075 - Pamela Caughey - Oops! I Made a Mistake! ART and Problem Solving - Mounting on Paper on Panel

[@ellec7827]

This is probably the most gorgeous mistake I've ever seen! The splitting of your original two paper (panels) elevated your original design. Bravo!

[@Shilo2022]

They are WONDERFUL!! Love your problem solving skills! I may like it even more with the different sized panels. Very unique & beautiful!!🥰

[@PamelaCaughey]

Aw, many thanks, Shilo - we do what we have to do, right? :)

[@susanfoley2274]

Hi Pam. They are beautiful! I've run into this problem with the paper warping before. Arches recommends that you soak the paper for 10-15 minutes (I use a bathtub). After removing, let it rest for 10 minutes and then stretch the paper on a flat surface and staple down. When it dries, it's tight as a drum. I know it sounds like a pain, but it really works. I've tried sandwiching wet paper with weights and several other methods as well, but this is the only one that really worked.

[@PamelaCaughey]

Susan Foley Hey, yes -when using Arches watercolor paper I used to do that as well and the paper was definitely flat! I then tried getting my watercolors flattened in a dry mount machine ?with heat) and all the buckles disappeared. Though I was not sure whether the oil paper would buckle, I found that these narrower pieces did lie flat and only had to deal with glue that was a little to prone to early drying 😊

[@StudioPashnada]

Susan Foley I was wondering if treating it like that ~ like watercolor paper ~ would work

[@SuperUsernameization]

I aways enjoy watching you work, and thank you for showing the "problem solving" aspects of making art. Reaping the benefit of happy accidents - YES! It's good for someone who's tiptoeing into this - making, mounting, learning how materials work, and understanding how *I work (haha) - to see how things might "fall apart," yet come together. In addition to creativity, you radiate kindness. And the final combo is magnificent. I like the air between the pieces.

[@PamelaCaughey]

Oh thanks very much! Yes, as chaotic as this piece was, I look at the breaks or spaces between as a chance to rest - :)

[@gradyvandenbosch]

Pamela, great solution and result! Your positive, problem solving approach is very inspiring. When I do something in a painting that really doesn't work, that spoils the previous work, I always need to take a while, sometimes weeks, to step back and let it rest, before I have the courage and fresh eye to continue the painting. And sometimes it works out very well. Thank you for sharing this proces and result, very uplifting!

[@PamelaCaughey]

Grady van den Bosch -you are very welcome! You have a great attitude and I also step back to ponder things 😉

[@elizaduckie7110]

This turned out so well.I often comment that a problem/s often result in a far better finished object after a creative solution.

[@margarethenning2827]

Absolutely gorgeous! You inspire me to paint more and I thank you for your expertise.

[@connierodriguezartandsoulm2728]

Wow! Love the outcome...one would never know it was at first a mistake!

[@alisonmcmillan9622]

Brilliant problem solving and I love the painting(s).

[@Mr.MKBone]

The final result is breathtaking

[@flowerchild5252]

That was a doozie! Thanks! I LOVE LOVE LOVE these !!

[@runway12]

Here in China, most framing and finishing shops only work with ink and paper creations. So, recently when I took some raw canvas material to a shop, to ask them to build a frame, they stapled the canvas onto some paneling - not at all what I was expecting, so yeah ... I can really relate to this video. Good job in the end ! ! ! !

[@lisadevlin4519]

LOVE them.....your problem solving was spectacular!!!!

[@PamelaCaughey]

Many thanks, Lisa!! 😊

[@ellendieterartist]

So interesting. Yes, always problem solving. I wish you would have shown us the process of mounting the work. Maybe you have another video for that?

[@PamelaCaughey]

Yes but it is very involved so I will be sharing this in my Watch-Learn-Grow membership group for students taking my online course 😉 It was very complex 😱

[@ellendieterartist]

Ok! I thought that might be the case. I will soon take your course!

[@CaroleMora22]

I love it! You embraced the "happy accident" and the result is wonderful!

[@PamelaCaughey]

Thanks, Carole! I also feel like these accidents somehow are there to challenge us 😉

[@annclairegreig2635]

I think the the 4 panel “mistake” is more interesting than the 2 the same size would have been. I learn so much from you!

[@philbivins7133]

I was a bit anxious about having 4 different sized panels. But the end result is fantastic and I love the fact, as you described, the many options one has when hanging these. Great job Pamela with your solution and beautiful work...

