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
Framing the Wedding Banners of Bertha Lum
The unusual imagery of wedding banners central to this 1924 print by Bertha Lum, and giving it its title, offered me an opportunity to use a joinery technique I’d been playing with. “Wedding Banners,” is available from California Historical Design. The frame is in walnut with a black wash. The sides are 1″ wide, the […]
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Framing the Hopes for American Commerce of 1899
In framing this beautiful large 45″ x 20″ antique poster advertising the 1899 National Export Exposition in Philadelphia, the challenge was to harmonize utilitarian and artistic concerns: balancing the simplicity and boldness of presentation naturally suitab... continue reading.
Framing Eva Pietzcker
We just framed three prints by an outstanding contemporary German printmaker, Eva Pietzcker. These prints are examples of her work using the Japanese woodblock technique (mokuhanga) which involves water-based inks, and therefore results in the more muted effects associa... continue reading.
Framing Gene Kloss, and a Small Picture of Vast Matters
“The system of the world is entirely one; small things and great are alike part of one mighty whole.” —John Ruskin, Modern Painters Theologians of old used to speak of “this great frame of things,” meaning the comprehensive, whole—and holy—... continue reading.
Tim to Teach Frame-Making at Marc Adams School
I’m honored to have been invited by Marc Adams to teach a course next Fall at his renowned school just outside Indianapolis, The Marc Adams School of Woodworking—the largest school of its kind in North America. The week long course, “Picture Frame Making f... continue reading.
Robert Flanary and Paul Roehl: A Harmony Continuing Still
We are featuring in the Gallery, through February 22, paintings by Robert Flanary and Paul Roehl, two of our painters most influenced by the tonalist tradition which thrived in the Bay Area a century ago. We paired Robert and Paul five years ago for a show we called ... continue reading.
The Holiday Frame of Memory—and a Mother’s Fruitcake
Yesterday, the San Francisco Chronicle Food and Wine section included a poem, “Mom’s Fruitcake,” by my wife, Stephanie McCoy, recounting the story of Steph’s late mother’s traditional Christmas fruitcake and its lasting meaning for her fami... continue reading.
Framing Sharon Calahan for “Beloved California”
When it comes to painting the light, one exemplary artist on the scene today is Sharon Calahan. We’ve been representing the Petaluma painter and Pixar mainstay since 2011. Sharon’s painting, “Bear Creek Summer” (16″ x 20″) is featured in our current ... continue reading.
Framing Robert Flanary for “Beloved California”
We had a tremendous turnout for the November 16 opening reception for our current all-gallery show, “Beloved California IV: Twenty Artists with a Passion for Place.” (Photo at right; more pictures of the opening can be found at the bottom of the show’s... continue reading.