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

New Catalog Section Just Added: Mitered Frames—Special Corners

Posted on June 10th, 2019

We’ve just added a new section to A Frame-Maker’s Catalog for frame designs that take advantage of the decorative possibilities inherent in the joints of mitered frames: “Mitered Frames—Special Corners.” The page offers “examples of miter... continue reading.

“Historic Views of San Francisco Bay” Opens Today at North Point Gallery

Posted on June 8th, 2019

Yesterday I popped into North Point Gallery to get a sneak preview of their show opening today, and I can tell you that it is an absolutely wonderful display that will lift the spirits of anyone who loves the Bay we live on. With some works on loan and not for sale (inc... continue reading.

Framing Alexander Harmer

Posted on June 6th, 2019

With our current small exhibit of watercolors by Robert Tetlow, we’re emphasizing that medium this month. Thanks to our kind neighbors at North Point Gallery, we’ve borrowed and are also showing this exquisitely painted and historically notable watercolor wh... continue reading.

Framing a Francis Luis Mora Watercolor

Posted on May 31st, 2019

In preparation for my talk tomorrow, “A Frame-Maker’s Approach to Framing Watercolors,” I’m posting this delightfully festive, early twentieth century impressionist watercolor, “Santa Fe Race Scene.” The artist is the noted Hispanic-A... continue reading.

A Frame Is a Kind of Nest

Posted on May 30th, 2019

This Saturday here at the gallery prior to the opening of our show of watercolors by Robert Tetlow, I’ll be giving a talk called “A Frame-Maker’s Approach to Framing Watercolors.” I’d forgotten about this lovely mid-century Japanese waterco... continue reading.

An Exhibit of Watercolors by Robert Tetlow

Posted on May 26th, 2019

We’re looking forward to the opening next Saturday of our exhibit, “Robert Tetlow (1922-1988): A Berkeley Watercolorist Rediscovered and Remembered.” Tetlow taught Landscape Architecture at the UC Berkeley Schools of Environmental Design, and is also k... continue reading.

On the Corner: New Thoughts on Closed-Corner Frames

Posted on May 24th, 2019

In preparation to launch a new section of the catalog, “Mitered Frames—Special Corners,” I had a fresh look at the page “Closed-Corner Frames”, which explains one of the most fundamental aspects of our work, and found it needed sprucing up. So ... continue reading.

How I Came to Ruskin

Posted on May 19th, 2019

In this year that celebrates John Ruskin’s 200th birthday, the scholarly website, www.victorianweb.org has been asking students of the great 19th century art and social critic for stories of their “Ruskin encounters.” I was flattered to be asked by the... continue reading.

Paul Kratter on the Cover of Southwest Art Magazine

Posted on May 17th, 2019

Hurray for Paul Kratter, for being the featured painter on the cover of Southwest Art Magazine’s June 2019 issue! Many of our customers know and have admired Paul’s work since the Gallery began representing him sixteen(!) years ago. The well written piece de... continue reading.