What We're Framing Now: Carla
Unique and personal artwork is much easier to obtain when you are an artist yourself. Such is the case with our Lincoln Park Showroom Manager, Carla, and her original artwork inspired by challenging her artistic self with a musical hobby.
What piece did you frame?
It’s a painting that I made of my guitar.
What do you love most about it?
I’m an artist and really wanted to make this painting of my guitar. About twelve years ago, I was inspired to learn guitar specifically because of the music of Django Reinhardt. I have been going to a festival ever since and spending a week surrounded by amazing musicians learning, playing and having a great time.
One year I returned to my room and my guitar was on the bed with this beautiful light pouring in. It reminded me of an Andrew Wyeth painting.
Although my artistic style is completely different, I wanted to pay homage to this moment and important part of my life and recreate this scene.
To be honest, my painting skills are far better than my guitar skills.
Why did you choose the framing combination you did?
I liked that it reflected the room - simple and stark. Yet, there is a lot of depth in the finishes and colors of the frames. The outer dark brown frame has a hand-rubbed finish that works really well with how I painted the walls. And the inside frame brings your focus to the guitar. It’s reminiscent of the wood tones and brass hardware.
As a framing nerd, I also like that the sides of the dark frame are rubbed gold and the inside frame continues that design.
What's your favorite part about how it turned out?
My favorite thing about this framing is that it is absolutely different from what I had in mind for it. I’ve been doing this for almost 27 years and I was certain that this other frame was going to be IT. My colleagues chimed in and showed me other options and we came up with this design together which is just perfect. I work with really really talented people!
What have you learned from taking up guitar playing?
I always encourage people to try new things even if they are not sure or don’t think they will be good at it - for me, that was guitar. I’ve never had so much fun not being really good at something.
Also, don’t be afraid to try different frames!
Where will you display it?
In the room with my guitar. It’s a reminder for me to practice, practice, practice.
Musically-inclined yourself? Bring in your favorite music-inspired piece to see Carla in Lincoln Park, or visit us in Highland Park or River North.