This afternoon I finished the picture I mentioned recently, of magnolias from our garden. It is not the best work I have done, but it is certainly a workmanlike piece which will serve its purpose. As I had nothing else immediately in mind to do I decided that it might be an opportune moment to frame it. This is something I am reluctant to do because I am always aware that a professional framer can make a better job of it. Nevertheless, I have a selection of unused frames in the rack in the cellar, and it wasn’t hard to find one which I felt was suitable in terms of its general character and size.
The job was a relatively straightforward one, but I noticed immediately I had finished that it did not satisfy me. I had not chosen a frame which permitted enough space around the image. It is cramped, like a foot in a shoe that is size too small. Really the spaces around the image need to be half as wide again, at least. To add to the effect, the frame itself is slightly too heavy, given that it is in such close proximity to the picture. When I take into consideration the open-air character of the subject-matter I now realise that I have made a mess of it. I could never exhibit the piece in its present condition.
The frame will do for now, as a safe and convenient form in which to store a pastel picture which otherwise would be rather vulnerable. If ever I decide to show it, however, it will need to be done properly. I have learned an important lesson at the relatively cheap cost of two wasted hours.