Foursided Blog | Foursided Chicago

Scooting into Spring

Apr 03, 2017

Spring has officially sprung in Chicagoland and we've been basking in some gorgeous sunshine through our shop windows! The flowers are blooming, the short shorts are strutting, and it's almost time to stow away those heavy coats until next winter. So of course, the Foursided gallery walls had to reflect this welcomed seasons change. Kim, one of our many talented framers, was up for the challenge. We spent some time with her at our Broadway location while she pieced together this vespa beauty by Methane Studios.

This beauty has spring written all over it. Not in a bright and floral way, but in a subtle, classy way - a style that's quickly becoming more popular for the modern minimalist.

We were totally digging this color scheme. We paired a mid-century wooden frame with an off white mat to really set off the colors in the print. It looked like something that was straight out of the Brady Bunch home. However, something was missing. The piece needed a bit more color. That's when Kim had the idea to do a double mat - and a good idea it was.

We paired the off white pat with a navy/bright blue color-core accent mat. This helped separate the white of the mat from the cream of the print, along with adding dimension to the piece. We were immediately in love.

Once we bevel-cut the mats, we were ready to secure them to the print. Bevel cutting is the process of cutting at an angle and is standard for cutting any openings in mats. This allows the mat to "flow" into the piece, and in the case of using a color-core mat like our navy one, allows for the pop of color from the core to show through. We used our ATG gun to secure the mats to the print.

Fun fact: ATG Gun sounds pretty technical and fancy, but it literally is an acronym for "Automatic Tape Gun." You're one step closer to becoming a professional framer!

We carefully cut our glass to size, made sure our print was spic & span, and placed the glass on top. The next step was to fit the frame to the artwork!

What a breath of fresh air! Doesn't that make you just wanna hop on the nearest scooter and take a ride around town? We were both geeking out at how this piece came together. Make sure to stop by our location at 2939 Broadway and see it for yourself! You can also take it home with you for $285.

Want more Foursided? Make sure to follow us on instagram (@foursidedchicago) and keep checking back for more exciting blog posts! Happy Spring!

Abstract Framing

Aug 03, 2016

After many complex specialty orders, framing an oversize original piece of art can look deceptively simple. Artist Ian Schmidt (sorrowsandbones.tumblr.com) created this stunning piece for our clients who smartly framed it with a preservation savvy, classic appeal.

The paper had some wear and micro-tears, with a lot of bubbling from the density of brushstrokes. It required careful handling and special mounting to flatten it out. We decided the piece didn't need the extra design element of a mat to extend or formalize it, but instead maintained the free flowing form of the original art.

We used acrylic on the piece in lieu of glass for safety reasons (acrylic is much lighter than glass on the wall and won't shatter if it falls). Also, acrylic can sit directly on top of the paint medium without harming it in most cases.

Completed with a simple matte black frame, this piece will make an eye-catching statement in any home. Gorgeous, no?

Interior shot by: pufikhomes.com

Pin Game on Point

Jul 19, 2016

Enamel pins, patches and flair have made such a massive comeback that walking down the street can be a major 80's throwback. This framing customer was way ahead of the trend with his ultimate collection of enamel pins dating back years!

The consultation process for a piece like this can be extensive. Collaborating and laying out two well-balanced, vertical pieces with appropriate spacing and color between each pin is essential. When finally the arrangement is settled, we take photographs to capture and recreate placement exactly.

We chose a gray matboard to contrast the pins and used a double mat to strengthen any angular qualities in the piece. After the mat is cut, we punctured each pin through the backing so they could lay perfectly flat.

A classic matte black frame finishes off the look beautifully. The end result is a colorful masterpiece, with subdued tones keepin' it classy. Anyone have a pin collection that could contend with this one? Didn't think so. #pingame