Gathering Storm, Ailsa Craig

I'll leave the bit about the framing to the experts, but another lovely painting.. I like the way you get the sea to merge into the beach. I always find difficulty in getting this right.

The touches of light on the water are lovely and I agree with Anne about the sea & beach merging which is really well done. Re the framing, Margaret, it's personal preference. I probably prefer a frame but it bumps the cost up and it's not as easy to hang and store as it increases the weight and size. The subject matter has an influence - I think seascapes and abstract art often look well unframed even on a standard canvas (rather than deep). You do see many unframed "prints" in galleries and shops. Often the originals will be framed because they are more special one offs. I don't always paint the sides, just make sure they are tidied up with white paint or a toning colour. If I'm really pleased with a painting I'll frame it (that's not too often), if not the extra expense is a consideration. Possibly the unframed look is not so popular as it was, but as always, different people like different things - try both.

Beautiful painting Margaret, I love your skies

Love your atmospheric skies, and colours. From what I've seen boxed framed canvases seem to be more popular than ever. However I personally prefer a frame, but only if its a good one, I've seen a lot of good paintings spoiled by a cheap thin frame. I'm trying to decide a colour for my frames, white handpainted seem to be the most popular.