Purple Pinstripes
14×20″
Butter and Sugar
14×20″
Two of my paintings have been selected for inclusion in the Federation of Canadian Artists Blossoms Show.
They are the two paintings above, Purple Pinstripes and Butter and Sugar.
I entered both and was pleased that they both got in.
The show runs April 3-15 at the Federation Gallery on Granville Island.
Both of these paintings were already framed for another show but I discovered that Butter and Sugar had fallen in the frame. I had bought some new linen tape to hold my paintings in place but realized that it doesn’t work very well. Almost every painting I use it with falls off the mat. 
I have since bought new tape but now I needed to reframe the painting.
Now you need to understand something.
I HATE FRAMING!!!
It is the bane of my existence as an artist.
My kids know that the only time I swear is when I am framing.
They have since learned to avoid the dark cloud of profanities coming from my studio whenever I do need to frame.
My whole framing experience started over the weekend just for this one painting.
I unscrewed the screws. Peeled off the backing. Pulled out the painting. And retaped it to the mat.
Easy enough. 
This is when the problems start. 
I try to wipe down the plexiglass very carefully using a damp cloth, then a dry one, and finally a dusting brush.
But no matter what I do, there is always dust and ever worse: black dog hair!!!
AAAAAAA!
I threaten my dog with a shaver everytime I see those black dog hairs. 
I finally get rid of the hairs, put it back in the frame, secure it and go to put on another paper backing to discover I am out of double sided tape.
Of course.
I always run out of something while framing. I am actually surprised I got this far along before I discovered this. Okay. I need to go buy tape. Sigh. Don’t feel like that now. I will go tomorrow to Staples to get tape. Good thing it is only Sunday.
Only on Monday my husband needs the car. 
Okay. I can do it Tuesday. Paintings aren’t due until Thursday. Plenty of time to go Tuesday. So I go Tuesday. It is only an hour of my time out of my day to get tape. Plus I need it to secure my bio and my acceptance notification to the back of the painting. But I need to find those on my computer first. And I have a folder filled with about 20 bizillion different bios depending what I need them for. Looking for the right one, printing out 2 as well as trying to find that darn acceptance email only took about 30 min. That is a record.
Okay. Stuff secured to the back.
Whew! I look at the clock to figure out if I have time to take them to Granville Island.
I figure in need 90 min. for that trip. 
Nope. Need to pick up the kids in just over an hour. Wednesday will work.
So yesterday after my long run, I finally made it to the Gallery.
And it wasn’t raining. I hate delivering paintings in the rain. 
It only took me 3 days and 2 hours to do so.
Leslie Lambert

Author Leslie Lambert

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Join the discussion 8 Comments

  • Angela Fehr says:

    I love this post! I hate framing too and frame maintenance even more. I had to unframe the painting I submitted to the Blossoms exhibit so I could photograph it properly – turns out my original photo was too low res – and then it wasn't chosen which is probably good since I have to figure out how to ship it from northern BC!
    Your irises are beautiful – full of light. congratulations on being part of the show.

  • Isn't that the worst?! I had to do that to one of my paintings the other day also. Yes, be glad you don't have to deal with shipping it. I have a piece going to Seattle and I lay awake at night trying to figure out the best way to get it there. But keep trying, your work is beautiful and deserves to be seen!

  • Sadami says:

    Hi,Leslie,
    Congrats on your work!!
    …and very happy to know I'm not alone regarding the emotions towards framing…
    Cheers,wink,wink,Sadami

  • The thing I find about framing is either it goes perfectly or every part of the process is a fight, never anything in between with me.
    Congratulations on having two paintings accepted.

  • Leslie, I was laughing as I read your post today! Ah, the trials and tribulations of being an artist!! And I must say, you gripe so well! :)
    Oh, right. I've got some animal clippers. I'll help you hold your dog, and then we can work on my cat, the chinchillas, and maybe Bruno, if you're feeling brave.

  • It is nice to know that I am not the only one who hates framing as much as I do! Gillian, it sounds like you at least have success every once in a while. I have NEVER had a good experience with framing. Kathryn, thank you. I try my best at griping. I have had lots of practice with it. I will gladly have you come over with your clippers and I will help hold down your cat:)

  • Robben says:

    Dear Leslie,

    I can relate to resisting framing. Honestly I can't even take photography well enough from a fear of gaining in popularity. If
    we only knew then, what we know now, about what it means to represent, we wouldn't need animated maniquins to exhibit a model of behaviors.

  • It is so nice to hear that others have the same problems as me. Glad your pictures made it to the show. I also have one of my tulip pictures in the show. I must admit my framing went much smoother than yours!!