New Framing Experiment

Seeing Red

I have been searching for a framing alternative for the works I do on paper.   Why do I use paper? Well,  I guess because I always have and it was easier to throw away a piece of paper versus a canvas.  But primarily it is a lot easier to store and ship something on paper rather than canvas boards or stretched canvas.  But I have always felt the downside was that additional framing costs could prohibit a person from buying a piece.  Not only is it more expensive but you either have to do it yourself or pay a framer to do it for you.  This looks more like a floating frame and actually could be framed if you choose.

So, I think, I might have found a solution that I could implement that could make a paper piece "ready-to-hang", and do it at a reasonable cost.  This is my hibiscus, painted on Canson canvas paper, and a linen-like textured surface.  During and after the painting process I used varnish coats (I used gloss, ain't gonna do that again) which really kept the paper flexible, not wanting to warp when water was added, and sealed the acrylic.  I then painted the edges and sides of a canvas, slightly larger than the paper.  Then I adhered the paper to the canvas, originally I had it white, but think the black actually looks more like a frame.  Since I just got 7 more canvas I guess I will probably do 7 more of these in any case - or 7 more of something!!  Another positive to this is that you can use odd-size paper sizes and end result is a standard size painting that could be framed if desired.  Also you can experiment and adjust the side of the "mat" to get different looks, i.e. a miniature picture could be done and pasted so that the top and bottom edges are much wider.

 I think it gives a nice clean contemporary look to the piece - what are your thoughts?