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
Framing Mary DeNeale Morgan
Here’s a lovely Mary DeNeale Morgan (1868-1948) pastel we just framed in a cove profile, our No. 308.0. Morgan was best known for her Monterey cypress trees. This is a classic California oak, though, and is suitably framed in quartersawn white oak with Weathered O... continue reading.
Framing Fin de Siecle Paris
Architecture depicted in a painting is very often a cue for designing the architecture of the frame. We just framed this ca. 1900 unsigned impressionist painting of a Paris street scene for California Historical Design. The painting’s 9-3/8″ x 13-7/8″.... continue reading.
The City’s Light: How Lawrence Ferlinghetti Painted and Framed San Francisco
Lawrence Ferlinghetti was not born in San Francisco, but San Francisco, and more particularly its famously Bohemian neighborhood of North Beach, became the frame for his twin arts of painting and poetry. Eventually his adopted town acknowledged Ferlinghetti’s cont... continue reading.
Frame and Flower: Honoring Henry Evans
Here’s a good image for spring. I have a soft spot for the prints of Henry Evans (1918–1990) because I knew the artist a little bit. In my early years working at Storey Framing, Evans and his wife Marsha were regulars, coming in for frames for Henry’s prin... continue reading.
Framing William S. Rice—a Watercolor and a Block Print
A pantheon of great Bay Area artists would not be complete without William Seltzer Rice (1873-1963). Best known for his block prints, Rice also painted beautiful watercolors. We just framed one of each medium. First, the watercolor: “Autumn Leaves, Leona Canyon,&#... continue reading.
Picture Framing Magazine Interview with Tim Holton
We got a nice write-up in the current issue of Picture Framing Magazine! The industry’s leading journal chose Holton Studio for its regular monthly “Retailer Profile.” Editor Kim Biesiada interviewed me for it and did a good job writing it up. Read t... continue reading.
Chris Schwarz’s “Chairs and Crapitalism”
I’m a recent fan of Christopher Schwarz and The Lost Art Press. The guy is a master woodworker (here’s one of his chairs), but is as much a wordsmith as he is a woodsmith; he knows woodworking and its history, and every sentence both elucidates and entertain... continue reading.
Framing Orpha Klinker
Here’s another desert etching, this one by noted Southern California artist Orpha Klinker (1891-1964). “Winter Touches the Dessert” is about 7″ x 9″, and dates from the late ’30’s (winning first place in the California Society o... continue reading.
Framing Another Gene Kloss Etching
A year ago I posted a lovely 1930’s landscape etching by Berkeley printmaker Gene Kloss (1903-1996), called “Desert Clouds” (at right). Here’s another one by her, below. Titled “Arid Land,” it’s about 6″ x 11″. The m... continue reading.