Framing by Lee Zimmerman

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	Lee Zimmerman

Framing

These silk paintings all retain the sensuous, warm touch of the original white silk. The lustrous surface absorbs the light and throws it back like a prism. Lighting and framing can be an issue.

There are many ways of framing silk paintings. Example images will appear here soon. A few are outlined below.

Under Glass
The paintings are gently stretched around white acid free mat board for support. This is placed under conservation glass to block UV light. The glass is held separate from the painting with spacers to allow air circulation and prevent moisture from being trapped in the fabric.

Framing this way has the advantage that the silk surface is reasonably protected from dirt and light damage. It has the disadvantage that the framed painting is heavy, fragile, and the silk painting will lose some of its textile nature.

	Open Frame A quarter inch groove is cut around the edge of the frame. The silk painting is tensioned and held in place by a cord that is pushed into the groove – much like a screen window. This kind of framing can be used as an interior frame to a larger more ornate frame. Framing this way has the advantage that it is light and can be used to present larger paintings. The silk painting retains its textile nature. In fact it seems to breathe as one walks by. The main disadvantage is that there is no glass that protects it from dirt and light. Open framing costs about $2 per linear foot.

Open Frame
A quarter inch groove is cut around the edge of the frame. The silk painting is tensioned and held in place by a cord that is pushed into the groove – much like a screen window. This kind of framing can be used as an interior frame to a larger more ornate frame.

Framing this way has the advantage that it is light and can be used to present larger paintings. The silk painting retains its textile nature. In fact it seems to breathe as one walks by. The main disadvantage is that there is no glass that protects it from dirt and light. Open framing costs about $2 per linear foot.

As a Banner
To hang as a banner it is often good to back the silk with white linen to act as a stiffer fabric support. The edges of the painting should be framed by a second fabric with loops at both the top and bottom. The painting can then be hung by a rod or dowel running through the loop. This kind of display is common for art quilts.