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 Eva Pietzcker
We just framed three prints by an outstanding contemporary German printmaker, Eva Pietzcker. These prints are examples of her work using the Japanese woodblock technique (mokuhanga) which involves water-based inks, and therefore results in the more muted effects associa... continue reading.
Framing Gene Kloss, and a Small Picture of Vast Matters
“The system of the world is entirely one; small things and great are alike part of one mighty whole.” —John Ruskin, Modern Painters Theologians of old used to speak of “this great frame of things,” meaning the comprehensive, whole—and holy—... continue reading.
Tim to Teach Frame-Making at Marc Adams School
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 1, 2020: Due to the pandemic, I had to cancel plans to teach this class. It was nevertheless a great honor to be asked, and the school is certainly an impressive operation which I heartily endorse! After the school delayed the start of this year’s... continue reading.
Robert Flanary and Paul Roehl: A Harmony Continuing Still
We are featuring in the Gallery, through February 22, paintings by Robert Flanary and Paul Roehl, two of our painters most influenced by the tonalist tradition which thrived in the Bay Area a century ago. We paired Robert and Paul five years ago for a show we called ... continue reading.
The Holiday Frame of Memory—and a Mother’s Fruitcake
Yesterday, the San Francisco Chronicle Food and Wine section included a poem, “Mom’s Fruitcake,” by my wife, Stephanie McCoy, recounting the story of Steph’s late mother’s traditional Christmas fruitcake and its lasting meaning for her fami... continue reading.
Framing Sharon Calahan for “Beloved California”
When it comes to painting the light, one exemplary artist on the scene today is Sharon Calahan. We’ve been representing the Petaluma painter and Pixar mainstay since 2011. Sharon’s painting, “Bear Creek Summer” (16″ x 20″) is featured in our current ... continue reading.
Framing Robert Flanary for “Beloved California”
We had a tremendous turnout for the November 16 opening reception for our current all-gallery show, “Beloved California IV: Twenty Artists with a Passion for Place.” (Photo at right; more pictures of the opening can be found at the bottom of the show’s... continue reading.
Framing Kim Lordier for “Beloved California”
The title of this pastel by Kim Lordier, “Bathed in Riches,” sums up the pleasurable feeling of being out on the ranch lands of Northern California, especially as the late shadows begin to cool off a hot summer day. How often do we think to measure our wealt... continue reading.
Framing Carol Peek for “Beloved California”
Another outstanding painting featured in our upcoming annual all-gallery exhibition will be Carol Peek‘s 24″ x 36″ oil called “Metamorphosis.” Carol says that “this beautiful place has a creek that runs through it [which] marks the Ma... continue reading.