JAM FINE ARTS

PROMPT: How can I brace a 36" x 36" round acrylic convex mirror in the back to keep the mirror from warping and easy to hang? I want to keep the support light weight.

ChatGPTTo brace a 36" x 36" round acrylic convex mirror in the back to keep it from warping and make it easy to hang, you can consider the following steps:

1. Cut a circular piece of plywood or MDF board slightly smaller than the mirror, with a diameter of about 32 inches.
   
2. Use a jigsaw or other cutting tool to cut out a circle in the center of the plywood or MDF board that matches the size of the mirror.
   
3. Attach the plywood or MDF board to the back of the mirror using a strong adhesive. Apply the adhesive to the back of the mirror and press the board firmly against it. Allow the adhesive to dry completely.
   
4. Attach a hanger to the top of the plywood or MDF board. Choose a hanger that is appropriate for the weight of the mirror and can be securely mounted to the wall. For a light-weight option, you can use D-ring hangers, which can be easily screwed into the plywood board.
   
5. If you want extra support, you can also add a few smaller pieces of plywood or MDF board around the edge of the circular board. Attach them with adhesive or small screws to provide additional support and stability.
   
6. Once the hanger and any additional support pieces are attached securely, the mirror is ready to be hung on the wall.
   

By following these steps, you should be able to brace the mirror in a way that will prevent warping and make it easy to hang while keeping the support light-weight.
PROMPT: This is a good solution. I was considering using an adhesive to attache a square canvas stretcher to the back of the mirror. Would that have worked? (that's what I have on hand)

ChatGPTUsing a square canvas stretcher as a brace for the mirror is also a possible solution, but it may not be as effective as using a circular plywood or MDF board.
Canvas stretchers are designed to be lightweight and flexible, which may not provide enough support to prevent warping in a large mirror. Additionally, because the stretcher is rectangular, it may not distribute the weight of the mirror evenly, which could lead to uneven stress on the mirror and potentially cause warping.
If you do choose to use a canvas stretcher, make sure to select a high-quality stretcher that is made from sturdy materials and designed to support the weight of a large mirror. You may also want to consider adding additional support to the edges of the stretcher to ensure that it provides even support across the entire mirror.
Overall, while using a canvas stretcher as a brace is possible, using a circular plywood or MDF board may be a more effective and reliable solution for preventing warping in a large mirror.
PROMPT: The mirror is acrylic and very light. Less than 5 pounds. Does that revise the solution above?

ChatGPTIf the mirror is made of lightweight acrylic and weighs less than 5 pounds, you may be able to use a canvas stretcher as a brace instead of a circular plywood or MDF board.
To use a canvas stretcher, you can follow these steps:

1. Choose a square canvas stretcher that is slightly smaller than the size of the mirror. The stretcher should be made from sturdy materials and designed to support the weight of a large mirror.
   
2. Attach the canvas stretcher to the back of the mirror using a strong adhesive. Apply the adhesive to the back of the mirror and press the stretcher firmly against it. Allow the adhesive to dry completely.
   
3. Attach a hanger to the top of the stretcher. Choose a hanger that is appropriate for the weight of the mirror and can be securely mounted to the wall. For a light-weight option, you can use D-ring hangers, which can be easily screwed into the stretcher.
   
4. If you want extra support, you can also add a few small wooden blocks around the edge of the stretcher. Attach them with adhesive or small screws to provide additional support and stability.
   
5. Once the hanger and any additional support pieces are attached securely, the mirror is ready to be hung on the wall.
   

By following these steps, you should be able to brace the mirror in a way that will prevent warping and make it easy to hang while keeping the support light-weight.
PROMPT:Is there another light weight material that I can use to make a round or square support like the solutions suggested above behind the 36" x 36" lightweight acrylic convex mirror that can be attached to the back to keep the mirror from warping and attach D-ring hangers to it? Is there a good more lightweight material than wood or mdf?

ChatGPTYes, there are several lightweight materials that can be used as a support for your acrylic mirror besides wood or MDF. Here are some lightweight materials that you could consider:

1. Foamboard: Foamboard is a lightweight and rigid material that is easy to cut and shape. It is made of foam sandwiched between two sheets of paper or plastic. You can cut a circle or square piece of foamboard to the size of your mirror and attach it to the back of the mirror with a strong adhesive.
   
2. Cardboard: Cardboard is another lightweight and easy-to-cut material that can be used to create a support for your mirror. You can cut a circle or square piece of cardboard to the size of your mirror and attach it to the back of the mirror with a strong adhesive.
   
3. Corrugated plastic: Corrugated plastic is a lightweight and durable material that is commonly used for outdoor signs and displays. It is made of two layers of plastic with a corrugated layer in between. You can cut a circle or square piece of corrugated plastic to the size of your mirror and attach it to the back of the mirror with a strong adhesive.
   
4. Acrylic sheet: Acrylic sheet is a lightweight and shatter-resistant material that is similar to your mirror. You can cut a circle or square piece of acrylic sheet to the size of your mirror and attach it to the back of the mirror with a strong adhesive.
   

When choosing a lightweight material, make sure that it is strong enough to support the weight of your mirror and that it can be securely attached to the mirror and the wall. Also, consider the thickness of the material, as a thicker material may provide more support and stability for your mirror.
PROMPT: Foamboard, cardboard, and corrugated plastic will not allow for a D-ring and will not give adequate rigidity for support. Would a frame constructed of PVC piping or a similar material work?

ChatGPTYes, a frame constructed of PVC piping or a similar lightweight material could work as a support for your acrylic mirror while also allowing for the attachment of D-ring hangers.
To create a PVC frame, you can follow these steps:

1. Cut the PVC piping into pieces that will form a square or circle frame that is slightly smaller than the size of your mirror. You can use a saw or PVC pipe cutter to cut the pieces to size.
   
