
I'm always looking for and finding inspiration in all kinds of art. I use what I see to inspire new techniques or patterns in my own works. Showing it off in a special mat and frame just enhances the joy and beauty found in works of art.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I was in a museum that had a lot of paintings fitted on 1 wall. Looked great, exept for the lighting. For some paintings you had to stand in a corner of the room, for others you had to stand closeby. And others were just a bit too high to be fully appriciated.
ReplyDeletePushes me to greater art.
ReplyDeleteThese last two posts have been amazing. I looked on Molly's blog to see if she showed her husbands benches. It would be cool to see pictures. You all are so lucky to be in such an artist family.
ReplyDeleteI was blessed to live not too far from the Cleveland Museum of Art where I did take some classes as a young girl. I love looking at the old paintings, the smooth look of the oils from long ago. It does give me a boost to keep going, don't give up...it's inside...fear not..let it out :)
ReplyDeleteLove the borders and as I said in previous comment, but forgot to mention museums..I really like the last tile with the black and white contrast.
treeoflifedesigns@yahoo.com
Dear Rick and Maria,
ReplyDeleteLast week I visited The Royal Delft.... My answer to your question can be seen on my blog. I hope you want to take a look!
Greetings from the Netherlands, Anneke
I love visiting museums. The Guggenheim museum in Bilbao, Spain comes to mind when I read Ricks comment " That gallery is framed by a museum..". The architect of the Bilbao museum, Frank Gehry designed the structure of limestone, glass, and titanium.
ReplyDeleteIt was inspired by fish scales, playing with fish in the bath tub before they became the family supper. He loved the scales and how they overlapped and reflective qualities.
The museum being the container, or frame in this context, for art is itself a piece of art. Located on the Bay of Biscay, the building reflects in the water and the water sends light back to the museum thus the water is an elegant frame for the museum.
Imagine if the lines of the this museum were a string to tangle in. very fun!
http://www.guggenheim.org/bilbao
thank you for your inspiring blog posts
Sandra Chatelain,
sgchatelain@gmail.com
I'm always amazed about what a frame can do for a picture of any type! Because we are having a Zentangle art show at the University of St.Joseph next Saturday, I framed ten of my Zentangles for the show. The frames were purchased at Michaels and came four to a pack for $7.99! Yes they are very inexpensive yet the black, shiny strip of metal followed by a creamy paper border which then frames another strip of black paper which finally surrounds the tile, did wonders for my tangles. The framed tiles are looking so spiffy! I'm glad I took the time to frame them.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this wonderful post, Rick and Maria!