[@PamelaCaughey]

Phil Bivins Phil-I guess that makes two of us!! Definitely a nail biter but I figured what’s the worst thing that could happen? Many thanks for your most generous remarks 😉

[@christinepeterson9547]

Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom and talent with us. Very much appreciated.

[@PamelaCaughey]

Many thanks, Christine :) Much appreciated!

[@dteselle]

You're just so cute and so courageous in your ability to be vulnerable and honest about the trials and struggles of being an artist! Embracing happy accidents is such an important lesson. I am anxious to get signed up with Watch-Learn-Grow PDPC Membership so I can learn the rest of the story! I'm headed out of town again soon but will definitely be back to learn more.

[@PamelaCaughey]

That's awesome, Deborah! I'll look forward to seeing more of your work in WLG :)!

[@StudioPashnada]

Pam, turning this into a polyptych with four panels of different widths was a great solution and it turned out brilliant

[@PamelaCaughey]

Thanks, Sherry - I feel lucky on this one :)

[@StudioPashnada]

Art & Success - Pamela Caughey Art I know it had to be scary to cut it up but the result is better than before. Also thank you for the tip about going to cabinet makers or trim pros for cradled panels. I imagine they could do weird sized floating frames too.

[@mixedmedialife7916]

I absolutely loved this! So glad you showed the final pieces. Your solution was genius but I can imagine the whole process was nerve wracking 😱. So inspiring and helpful. Thank you for being so candid 👏

[@annatronson5927]

Priceless! Your sharing is priceless! 💟🙏💟

[@PamelaCaughey]

Anna -Aw, Many thanks for your generous comment 🌹🌺🌹

[@ruthmarshall1879]

Yes do it ! Do it! Divide both of them. I think it would look awesome !!

[@PamelaCaughey]

Yup! I did 😉

[@LesleyAnnPrice]

I love what you did its great. i think that the freedom you have achieved is truly years of work but it really shows. Great great work.

[@PamelaCaughey]

Aw thanks, Lesley! I think I'd have to agree - it took me decades to finally get to where making art is fun :)

[@francesca333]

Wonderful painting to begin with....I started out not liking it but now love it....goes to show, about working into the ugly as you have talked about. I would love to see how you did glue these large pieces down. I print my photographs very large and need to glue them down before I work with mix media on top. I have gone thru quite an education about it all. Putting glue on both the back of the photograph and the panel, actually, I do two coats on each to seal them. Then glue, (I use PVA and methylcellulose, 50/50 for a longer open time), the panel and lightly spray a very fine mist of water on the print, then lay it down carefully at an angle. It's been a tough learning curve.

[@PamelaCaughey]

Francesca-Thanks for sharing-yes me too-major learning curves. Mistakes along the way serve as great teachers, don’t they 😊?

[@marieschneiter7411]

bravo what a challenge! so nice so different ! i love it. thanks for sharing.

[@PamelaCaughey]

Hey Marie! Thanks very much 🌹🌺🌹!!

[@mayporter1758]

I absolutely love these panels, I named it in my head at first glance.....” Amadeus’s instrumental mind” 🤗 I love how you solved the initial problem. Thanks for sharing Pamela

[@paulinehughes5325]

Thank you you answered many queries with your problem solving hat on, Love the piece of work

[@PamelaCaughey]

Thanks Pauline :)

[@pennytrowsdale253]

I love what you did Very artistic

[@PamelaCaughey]

Many thanks!

[@ArtFlyer01]

Thank you, very helpful and enjoyable, Cheers

[@rosinatomes8290]

Thank you Pam - just wonderful work!

[@PamelaCaughey]

Thanks so much, Rosina :)!!

[@MacLeanLauri]

Problem aside, I love these pieces. Great work, Pamela!

[@PamelaCaughey]

Thanks, Lauri! :)

[@MacLeanLauri]

And actually, I think the finished piece is stunning. The four panels really work.

[@lynnwilson8493]

Gorgeous quadriptych !! Love your work!

[@PamelaCaughey]

Many thanks, Lynn! I really appreciate that ;)!

[@TwistedTanguera]

Beautiful. I love what you did!

[@PamelaCaughey]

Many thanks! ;)

[@robertwebber8672]

Just love these. Amazing palette and free broad shapes. I have imagined it as an old post industrial workplace. Leastways that is how it feels to me! Best R

[@Paul-uc8vn]

Very cool 🤟

[@versailles1147]

Absolutely gorgeous.

