I’ve been designing framed and matted art for almost 10 years and have I got some great tips for you! First of all, don’t feel bad if you think you don’t have the “eye” for design. Framing and matting art is definitely a learned skill, combined with a bit of flare.

I’ve had the luxury of working in an art framing facility which has allowed me to spend endless hours matching artwork to mats, mats to frames and frames to art in dozens of colors and sizes. So, without further ado, allow me to share some simple rules that will make your final decision pain-free….and beautiful.

1. Choosing your Artwork: This is so personal. All I can say is that there is no ugly piece of art. Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. Remember this one rule – let the artwork speak to you. It may remind you of something, someone or some place that comforts your soul or simply puts a smile on your face. Maybe the colors alone uplift your spirit or soothe your mood. The rule is simple – if it touches your heart, then to you, it is Art.

2. Choosing a Mat: In the art framing industry, we call the border around the picture the “Mat Board” (“Mat” is the short-version). Adding a mat is a personal choice. The only way to know for sure if a mat is necessary is to try it. If you are at a store, hold the mat beside the print. Sometimes, you will feel that the artwork or photograph simply doesn’t need a mat. Keep in mind that there is an added cost to consider.

On the other hand, mats can be quite complimentary and should never be overlooked without consideration. Here is the simple rule for choosing a mat if you like the look of it around your art: select a lighter tone or neutral color. You can look for a paler version of a color that is within the print itself, too. If the mat color is too dark, it will overshadow the image, making it appear lost. So, I prefer lighter tone mats. I find they always accent the artwork beautifully.

I also love a black mat, but only on certain occasions. When I use a Stainless Steel frame, I find that the black mat is gorgeous. BUT, the picture is almost always a photograph and mostly a black and white image. If you want to add a mat to your artwork, play it safe and choose cream. If you want to save a few dollars and you feel the artwork is beautiful all on its own, then leave the mat out.

3. Choosing a Frame: several key questions to ask yourself before you can make this selection.

a) Is the artwork contemporary or traditional? Contemporary is a fancy word for modern. It is always abstract or photographic, but it can also be floral or scenic – as long as the artwork has clean lines, trendy colors and a current, up-to-date feel. Traditional is somewhat “old fashioned” and can appear “time-honored”, as if it were created many years ago. Still life drawings, mature landscapes, Victorian children are all good examples.

Contemporary artwork suits black, brown (including bronze) and metal frames, while Traditional marries well with the champagne, silver or gold ornate frames.

b) What is the style of the room that your artwork is going to be placed in? This is not nearly as important as matching the frame to the art, but it is still a consideration. For example; children’s rooms are vastly different from dining rooms, while a contemporary kitchen has a different style to a traditional family room. It is worth mentioning here that the trend for 2009 is in mixing it up. Traditional rooms are inviting modern frames and contemporary rooms are welcoming traditional frames. So, focus on the artwork and hang your framed print in whichever room you want!

c) What is the size of the artwork? Whatever style you choose, keep this rule in mind. Never select a large frame for a very small print. Frames are supposed to compliment the artwork in a subtle way. In simple terms, the frame should be understated, rather then overwhelming. Personally, I only use frames that are 2.5″ – 3.5″ in width for artwork that is 22×28 and larger.

Thinner frames (0.5″ – 1.75″) are ideal for art that is 18×18 and smaller. Although I have seen thinner frames on much larger pieces, I feel that it doesn’t do anything for the artwork. Either you go big on large art or you minimize the frame completely, opting for a Flush – Mounted frame or a Stretched Canvas finish. In the end, everyone has their own unique taste when it comes to Framed Art and all I can do is offer you my simple rules as guidelines. Remember, you’re the only one who has to love it, because you’re the one who has to live with it!

You might think that a race car driver’s life and an extreme athlete’s life are interesting and exciting, with never a calm moment, where you never know what the next day will bring. Believe it or not, there is another profession where you simply never know what the next moment will bring – teaching.

Yes, you got it right, teaching is the one job in the world that is simply full of unexpected hazards and the kind of surprises that can either make you fall asleep that night with a smile on your face or the kind of surprises that cab make you tear your hair out.

So you might reasonable think that at the time of retirement teachers heave a sigh of relief and keep the books away at last. But that is not true. When they reach retirement, teachers always seem too sad for words.

This is easily explained, actually. Teaching is one of the most challenging of jobs, and also one of the least financially lucrative of jobs, as well. This combination means that if a person decides to become a teacher, it is purely from love of teaching. This is why when they reach retirement; teachers suddenly seem not to know what to do with themselves.

This is also why, once they do reach retirement, teachers have to keep busy. They might expect themselves to be relieved that they can finally take things easy, but that is not true – after years on the edge of the seat, sitting back and doing nothing is simply not something they can do very well! They are always so used to having young people around them that the change of pace can be disgruntling after a couple of weeks.

The only way to tackle this little problem is, of course, to make sure that they keep busy – after retirement, teachers have to make sure that they still play an active role in the lies of the children they taught. This is especially true in the case of kindergarten and primary school teachers. At that age, children idolize their teachers, and will welcome having them in their lives again, even if not as teachers.

If you are a teacher who has just retired, and you have a hobby you have not had the time to pursue for ages – be it gardening, knitting, painting, writing or hang-gliding – this is the perfect time to take it up. If you do not have a hobby already, go back to the time when you were the age of the children you spent years teaching, and you are sure to find one. Teachers were born busy. Not being busy is something they just cannot get used to!