Q: The sides of your paintings are pretty messy, what's with that?
A: The sides of most of my paintings are indeed messy, and that is a deliberate artistic choice. My artistic process is very messy, as it involves moving large quantities of paint (and other materials) around on a canvas. I let gravity do a lot of the work, and that results in having the excess paint run off the canvas. While I sometimes tape off the sides to keep them clean and/or paint the sides black afterwards, I generally prefer to allow the sides to show the process. Sometimes there are even gaps between drips that show the underpainting. To me, the sides tell the story of how the painting was created, which I like. I usually do tape off the back of the canvas (unless I'm so excited to get started on a painting that I forget!), and I also add small felt tabs to the corners of my paintings when I wire them for hanging, so your walls will be protected.
Q: Now that I have one of your paintings, do I need to get it framed? Custom framing is pretty expensive, isn't it?
A: Getting a painting framed is a personal decision, there's no right or wrong. I tend to leave my paintings unframed. I like how they float on the wall. As mentioned above, any painting you buy from me will be wired for hanging as is, with felt tabs in the corners to protect your walls, so framing is not necessary. But a frame can certainly look good too! Custom framing can get expensive, though if it helps you to enjoy the art more, then it may be worth it. You will need to visit a framing shop to discuss options and prices.
Q: What, if anything, do I need to do in order to protect a painting? How about cleaning?
A: Nothing! I make sure to finish my painting process with a 2-3 thin layers of professional varnish. This should protect the pieces from discoloration due to uv exposure, and even from any spills or splashes that might reach them. If you get something on a painting, just wipe gently with a damp cloth. You can also dust or wipe gently as needed, being careful not to press too hard. Avoid use of harsh chemicals. Oh - and avoid hanging any painting or print in direct sunlight or directly above a heat source.
Q: How do you determine what a painting is worth?
A: That's an interesting question, and one which artists and artisans have asked themselves forever. There are many potential methods, including factoring in the amount of time that it takes to create a piece, the cost of materials, studio space, etc. I've decided to go with a simple calculation based on a price per square inch + gst. Right now I'm asking a relatively low price for original art. I like the fact that my pieces, especially the smaller ones, are affordable. Compare the cost of an original work of art to what you pay for a dinner out with a beer or glass of wine. Of course, pricing per square inch means that my bigger pieces are more expensive. This makes sense because they cost me a lot more to produce, both in terms of time and materials. If you like one of my pieces but would prefer to have something similar in a different size (smaller for a lower price, or bigger to fit a specific space that you have in mind), don't hesitate to contact me - you can commission me to create something tailor-made to suit your taste and budget.