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

“High Water”: Framing and Exhibiting Karima Cammell

Posted on September 12th, 2021

I’m very happy and excited to announce our next show, High Water: Works by Karima Cammell. The show will open with an artist’s reception on October 9 (scroll down for details) and run through October 30. In addition to being a painter, Karima Cammell is an a... continue reading.

Re-framing Kim Lordier’s “Backlit In Monterey”

Posted on August 24th, 2021

It’s not often that we re-frame a picture we’ve framed for the gallery, but especially smaller paintings often get very plain frames, and sometimes customers want something a little more elaborate. Such was the case with Kim Lordier‘s pastel “Bac... continue reading.

Carol Peek’s Little Windows On California

Posted on August 22nd, 2021

Our exhibit of small paintings by our regular roster of landscape painters has been extended and is now in its last week. I didn’t want Little Windows II to close without spotlighting Carol Peek, who says of her three works, “These paintings are celebrations... continue reading.

Little Windows On the Night

Posted on August 5th, 2021

I’m partial to nocturnes—paintings of the night—and Little Windows II, our current all-gallery show of small paintings, has several beautiful ones I’m eager to share with you here. Terry Miura, who did the painting at right, sometimes tapes to the top of... continue reading.

“Little Windows”

Posted on July 16th, 2021

Today Jessie, Steph and I hung “Little Windows II” at the Gallery in preparation for tomorrow’s opening. (No reception; we’re still being cautious about the number of visitors inside.) Made up of California landscape paintings, 9″ x 12̸... continue reading.

Framing David Lance Goines

Posted on May 18th, 2021

“To foster intercultural respect and understanding, lifelong friendships, and leadership skills for a more just and peaceful world.”—Motto of International House, UC Berkeley In the Gallery, we’ve been enjoying featuring a number of posters by one of... continue reading.

Two Flowering Frames

Posted on May 17th, 2021

May is a flowering time, and nothing suits frames better than flowers. Two prints to recently come through the shop inspired carved flowers in the frames. The iris (unsigned) is a Japanese woodblock, and the figure is a copper etching by Yuji Hiratsuka, a Japanese Ameri... continue reading.

Framing Mary DeNeale Morgan

Posted on May 10th, 2021

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

Posted on April 27th, 2021

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.