Something to Leave Behind

The Completion of the Start to Finish Project

Here it is! 30x20 and completed. A study in blues and peach/pink, cool and warm tones. The challenge, as always, was the shading with the papers. I used many different temperatures of blues and peach, as well as textures and even dug deep into the scrap bag for some colors of paper I had in the past but don't have much left of anymore!

I hope you have enjoyed the process.

Framing by Finn

Finn's Quick Ten of Custom Art Framing Tips

1. Stay Consistent with Sizing. This will help in so many ways (pricing, ordering, storing, transporting, hanging, etc.)
2. Search Hard for One, Two, or Three Different Styles of Framing to use. Choose wisely grasshopper.
3. Disorganized Framing can Lead to a Chaotic Presentation. A consistent look in the frame molding keeps the focus on the art and gives a uniform look to the presentation.
4. Find a Frame that Can Absorb a Ding. It happens.
5. When Matting, Use Acid-Free Mats Only. They cost a buck or two extra. Maybe your foamcore isn't acid-free and your glass/plexiglass isn't UV, I may let you slide on that. But, your mats I'm gonna point that out every time.
6. Consider Having your Canvases Professionally Stretched. We carry 2-inch deep stretcher that offers the art gallery wrap, no framing necessary.
7. Recycling a Frame Can be Done Effectively.
8. Quality Framing Does Help Present and Sell the Art.
9. Consider Consulting a Professional Before Attempting any Stunts.
10. No Frame is Better than a Bad Frame!

Mike Finnimore

Art Services, Ink.

Orlando, FL 

407-739-4278

Afternoon on the Avenue

Collage In Progress

Interrupting Start to Finish...

Cows at COMMA
I am interrupting "Start to Finish" to remind you of the "Cows" exhibit at COMMA Gallery in Orlando, FL which will feature Paper Paintings. The opening reception is Tuesday, July 8th from 6:30-9pm. Visit Comma Gallery for more info.

This show has gotten great press! My Collage Cows have been featured in Orlando magazine, Orlando Arts Magazine, and the Orlando Sentinel Calendar Section on July 4th! COMMA made a poster for the show which features "Out to Pasture," a collage which can be seen in "previous posts" section of this blog.

Above is my second collage cow entitled "Bloo Cow" which was created from the same papers and in the same size (20x26) as "Out to Pasture" however this one stands vertical where the other is horizontal. They are both framed in barn wood frames which were custom hand crafted for me by Owen Tomlinson in Kentucky!

This show is a "must see" as there are 10+ local Orlando artists showing many different styles and interpretations of the subject matter. If you get there early, you might just get one of my homemade "cow patty" cookies!

Start to Finish Part Four

A Very Productive Morning
This morning I set my alarm for 5am so that I could start my day with some painting. I know this sounds a little crazy, but I find that I get the most work done when everyone else is sleeping. I brew some coffee, gather up the dog and some water for my brushes, and head out to my backyard studio.

This morning I felt like I was ready to make some serious progress on this piece. Yesterday morning I made a visit to Home Depot to buy some bracing wood for it, lucky for me The Depot opens at 6am! Anytime the size of the piece exceeds 24-inches in any one direction the wood panel wants to warp, if it is not supported. Since this piece is 20x30 inches, I decided that before I made any more progress I needed to get some strips for the back. I cut, glued, and clamped them into place yesterday and let it dry overnight.

The above photo shows my progress from this morning. I am loving the layering of the papers and I am very very happy with the way this piece progressed today. I have worked in personal ephemera from my collector and she told me just yesterday that she was thrilled with the placement of the Sweet-n-Low packet when I ran into her in the grocery store. I just might be finished with this collage in one more session and then we will be ready to talk about framing artwork for galleries with some tips from my framer.

Stay tuned.

Start to Finish Part Three

Painting with Paper

The paper is now being added on top of the underpainting. Layering, weaving, pushing and pulling the colors, patterns and values. It's like a dance, applying the paper. You go back and forth over the top, underneath, until the rhythm creates something you love, and you leave it like that and move on to the next area. I am working the lights and the shadows at the same time. I have taken many art classes that suggest working from dark to light...but they were in a different medium than collage.