Monday, May 9, 2011

Golden Retriever - Work in Progress


I was able to work on the Golden some more this weekend. Above is the second photo I took (the first one I posted last week).


I think he's done. I'm going to stare at it for a while longer to see if there are any other tweaks I want to make. If not, I just need to sign it, paint the edges, and get the wire on the back for hanging.

I had some issues with the wire last time, I can't be the only one, or maybe I am. I switched over to using Ampersand Gessobord painting panels. I prefer them because they're a bit deeper and I don't need to prime them as they come ready to paint on. The downside is that I have to put wire on the back.

I don't know how anyone gets the eye hooks into the wood frame on these panels, it takes someone stronger than I, that's for sure! Or, maybe there's a drill involved. If I did that as a first step then I could clamp the painting panel into a vice grip...hmmm, maybe next time I'll give that a shot. In the mean time, I came up with a pretty good solution, I used a staple gun to staple the wire in place on each side then doubled it back on itself and wrapped itself, same as you'd do with the eye hooks.


I'm pleased with the results and I don't think the wire's going anywhere, so maybe I'll leave the drill on the shelf.

7 comments:

  1. Looks done to me! But I totally understand the "stare at it for a while" thing. Can take me up to three days to finish that step. Then, if there are any changes, it starts all over again!

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  2. Lovely! I need to learn how to make frames and cut matte board. It is on my to do list.

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  3. AMAZING COLOR COMBINATIONS! VERY ORIGINAL! I LIKE IT SO MUCH! :)

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  4. Sam, LOL! Isn't that the truth! I do believe I've decided this one is finito.

    Sherry, you're ambitious! I can do matting, I had a ton of practice in high school and college to the point where I cringe when I get out the matt cutter now. I, too, would love to be able to build my own frames, though that seems rather daunting to say the least. If you do that, I'd love to hear about it!

    Thank you Darel! :)

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  5. Hi Darlene--Thanks for the follow! Welcome. Putting a screw eye into a stretcher or frame is easier than the staple approach (and much stronger). You need an ice pick. Tap into the wood about a quarter inch or so and twist it out leaving a little pilot hole. Screw eye starts very easily. Then put the ice pick through the eye and use it as a lever to rotate the screw eye clockwise into place. Simple, elegant solution. No strength or deathgrip necessary. Wm

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  6. THANK YOU!!!!!!! I just added an ice pick to my shopping list!

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