Page 62 - Wax & Words

MATTING

Mats are magic. The can make a
small experimental collage look like
a gallery-worthy composition. Why
is this? A mat does not make the art
better. But it does isolate the work
from the objects around it, giving the
viewer a chance to really see the care
that the artist took in creating detail
and carrying out concept. Mats give
the work breathing room, while a
wide visual border boosts the impact
of small-scale artworks.

In my workshops, I provide mats
for all the students, especially in
workshops like Wax & Words
where we generally work with
5x7” substrates. It’s important for
my students to honor their work by (a standard frame size), and the opening is 4.5 x 6.5”,
matting and displaying it. which is perfect for a 5x7” artwork.

Mats also serve as a visual aid to Blick Art Supply has a product called Roadshow 3-in-
elect strong elements for cropping 1 Display system which comes with a mat, backing,
your compositions. You saw some if and an acetate sleeve. These are very affordable and do
this in the videos. justice to your work without breaking the bank.
In the video, you saw how to put the mat over a
You can cut your own mats, or you composition and move it around until exactly the right
can have them custom-made, but I area is showing.
like to buy ready-made mats that are Here’s the source for the Blick mats that I buy,
a standard size so my students can I use painters’ tape to adhere the piece to the mat although there are other sources, I’m sure:
frame their work inexpensively if because I may decide to reframe it if it’s going to a
they choose to. The mats I use most gallery later, but the painters’ tape holds just fine for as
often measure 11x14” on the outside long as I need it. Blick Roadshow 3-in-1 Display System

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