I needed to make an artwork rustic frame. Why? Because reclaimed artwork doesn’t generally come with a frame. While vacationing in Cape Cod with my daughter Jamie in late June, I actually picked up three pieces of reclaimed art. This sweet painting of three sandpipers scurrying on the beach is done on a piece of scrap plywood. The artist is John Bates of Provincetown Massachusetts. It was the first piece I bought. John’s art was very pretty and really spoke to me because of the items he chose to paint on. He had a really pretty painting on a drawer board.
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Frame rustic artwork
I felt like the art would look better if it were framed, but not just ANY frame, I felt like it needed to be in a rustic wood frame. I chose a nice weathered gray fence board for my frame.
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Design your artwork rustic frame
I ripped the board into narrow strips to make the frame. Because the reclaimed artwork is on very thin plywood, I couldn’t shoot nails into it, so I opted for “resting” the artwork on framing points. I used my Kreg Multi-mark tool to mark all around the frame.
Logan Dual Point Driver
A Logan Dual Point Driver Elite was used to shoot rigid points on those marks.
This is what they look like after they are popped in place. I also use them to hold chalkboards in place as in this Artwork Framed Chalkboard.
Secure frame with Gorilla Wood Glue
I used Gorilla Wood Glue and my nail gun to secure each of the corners of the rustic picture frame.
My work table isn’t flat enough, so I used a piece of shelving to make sure my rustic boards would lay correctly as I was assembling the picture frame. I allowed the two pieces to set up before I laid the artwork in place—using more wood glue to hold it—before I attached the corners to each other.
Artwork rests on metal points
Another option would have been to cut grooves in the rustic boards, but this was a quick and easy way to make a rustic frame for reclaimed artwork.
Voila! I LOVE it! I have never bought original art before, and probably won’t make a habit of it, but the aspect of it being on reclaimed wood drew me in. This measures 24”x8”.
I think the rustic frame is the perfect addition to the reclaimed artwork, don’t you?
This was such a fabulous trip, that I made another rustic frame, a shadow box to hold the sand and shells we collected.
Here are the other two pieces I bought while in Cape Cod.
I bought this on Macmillan Wharf from Kelly. She burns the wood then colors it in with Prisma Pencils. This is small being a mere 7.5” x 2”. We stopped by to see this lighthouse on our way out of town to come home. This Naset Light is the one on the Cape Cod potato chip bag.
Another reclaimed wood piece by Peg Reynolds. She spends the long Cape Cod winters collecting wood. This is the Long Point Light. We actually spent a couple of fun hours here, it’s in Provincetown Massachusetts. This is smaller than the sandpiper piece, but much larger than the Nauset Light art. It measures 12.5 x 3.5. This one holds a special place in my heart because we had such a fun blooper while resting on the beach. Our beach umbrella flew away into the water. No doubt everyone had a good laugh on us! 
I haven’t decided if I’ll frame the two smaller pieces. Do you have a favorite? Are you a fan of reclaimed wood art, or not so much?
gail
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Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Tracey Bradshaw
We love to collect original art when we travel, as a souvenir of the places we visit. Nothing fancy - local artists, photography, watercolours , aboriginal art - anything that really catches our eye. We also have other pieces created and/or gifted by family. We haven't hung any in our new house yet (7 months later) as we are waiting to paint the walls first. I also vintage pieces that I want to reframe that were part of job lots at auction. I usually bid because of the frames, but every now and then I'll score a piece of art in the mix that is worth holding onto.
I love framing stretched canvas art with a shadow box frame made with recycled timber - it leaves a uniform gap between the art and the frame giving an extra bit of detail.
My favorite of your purchases is definitely the Sandpipers and exactly the sort of piece we'd hang in our home ????
Sonnie
The frame really finishes the picture and perfect choice using the wood. There's nothing you can't do! ????
All the pictures are very great and really like they're reclaimed projects.
Mary Helene
Yes, I have a few pieces and my sister just used pallets wood to paint me a 48x12 Sun rise. I just love it. Both of your two new pieces are just lovely, I love the Wharf .
Fonda Rush
I love the clouds on the last one. I'm glad these artists had the idea to use reclaimed wood. It means less wood in the landfill. And, by example, maybe others will start doing it!
Gail Wilson
Fonda,
I agree with you, and I was so drawn to the reclaimed artwork. It may become habit to look for more pieces when I travel as Nadine mentioned.
gail
chris tucker
.gail i love the sand pipers the best and the frame sets it off perfectly pinned xx
Nadine Gurto
Love them all! I had the privilege to travel a lot with my Mom since she worked for the airlines and we always bought a piece of local art wherever we went, be it a painting, pottery or jewelry. As I sit here now writing this there is a small painting of cherubs that we bought in Pompeii on the wall by my desk and I'm wearing a pair of earrings we bought in Rio. In one of the 'house' ruins in Pompeii there was a painted mural border (frescoes) the room that depicted cherubs working in the vineyard, there was a man there recreating small sections of it so we purchased one and my Mom had it framed for me. In Rio we visited the famous H Stern Jeweler http://www.hstern.net/ where we watched them cut some stones and cast some precious metal.
I hope those art pieces brings you great joy in the years to come and when you look at them you remember the time spent with your daughter, it's invaluable!
Gail Wilson
Thank you Nadine! How fun that you have those fond memories of your treasures. Thanks for sharing that with us.
gail
Gwen
Love all 3 of the pictures but the birds are my favorite!! You must do some yourself! Thanks
Julie@followyourheartwoodworking
I like the wood art, you should try and make some yourself!
Sandy Greig
Love the art- great way to remember your trip.