Gold/Ornate Frames

Roan · #1 01-14-2001, 06:27 AM

Do paintings with gold or really "old-fashioned" ornate frames sell better than more "modern" types? Do clients really prefer them?

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Roan
Nan dèanadh mo làmh mar a dh'iarradh mo shùil!
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llis · #2 01-14-2001, 06:34 AM

Roan....sometimes I feel like the only thing I am selling is the frame.

Don't know about ornate...but gold seems to be the choice around these parts.

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berkking · #3 01-14-2001, 09:16 AM

It just goes to show doesn't it.

I think the medium plays a big role in the influence. I wonder if a contemporary watercolour in an 'ornate' gold frame creates the same provenance as an oil or acrylic. I would think that 'matching' is all-important in this area.

Any researchers out there who could advise?

Nik

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oleCC · #4 01-14-2001, 09:30 AM

Roan.. I have gotten away from the large ornate frames now. I used to use them quite a bit. You have to wonder sometimes, if they are buying the piece for the frame or the artwork ?!
Many artists locally now only frame in the narrow gold/silver toned metal frames and use only white or nuetral mats. It seems juried shows prefer that - so the art is the real
emphasis.

Carol

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Roan · #5 01-14-2001, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by llis:
Roan....sometimes I feel like the only thing I am selling is the frame.

Don't know about ornate...but gold seems to be the choice around these parts.

Sad, isn't it? I'm just confused, myself. I don't see what the big attraction to gold is. I find them ugly!

I prefer a nicely stained wooden frame -- usually dark oak or walnut -- that goes with the rest of the woodwork in my house.

The problem with this is that my house paintings are my gallery and this is what my clients see. I REALLY don't want gold-framed paintings as part of my decor. It's not me

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Roan
Nan dèanadh mo làmh mar a dh'iarradh mo shùil!
-- If my hand could do as my eye would desire!
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Roan · #6 01-14-2001, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by berkking:
It just goes to show doesn't it.

Definitely!

Quote:

I think the medium plays a big role in the influence. I wonder if a contemporary watercolour in an 'ornate' gold frame creates the same provenance as an oil or acrylic. I would think that 'matching' is all-important in this area.

I couldn't agree more, Nik! And not only the medium, but the subject matter. I can see any portrait in a gold-type frame, but contemporary landscapes? No :P

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Roan
Nan dèanadh mo làmh mar a dh'iarradh mo shùil!
-- If my hand could do as my eye would desire!
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Roan · #7 01-14-2001, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by oleCC:
Roan.. I have gotten away from the large ornate frames now. I used to use them quite a bit. You have to wonder sometimes, if they are buying the piece for the frame or the artwork ?!

I do have to wonder! I recently did two commissioned portraits locally and the first thing the client did when I handed her my framing catalogs was thumb to the ugly ornate gold frames. She has a very contemporary house and furnishings -- it just did not work imho! She did ask me which one I would pick and I showed her a plain light oak that I thought would go wonderfully with the woodwork in her house. It's all oak floors. She ended up buying those and thanked me profusely later.

I dunno if I should have steered her that way tho. Frames are a personal thing.

Quote:

Many artists locally now only frame in the narrow gold/silver toned metal frames and use only white or nuetral mats. It seems juried shows prefer that - so the art is the real emphasis. Carol

I agree about the art being the emphasis, which is why I don't care for those elaborate frames. I do like a colored mat, though, because my gallery is my house. I just wish they made museum rag in more colors I can offer to my clients.

I'm thinking of sending some emails to some on-line galleries -- taking a poll -- see what people are doing and what's really selling.

Hrm.

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Roan
Nan dèanadh mo làmh mar a dh'iarradh mo shùil!
-- If my hand could do as my eye would desire!
RoanStudio.com <-- pastel open stock vendor sources & reviews!

carly · #8 01-14-2001, 04:03 PM

Roan, I answered this one at the studio tips forum.

Phyllis lives in the south too...near me...and I agree about the comment concerning gold framing. But I think decor plays a bigger role in a person's choice of frame rather than how it truly compliments a painting.

They like the painting...and they can see it hanging somewhere in their home! But its usually in an ornate gold frame

carly

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"Everything is not art and Art is not everything, but it comes close."....carly

blondheim12 · #9 01-15-2001, 08:25 AM

My clients always go for the gold frames first. However, I do have collectors who like plain contemporary frames and rustic frames with linen liners. I think it's important to show more than one variety of frames. Many tastes!!!
Linda

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www.lindablondheim.com

arlene · #10 01-15-2001, 11:01 AM

I have to disagree with Linda on this one.

When I started showing my work, I had quite a variety of frames. People couldn't see the artwork for the frames.

I have since switched to a simple maple shadowbox in either a clear finish or a black finish. The one or two customers who don't like the frame, I remind them that they're buying the artwork, and the frame is secondary.

That if they like I'll reduce the cost of the work, by the frame, and they can take it to their own framer. But if I do that, then I will NOT take back the work, because it's then unprotected by the glass. That usually shuts them up.

I started selling alot more once I switched to one style in two colors.

I say go for the simple brushed gold frame. Good galleries only want simple frames too.

With regards to mats: I used to use all colors...and would not be able to sell them. I now limit myself to black, white, beige, grey and taupe. I do use different textures, such as marble, granite, linen, etc.

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[This message has been edited by arlene (edited January 15, 2001).]

blondheim12 · #11 01-15-2001, 07:37 PM

Arlene,
Would you have me deny my collectors a choice when they ask for a perticular style? Why not give them what they like? Some of my clients own ten or more of my paintings. Far be it from me to dictate to them the frames they should have, for my own convenience.

Linda

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www.lindablondheim.com

icefan13 · #12 01-15-2001, 07:50 PM

[quote]Originally posted by Roan:
[b]Do paintings with gold or really "old-fashioned" ornate frames sell better than more "modern" types? Do clients really prefer them?

....................

I don't know about ornate frames, but I do know, from speaking with quite a few framers, that woodem frames sell your work better than metal frames. Beyond that, the most important thing is to choose a frame that compliments the work, rather than over powers it or distracts from it.

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arlene · #13 01-15-2001, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by blondheim12:
Arlene,
Would you have me deny my collectors a choice when they ask for a perticular style? Why not give them what they like? Some of my clients own ten or more of my paintings. Far be it from me to dictate to them the frames they should have, for my own convenience.
Linda

Linda,
if they're not so ornate that they detract from your art, or when all are hung in your booth they don't look like a mish mash, then i say fine.

but if your booth looks like a cluttered mishmosh with all different frame styles, think of how much easier it would be for your patrons to see your work if they didn't have to get past the frames.

I only mention it cause it was suggested to me, and (dragged kicking and screaming) i tried it and almost immediately increased my sales.

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http://www.artdebut.com/arlene.htm

Cherie · #14 01-15-2001, 11:23 PM

A 'booth' or show looks much better when there is a continuity of frames and art. I believe it is the collectors responsibility to have the piece reframed for their own style.

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Cherie

blondheim12 · #15 01-16-2001, 06:07 AM

Arlene,
I understand your point, but most of my sales come from galleries and indoor venues lkie restaurants. I only do 6 outdoor shows a year, so I am dealing directly with my patrons on a personal basis, through dealers or phone calls. they know what they like and expect to get it. They don't really care about how work shows in a group. In my galleries there are many styles of frames and art work hung together. That doesn't bother patrons.
I think for show awards, a consistant look to the body of work and frames is important. In that you are correct and in an ideal art world, everyone is happy with one frame style.

Linda

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www.lindablondheim.com

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