E-Tip: Art of Framing: Tricia Poulos Leonard



The Art of Framing: Framing the Inexpressible




Tricia Poulos Leonard paints to discover what time, consciousness and language conspire to hide. In her studio, listening to music and connecting to the outdoors, Leonard allows herself to speak through color and form on the canvass, to say what can be said best without words.
“In the beginning, I enjoyed painting the landscapes in a neo-impressionist style. Recently, I have changed my direction to an abstract style.  I find this new direction exhilarating!  I can express my innermost emotions. I hope to reach the viewer through a deep understanding of the subconscious directions our minds take us.  I work in my studio with music playing and the windows open to the outdoors.  Thoughts and feelings that I have suppressed come through the painting.  I am also influenced by the jazz music I listen to while creating.  Abstracts are a visual representation of the abstract quality of music.  My work expresses all of the emotions, from pure joy to the dark moments we all experience.” Leonard has been a full time artist since retiring in 2007 from her job as a teacher, counselor and school administrator.


Thrifty Ease-
A simple black metal frame paired with a single mat create a crisp, professional look. The soft white mat harbors gray undertones, which act as a subtle bridge between the black frame and the crisp black highlights of the art.  The mat color also echoes the lighter sections of the painting.


Print:  Jazz Guitarist (10 x 7¼ ) on Paper: Double Weight Matte DPDWM (10 x 7¼)
Frame:  Standard-S156 Florentine Black (13¾ x11)
Mat: Smooth White (white core) CBW222 (13¾ x11) Borders: top 2”, sides 2”, bottom 2”
Acrylic: Standard Acrylic AAS (13¾ x11)
Mounting Board: Standard Mounting Board MTBS (13¾ x11)
Framing Treatment Total: $51.00

Gallery Ready-
Here the treatment plays a bold role. The wider, black solid-wood frame has a dental detail which repeats the pattern of the guitar frets. The wider mat provides the look of a gallery-hung piece and the medium grey color demands attention.  The “step down” effect of the dark frame to the lighter, wider mat and then to the art itself creates motion as the eye “finds” the color and shapes.


Print: Jazz Guitarist (10 x 7¼) on Paper: Double Weight Matte DPDWM (10x 7¼)
Frame: Traditional- 28701Black (18¾ x 15)
Mat: Chrome #8749 (18¾ x 15) Borders: top 4”,  sides 4½”, bottom 4”
Acrylic: Standard Acrylic AAS (18¾ x15)
Mounting Board: Standard Mounting Board MTBS (18¾ x15)
Framing Treatment Total: $94.74



Fine Design-
In this style the treatment balances the art’s intensity by echoing its primary colors (white, yellow and black) and the frame’s gold lip dresses the piece up to blend with more formal decor.  Add the UV blocking acrylic, archival mounting board and Alpharag mat when preservation of a limited edition or original is of importance or the location will expose the piece to damaging light.

Print:  Jazz Guitarist (14 x 10 3/16) on Paper: Double Weight Matte DPDWM (14 x 10 3/16)
Frame: Bravo- 18304 Matte Black with Gold Lip (17 ¾ x 13 15/16)
Mat: Pure White #8655 (17 ¾ x 13 15/16) Borders: top 2”, sides 2”, bottom 2”
Acrylic: UV Acrylic AAUV (17 ¾ x 13 15/16)
Mounting Board: Artcare Restore MTBAR  (17 ¾ x 13 15/16)
Framing Treatment Total: $110.82




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