THE ‘MAT’ POLICE

Professional Framing?

You…who’ve been there – know who I am talking about… but for the benefit of those artists who have yet to submit work to a local art show… for whatever reason… no time, too anxious, shy… here’s a little fun…and reality

‘Newbie artist’ walks into the gallery… proudly clutching their framed painting under their arm… looks around at all the unfamiliar faces… standing in line waiting to que up to the volunteer tables…to check their painting in.

When out of a far corner of the gallery swoops a figure…who fairly glides across the floor and heads straight for you. And in 5 seconds… you feel five years old… as if someone caught you with your fingers in the cookie jar… and crumbs all over your face.

As you hyperventilate… this mouth full of huge teeth… because by now you are too stunned to look at the whole face… this personage proceeds to snatch your painting… lay it unceremoniously on the nearest table and says in a hushed voice…to a sitting volunteer…”I’ve got this.”

You cannot run away… because your painting is too far away to snatch and run… and by now there are two or three new people behind you…waiting to check in… so… backing out … is no longer an option.

You… have come face to face… with the dreaded… MAT police.

“In this gallery… we prefer…(notice the third person voice)… that you double mat your paintings. It looks so much more professional… and blah blah blah.” Because you stopped hearing the exact words… when your heard…’it looks so much more professional.’ Because you know ‘professional’ means … people who get paid for their work… and that is not you.

You just got up the nerve to stop listening to friends and family who have said to you on oh so many occasions…”You still playing around with those paints?”

But your new found ‘friend’ is not finished. “And we prefer the 1st mat to show 2″ on all sides… and the 2nd mat to show 1/4″ inside the 1st mat… on all sides.”

At this point let me remind you… a sense of humor is worth it’s weight in anxiety prescriptions.

Because… now the MAT police person is just hitting her stride… and heading into high gear…like a Detroit Diesel…’whine, whine…whine.’

As she flips your painting over… exposing it’s baby backside…the side with your wire hanger and hooks… she jabs disdainfully at your handiwork… and points out that your amateur attempt at affixing the wire and braces… is just… well… on the shabby side.

Never mind that you smashed your thumb and drilled your middle finger…getting the hooks into the frame.

Then she…the MAT police… points to a painting… that has passed muster and turns it around for you to see the hanger side… it is as smooth as silk and pressed and so clean looking. At which point she says to you…”I can suggest a professional framer for your work.”

Now… not all of us have a calculator in our heads… but the ‘MAT’ police person has just told you that you should invest approximately $300-$600 into a painting… before… you can show it… in their gallery.

Which is why… many newbie artists start out… submitting their work to an online gallery competition… such as ours…while they get their feet wet… in the local exhibition dance.

Because… all we want…is your participation. No frame. No mat. No shipping. No embarrasment. No MAT police. No hassle.

So… take another look at our Online Competitions…pick one… and breathe easy.

However… consider the actual sticks and bricks gallery situation. They have an image to maintain. They have an investment in personnel, inventory and a certain ‘vibe.’ And the MAT police is just part of the learning curve… in being represented by a stand-alone gallery.

So…take this article with a sense of humor… but know… there is some truth in it. You will have to play by the ‘presentation rules’ of a stand-alone gallery… if you want to be counted… as one of their artists.

Or for the moment…forget the MAT police… and play with us