"Isolation" is an original mixed-media painting on watercolor paper, framed in a custom treatment designed by the artist
Made with watercolor, India ink, watercolor pencils, graphite, charcoal and gesso with touches of acrylic on 300 lb. Arches cold-press watercolor paper, varnished
Work measures 16 by 27 inches (image as revealed in mat, sheet larger)
Framed by the artist in a contemporary-style gold and black wooden frame with a custom mat treatment designed by the artist (see artist's note below). Matting and backing are archival; glazed with UV-filtering plexiglas
Framed work measures 24-1/2 inches (H) by 35-1/2 inches (W) by 1-1/2 inches (D) overall
Created in November-December 2020
Signed by the artist with his monogram (PG) and dated "2020", lower left; signed again with his full name and inscribed with the title on the reverse
Artist's note on the framing: The celebrated Danish-American designer Jens Risom was a long-time client of my picture framing shop, and became a friend. Sometime in the 1990's, we worked together to create displays for memorabilia from his career (advertising, magazine articles etc.) for a retrospective show of his work—he encouraged me to incorporate humble materials into my designs for the displays, including corrugated cardboard, which he called a "good, honest material". For the matting for Isolation, I've cut corrugated cardboard at a 45˚ bevel, mitered the corners, varnished and hand-rubbed the surface and lined it with 4-ply acid-free 'rag' paper. The unexpected, truly humble-appearing, but nevertheless warm and beautiful effect works perfectly for me for Isolation, and it's my little tribute to the memory of Risom
