NEWLY ADDED ART IN PRINT - Chris Trueman

Somewhere between a computer screen saver, a journey to find your spirit animal, and a car window streaked with rain, you'll find Chris Trueman's electric abstract canvases. (Huffington Post) [caption id="attachment_7301" align="alignleft" width="538"]Natural Selection #28, Chris Trueman 2012 Natural Selection #28, Chris Trueman 2012[/caption] 'My process begins on a raw canvas, I start by painting gesturally, with brushes, squeegees, and a variety of tools. The second layer is often a process of masking and spraying with an acrylic based spray paint. In this process I have to start building backwards, because the negative space is what will show through. Sometimes the spray is solid, at other times it allows the previous layer to show through, sometimes the masked layer covers the whole surface, sometimes just parts of the painting. The interesting thing about using the acrylic spray paint is that it adheres differently to the various surfaces, so the areas with the underlying gesture the spray is more solid, whereas the areas of raw canvas, the paint doesn't adhere as well. This ends up merging the layers, rather than a flat even graphic layer on top of a gestural painting, the graphic layer takes on the shapes and forms of the underlying layers. I then repeat this back and forth, more gestural painting, sometimes staining by watering down the acrylic paint and then back to the masking and spraying. What makes this body of work different than the previous bodies of work is that the gesture comes back to the top, before the final layer was a masked and sprayed layer. I know it is finished when there is a tension and balance between the forms, even though I work somewhat intuitively in the process, I start out with an idea of what the work will more or less look and act like in the end and I can see when I have accomplished my objectives while maintaining a freshness.' CT Chris Trueman - Interview We are thrilled to be working with Chris . Visit his artist page to view our exclusive limited edition print portfolio.

Working with The Smithsonian Museum

I met New York Abstract Expressionist Michael Goldberg in 2001 and worked with him until his passing at the age of 83 in late 2007. Watching him paint, reading books from his vast library and being a part of his life was a blessing that I thank the universe for. Last month I was approached by the Head Conservator from The Smithsonian Museum to work with her on a project to document the working practice and materials of the late artist. The Museum's collection includes a range of paintings spanning Goldberg's career and in a small way, I get to contribute to American history and the preservation of the legacy of this fantastic artist! [caption id="attachment_7130" align="alignleft" width="564"]Sardines, 1955 Michael Goldberg. Collection of the Smithsonian Museum Sardines, 1955 Michael Goldberg. Collection of the Smithsonian Museum[/caption]

NEWLY ADDED - Rachel Ritchford

Need a little meditative space? Rachel Ritchford is a painter in pursuit of meditative environments. She earned her MFA from the School of The Art Institute of Chicago and BFA from Herron School of Art in Indianapolis. She has received numerous awards including a Trustee Scholarship (SAIC), Dedalus Foundation Fellowship, Graduate Grant (SAIC), and the Ellen Batell Stoeckel Fellowship (Yale University) amongst others. She has attended residencies at Yale University School of Art, Norfolk and internationally in Nitra, Slovakia; and in Amsterdam. Rachel has participated in solo and group exhibitions throughout the U.S. and Europe, she lives in Brooklyn, NY. [caption id="attachment_6910" align="aligncenter" width="700"]Landscape with Expressive Gesture, Rachel Ritchford 2013 Landscape with Expressive Gesture, Rachel Ritchford 2013[/caption]

NEWLY ADDED the 'archaic armageddons' of Max Greis

Max Greis: “I create landscapes that fuse the past together with the present and the future. Drawing from the influences of Asian and surrealist landscapes, old magazines and museum dioramas, I create what I like to call archaic armageddons.” Greis' print portfolio includes epic paintings and photographs of elaborate, hand made dioramas that nostalgically explore the complex, changing nature of our world Greis completed his post graduate studies at Hunter College in New York City and has exhibited in galleries including Pavel Zoubok Gallery, Edward Hopper House Art Center and the National Arts Club. Greis lives and works in New York City. [caption id="attachment_6837" align="alignleft" width="800"]Brief Eternity, Max Greis 2010 Brief Eternity, Max Greis 2010[/caption]

How to Hang an Artwork

Many people seem unsure as to how to correctly hang an artwork. While there is no right or wrong way, there is a method that maximizes visibility and guarantees consistency throughout your home as your collection grows and you hang more art on your walls. To make things easy, our frames are custom fitted with the highest quality hardware for hanging and are ready for installation, all you need is picture hook, a measuring tape, a graphite pencil and a hammer. Make sure that you choose a picture hook that can support the weight of the piece you plan on hanging.

TWFA Weight Guide for framed prints:

  • Small - 3.0 kg
  • Medium - 3.5 kg
  • Large -  4.0 kg
  • XL - 5.0 kg

Here is a simple step by step guide to successfully hang your TWFA print.

Step 1. Using the measuring tape, measure the total horizontal width of the wall you have chosen to hang the artwork on. Mark the halfway point with the graphite pencil – these marks can easily be erased.

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Step 2.  

From the horizontal halfway point, measure the vertical distance from the floor to your eye level (approx. 60 - 65 inches) and mark that point on the wall. When looking at an artwork your eye should fall 1/3 of the way down from the top of the artwork. 

P1020822   Step 3. At the vertical point you just marked, hammer the picture hook into your plaster wall. The picture hook goes into the wall on an angle, and is able to support more weight than a simple nail or screw. P1020824   Step 4. Grab the center point of the string at the back of the picture frame and hang that point over the picture hook.

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Step 6. 

Level the painting to make sure that it is hanging evenly. All done!

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