Featured Reframing parrot watercolors. Good? Bad? Ugly?

I bought 2 framed watercolors of parrots. Amateur efforts signed Ch Baltes 1951. Each frame measures about 17” by 13”, each painting is about 13 ¼” by 5”.


I decided to re-frame them, and that I didn’t like all that unused space, so I decided to combine them into a single frame. I used the photos I had taken and did mock-ups of how they might look.


The biggest quandary I faced was that each painting was on a large sheet of paper.


I decided to trim them so they could be mounted side by side without overlapping. Normally, I wouldn’t trim even blank paper surrounding a painting. My excuse was that they’re not great paintings, though reasonably nice decorations, and nothing but blank paper was lost – no notes or remarks or suchlike. Also, if someone wants to frame them individually, that can still be done. They could even be returned to their original configurations.


Having trimmed them, I framed them using a white mat, but decided that looked awfully bland.


So I decided to add green as a counter to the white. Back to the computer for more mock-ups.

Didn’t like this. Still too much white.


Didn’t like this. Too much green.


Didn’t like this. Looks like there ought to be some kind of label.


I tried a few other things, but eventually ended up with this.


That is how the paintings are currently framed. A white mat overlaid with stencil-cut green construction paper.

How did I do? Good? Bad? Ugly? Idiosyncratic? Waste of time?

 

I can't wait to see!

 

Nice!

 

After 22 days and 3 weekends of your hard work I would choose exhibit #4.
Hones in on the natural colors Mother Nature and Evolution decided best.

Though your variations are all in good taste.

Where will you hang them/it?

 

I'll never get paid for the time. That's for sure. And I'll probably never hang it - just add it to the pile.

 

Congrat's. I don't have (find) the time or patience.

 

It's kind of sad, isn't it, that I do.

 

Hi,
I agree with Book, your last picture really looks nice.
greg

 

Thanks. My only excuse is: it seemed a problem that wanted solving.

 

I am I love with them, especially in your final setting. The blue-green evokes a nice rainforest-y humidity with tree-shadows. I love the paintings, too... the watercolor is competent and confident and... playful, and the parrots are preciously posed towards each other in complimentary attitudes. That's a Blue and Gold Macaw, and a Green Wing Macaw (in American Common names). Two of the most popular, very nicely represented. Memorable.

 

Thanks for the IDs (and the compliments). They may be copies of someone else's work.

 

I'm in the camp for the final configuration, I think you did a great job on them!

 

I like them very much......your time was well spent !!

 

I like the last one as well. You did a great job making the art pop.

 

MOS, I too like your final selection framing the best!! I especially like that you brought back in the feathers that were cut off of the left parrot, and I love the stencil-cutting above/below the two!!! Job well done!!! Congrats!!!!!

 

They may be copies of really old engravings. I'd be a little careful with them, otherwise Gila may send Wee Doggie Doddle over their on a dog burglar mission!

 

I already have her fitted with a camouflage dog-collar.

I *DO* like them very, very much.

 

You took two beautiful, but ordinary, images and created something unique. I love it!