There are many possibilities for displaying unframed artwork.
You may feel pressure to get your new piece of art matted and framed immediately, but that's really not necessary. Unframed artwork can be displayed on walls and in homes in many ways, and most of those methods are cheaper than framing. Some art may even look better without the distraction of a frame. However, because your artwork won't have the additional protection a frame would provide, it's important to mount or display it in a way that won't damage the art, and it's important to protect the art from ultraviolet light.
Instructions
1. Spray your artwork with a glaze, available at most art stores and framing shops, that protects against ultraviolet rays. For additional protection, display your artwork in a shady area and illuminate it only with fluorescent bulbs, says Laura Stirton of ARTcare.
2. Affix two D-ring hangers to each side of the frame of the canvas if you are hanging a heavy painting, then string a wire between them. Hang the wire from a wall hook that is designed to hold up your painting's weight. For small and light paintings, you can simply hang canvas on the wall hanging.
3. Mount drawings and photographs to a backing with double-sided tape. Foamcore, a thick foam sheet with paper lining on both sides, is useful for this. Cut it to the size of your artwork using a ruler and a level.
4. Attach the back of the foamcore to the wall using hanging tabs, available at most department stores. These tabs are easy to pull off the wall when it's time to move -- simply grab the end of the tab and pull horizontally until it slides off.
5. Display your art on a display easel. A display easel is not bulky like a work easel, and you can get them at art stores and office supply stores. Another advantage to display easels is that you can move them around the house.
6. Install a small shelf, available at home furnishings stores, against which to prop your art. The taller your art is, the wider a shelf you will need, because you will need to prop it up at a greater angle.
