A Frame-Maker’s Journal

TimHolton writingUpdates 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

Debey Zito and Terry Schmitt

Posted on July 7th, 2023

There’s a key principle of the Arts and Crafts Movement that few artisans fully grasp; and of those who have, even fewer have pursued and found the opportunities to apply their understanding. That principle is the unity of the arts, and it’s only at the arch... continue reading.

Apple Sauce, Suitably Framed

Posted on July 1st, 2023

Yesterday I posted (here) about the David Lance Goines woodcut prints we’re offering, all from “Thirty Recipes Suitable for Framing,” which Goines did with his friend Alice Waters around 1970—just as she was about to open her now world-renowned resta... continue reading.

David Goines-Alice Waters Recipes Suitable for Framing

Posted on June 30th, 2023

Several months ago we came into a set of the prints that the late graphic artist and printer David Lance Goines produced around 1970 illustrating recipes by his one-time girlfriend and famed chef Alice Waters of Chez Panisse. The complete folio is titled “Thirty R... continue reading.

Framing Eric Bowman

Posted on June 29th, 2023

While it’s true that we work in what’s called the cabinetmaker’s frame tradition and regard ourselves as essentially furniture makers, or—the older description I prefer—joiners, who make picture frames, we almost never take on furniture projects. P... continue reading.

Paul Kratter Demo This Saturday

Posted on June 1st, 2023

As part of our one man show, Paul Kratter: View Through the Trees, the artist will do a painting demonstration here in the Gallery this Saturday, June 3 from 10 to 12. It’s free and open to all, but seating will be limited. One of the stars of California’s t... continue reading.

Framing a William Seltzer Rice Nautical Print

Posted on May 21st, 2023

Over the years, we’ve framed quite a few works by William Seltzer Rice, and just recently had a few more come in. I especially love Rice’s nautical prints—like this one, “Ships of Yesterday” (ca. 1926), which we just framed for Gus Bostrom of C... continue reading.

Paul Kratter Wins Carmel Art Festival Again!

Posted on May 20th, 2023

Our own Paul Kratter just won first place at the 30th annual Carmel Art Festival with his 15″ x 16″ plein air painting, “Bending to the Wind.” This is the second year in a row he’s been honored with the blue ribbon! Big congratulations, Pau... continue reading.

Selections from Paul Kratter: View Through the Trees

Posted on May 11th, 2023

The big event this past Saturday was, as everyone knows, a coronation: Paul Kratter got to be king for a day! Despite a bit of rain and competition from a certain copy cat event in the UK, here at the gallery we had a lively time for the opening of “View Through t... continue reading.

Framing Paul Kratter’s “View Through the Trees”

Posted on May 4th, 2023

Here at the Gallery this Saturday, May 6 from 1 to 4, we’ll host an opening reception for “Paul Kratter: View Through the Trees”. It was twenty years ago that Paul Kratter came in to the old Emeryville shop to frame some of his recent paintings. Paul w... continue reading.