Equine, Pet & Wildlife Artist Frankie Paquin

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. The biggest secret about my trade is the cost of framing. Framing doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Although my paintings do have to be framed under glass, it is a very easy process that can be done by anyone. First you want to find a frame either at the frame shop, arts and crafts store, or thrift store. If you already have the painting then you just need to make sure it is the right size for the painting. Next you need a piece of glass. If you have a local glass shop you just need to ask them for a piece of picture frame glass and give them the size of the frame. You can also take the frame to them to make sure it is exactly the right size. The frame shop and craft store will also have picture framing glass. Next you need a piece of backing. I recommend an acid free material like foam core which you can get at a frame or craft store. Then lastly you need some hanging hardware and a few finishing nails. To assemble, you want to make sure the glass is spotless. Then put the painting carefully face down on the glass and put the foam core backing on top of the back of the painting... basically sandwiching the painting between the glass and the backing. Use some tape to keep the sandwich together. The frame will hide 1/4 inch of the edge of the glass so its okay to wrap the tape up over the edge of the glass slightly. Then before you put the wrapped painting in the frame, use a nail to put a few holes in the back of the frame where the nails will hold the painting/glass/backing in place. Usually two holes per side will do. Also put a hole on each side of the back of the frame about 1/3 of the way down for the small screw eyes that you will attach the hanging wire to. Once the holes are ready you can put the painting sandwich into the frame, press the nails into the holes with plyers or a hammer, and screw in the screw eyes. Then you can attach the wire by wrapping it around the screw eyes. Make sure the wire is short enough that you can't see it when the painting is hanging from the wire. There you have it... the biggest secret in the fine art industry!

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. The question I usually ask when responding to an inquiry is what size do you want the painting to be? The price I charge is based on size so in order for me to give a quote for what the painting will cost I need to know the size. I usually recommend a standard size because that will make framing easier and cheaper. I charge .40 a square inch so 8 x 10 is $32, 11 x 14 is $60,12 x 16 is $75, 14 x 18 is $100, 16 x 20 is $130,and 18 x 24 is $172. Find a painting that is a size you like and then measure it. That is a good way to tell what size you want the painting to be.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. My work stands out from others for several reasons. One is, I am skilled at drawing and getting the proportions right. No matter how good a painter, if the proportions are not correct, the painting will not look right. The second reason I think my work stands out is the materials I use. Soft pastels have been in use for hundreds of years. They are durable and are one of the finest pigments in use today. Most pastel artists have trouble capturing the true brilliance of the pigment because paper is too smooth and has no 'tooth'. I use an acid free matting material called suede matboard. I discovered this combination by accident only to find out some very outstanding pastelists also use this combination. The suede like material has a lot of 'tooth' and the pastel sticks to the surface easily like paint. This allows me to build up layers of color and create rich detail. Another reason my work stands out is my deep love of animals. I grew up on a ranch and my playmates were the horses, dogs, and cats that lived there with me. I can easily see the beauty in animals and strive to capture that beauty in my artwork.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. The thing I like most about my job is presenting the finished artwork. Something I learned from a young age, it feels good to give the gift of art and making people happy makes me happy. I never require payment unless the person LOVES the painting. That is a satisfaction guarantee that I stand behind 100%. I also have to admit that seeing the fur and eyes of an animal come to life is exciting! When I create a wildlife painting that excitement is what motivates me... capturing a gorgeous animal in a beautiful setting. I am hooked on it, I love it so much!!