Now please know I’m not going to patronise you with a proper how-to on this one. In fact, it’s not really a how-to at all, it’s just me sharing because ya know, I’m a blogger and therefore am naturally AN OVERSHARER*.
*It’s okay, I’m not going to tell you about any weird rashes or anything – continue to eat your lunch or dinner or whatever it is you may be consuming whilst you partake of the gifts of the internet. Ahem.
So… ya know I went to see one of my favourite photographers, Kirsty Mitchell at the Mead Carney Gallery in London in May? If not, you can check that out here. But regardless, she’s awesome. (And as of publishing this post, the exhibition is still on but only until Saturday, the 13th so if you haven’t yet made it, be quick about it.)
What’s not so awesome is the cold hard realisation that short of a lottery win or finding out I have some rich old relative who has left me sh*tloads of money in his/her will (I don’t have one of those), I will never own a piece of her work. She sells mainly to collectors and people who can afford to buy art that costs thousands and thousands of pounds and please know, I completely understand her reasons for this. What she does is pure unadulterated craft and she should charge accordingly.
But what about me? Little fan girl here in Manchester who wants a piece of pretty Kirsty Mitchell cake too? Well, I did the next best thing. I grabbed two of the postcards at the gallery featuring her work and framed them instead.
Yes, they are custom frames but I use Ezeframe.co.uk for a lot of my art simply because it’s cheap and it’s quick and for around £15 per frame, it’s not terribly expensive. (nope, not sponsored, just where I get them)
I think for small pieces like this, it’s worth going for the double mount option – mostly because I like the way it looks but also for only a tiny bit more, I think it adds a bit of gravitas to a smaller piece. It stops looking like a free postcard and it starts looking like a small piece of art.
Gaia The Birth of an End (the yellow one with the headdress) has ended up in my mini gallery wall in the bedroom. For all my talk of gallery walls going out of fashion, I still do like this one and I like the recent addition which pulls in the yellows and golds of the room. And below it? A drinks coaster from Boadas, a bar we went to in Barcelona – see? framed memories always work well for cheap art…
The Secret Locked in the Roots of a Kingdom (the one with all the flowers) will go in my kitchen somewhere although I haven’t yet decided it’s exact location but the colours work so beautifully with the wallpaper-backed shelving in here that I’m sure I’ll find a spot for it.
While of course, I would prefer the gigantic ones that I saw at the gallery, for now, my two little framed pieces remind me of that wonderful visit and I feel like I have a little piece of her work in my home.
Have you ever framed postcards as art?
great post and super inexpensive. I love the uniqueness of your postcards, it is so you and they match so well with what you already have going on.
I’ve done the same with small samples of art. Calendar’s are very good for this. The key is to frame it well so that it does look like a small important piece of art. Love the double mat and the gold frames. Both pieces look beautiful and perfect for where you’re displaying them. I too wish I could have the big pieces but your comment about it reminding you of your gallery visit really resonated with me. :-)
Oh, her art is amazing! I would frame postcards of it too! I really think this is a great alternative to showcase the art you love when it’s a bit out of your reach. I really really love this and your styling is spot on…as always ;) xo
Love, love, love! Yes, I have framed all sorts of things through the years: Christmas cards, book pages, and postcards. So fun!
I’ve been framing postcards for a few years and it’s a really great way to not only have beautiful art but also to remember museum visits. I saw a collection of Herb Ritts’ photographs and LOVED it, but the book was $60 in the gift shop, so instead I picked up a $10 pack of 25 postcards. I have 5 or 6 framed, though after seeing yours I think I have to up my game (mine are in plain ikea frames). Postcards are also a great way to display some less-conservative art (e.g. beautiful nude photos) without it becoming a deal with guests.
LOVE that Gaia print and the frames are perfect. Out of fashion? Gallery walls?! Just as well I’m not very trendy!! ;-)
I’ve never framed a post card but i have framed things like birthday cards, and if i’ve seen a book i like in a second hand shop i’ve framed picture out of the book (yes i no i’m sorry i’ve cut a book up) but its a good way of having a lot of cheep art and if you put it in a good frame it can look really good xxx
This so simple but effective, I love it! Rather than put my postcards in frames, I’ve used colourful mini pegs from Amazon and strung them above my fireplace on a piece of string :) Will definitely keep this in mind though!
Ahh I love framing postcards! They’re great for filling in gaps in gallery walls, or creating a montage with 3 or 4 in a floating frame.
I’ve also found some really beautiful wallpapers that I’ve framed! It works well for creating bigger pieces of art on a budget. I wrote a blog post about framing random stuff – you might like it! http://www.catherinesprunt.com/2014/06/affordable-art.html
The attention you’ve paid to the frames (and mounts) really sets them off! x