Are my paintings ok without frames or anything for a small show?

Question

I will be showing 5 of my paintings in a local art show at a community center with one other artist. They are aware that I am a recent college graduate and still a beginner but will still be showcasing my art. In fact, I have to price each piece for sale, which I'm nervous about! Also, the majority of my paintings are on large canvas in which I did not paint the sides of them. My teacher at the time suggested we not do so but now they look sort of incomplete from the sides and many of them have paint dripping down them. I think it looks messy but don't have the space (or the time) to fix it and I don't really want them framed. Will this look extremely unprofessional? What do most people do with paintings in a show?

Answer 1

mount them up on a large card of sigular colour that suits your paintings themes and colouring. i find cream works best for my work or white.

you can buy mounting boards from any good art supply store eg burns and harris

Answer 2

you have a couple of options:

maintain the theme: the look of your works is unfinished...so carry out the theme in presentation. place a can of paint with a paintbrush next to it like you're still coming back to finish it

emphasize: because it's an obvious situation, the works being unframed, put them in a stark spotlight so that you're emphasizing the exact point you're nervous about. putting the light on them is the frame but it also makes it look like what you did was slightly intentional.

improvise: put lights around the perimeter as a frame or create another simplistic way to frame the pics. depending on the content of the painting you could do something woodsy like sticks....

OR find a local artist or gallery person or interior design person to give you ideas. find a way to tie all of the paintings together, or a theme. this will lead you on a path of creativity that may materialize a way to frame them or allow you to excuse the fact that they aren't framed. good luck!

Answer 3

A GOOD frame can help a lot.

Cheap ones, can help a little.

That said, you don't need to have one, esp. if the paintings are large.

Do you have time to put a little acrylic around the edges?  It dries so fast. . .

I wouldn't worry so much about them.  I've seen plenty of paintings on canvas without frames, and edges un-done.  

You can state they are a work in progress in your artist's statement if you feel really self-conscious.  Pricing is nervewracking, true, but this a talent you have, your vision, that is unique!  

Not enough artists, or art schools, focus on the business aspect of art.  It is equally important.  Think about it as a job, how much per hour, plus materials, given your experience is realistic to charge?  If a painting cost 250 in materials and took 20 hours to make, at say, 20 dollars an hour, 650 is totally reasonable!

Don't sell yourself short, have fun and learn.  Your first show out of school is just as much of an education as an academic one.  

Congrats!

Answer 4

i put my pictures up for sale once or twice i dont think it really matters whether  it has a frame or not i think the only thing that matters is the price going to be low enough.because you wont sell it if it isnt.ann.

Answer 5

It is acceptable to exhibit gallery wrapped canvas without frames. That is stretched canvas that is stapled on the back (not sides). A little paint or drips on the sides are okay.

When pricing art work you should chose a price that will not fluctuate down. It is okay if prices go up but your customers want to know that what they are paying for will not go down in value.  

Answer 6

One word: Presentation.

Though it matters not about the edges, sadly many people will be distracted.

  If you're trying to reach an audience (especially one to whom you could sell a piece) everything must be exactly right, if you're  simply sharing your work, it's all about what you want.