[@PamelaCaughey]

Many thanks 🌹🌹!!

[@lola71125]

What kind of paper would you use for acrylic paintings to mount on panels? Ty so much

[@PamelaCaughey]

Hi Judy, I would use Strathmore Mixed Media Paper - that's what I use in the videos :) Here is a link to the place where I get it as well: amzn.to/2tRhT9P Cheers, Pam ;)

[@lola71125]

Thank you so much for always answering questions so quickly! Your videos are so full of information. I’m I saving,for your online class.

[@susanbaldridge5320]

Wow, I love the work as four pieces! My first reaction was to wonder whether unequally-sized pieces would look odd, but I think the end result is wonderful....that was creative problem-solving!

[@PamelaCaughey]

Thanks, Susan! I definitely felt a bit of relief when it was all over ;)!!

[@slomovideo]

I would mock up the different panel sizes in Photoshop to see what the combinations look like.

[@PamelaCaughey]

Yes thanks - I did several mockups ;)

[@debbiegarland7124]

I absolutely love this colour palette . Could you please tell me again what glue you use? Thanks Pam

[@PamelaCaughey]

Yes - it is Lineco pH neutral adhesive - here is the link where I get it: amzn.to/2RQHkCg

[@julialachica2283]

How do you deal with air bubbles in this large format? I was thinking of scoring the air bubble and injecting adhesive since I'll be embellishing my artist print (giclee) with gel medium. I love your work!

[@PamelaCaughey]

Yes that works and I have done this when needed 😊

[@susandobson1588]

finished product is very interesting in 4 sections!

[@carolgearing6634]

all ended well, looks great but imagine quite tricky to mount. Can I ask why you paint on paper first and not direct onto the wooden panels?

[@PamelaCaughey]

Hi Carol! I love working on paper - easy to store, fun to paint on, and I think when working toward an exhibition it allows me to choose those works that are best for a cohesive show :)

[@carolgearing6634]

@@PamelaCaughey thanks Pamela for sharing your knwledge

[@ellenvd5543]

Thanks very much for sharing Pamela! I liked both paintings so much, i would find it hard to cut them. But sometimes you have to take riscs, and the result is also beautiful! Best regards from Holland!

[@PamelaCaughey]

Thanks very much for your nice remark, Ellen :)

[@Smudge1942]

Pam, You have great courage! It would be too daunting for me to even consider painting on paper and then intend to mount the papers on cradled panels. Making a measuring mistake would have wiped me out. Your end result was far better than your original intent. Thanks for sharing this situation and your scientific analysis to resolve the issue. A large studio must be a Godsend. Please keep sharing. It is very important for people like me. your new friend, Gordy

[@PamelaCaughey]

Aw thanks, Gordy! Nice to meet you! I understand all the things that cause fear and procrastination so that's why I post on KZbin - there is hope, always :) Wishing you the best!! :)

[@sgarrisphotos]

Can you iron the paper on a low heat setting before beginning the painting if you see that there is a wrinkle in the paper?

[@PamelaCaughey]

Yes, you could do that; I've done that in the past on wrinkled watercolors and unfortunately it didn't work - but a dry mounting press - with heat - definitely works though I'm not sure I'd ever try it with anything but a watercolor! :)

[@jacquiharris9806]

I like it more as the 4 unequal parts than the two. Good result!

[@PamelaCaughey]

Thanks very much, Jacqui :)

[@laurasalzberg9447]

You get your paper in rolls? Where do you get it?

[@PamelaCaughey]

Here is my NEW Online Painting Course - receive 15% off with coupon, "paintyourbest100" - which you can use at checkout ;) This is a course you own for life; not just 2 months, or 3 months, or 6 months, or a year, but FOR LIFE! www.artandsuccess.com/p/pdpc/?product_id=1130788&coupon_code=PAINTYOURBEST100

[@jennyhughes4474]

My first instinct was to keep the 2 paintings as they were but turn it 90 degrees so it was a 2-part tall painting. But I'm sure you wanted it horizontal = as you painted it. I think your solution is really good, well done and they look great in any order = so flexible for the buyer! I wish I had help with storing, mounting, framing, moving and displaying my art...

[@PamelaCaughey]

Oh - I never thought of that - I think it could have been cool that way! Thanks ;)

[@kalencaughey2201]

Love this!

