Tag Archives: artwork

The Benefits of Archival Mats

by David Heyman

The function of a mat is to give breathing space around your artwork or photograph, letting the eye have a place to “rest” while taking in the image. A blank, neutral mat border surrounding the work adds class and transforms what could be a snapshot into a real work of art. Notice the transformation of this image from a plain poster frame, into a professional, gallery quality display, just by the addition of a mat.

The image on the left looks like a decorative poster, while a mat instantly transforms it into a work of art.

The image on the left looks like a decorative poster, while a mat instantly transforms it into a work of art.

Mats come in many shapes, sizes, colors and textures. However, one crucial element  is often overlooked when selecting a mat: whether or not it is archival in quality.

The majority of mats on the market today are made from wood pulp, the same substance used to make mass-produced paper. While paper products made from wood pulp are inexpensive and abundant, their use in displaying and protecting artwork is limited, due to their rapid decay and discoloration.

Wood fiber contains lignin, an acidic substance that is a cellular component of trees. When that fiber is made into paper, including mats, the lignin remains in the finished product, making it a ticking time bomb for eventual disintergration.

Acid causes mats to yellow, staining your artwork in the process. Gone unchecked, a paper mat will eventually turn brown and become brittle, spreading acid burn on to your work. While substances can be added to the paper fibers to slow down the deterioration, they are temporary, and no mat made with wood pulp is suitable for archival use.  Look at the effects of a wood pulp mat on this photograph:

Notice the yellowing and discoloration on the image matted with an acidic wood pulp mat.

Notice the yellowing and discoloration on the image matted with an acidic wood pulp mat.

The finest mats are made with cotton, a fiber that is naturally free from lignin. 100% cotton mats will never yellow, turn brittle or damage your valuable work. Although initially more expensive than the imported mats made with wood pulp, Oak Creek Printworks Bainbridge Alphamats are a good investment, ensuring that your art is protected and will never be ruined by the careless addition of an acidic mat.

When choosing a mat for your work, never settle for “acid-free”. This is a term thrown about so often it has become almost meaningless. Anything can be labeled acid-free, but that doesn’t mean it will last. An acidic wood pulp mat that is sprayed with an akaline coating is called “acid-free”. Yet the acid in the mat will quickly overcome the coating, and it will have worn off even before the mat is used for diplay.

Here are some criteria to use when selecting a fine quality archival mat:

  • Is it made from wood pulp, “high alpha cellulose”, or 100% cotton?      Nothing is as stable and naturally archival as cotton.
  • Is the mat just “acid-free” or is it truly archival?    An archival mat never needs to be processed or coated to have acid removed, as there is no acid to begin with.
  • Are your mats imported from China, or made in the USA?   Don’t be fooled by offers of “acid-free” imported mats that are too good to be true. Our archival mats, in a bright white, cream, black and gray, are made in the US, and cut right here at our studio.

One quick way to check if the mats you have are truly archival  –  look at the bevel (the slanted cut right next to the window of the mat). Wood pulp mats start out with a yellowish core, which quickly turns brown, as shown in these photos. A cotton mat starts out with a bright white core.

On a wood pulp mat, the bevels start out yellow, then quickly turn brown.

On a wood pulp mat, the bevels start out yellow, then quickly turn brown.

Your artwork is your passion. Never compromise or hurt your images with an acidic mat.

Painting and Photography

by guest blogger Jennifer Simpson

www.JenniferSimpsonArt.com

Jennifer-Simpson

My name is Jennifer Simpson and I’m the artist behind Jennifer Simpson Art Photography. I have painted with oils for most of my life and dabbled in acrylics and watercolor. I became serious about photography about 3 years ago with the purchase of a Nikon D-80 which I still use. My current work involves combining my first love – painting – with photography.    I came across the process I currently use rather by accident. I was getting some artwork ready for an exhibit and decided I would print my photographs onto canvas rather than my usual framing,  I never liked framing anyway, it’s a tedious process for me. Once I stretched my photographs onto a wooden frame, I realized that painting the photograph would be a unique, challenging, and meaningful way to present my artwork and express myself.

To explain my process in detail would be nearly impossible as each piece I do calls for a different technique to get across what I’m trying to say. I believe what they all have in common is a certain dreamy, vintage quality though – that and the fact that I only do them in a square format. Each photograph I do is first printed onto canvas, sometimes in color and sometimes in black and white. I then create what is basically a shallow wooden box to mount the canvas on. I line the canvas up onto the wood and gallery wrap it, using a staple gun to attach the canvas to the back edges of the ‘box’. I then flip the canvas over, put it on my easel and start painting. Sometimes I begin with an opaque wash of thinned out yellow paint over the entire photograph to give it a yellowed, vintage appearance. Then I paint the edges with black or brown paint bringing the color down onto the photograph, adding layers and wiping them off until the right amount of color vs. opacity is achieved.

There’s really no specific science to this,  I just kind of go by look and feel. Depending on the photograph I will sometimes create an entirely new background for the subject, painting a sky with clouds behind it or perhaps an ocean view or just completely changing the color, giving it a solid orange background where there once was forest or a wash of subtle blues and greens where there once was a building. At this point, I usually take sandpaper and start taking off the color in places, deconstructing the artwork so to speak.  It is this distressing that gives it texture and further interest. I take off the paint in some places, I even remove bits and pieces of the photograph itself from the canvas.

Dreams-Before-WakingThat-Seventies-SummerLanding

I create my canvases in all different sizes ranging from 10”x10” to 40”x40”. I photograph my painted canvases and make prints from them as well. I recently ventured into doing note cards after it was requested by several of my customers.   To see more examples of my work, you can visit my website at www.JenniferSimpsonArt.com.

Bookmarks Can Be Inexpensive, Personal Gift

Turn your artwork into custom-made gifts that fit your budget

by Stephanie Ferguson

In these tough economic times holiday giving can be a challenge. Many people are turning to homemade gifts, and in my opinion a homemade gift is the best kind. Looking for a great, personalized gift that says “I made this just for you”? Looking for something your children can give? Look no further.

bookmarks1 bookmark fan2

In addition to being something everyone needs and uses, bookmarks can be a great way to show off artwork. Besides having your artwork printed, you can use your children’s original art, or they can prepare art on the computer. Another idea is putting together a collage using mixed media. And you can personalize the gift for someone special. Only your creativity limits the final product. Slip the art into a vinyl bookmark sleeve, add a tassel and your task is complete. If you want to protect the bookmark and dress it up as well, save money by purchasing the bookmark sleeve and tassel together as a “bundle.” The more sleeve and tassel bundles you buy, the more you save.

Gift ideas include:

• Stocking Stuffers
• Enclose with gift books
• Children’s gifts to grandparents
• Child’s gift to teacher. Decorate the front and write a poem or message on the back.
• Showcase your own artwork on the front and put your contact information on the back so the bookmark can do double duty as a business card.

When it comes to tassels, Oak Creek Printworks carries more colors than anyone.  Holiday favorites include Tinsel Twist (red and green with gold tinsel), Christmas (combination red and green), Candy Cane (combination red and white), Royal Blue, Red, Green, The Precious Metals set includes Antique Gold, Silver, and Copper.

Our bookmark sets include the plastic sleeve, and a tassel. You can buy the card blanks separately. If you are interested in custom printed bookmarks, we can do that for you too!

We’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment on this article by clicking on “Add Comment” below, or send us photos of your creations (jpeg format, 72 dpi). Perhaps your work will be posted on our blog!