Gilded Arts and Crafts Style Frames

Here are a couple of arts and crafts style frames. A simple square molding, with "bark" carving on flat surface and geometric corner ornaments. Water gilded with 23K gold over yellow and red boles. One is for a painting I did earlier this year, the other was just to have on hand. Will post additonal pictures when finished with toning, etc.

Almost Spring in Sturbridge

Glorious weather, so we spent the day in Old Sturbridge Village (www.osv.org). Things not quite ready to turn green yet, but warm and ready. The rooster at the Freeman farmhouse was enjoying his day in the sun, the sheep were resting. Sometimes a "staycation" isn't so bad.

Rainy Day (Weekend) Fun

Just last week I am outside burning brush, now this same area is underwater for the first time in about ten years. We didn't have it as bad as others in the region, but it did mean staying in all weekend so I could keep bailing and mopping the cellar.

While forced to remain at home base, I continued with the oil gilding of the large oval. I also finished carving a frame, so I could gesso that as well as some sample sticks.

Gessoing is like housebreaking a puppy - you pretty much have to stay home all day. At least the moisture in the air kept the coats of gesso from drying too quickly and cracking.

Back to Gilding

After applying clay, I was able to start water gilding sections of this large oval mirror. A big improvement over trying to gild on the original material. I know have all the water gilding done, and will be doing the oil gilding this weekend, since the weather forecast means being indoors for the next few days. That's March in New England!

Brush Burning

In our town, you can burn brush in the early spring. After a lot of winter storm damage and cleanup, I had three days of burning so far, and still need to do more. We had a spell of really nice weather, so this was a chance to spend days outside.

A Setback and Progress

Repairs were done, and I began water gilding over original gesso/clay. I wasn't happy with it, so decided to go with new clay (bole). This often happens with old work; I think the glue in the old bole doesn't re-activate enough to hold the leaf.

I should be able to start leafing again tonight. After the water gilding, I will shellac, then oil gild remainder of frame.