[@natureandart7358]

Nice painting

[@JoeOsborne]

Presuming the panels would be mounted close to each other, can you combine them into one large cradle?

[@PamelaCaughey]

Hi Joe! I have done that in the past for 6@ 24x24in panels -yes, you can do that for sure. In this case, since there are so many lines that need to match up, I think bolting the panels together would perhaps magnify any mismatches in positioning-also, Really like the portability of these smaller panels-a lot lighter and easy to transport 😊 Great question though!

[@patriciabrickell4005]

Thanks so much💥

[@ggm4425]

Oh so good! Serendipity is a good then - most times🤞 . Something I have discovered with large panels is that the walls they are hung on are seldom flat these days. If the cross / corner braces are keep 1/8" less in depth than the frame a bump in the wall will not cause issues when panels are hung.

[@sarahmiller6183]

Great info. I am a water media artist. How did you attach your paper to the wall?

[@PamelaCaughey]

I just use white artist tape!

[@Thehappypainter]

Thank you for sharing. A curious question? Why even use oil paper at all if you intent to end up on a cradle? Even if you liked the texture of oil paper over board, shouldn't you mount the oil paper on a cradle first and then paint?

[@PamelaCaughey]

Great question! This allows me to create lots and lots of works, but not have to deal with cradled work everywhere which takes up lots of space. I'd rather store a stack of works on paper and just mount my favorite ones for an exhibition like I am doing now ;)

[@wendyjohn8315]

I LOVE YOUR WORK. wish I could purchase a large piece. I live in Seattle, so I guess there is no way unless I come to Montana.

[@PamelaCaughey]

Wendy John -aw-that’s very nice of you. Our son lives in Portland so we could deliver 😊 I am working toward a large solo exhibition in 2020 at the Prichard gallery in Moscow, ID.

[@marindacoetzee6760]

Love your work! I always thought that you have to 'preserve' art on paper by protecting it behind glass. Learned a lot from you! Is there a reason why you don't work directly on the panels in stead of the paper? Do you ever frame your paperwork behind glass? Sorry about all the questions... your work is fascinating and intriguing!👌

[@marca871]

Wow, Pam, these panels turned out fantastic! I think it was a lucky accident! It’s a gorgeous painting and you guys did a superb job of mounting, looks so smooth and flat and really powerful on boards, definitely takes it up another few notches from the paper being mounted. I love the different sizes, am surprised by that, so just goes to show what great things come from experimentation and courage. Really awesome finished piece! Congratulations!! 🎉👏

[@PamelaCaughey]

Hey many thanks, Marca - I really appreciate that :)!!

[@karenmrathbun]

hi pamela, i feel so energized by your solution and how it adds so much more to this work. adds uniqueness. and i love the hanging options concept. so are these works glued flush to the edges of each panel? did you have a bit of overhang that you then trimmed off? are the edges finished or left raw wood? thanks for sharing you inspiring work! - karen

[@PamelaCaughey]

Karen Kahle -yes-flush with the edge so you do need to make sure your panels are slightly smaller than the painted surface so you can cleanly cut off the excess! Also, I often just treat the raw edges with two coats of plain cold wax medium 😊

[@karenmrathbun]

@@PamelaCaughey sounds beautiful, seeing the wood grain. thank you!

[@natalieangelheart2483]

I totally agree about the happy accidents....I love happy accidents myself. 😀

[@PamelaCaughey]

Thanks, Natalie-no shortage of them in my studio -Yay!!

[@natalieangelheart2483]

That's why you're such a great artist, Pamela! 😊

[@annecollier8741]

Could you not paint on the whole surface first, then cut it in half afterwards?

[@PamelaCaughey]

Hi Anne-yes! You can paint as much as you want, and cut whatever sizes you want and then mount on panel and keep painting! 😉

[@annecollier8741]

@@PamelaCaughey What would happen if you mounted the paper on a cradled panel before you started painting?

[@PamelaCaughey]

@@annecollier8741 This would be perfectly fine; the paper would never warp or buckle, but there wouldn't be any real reason to do this since gesso fulfills the role of the paper unless it is the paper itself you like! :)

[@annecollier8741]

@@PamelaCaughey I just thought it would be easier than mounting the finished piece. Especially if you wanted a diptych with design elements matching across the gap, as it were. If the 2 panels were on the wall touching each other, you could almost ignore the join. I'm speaking from ignorance, obviously, since you have been working in this way for a long time, and have worked out what's best for you. I love your work, I just like problem-solving!

