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
“Humanization”: Framing Ukrainian artist Aleksei Bordusov
I’ve been wanting to post about this job we framed many months ago. Finally pulling it out of the archives I remembered the enigmatic image as well as its intriguing title: “Humanization.” But I’d forgotten who the artist was. Looking it up today... continue reading.
Framing Thomas Jefferson Kitts
James Rieser at Rieser Fine Art in Carmel recently asked us to frame this beautiful landscape painting by contemporary Oregon artist Thomas Jefferson Kitts. “Tranquility” (2021, oil on canvas, 36″ x 48″) is available from Jim’s gallery. (Vi... continue reading.
A Second Carl Sammons Painting (for Twosday)
My last post featured a painting by Oakland landscape painter Carl Sammons (1883-1968), which was on display this past weekend in California Historical Design‘s booth at the National Arts and Crafts Conference at the Grove Park Inn. It was actually one of a pair o... continue reading.
Framing Carl Sammons—and Hanging at The Grove Park Inn
This weekend is the 35th Annual National Arts and Crafts Conference at The Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina, and our friend Gus Bostrom of California Historical Design in Alameda once again has a big, beautiful booth displaying antique furniture, pottery, met... continue reading.
Keep the Beast Happy: Framing Milivoj Ćeran’s “Jormungandr”
It’s hard to think of another realm today where human beings unleash our imaginations more than we do in science fiction. The Studio recently had the great privilege of framing a painting born of the extraordinary imagination of Croatian artist Milivoj Ćeran, 201... continue reading.
Reveling in the Tradition: Framing Erik Tiemens for Beloved California VI
There’s something uniquely rewarding for us in framing Erik Tiemens‘s paintings. The first three here, brand new for Beloved California VI, we set in quartersawn white oak with Dark Medieval Oak stain and gilt slips. Why are Erik’s paintings so rewardi... continue reading.
“Test of Time”: Framing Kim Lordier for “Beloved California VI”
I could sing the praises of many aspects of Kim Lordier‘s 20″ x 24″ pastel “Test of Time,” beginning with the wonderful treatment of morning sunlight. But it’s the expertly rendered perspective that inspired this frame design—a surr... continue reading.
Framing Richard Lindenberg for Beloved California VI (Opening Today!)
Our big annual all-gallery show opens today! Beloved California VI: Twenty Painters with a Passion for Place features more than 60 wonderful works by our entire roster of Northern California landscape painters. Nearly all the paintings are on view in the gallery for the... continue reading.
Framing Yoshiko Yamamoto for the Holly-days
I love the prints Yoshiko Yamamoto made as a tribute to the Overbeck sisters, Hannah (1870-1931) and Mary (1878-1955). This one, “Holly,” is based on a circa 1915 watercolor and ink drawing in the Los Angeles County Museum, shown at right. (In typical humble... continue reading.