True Confessions

Picture a real artist, someone famous–maybe Van Gogh, Georgia O’Keefe, or Rembrandt–and imagine them planning a composition. It’s hard to conceive that they measured the canvas or paper to fit a particular frame they wanted to use. Their genius lies in creativity, not restrictions.

Imagine my surprise at the answers I got when I posed this question to a group of watercolor artists and hobbyists: Do you ever paint to a specific frame size? The vast majority of responders admitted that they do indeed do this on occasion. Perhaps they have an antique frame they want to use, or even a new or recycled one that is crying for some art. Framing is expensive, and if an art show requires submissions be framed to a professional standard, it just makes sense to try to use something you already have or work at a standard size.

I felt a bit guilty when I started my current painting project, working with the daylily to fit a long, narrow vintage tramp art frame. Then I thought of a big space –perhaps a garden–for which a sculptor is hired. Surely the garden’s size comes into play as that artist contemplates his hunk of steel or slab of marble. Why can’t a painting follow suit?

Do any of you paint to the frame size? I’d love to hear your thoughts!