Gallery Ready: Framing Your Artwork

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Framing can be an Achilles heel for an artist. They spend hours, weeks, months, years perfecting their art practice, but few know the art of framing. Who can blame them? Most of their energy is spent on making the art, followed by - or in conjunction with -  applying to shows, collecting likes on social media, updating their website, participating in art fairs: there is no shortage of things to do! Once they get the good news that their work has been accepted into a gallery or a collector wants to buy a piece of their work, they must ensure the art is protected and properly framed. 

If you're an artist who just completed a piece, you may be asking yourself: How do I frame this masterpiece?! 

There are many options. Too many. And such a range in cost. From DIY efforts to affordable options from big box craft stores to specialty art stores to professional framers, what is an artist to do? 

Here are a few resources to help you on your framing journey. 

For an interesting look at the history of framing in museums, check out this article on the Guggenheim, What's in a Frame?

Curious about working with a framer? Here are 10 questions between an artist and her framer.

Want to learn more about framing on a budget? Hear the folks over at Art Prof discuss the ins and outs of framing on their popular YouTube channel.

We also think it's important to point out a way to get around the whole framing debacle. If you are a painter who works on canvas, consider making your work gallery wrapped. Gallery wrapped means using a canvas that is stapled on the back only and finishing off your work by painting the edges of your canvas neatly. It gives your art a modern look, saves you money, and takes the hassle out of framing. This won't work for everyone or every medium, but it can be a great alternative.

Written by Jaimie Kelley Choi