E-Tip: Art of Framing: Wanda Zuchowski-Schick


                           



Nature’s grandeur—both big and small—is the subject of Wanda Zuchowski-Schick’s watercolors.  She depicts grand landscapes, in particular America’s national parks, as well as floral specimens, like poppies and tulips, using a layering technique in which the paint is allowed to dry thoroughly between applications.  This approach achieves a unique marriage of vibrant color and diffuse line which imparts a restful quality to her work.  “Nothing heals my soul more than being one with the beauty of the greatest creation of all time—our natural landscape.”

Born and raised in Northwest Ohio as the ninth of fifteen children, Zuchowski-Schick attended Bowling Green State University and went on to receive a Masters of Art in Education from University of Toledo.  She majored in printmaking and spent thirty years as a printmaker and art teacher in Toledo Public Schools.  These days she devotes herself entirely to painting and travels extensively to art shows and nature preserves.  She has exhibited throughout Ohio and Michigan, including at the Ohio Watercolor Traveling Exhibit.  She has won numerous awards at the Toledo Federation of Art Societies’ annual exhibit at the Toledo Museum of Art.  In 1997 she was awarded an Artist-in-Residence at Isle Royale National Park, where she spent 16 days isolated in the beauty of nature. 

“Being alone in the vast expanse of our National Parks humbles me and creates inner peace.  My paintings and prints are realistic and very personal.”

In 2002 Zuchowski-Schick was awarded an Artist-in-Residence at Voyagers National Park.  Currently she is concentrating on a body of work which comes out of that experience. 

Wanda selected “Poppies” for our feature because she finds that its vibrancy speaks to many people.  We’ve framed “Poppies” three ways: for fun color, virtual reality and classic poise.

The Art of Framing

Thrifty Ease-
Perfect for a sunroom or breakfast nook, here the dark green frame paired with a subdued white mat and a forest-green bottom mat emphasize the piece’s own casual liveliness without taking over the stage.  Because green is the secondary color in the artwork itself, it is a natural choice for the frame color.  The green bottom mat and the white top mat add depth and heft to the slim metal molding.


Print: Poppies  (14” X 10 1/16”)
Frame:  Radius metal collection- Hunter Green R171 (17 ¾” X 13 13/16”)
Top Mat: Smooth White (white core) CBW222 (17 ¾” X 13 13/16”)  Borders: Top: 1 ¾”   Sides: 1 ¾”   Bottom: 1 ¾”
Bottom Mat: Forest Green (white core) CBW229 (17 ¾” X 13 13/16”) Borders: Top: 2"   Sides: 2"   Bottom: 2"
Acrylic: Standard Acrylic AAS (17 3/4 X 13 13/16)
Mounting Board: Standard Mounting Board MTBS (17 ¾” X 13 13/16”)

Framing Treatment Total: $33.06


Gallery Ready-
Here the traditional subject is made new and bold with a textured silver metal frame and a dark chocolate mat.  Since darker colors recede, we chose to use the chocolate on top, for the wider portion, and the vibrant red mat for the slimmer bottom border.  This ensures the poppies themselves remain the focus of the piece.  The crisp red edge also suggests a window frame, making the piece less still-life and more “virtual reality,” perfect for a contemporary space. 


Print: Poppies (20 X 24 1/2)
Frame: Neo- Florentine metal collection, color Silver NF150 (18 ¾” X 15 5/16”)
Top Mat: After Dark CS9599 (18 ¾” X 15 5/16”) Borders: Top:2 ¼”  Sides: 2 ¼”   Bottom: 2 ¾”  
Bottom Mat: Stop CS9577 (18 ¾” X 15 5/16”) Borders: Top  2 ½”" Sides: 2 ½”   Bottom: 3"
Acrylic: Standard Acrylic AAS (18 ¾” X 15 5/16”)
Mounting Board: Standard Mounting Board MTBS (18 ¾” X 15 5/16”)

Framing Treatment Total: $56.26 plus FREE Shipping!


Fine Design-
In this treatment, the stand of poppies echoes traditional still-life pieces, making the piece appropriate for a formal living room or dining room. A bottom white mat suggests the paper the art is created on, thus fixing the image as a rendered object. The addition of two more mats adds depth and luxury while allowing the eye to rest between the ornate gilded frame and the detailed, lively subject.  The middle, dark green mat is shown in slim reveal to provide a “break” between the bottom white and top cream mats without calling too much attention to itself.  Finally, the frame’s gilding is tinged with red to relate it to the red poppies. 


Print: Poppies Poppies (14” X 10 1/16”)
Frame: Silver & Gold - wood collection- Antique Gold w Red N118 (21 ¾” X 17 13/16”)
Top Mat: Colonial Cream 8667 (21 ¾” X 17 13/16”)   Borders: Top: 3"   Sides: 3"   Bottom: 3"
Middle Mat: Black Shadow 8669 (21 ¾” X 17 13/16”) Borders: Top: 3 ¼”    Sides: 3 ¼”    Bottom: 3 ¼”
Bottom Mat: White 8634 (21 ¾” X 17 13/16”) Borders: Top: 4"   Sides: 4"   Bottom: 4"
Acrylic: UV Protection Acrylic AAUV (21 ¾” X 17 13/16”)
Mounting Board: Archival Mounting Board MTBA (21 ¾” X 17 13/16”)

Framing Treatment Total: $138.78 plus FREE shipping!





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