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I have a painting…

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My father painted this large canvas when he was in Hawaii during WWII.

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I never questioned when a man at war would find time to paint because my father painted anywhere, everywhere, all the time… even if he only had ten minutes.

This painting has hung over our bed in 4 different homes and hangs there still.

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My father was mostly a water colorist so his oils are rare, I only have two. The frame is basic, handmade with whatever was nearby at the time. My mother never liked it… so it was hidden in a closet until I got married and adopted it 40 years ago.

Am I overly fond of Hawaiian palm tree scenes? No. Does the tropical island design blend with our house in rural Maine? Probably not. But historical provenance and sentimental value trump decor every time.

Point of this blog?

Since we seem to be redoing everything else in our home.. I decided it was time to update this old girl as well.

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Which wasn’t as easy as I’d hoped.

Mind you, I knew this would be pricey… isn’t everything these days? But since it’s an oil that didn’t need to be restretched, an oil that didn’t need a mat or glass … I was hoping to get away for $300-$400.

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This frame?

$825.00

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This one?

Almost $1,300.

*Gulp!*

It’s clearly been a long time since I had anything framed.

😳

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37 thoughts on “I have a painting…”

  2. My Wife is a keen amateur artist. She will frame many if her paintings. They don’t cost anything like you’ve quoted, but even bog standard frames, especially if made to measure, are incredibly expensive for what they are.

    😲

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  4. I love the painting and the sentiment!
    A few years ago, my husband bought a signed black and white drawing of Muhammad Ali. He asked me forever to get it framed nicely so he can hang it in his office. I finally did it about six weeks ago and it looked really good. I don’t want to brag, but it was only $300 so maybe framing cheaper down here? AnyWho, I brought it home. He loved it and decided to give it to one of our lovely employees who is Muslim and thought he would appreciate it more than my husband would in his office. *slaps hand to forehead *

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  6. I feel that! I recently reframed 2 cross-stitch samplers that I had in stitched in the 90s. Talk about sticker shock! AND they didn’t even need to be stretched and mounted! AND the frames were metal, not wood! AND the custom framing was supposedly on sale (50% off)! Still cost me $500 in our Monopoly money 😉🇨🇦.

    Ahh well, they look good on the wall. And that lovely painting of your dad’s will as well.

    Deb

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  7. My mom has an embroidered stitched framed picture which is completely not at all part of her taste, but the woman who made it, a holocaust survivor who took my mom under her wing when she was pregnant with me and who became her surrogate mom in Canada, gifted it to my mom. It hangs proud in the library room and every day when we step into that room, we marvel at her patience to have finished this huge piece of art. So I understand the sentimental value. Your dad was somehow inspired by that exact spot and compelled to paint it. It’s amazing, really, trying to imagine what went through his mind when he painted it.

    Also, it’s criminal how expensive these frames have become. Have you thought of checking thrift shops to see if an donated frame you like might match the dimensions?

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  14. I had Alfonse Mucha posters from the Czech Republic that sat in the tubes I sent them home in for ages. When I went to see about getting them framed I was as gobsmacked as you. I ended up doing the thrift-shop / second-hand store rounds and over time found something the right size. For my Éclat du Jour I found a bright yellow one, which didn’t require re-painting. I got a standard frame – albeit larger – for the Moravian Teacher’s choir poster (folding away the choir, leaving just the girl).

    Obviously these aren’t as precious as the canvas your Daddy’s hands have touched. Good luck with finding something just right. A small home-framer might have something perfect, and take the care you need.

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  15. “custom” anything really jacks up the price, doesn’t it? we have a craft store called michaels here that does framing but it’s been forever since i checked prices. they often advertise “50% off” which at least is a fun thing to imagine ha

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