Edgar Degas said, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” So toward that end, local framing expert Deb Spicer, of Eastlake Framing in Bend, could consider herself as someone who helps others see in the most creative arenas imaginable. The wrong frame can obscure beauty; the right one brings it front and center.
“I love to use a beautiful silk or linen mat, layered with an exquisite Italian frame to draw out the beauty of some of the most magnificent artists’ renderings and local photographers’ pieces of our Central Oregon landscapes,” Spicer explains. “We are fortunate to have, right in our backyard, tremendous natural beauty in every season and tremendous local talent. My goal is to present both in an unforgettable way.”
But sometimes, less is more. To keep on the cutting edge, Spicer studies industry trends and makes sure she’s offering the full spectrum of what people might be looking for. One such movement entails a far more modern, minimalistic and oversized focus via abstract pieces. “I love the clean lines it presents,” Spicer says. “If you’re open to trying something new, there are ways to make the art shine in its own right by following a few simple guidelines.”
Spicer suggests that you find art you love and commit to it, because you’ll likely have it longer than your other furniture or décor. You can also tie the visual aesthetic of your room to your artwork by choosing the best elements of your abstract — vertical blue swashes or horizontal orange lines, for example — and carry those throughout your space. You can add richness and depth with your art by bringing in accent colors to a neutral room.
“If a room has two-story cathedral ceilings, a large abstract piece can help bridge the gap between the grandeur of the room and the human scale of the décor,” Spicer advises. “Don’t be overwhelmed by a large wall, take it down to size with oversize artwork.”
An abstract painting can create the right atmosphere in your home by establishing an immediate mood through the elements of color, pattern and composition. An energetic composition that implies movement can set a lively mood in a room where socializing will occur. An abstract painting defined by subdued colors can create an atmosphere of calm introspection in a room designed for relaxing.
“The surface of a large abstract painting can amplify the value of ambient light reflecting any indirect light in the room. And if you paint the background wall a slightly darker color or tone, the painting will become a subtle source of illumination,” Spicer explains.
Spicer is finding herself greeting many young, fresh faces bringing in beautiful abstract canvases and helping them pick out the perfect minimalist frames to fit in their Central Oregon spaces. However, she’s also a master painting restoration expert and lover of art.
eastlakeframing.com • 541-389-3770
