When I began painting again a few years ago, I didn't focus a lot on framing finished work. I think I was too focused on the paintings, on engaging with how those evolved. And, what I commonly see in the world of artists who are doing oils and cold wax, and even encaustic, is paintings presented on the panel they're painted on, without a frame.
However, I started trying out frames for a few pieces - like going to a fancy department store and trying on clothes, removed from the context of everyday life, seeing how they looked. And: I loved it. I'd forgotten how transformative a frame can be to a piece of art.
And, in 2024 I'm beginning much more frequently to exhibit my work. Framing the pieces that I exhibit not only says the piece is complete, but protects it during transport and handling (frames are replaceable, but the artwork is not). And, there is that unmistakeable change in presence when the piece is hung. Framing a group of work for an exhibition cemented my preference for seeing all the work this way.
For for all of these reasons, I have decided that I will consider framing my work the final step of "done". Pieces on the website will have an option both of "framed" and "unframed", but the default selection will be framed.
The frames I am using are excellent quality frames built by a family operated business out of California. They're great to work with, and i'm really happy with their frames. The frames themselves are solid wood finished in a lustre black, two inches deep, with a 1/4" reveal alongside the edge of the panel (this style is called a floater frame).
Part of the change in moving to framing my work is that I am also now staining the edges of the panels with an ebony wood stain. In the frame, this creates a greater sense of depth in the reveal. And with the panels unframed, this dark edge helps set the painting apart from its surround.