I’m just back from getting the frames ordered for 4 pieces that I am entering into a juried show in January. I really wanted to do something a little differently than the typical white matt and black frame this time. My research over the last month hasn’t revealed a lot of environmentally friendly choices however. One frame moulding producer, Framerica does a frame made up of discarded wood and wood chips and milled to form new frames. BonanzaWood is what they are calling this composite wood that meets the EPP requirements. Sounded like a brilliant idea to use for my environmental themed prints. Until I realized that I had to order huge quantities to bring it in. I did manage to find a supplier for smaller quantities but not enough time to order and bring it across the border before the deadline for my next show. But it’s an idea I want to pursue and I’m ordering some samples.
The other new innovation is Hahnemühle’s fine art paper made of 90% bamboo and 10% cotton. Bamboo is a renewable grass therefore much more ecologically sustainable than paper from wood pulp. I have a printed one piece with it and will experiment with some more. The sheet is cream color, not white so will take some adjusting to get the images to look right but the warm tone will enhance certain pictures. More information on this paper at www.green-rooster.com
For all my research and scheming, with Christmas coming up I just didn’t have time to fulfil any of these ideas. The black frame, white mat won out.