[@devandestudios128]

Forgive me for saying, but wouldn't it be easier to just remove a four inch wide strip from the end of the largest panel? Looking at your wall cut four inches off the left side of the larger panel and they would remain a diptych.

[@PamelaCaughey]

Yes-I did consider that for sure but I seem to always take the more difficult route-I didn’t really want to crop that much off the left painting 😊

[@devandestudios128]

@@PamelaCaughey The more difficult approach seems to be the way I do things as well. Looks great the way you did it though.

[@robertterrell3065]

Well, I recently glued a piece of Fabriano paper onto a panel (from Dick Blick). It is a 30x40" panel. I put the glue down on the panel and tried to put weights on top of the paper. What a DISASTER!! There were air bubbles afterwards, or as you call, ripples. No way that I could figure out to get rid of the ripples, so I had to wet the paper and scrape it off with a putty knife. What a bear of a job it was!! And I ruined the paper of course. That definitely flipped me out big time. I wouldn't dare paint a painting onto paper first and then try to adhere it to a panel afterwards, but that's just me. I'm way gun shy about it now. You seem to have had a great success! I prefer multiple panels where the marks don't line up. When they do line up, I question the need for multiple panels. If the marks don't line up then, to me, the panels become part of the overall design of the piece :) Ok, well I've blathered on and on. But I really like this artwork, and the multiple panels. I hope to soon get some multiple panel artworks going myself. I've done plenty of them in the past. In art school, back in the early 1970s they were my thing. Those were the minimal, hard edge painting days, but now I'm way loose and painterly. Things can change in 50 years time - quite a lot. Hope to see a lot more of your paintings on here, Pamela :)

[@theresacarmen6220]

How about leaving them alone? Do they have to be exactly the same? Isn't it o.k. that they are similar , not exactly the same

[@PamelaCaughey]

Sure - that was definitely an option - but my hunch was that creating four different widths would be an interesting effect so I just went for it to see :)

[@chrisdarst7668]

Love your brain. Both sides.

[@PamelaCaughey]

Haha - I've never heard anyone say that before ;)! (Thanks, though :)

[@karenkernell9405]

This was much more than a happy accident!!! More like an ecstatic error!!! Love the final result!!! I think your creative cutting improved the work!

[@PamelaCaughey]

Yes I think J agree-I wanted the energy in this piece but the faps give a little break -many thanks! 😉

[@juliemarkfield7609]

what kind of glue did you use to mount?

[@PamelaCaughey]

Hi Julie - it is here: amzn.to/2RQHkCg (Lineco pH neutral adhesive)

[@ruthgonzalez8041]

Thanks for sharing your mistake. A picture always has a solution.

[@PamelaCaughey]

Yes I agree, Ruth!

[@marcia_shindler]

It's a happy accident! I like the thin and thick panel idea... It will be very unique! It is a good thing!

[@PamelaCaughey]

Thanks Marcia - yeah, I pretty much have to solve lots of problems in my studio haha! :)

[@foltz-art]

Pamela I would not cut them at all but that's my 2 cents, there both powerful beautiful pieces as is. Cutting something that was created as a whole ruins the Integrity of the piece, it cuts through well placed lines and shapes and to me it just messes things up when you segment it , turning it into a triptych or quadriptych weakens the statement a bit to me but that's just my personal opinion & preference, but to each is own and when its all said and done, all that really matters at the end of the day is how you The Artist feels about it.

[@PamelaCaughey]

Yes I was fine with them as well until I saw how far off my measurements were! I actually like them better now though ;)

[@KarinA-xi4do]

I don't think you made a mistake. By not measuring you cut it where the cut needed to be from an artistic point of view instead of the tape measure's point of view. That you were not happy with the result made you go in search for a solution and again choices were made from an artistic point of view. I think the result is wonderful. All the possible permutations will give the new owner more food for thought and the chance to make the work even more their own.

[@CupcakeCottage]

Why not just sell them as two separate paintings? They are gorgeous by themselves.

[@robertwilliamsmales8094]

This really is such a happy accident! Wonderful!

[@PamelaCaughey]

Hey Thanks 😊

[@debbybrady1246]

DON'T CUT IT