A Frame-Maker’s Journal
Updates and reflections 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
Completing the Window: Framing Carl Redin
This Saturday I’ll be giving a presentation here at the Gallery called “Completing the Window: A Frame Maker’s Approach to Framing Landscape Paintings.” Starting with last Saturday’s post I’m posting a few examples of that approach. This is a small undated (1920’s?) oil painting by Swedish-American painter Carl Redin (1892-1944). The 2″ wide frame is […]
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A Carved Oak Frame for Harry Curieux Adamson
Next Saturday, August 22, at 2:00 I’ll be giving a presentation here at the Gallery called “Completing the Window: A Frame Maker’s Approach to Framing Landscape Paintings.” This coming week I’ll post a few examples of that approach. This 28... continue reading.
Completing the Window: A Lecture
On Saturday afternoon, August 22, I’ll be giving a talk titled “Completing the Window: A Frame Maker’s Approach to Framing Landscape Paintings.” It’s a truism that a frame should complement the picture that’s in it. But what does that... continue reading.
Amidst Poppies: Framing Arthur Mathews
Arthur Frank Mathews (1860-1945) was California’s premiere muralist and a leading teacher in the state. He was also a great advocate for Arts and Crafts ideals—which led him directly to an appreciation for the significance of the architecture of the frame and its wo... continue reading.
Chickens On a Ladder: Framing to Elevate Ordinary Things
Depictions of architecture, cabinetry, furniture and other things made of wood are always possible cues for the wooden structure that is a frame. Such constructions are themselves, after all, essentially frames of one kind or another. A wooden ladder is another kind of ... continue reading.
A Joiner’s Art: Frame Making as Woodworking—Part IV
Part IV of my six-part series “A Joiner’s Art: Frame Making as Woodworking” for Picture Framing Magazine has come out. The first installment, published last May, introduced the topic with some history and an overview (read Part I, probably the most interesting one... continue reading.
A Joiner’s Art: Frame Making as Woodworking—Part III
Picture Framing Magazine has just published Part III of what will be a six-part series I’m writing for them called “A Joiner’s Art: Frame Making as Woodworking.” The first installment, which came out in May, introduced the topic with some history and an over... continue reading.
“Change in the Air”: Framing Terry Miura for “Beloved California X”
After a long stretch of dry weather here in the Bay Area, we’re expecting several days of rain over Christmas. There is, in other words, a change in the air—which happens to be the title of this Terry Miura painting. Right now, “Change in the Air” ha... continue reading.
Framing James McGrew for Beloved California X
We’ve just finished hanging Beloved California X. One of the painters featured is James McGrew. I especially love his 11″ x 14″ painting of this beautiful bit of shoreline at Lake Tahoe. James painted it last summer when teaching at the Plein Air Conve... continue reading.