I have seen some paintings by a few local painters here in the valley that are gallery wrapped paintings in natural finished wood frames....I know, gallery wrap pieces are not usually framed but they sure look cool floating in a wood frame. So, I decided to make one since buying one for a 20"x40" painting I had done was between $130 and $150 at online prices....I didn't even want to ask my local framer how much he'd make one for.
I bought some oak at Home Depot and cut it down to a thickness I wanted and began cutting the bevels and mitered corners. I glued and nailed it together with a new air-powerd brad gun since my old electric one couldn't handle the toughness of oak wood. The airgun made it a piece of cake to shoot the brads in. Once the glue had dried overnight I shot the brads and then began sanding. After that I wiped it down and rubbed oil/sealer/polisher to bring out that awesome golden oak finish. I mounted in to the frame and snapped pics to show you.
I might make more of these later on when time permits since I have it figured out now. I'm still trying to build a workbench in the garage to work on these frame pieces but I'm backed up in painting since I've spent so much time preparing for the shows lately....all of that uis done so it is back to painting.
I have seen some paintings by a few local painters here in the valley that are gallery wrapped paintings in natural finished wood frames....I know, gallery wrap pieces are not usually framed but they sure look cool floating in a wood frame. So, I decided to make one since buying one for a 20"x40" painting I had done was between $130 and $150 at online prices....I didn't even want to ask my local framer how much he'd make one for. 
6 comments:
You did an excellent job building this floater frame. I always prefer to see gallery wrap canvases framed rather than bare. The frame provides protection to the edges of the painting, sets the artwork off the wall better, and gives a professional look. Plus you can screw the hanging hooks into the frame instead of the stretcher bars, which is better for the painting.
Hi Patrice,
I agree, I think a frame around a gallery wrapped canvas is the icing on the cake. It really gives any piece a finished, professional look.
I had recently seen one of the other artists in the studio tour we were in and her work was all gallery wrapped pieces in frames. Hers were bought online and I decided it was too expensive to go that route even just to try it out on my work. Making one was to see if I could do it and to keep costs down.
It took a while to do it because it is the first one but I'm sure should I do more I'll get much faster.
Thanks patrice for thaking the time to post here and your comments.
I also agree that gallery wrapped canvas is good in a floating frame like this. I think the frame always always gives your art that professional finish, the look that says yes this is a professional piece of art not some leisure painting.
I did a few commissions without, but they were the thicker 'box' canvas which is a bit more sturdy looking
Hi Ryan,
I've seen the thicker 3" canvases...out here they call them Museum Canvas. Pretty cool looking especially when large.
I like the look of this too and agree, it does add a professional looking finish. I have to pick up some more wood to try another. Should go much easier the 2nd time around, all the lessons were learned on the first one.
It's a fun project to do and the results are cool. The price is what I like the best! hahaha.
Thanks.
Thank you for showing how you did this. I ordered a few of these online and they weren't cheap but looked it. I also have 3 paintings that are 3 ft x 4 ft and would cost a fortune to buy a frame for (they are painted on gallery wrapped canvas). I also like the nice wood you used. Thanks again!
Hi Tracie,
If you have a table saw or access to one these types of frames are very easy to build using less than $20 worth of Red Oak (or any wood you choose) that you can buy at any Home Depot. The learning curve on the first one is there but after that they are a breeze. Thanks!
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