2. Assemble the frame by connecting the pieces of PVC piping together using PVC connectors. Make sure the frame is square or circular and that all the connections are secure.
   
3. Attach the frame to the back of the mirror using a strong adhesive. Apply the adhesive to the back of the mirror and press the frame firmly against it. Allow the adhesive to dry completely.
   
4. Attach D-ring hangers to the top of the frame using screws. Make sure the hangers are evenly spaced and securely attached.
   
5. Once the hangers are attached, the mirror is ready to be hung on the wall.
   

A PVC frame should provide adequate rigidity and support for your acrylic mirror while also being lightweight and easy to handle. Additionally, PVC piping is resistant to moisture and corrosion, which makes it a good choice for a bathroom or other damp environments.
Make sure to use the appropriate size and thickness of PVC piping for your mirror's weight and size, and use strong adhesive and connectors to ensure that the frame is securely attached to the mirror.
PROMPT: Is there a material I can attach to the outside edge of the frame that will facilitate hanging and rigidity and be waterproof?

ChatGPTYes, there are several materials that you can attach to the outside edge of the PVC frame to facilitate hanging, increase rigidity, and make it waterproof.
One option is to use a silicone sealant to seal the outside edge of the frame. Silicone sealant is waterproof and will provide a smooth, waterproof surface that can be painted or left as is.
Another option is to use a strip of weather-resistant tape around the outside edge of the frame. This tape is often used to seal windows and doors and can be found at most hardware stores. It is easy to apply and can be cut to fit the size of your frame.
You could also consider using a PVC trim board or PVC molding to create a more decorative edge around the frame. PVC trim boards and moldings are waterproof and can be easily cut to size and attached to the outside edge of the frame using PVC cement.
Whatever material you choose, make sure that it is waterproof and able to withstand the weight of the mirror. It is also important to use appropriate adhesive or cement to attach the material to the frame.

My quick comments on the session:
For now, I found an old 24" convexo stretcher bar in my stash. I put it on the back of the piece and it will epoxy flush to a round area and give a good deal of support and not be seen from the side. I may situate it slightly higher than center to make it easier to wire and install and adjust on a wall. The wire will also make it easier for all of the venues I show in that have the acrylic rod wall art installation system. The wire is attached to the D-rings. I always use D-rings. They rule. You can splay them at an angle to give you more width or change the torque on the piece, if necessary. The round frame will eliminate torque from a wire.
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Also applied with a letter of intent, resume, references and this list of the images above:

​Image List
For larger spaces, the artist would propose a custom series or modular composition.
MarsJulie01.jpg
Oceanic Panopticon, 2021. Woven reflective and glass bead mosaic on a light-weight
acrylic convex safety mirror. 48” x 48” x 6”. Virtual setting.
MarsJulie02.jpg
Oceanic Panopticon, 2021. Woven reflective and glass bead mosaic on a light-weight
acrylic convex safety mirror. 48” x 48” x 6”. Detail image.
MarsJulie03.jpg
Arctic Ice Sheet, (from the Floe series) 2022. Woven reflective and glass bead mosaic
on a light-weight acrylic convex safety mirror. 36” x 36” x 6”. Virtual Setting.
MarsJulie04.jpg
Arctic Ice Sheet, (from the Floe series) 2022. Woven reflective and glass bead mosaic
on a light-weight acrylic convex safety mirror. 36” x 36” x 6”. Detail image.
MarsJulie05.jpg
Goldilocks Panopticon, 2021. Woven reflective and glass bead mosaic on a
light-weight acrylic full dome convex safety mirror. Available in 36” x 36” x 14” and 24” x
24” x 12”. Virtual setting.
MarsJulie06.jpg
Goldilocks Panopticon, 2021. Woven reflective and glass bead mosaic on a
light-weight acrylic full dome convex safety mirror. Available in 36” x 36” x 14” and 24” x
24” x 12”. Virtual setting.
MarsJulie07.jpg
Morteratsch Glacier, (from the Floe series) 2022. Woven reflective and glass bead
mosaic on a light-weight acrylic convex safety mirror. 36” x 36” x 6”. Virtual setting.
MarsJulie08.jpg
Morteratsch Glacier, (from the Floe series) 2022. Woven reflective and glass bead
mosaic on a light-weight acrylic convex safety mirror. 36” x 36” x 6”. Detail image.
MarsJulie09.jpg
Honeymoon Panopticon, 2021. Woven reflective and glass bead mosaic on a
light-weight acrylic convex safety mirror. 36” x 36” x 6”. Virtual setting.
MarsJulie10.jpg
Honeymoon Panopticon, 2021. Woven reflective and glass bead mosaic on a
light-weight acrylic convex safety mirror. 36” x 36” x 6”. Detail image.
MarsJulie11.jpg
Permafrost, (from the Floe series) 2022. Woven reflective and glass bead mosaic on a
light-weight acrylic convex safety mirror. 36” x 36” x 6”. Virtual setting.
MarsJulie12.jpg
Permafrost, (from the Floe series) 2022. Woven reflective and glass bead mosaic on a
light-weight acrylic convex safety mirror. 36” x 36” x 6”. Detail image.
MarsJulie13.jpg
Thwaites Glacier, (from the Floe series) 2022. Woven reflective and glass bead mosaic
on a light-weight acrylic convex safety mirror. 36” x 36” x 6”. Virtual setting.
MarsJulie14.jpg
Thwaites Glacier, (from the Floe series) 2022. Woven reflective and glass bead mosaic
on a light-weight acrylic convex safety mirror. 36” x 36” x 6”. Detail Image