“What comes first, the picture or the frame?” I’m often asked. Generaly I make the picture first but sometimes empty fames fill my wall waiting for ideas. So usually I run upstairs when a picture is partially done to my three dressers. They’re jammed full of objects segregated by color. I load up a large purse full of toys, plumbing supplies, kitchen implements, camera parts, more toys, and mystery oddities. Then I cluster various color combinations and shapes around my picture as it lies on the floor. Then I remove all, and replacing with other oddities around the perimeter.
Sometimes what I see in framing objects spins off into a new picture.  nancymauerman.com