Storybook art

Illustrations from some children's books are masterful artworks warranting more display than your child's bookshelf. Framing these special pages can bring a story to life. Purchase antique pages (ranging from $7 to $45 apiece) from print dealers, or buy a new book and cut out favorite pages. Feature just one page, or group several from a book.

MATTINGLARGE OR SMALL?

First decide if you want to expose the entire page or just the illustration. You can cut a window in the mat just large enough to surround the illustration, cut it larger to reveal some of the written story, or float-mount the whole page by attaching it on top of the mat board. A large mat may make a small piece of artwork look more important. Larger art may only need a 1 1/2- to 2-inch mat. The size you should get depends on the frame you choose and where it will hang. If you purchase a readymade frame without a mat, an art-supply store or frame shop will cut one for you.

You can enhance mats by adding creative borders or handwriting words that correspond with the illustrations. Use colored pencils and a ruler to create simple borders. For additional interest, consider cutting the mat a little larger along the bottom or on the left and right sides.

FRAMING-CUSTOM VS. READYMADES

You can spend as little or as much as you want on frames. Purchasing a special molding at a frame shop can certainly beautify the art, and you have control over the finished size. But inexpensive readymade frames will keep the cost down. The frames above were less than $10 each. We freshened the look with a quick coat of spray paint and crisp white mats. A readymade frame will determine the amount of mat surrounding the art. And remember, mats are not usually provided with these frames.

WHERE AND HOW TO HANG

Look at your wall and decide what finished size works best. You do not want art so small for the space that it gets lost. Nor do you want art too big. Adding cord or ribbon gives framed art a special quality and can fill a larger space. With a staple gun you can attach cord or ribbon to the back of a wood frame. Or, try painting whimsical bows on the wall in a color that coordinates with the art.

When hanging groupings, don't spread them too far apart. Measure carefully where the picture hangers should be placed so they will hang evenly. Sandra Allen Lynn

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation May 1998
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved