Final Honoring and Finishing Touches
Once our painting journey is complete, it is important to tend to the final details and celebrate closure.
Finishing the Edges
Most of the time, the edges of your painting will be filled with excess paint and drips that occurred throughout your process.
I choose a predominant color of the painting, and use a sponge brush to drag the paint smoothly across. Sometimes I will mix it with a slight bit of gold or bronze metallic fluid paint. It takes 2-3 coats to cover completely. Keep a wet paper towel nearby in case some excess ends up on the front of the painting.
Sign Your Name
This is the most important step of the painting; signing your name. If you are going to use a brush, be sure it is a fine brush…you can practice your signature on a practice board, and have a wet paper towel handy in case you need to wipe clean and do over. Some artists use an acrylic pen for more control. I usually choose a color that is predominant in the painting that will stand out, but not JUMP out as the first thing you see….but there is no right or wrong way to do it.
Many artists also sign their name on the back, along with the date and title.
What name should you sign?
When I first began, I thought my “Artist Name” would be ‘Flora Marie’….mostly because people have always had a hard time pronouncing or remembering how to spell my last name….but secretly it was because it felt so REAL, so exposed, so “ME” and I was still trying to hide. After a year, I decided to step completely into claiming myself, and now I sign the way I am known everywhere, Flora Aube. I prefer not to show the date on the front of the painting…it feels too busy to me.
Varnishing
Varnishing protects your painting from dust and dirt, and enhances the color slightly. Be sure to wait 48 hours after painting with the Fluids. If you have used heavy body paints or any kind of texture medium, you’ll need to wait about a week or more.
© Flora Aube
Wiring
I typically have my work wired at my local art store, but many artists do this themselves. Attach the hooks about 1/4″ – 1/3″ from the top of painting and use the appropriate weight wire.
Reproducing your work
If you wish to reproduce art prints or cards of your work, be sure to have it photographed by a professional. You can google nearby photographers in your area.
Posting on Social Media
Always watermark your artwork. Picmonkey.com is the source I use for this.
CELEBRATE
Following the completion of a painting, I end with a ritual, giving thanks to Her for guidance, and for the Love She continues to shower upon my path, both in and out of the studio. Offering our gratitude is a way of completing the cycle and emptying ourselves so that the next cycle can begin.
When we give our all, and focus our energy on the service of truth, we feel a profound sense of fullness! What beautiful creations and wisdom emerge from our willingness to surrender!
ACKNOWLEDGE YOURSELF for reaching beyond your comfort zone, for surrendering and for Trusting the process. Rejoice in an act of pleasure! She LOVES receiving – this deepens our capacity to hold more space…..allowing Her even greater room to dance us into Joy!
I celebrate YOU!