When I wrote about mounting my apple painting onto a wooden cradled panel, I thought the hardest part was over. Mounting the paper had been something I'd put off for a long time because I simply didn't know where to start. In the end, it turned out to be far less daunting than I'd imagined.
Now the final step is complete.
I bought a frame from Jacksons Art and framed it myself.
There's something quite beautiful about a frame. It doesn't change the painting itself, but somehow it changes the way you see it. What once felt like a study on paper suddenly feels complete. It has a presence that wasn't there before.
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This painting began as a demonstration during one of my workshops, inspired by Cézanne's beautiful still life paintings. It wasn't created with the intention of becoming a finished artwork, yet sometimes those unexpected pieces end up becoming our favourites.
Cropping it into a square format was my first brave decision. Mounting it onto the wooden panel was the second. Framing it was the final step that brought everything together.
Because, even now, calling a painting 'done' can be scary.
The whole experience has reminded me how often we hold ourselves back because we're worried about doing something for the first time. I spent far longer thinking about mounting artwork than it actually took to learn how to do it.
The same is true in painting.
Whether it's trying a new technique, using unfamiliar materials or creating work in a different style, the hardest part is usually taking that first step. Once you've started, confidence grows naturally through the process.
Seeing this painting framed has also made me realise that some pieces deserve to leave the sketchbook or studio drawer. We can be so quick to dismiss our work because we only see what we'd change next time. A frame encourages us to pause and appreciate what we've already created.
This won't be the last piece I mount onto a cradled panel. In fact, I already have several more in mind.
Sometimes creativity isn't about making something new.
Sometimes it's about giving an existing piece the finish it deserves.
Rebecca x
If you've been putting off trying something new in your own creative practice, perhaps this is your reminder to begin. My online course, The Art of Creative Freedom, is designed to help you build confidence, explore your own style and enjoy the creative process without the pressure of perfection.