A Frame-Maker’s Journal
Updates and ruminations on our work and mission to revive the art and craft of framing pictures. Here I'll show you new jobs we're especially proud of and keep you up on what's going on at the Gallery, as well as discuss topics germane to our work, including handcraft and work generally, the place of art, and ideals of the Arts and Crafts Movement (especially its greatest leaders, John Ruskin and William Morris).
I hope you’ll subscribe (see the form in the left column) or at least check back often. And I welcome your comments!
—Tim Holton
A Special Visit from Poet and Ruskin Scholar Clive Wilmer
I have exciting news! If you’ve read much of my blog then you know that one of my great heroes is John Ruskin, art and architecture critic, social reformer, and the founder and first Master of the Guild of St. George. So you can imagine how eagerly I’m looking forward to a visit next week […]
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For Labor Day, Honoring the Joiner
This Labor Day I want to pause to pay tribute to the type of laborer called a joiner. Possibly you’re not sure what I mean by a joiner; the term is more common in Britain than it is here in the states. In the U.S., when we call someone a joiner we usually mean he ... continue reading.
Framing Ignacio Zuloaga (in the Prado)
We currently have five frames in the Museo del Prado in Madrid, all part of a major exhibition called “Treasures from the Hispanic Society of America: Visions of the Hispanic World.” All five are on oil paintings by Ignacio Zuloaga (1870-1945) which we frame... continue reading.
Celebrating our First Anniversary in Berkeley! Pictures from Last Summer’s BIG MOVE
One year ago this month we took possession of our new West Berkeley home. I was far too busy at the time to blog about the move, so I’m taking a few minutes to reflect on what can only be described as a miraculous effort on the part of this absolutely wonderful t... continue reading.
Framing Francisco Zuniga and Roi Partridge: Works on Paper Framed “Close”
More than most framers, we frame “close,” meaning right up to the picture, without a visible mat. Many would categorically state that etchings and drawings must always be matted. But one of the joys of framing is the infinite variety of pictures there are t... continue reading.
Framing a Chris Jorgensen Oil Painting of Yosemite
San Francisco painter Christian August Jorgensen (1860–1935) was primarily known for his watercolors (we have two in the Portfolio, here and here), but this is a very impressive 42″ x 72″ oil painting of Yosemite Valley. It was done around 1910 when the park was ... continue reading.
Framing Karima Cammell’s Egg Tempera Paintings—III
Here’s the third and last of the egg tempera paintings we just framed for the artist, Karima Cammell. At 24″ x 18″ this is the largest one. It’s also on a very thick panel, so the 3″ wide frame is 2-1/4″ thick. It’s in stained q... continue reading.
Framing Karima Cammell’s Egg Tempera Paintings—II
Here’s the second of three posts showing our recent framing of three Karima Cammell egg tempera portrait paintings. As I mentioned in the last post, Karima’s affection for the decorative arts, much evident in the model’s clothes and background, is a gr... continue reading.
Framing Karima Cammell’s Egg Tempera Paintings—I
This is the first of three posts showing three egg tempera portrait paintings we just framed for a neighbor, Karima Cammell. Don’t know how she finds time to paint, but Karima is the owner of one of my favorite shops in Berkeley, Castle In the Air, on Fourth Stree... continue reading.