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 Natural Harmony: Framing 19th Century Japanese Prints
Last Saturday we hung our small exhibit, “Antique Japanese Prints and How to Frame Them.” I thought I’d post some thoughts on the second part of that. If you want to delve deeper in to this, please come to my presentation on Saturday, March 23 at 4:00, called “A Frame-Maker’s Approach to Framing Japanese Prints.” […]
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Framing Three William S. Rice Watercolors
We’ve had the good fortune to frame a number of works by William Seltzer Rice (1873-1963), one of the true American masters of the art of the block print (a recent example of one we framed is here). But he was also a superb watercolorist, and we just framed two ex... continue reading.
Framing TO-DAY—and John Ruskin at 200
“I have met in my lifetime some extremely revolutionary characters; and quite a large number of them, when I have asked, ‘Who put you onto this revolutionary line? Was it Karl Marx?’ have answered, ‘No, it was Ruskin.’” —George Bernard ... continue reading.
The Penetrating Imagination: Framing Bertha Lum’s Window on Distant and Hidden Things
Here’s a delightful block print by Bertha Lum (1869-1954), which came through the shop recently. The image is about 16-1/2″ x 9-1/2″. It had been trimmed closely, without enough margin left to cover even a tiny bit with a mat, so we floated it in the o... continue reading.
California Art Club Event: Jeff Sewell Demo Packs Them In
This past Saturday we hosted a painting demonstration by Jeff Sewell of Laguna Beach. The event was sponsored by the Northern California chapter of the California Art Club. As you can tell from the pictures, Jeff drew a standing-room-only crowd, which was transfixed for... continue reading.
Framing Sausalito: Jane Kriss’s Homage to M. Sasek
I don’t think there’s a more charming site on the shore of San Francisco Bay than the town of Sausalito. My sister, Jane Kriss, is very lucky to live there, and was inspired to write and illustrate a book to match that charm: Next Stop Sausalito. And I’... continue reading.
Framing “Discoveries In Early California Art”: North Point Gallery Exhibit Opens Today
Over the years we have framed numerous paintings for our friends at North Point Gallery. Today they are opening a lovely show called “Discoveries In Early California Art,” and I’m happy to say we have a large number of frames on display. North Point... continue reading.
Framing a William S. Rice Woodblock Print
A happy customer just left here with this block print, “Lake Merritt”, by the great California artist William Seltzer Rice (1873-1963). An interesting thing about making wooden frames for block prints is that decorative carving of the frame can be done in th... continue reading.
Protecting Paradise: Framing Ernesto Nemesio for “Beloved California III”
This morning I completed the framing for “Beloved California, III”, our big annual all-gallery exhibit which opens today with a reception from 4 to 6. (I hope you’ll come.) The final piece framed is Ernesto Nemesio‘s “Sailor Lake Wildflower... continue reading.