Tag: triptych

Sticky Booger Framing

A few months ago I finished this triptych, now called “GOING GOING GONE”, but it sat around in the studio waiting for framing inspiration. Well, that inspiration finally showed up in the form of cork foam board, an orphaned 12×26″ frame, and a whole lot of JB Weld epoxy glue.

If you’re interested in the details of this artwork, follow the link to the post in the above paragraph. Otherwise, read on to learn about the challenging world of custom framing, at home, with nary a YouTube DIY video to be had.

Challenge #1: How does one attach wood blocks to a frame without backing? I was headed down the path of cutting a custom wood back, but then I stumbled across a 1/4” thick foam board while looking for balsa wood as a lighter alternative to plywood. I also happen to have a matt cutter, which is much more finger friendly than my rotary saw, which is buried somewhere in the garage.

Challenge #2: How to attach foam board to frame? Also known as “glue or screw?” I was leaning screws, but as I was digging through my massive drawer of miscellaneous art crap, I came across a tube of JB Weld, an epoxy glue that’s stickier than a wet booger. Despite having been used once in the past, probably more than 3 years ago, it still worked!

Challenge #3: What was the best way to affix the wood blocks to the newly added foam core backing? See aforementioned sticky booger solution. But, the trickiest part was ensuring the 3 blocks, all of which are different sizes, were lined up properly. I’m positive there’s a better way to do this, but I opted to use a center string and blue tape at right angles to ensure the blocks were glued in the right spot.

Surprisingly, it worked out! I used the cork side of the foam board so I didn’t have to paint the white side, and I kinda liked the light brown coloring, which looked like a porter or amber beer. The best part, which my wife pointed out, was that by using the cork side for the backing, it was similar to a coaster bottom… like for a cold pint of beer… get it?

This piece will likely be added to my solo show, “Something for Everyone”, at Kerbey Lane Cafe in San Marcos, Texas, available for the reasonable price of 10 cases of Guinness or (512) Pecan Porter.

Thanks for reading!

by Categories: Art Tips, Mixed Media, still lifeTags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

The Disappearing Pint

GOING, GOING, GONE! | Triptych | 10×16” | Mixed Media on Wood

Sometimes things don’t go to plan. Bob Ross had a phrase for this in the art world, “happy accidents”. What dear ol’ Bob didn’t clarify was that sometimes the plan goes to shit before the painting begins! 

GOING, GOING, GONE was supposed to be 3 square panels of equal size, the only progression being the artwork itself. However, before planning the composition I hadn’t verified the existence of 3 identical panels in my studio… AFTER having painted the middle panel, i.e. “GOING”. So rather than being the patient, pragmatic person who pauses the artistic process and acquires 2 additional identical panels before proceeding, I searched my studio for the next best option! It’s hard to tamp down unbridled excitement for starting a piece of art, so I’ll give myself a little break in that I was ready to get this thing moving without delay! 

Turns out I was having a Bob Ross moment. The triptych, while unconventional, proved to be very effective in terms of turning your expectations upside down. Specifically, the pint of beer is drunk down over 3 stages, whilst the side of the panels increases. I’m sure the experience isn’t universal, but my senses get upended a little as I digest the 3 panels and have to do a double take because the detail, values, and saturation decrease as the panels dramatically increase in size. I hope it has the same effect for you, otherwise it might be a little boring. 

As to the mixed media approach, I simply wanted to build on my recent foray into this technique. I suppose this could be done quite effectively with standard oil painting, but there’s something fundamentally different with the texture and chalky finish of spackle and acrylic paint that makes these artworks stand out from a crowd. That said, I think these pieces are like saltillo tile – you either love it or hate it – but either way you can appreciate its unique nature. 

Lastly, I’m excited to frame this triptych, although I have no idea how I’m going to do it. However, I do like the vertical layout as done in the photo, which is a little different spin on the typical triptych layout, but it also forms the shape of a pint glass… so there’s that.

Stay tuned for the final decision. Perhaps it’s a painting you’d like on your wall? 

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by Categories: Mixed Media, still lifeTags: , , , , , , , , 3 Comments