Framing Memories: Exploring the Picture Stores of Swansea

4worldlovers:
My Husband had two photos framed for me at Christmas. Both were beautifully done. One was an old but timeless photo. The old frame was dark, as was the mount. Didier suggested a frame that we would probably not have considered. The result is light, modern and stunning. Wouldn't use anyone else.

4worldlovers: Any artwork, be it watercolour, photo or print can be enhanced with wash line borders. We like them because they focus the eye on the subject if done with discretion and not as a ‘decoration’ that detracts. Here below, is an example. The photo is old and partly damaged (which we will repair). The mount is new with appropriate shade and texture. Three lines to tie the image to the mount and frame will complete the work. The cost for this lining work, all done by hand and which will go into a 655 x 455mm frame added a cost of just £6.66

In addtion to the normal flow of work, people are starting to produce canvases, prints and watercolours for upcoming exhibitions. We see examples that have quite beautiful subjects…….here is one from Sian McGill. You can see more of her works at sianmcgill.com

Match after international match. The cream of footballers go to Qutar in November – December 2022. Rhys at orielodl.com-Rhys Padarn Jones has produced this work as a souvnier. They are available as high quality, mounted prints. More about Rhys at rhyspadarn.com

Three canvases for one artist who will paint a contnuous seascape accross them. Attached to a wall with 200mm spacing they will create a window impression. Each is 2 metres tall and 900mm width. made from scratch using 12 oz best quality cotton duck and pine framing.

The sensible thing to do was to avoid being out amongst the missiles flying about. Before the event we completed this painting shown below……

Watercolour wash and line was the popular addition to paintings from the late 19th Century onwards. Then double colour mounts reduced its popularity; plus there was less work and skill involved. Wash and line was deemed to raise an art work out of the Hobbyist category and place it among professionals.

We do wash and line. You can choose colours, how any lines, widths. It’s applied by hand so it’s versatile. Used with discretion and not as an overstatement it will add interest and focus to all sorts of works. Even one black line around a photgraph has considerable impact for the subject. Prices depend on the size of mount and number of lines but rarely exceed £10-£12 on a large work and can be as low as £2.50 on something small. Below is a recent example to illustrate the effects.

We are keeping our policy unchanged for the weeks ahead. This means we can only work to appointments. To make an appointment, call 01792 646181, leave a message and we will return your call and arrange a time for you.

Meanwhile, work continues with a superb variety of interesting items passing through our hands. A couple of last week’s examples below……

Mich’al Rixson t/a Alan Sturk, Picture Framer, 46, Bernard Street, Uplands, Swansea SA2 0DT Tel: 01792646181: rixsonmn@gmail.com

Appointments only has become the norm for us now. When we re-open on Tuesday January 11th 2022 we will have to keep the same rules in place. 1. Make an appointment 2. social distance 3. face mask

Meanwhile, a lot of interesting work has passed through our hands and below we show a couple of older watercolours that we have re-mounted and then added a hand applied wash and line border. Maybe you agree, its the border that adds a lot to the overall effect. It was the normal procedure at the time these watercolours were painted. We can offer it as an extra to any work and in whatever style/colour is requsted.

Please note: WE CAN ONLY WORK TO APPOINTMENTS IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES. Call the number above to arrange.

Meanwhile, artists are also doing their best to keep going and the picture below shows how Sian McGill (www.sianmcgill.com) is being productive on a large work for which we have made the frame and canvas.

Work levels are high and we also have continuing difficulty with supplies. So, we asking for your patience over the next few months. Also, we are having to maintain an APPOINTMENTS ONLY arrangement.

4worldlovers: An amazing place that I get my blue badge photos done! The staff are amazing

I’ve purchased a few items from “Smiles” in the last few months and during the corona virus lockdown, I was and am very impressed with how fast and efficient he was considering the impact of lockdown, nothing was too much trouble and delivery was much faster than I anticipated, in fact I hadn’t even paid for the items when they were delivered. Quality was and is very high and what an absolute gentleman to do business with, I’d highly recommend him and will always bring my business to him.