The Making

“Painting in only squares can be limiting! I find that different shapes can give different feelings and I love exploring them. I love to see things through different frames of mind.“

Noelle is a fine art oil painter who uses her brush to not only express herself to the world but most importantly it is her form of self therapy. She uses this brave intuitive process to learn more about herself and her place in this world. Noelle is also known for her odd shaped “canvases”. From a simple triangle to a complex kite shape. She builds all of her own substrates, giving herself a vast amount of creative freedom. Unlike most fine artists, Noelle has abandoned the traditional canvas substrate and traded it with carefully prepared 1/8 inch birch ply. This switch provides a more smooth surface which shows better detail. It also gives the surface more rigidity for gold leafing which often requires a bit of pressure in its application.

The conception of many of Noelle’s works begin with an inspiring polygonal shape. After the shape is decided, she will draw and cut this shape from a sheet of 1/8 inch birch ply using a simple utility knife.

After the shape is freed, it’s time to build a frame to adhere to the back of the ply. This gives the ply substrate structure, sturdiness and a framed finished look.

The wood for these frames are found and collected from renovation jobs by Noelle’s husband. She takes these assorted sized wood pieces and will proceed to mill them using her simple at home tools of a portable table saw, miter saw, and planer. She takes great care in measuring each salvaged board for maximum usage and minimal waste. It is very important to Noelle that she do whatever she can to minimize her impact on the environment.

Old floor boards ready to feed through the table saw.

As soon as the salvaged pieces are milled straight and smooth, she will then measure and miter each strip to replicate the shape previously cut from the birch ply, using a protractor.

After all the lengths and angles are cut, its time to pin nail the frame together and glue the ply to its frame. When the glue is dried it’s time for prepping the surface by mitering, planing the edges and lots of sanding.

A thin layer of Liquitex matte gel is then applied using a putty knife, filling in any ridges from the ply that sanding could not eliminate. When the gel is dried it is sanded smooth and gessoed twice. It is now ready to absorb Noelles vision in oil.

At this point a finished frame can also be dedicated for mounting her unique shaped prints. If so, the next step will be the application of a liberal layer of black acrylic paint, giving a non yellowing sealed surface for the fine art Giclee print to adequately adhere to. As soon as the acrylic is dried it will be time to give the frame a finishing stain to the edges. This formula is a mixture of van dyke brown oil, linseed oil, and liquid impasto. Once Noelle’s version of wood stain is applied and dried the next step will be to give the frame the beautiful gold leaf edging her Mounted Prints are known for. Proceeding in measuring and cutting each simple leaf sheet into perfect strips to adhere to the edges. Using metal leaf adhesive, each strip is meticulously applied.

When the gold leafing is complete, a seamless layer of Mod Podge adhesive is then applied to the prepared surface. Carefully she will center the fine art Giclee print onto the adhesive, pressing and push away any stingy air bubbles making for a clean smooth surface. After the adhesion is fully dried, it is time to brush on a layer of Liquitex gloss medium followed by 3 layers of varnish. This gives the print a beautiful glossy sheen. Protection from dust, wear and also allowing for easy cleaning ability.

Use a lightly water dampened soft cotton cloth and gently wipe clean.