Secrets of the City

There’s no accounting for taste.

If Obama is anything, he’s tasteful.

If I had a nickel for every time I found out about some cool exhibit a few days after it closed…

If I had a nickel for every time I found out about some cool exhibit a few days after it closed…

Obviously, you should read the Rakemag’s cultural blogs more often…

Because this is an art thread, I wonder if anyone knows of a place where I can learn matting? I have a bunch of stuff to frame (posters/photos), and I have the frames, but I don’t know how to matte stuff and I have no money to pay someone else to do it. I could pay for a class, however, or just a lesson or two. I’m looking at you andyst for info on all things art-related!

Good call. I do believe Andyst’s been the matte a couple times…

Maybe andy can advise me on the best way to frame this batik I have, too.

Matting is fairly simple you just need the $150 matte cutter and some mad measuring skills.

I know, I’ve heard it isn’t too complicated, but I need to learn how to figure out the dimensions etc, as well as how to actually cut them. I for sure need someone to show me, and then walk me through it.

I recently learned frame-making and now have about 20 wooden frames, almost ready for use. And the posters, photos and my own art. So all I need is matting and glass. Oh, and backing. Crap, this is an elaborate process! But once I get it down I figure I can frame stuff for practically nothing.

Andyst is over on that other thread commenting on busking and whatnot, I don’t think he’ll come to this thread

I’m guessing he’d come to this thread if you promised to play some accordion for him!

But seriously, Jane, if you can put together your own frames, you should be a wiz at matte-cutting…

I will play Misty for andyst. If only he would return to this thread to advise me! He is my only hope!

Thanks for the encouragement arthappy. I’m sure I will be adequate at matting once I learn how. It took quite some practice to make my (mostly) adequate frames, of which I’m inordinately proud!

Huh? What’s going on in here?

You’ll play Misty for him?
Jezus, Andyst, what are you waiting for?!

Read upthread andyst!

What is Misty, anyway? What have I promised to do? I have no musical talent.

Oh, mat cutting! Well, in fact I can help!

Before I became a blogger, beardo, curator, male secretary, cyclist, accordion pervert, lazy illustrator and freelance tour guide, I was in fact trained by Old Man Preston in Louisville, K-Y as an ace arts-material retailer.

Cutting mats is simple — you just need a twenty-five dollar handheld model from Logan and a good metal T-square, and you can pretty much do anything. That’s how I cut all my mats, and my house is full of old-timey crap I bought on the cheap and made look acceptable through the magic of matting. Old Man Preston trained me well.

Dougie’s right about the larger model, incidentally — it’s nice to have, but it’s basically just the $25 model with a track and a mounted base.

Misty is this. You were probably thinking about the Eastwood movie, in which the song plays a key role…

Look at me,
I’m as helpless as a kitten up a tree
And I feel like I’m clinging to a cloud
I can’t understand,
I get misty, holding your hand.

Walk my way,
And a thousand violins begin to play
Or it might be the sound of your hello
That music I hear,
I get misty the moment you’re near

You can say that you’re leading me on
But it’s just what I want you to do
Don’t you realize how hopelessly I’m lost
That’s why I’m following you.

On my own,
Would I wander through this wonderland alone
Never knowing my right foot from my left,
My hat from my glove,
I get misty, and too much in love.

This is Misty:

By the way, “Play Misty for Me” is the name of a Clint Eastwood movie.

Oh, I really ought to throw out some love to Old Man Preston while I’m at it.

The old and acrylics class you see listed is taught by Hunter S. Thompson’s high school girlfriend. It’s true!

Actually, here’s a link that plays the original version of “Misty.” Mathis’ version made the lyrics famous…

BTW, the movie “Play Misty for Me” was essentially the original version of “Fatal Attraction.”

Wavelength, Douglas G. Wavelength!

Well, regardless, Jane, you owe me at least an a capella rendition.

You can perform it before Maz, mb and mine’s all-star keytar version of “Anchors Aweigh.”

Which, I might add, Mr. Tester has yet to take me up on.

Get out of my head arthappy!!!!

Oh, I really ought to throw out some love to Old Man Preston while I’m at it.

Ahhhhh, link love!

Get out of my head arthappy!!!!

Well, you get the bigger kudos for finding those YTube videos!

I knew you could help! That is really good info and I will purchase one of those Logan thingies. Can I get that at Art Materials or the like? And the t-square? Oh, and the actual mattes? (How do you spell that, anyway?)

Now please advise me on where to go to get instruction on how to do this.

And where do I get glass? I’ve been strongly advised to spend a little more and get some good UV glass. My frames are all non-standard sizes.

And then I’ll need advice on backing.

Dougie-D or anyone else, feel free to weigh in w/advice

THANKS!

Art Materials’d have all of that stuff — it’s usually where I go (plus I used to work there). I actually do prefer Wet Paint in St. Paul, if that’s not too out-of-the-way for you. Wet Paint reminds me of Old Man Preston’s place.

But basically they’re both OK. They both sell t-squares, matboard and glass. UV glass is nice to have if the pieces are going to be hanging in direct light. As far as backing in concerned, acid free board of some kind has always worked for me. Just make sure it’s acid-free. It’s a little pricier, but it won’t melt your art in ten years. Regular board will.

Also, ask for scrap matboard to practice cuts with. And flirt a little when you do. A nice 22-year old art boy working there will find a way to get you some. If you know the sizes you need, they’ll cut the matboard for you in the store, too. It’s easier to transport that way and saves you a step.

Incidentally, this is essentially the same spiel that 22-year old me would be giving you at the art store.

Incidentally, this is essentially the same spiel that 22-year old me would be giving you at the art store.

You would be asking the art chick to flirt with you? For shame, Andy…

Did somebody mention Old Man Preston?

I’m all for sweet-talking my way into some free stuff! I’ll be sure to wear something distracting too. This is gonna be fun!

I’ll have more questions, I’m sure, but this is great for now.