August Nouveau Art works

The local gallery/co-op where I exhibit has a juried show that changes every two months with a different theme for each show.  The one coming up at the beginning of August has the theme of Shakespeare Quotes.  I have done something for one of my favorite quotes " though this be madness, yet there is method in't"  from Hamlet.  As I was working on the piece, friends brought over some old frames they were getting rid of and one of them, a highly ornate and brassy gold affair seems to have become part of the piece.  I was working on the painting and working to tone down the frame with some black paint at the same time.  Somehow the frame has had quite an influence on the painting and so they have been joined (at least for now).  The work is alternately titled, Bright Lights, Big City.  It is mixed media (inks, watercolors, acrylics, pens, collage....) on 300lb Arches watercolor paper, mounted on board and sealed with UV filtering varnish.  I wanted to make the work accessible without glass and this method was one I came across while researching ways to show watercolor without framing behind glass.  Essentially the entire piece is an experiment and an improvisation.  Below are two images, one of the work itself without frame and one in the frame that became part of the work.   The Shakespeare quotes show opening is during the second Saturday in August at the Island Art Association.  Hope you can check it out if you are in the area as these photos don't pick up a lot of the detail and metallic bits in the work.

Though this be madness, yet there is method in't

(Bright Lights, Big City)  22 x 28

Mixed media on paper laid down on board 2014