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
The Studio at Twenty-Five: Still (Happily) Framing Patricia Curtan and Chez Panisse
We just framed this exquisite linoleum block print, “Figs,” by one of my favorite Berkeley artists, Patricia Curtan, and it’s a lovely bit of nostalgia for me as we approach our 25th anniversary in August. “Figs” is an illustration for Chez... continue reading.
Framing Meyer Straus and a Land of Hopeful Immigrants
For power and charm of capturing a historical moment, this painting by early San Francisco artist Meyer Straus (1831-1905) is hard to beat. It’s another we framed for North Point Gallery, whose current exhibit, “Historical Artists of the East Bay” is ... continue reading.
Artisan Ted Ellison to Speak Tonight on Progressive American Mosaic Fireplaces
We’re eagerly anticipating tonight’s gallery event, as we host stained glass and mosaic artist Theodore Ellison and his talk “Progressive American Mosaic Fireplaces.” The presentation will be a heartfelt appreciation, by a practitioner of the art... continue reading.
A Simple Home for Another William Keith painting
My last post, here, showed a painting by William Keith (1838-1911) of Lagunitas Creek and Mount Tamalpais in Marin County. The picture, currently on view up the street at North Point Gallery as part of its show “Historical Artists of the East Bay, includes a quiet... continue reading.
“This Is the Place for Art”: How William Keith Framed the Legacy of Painting in the Bay Area
Another painting we framed and which is now on display at the North Point Gallery (along with the pieces that were subject of my last two posts) as part of its show “Historical Artists of the East Bay” is by William Keith (1838-1911), an artist considered no... continue reading.
Framing (Another) Henry Gremke
Today, North Point Gallery’s show “Historic Artists of the East Bay” is opening, and as I said in my last post, we framed a number of paintings included in it, like the Edwin Deakin I wrote about. Another painting we framed for that exhibit is by Oakla... continue reading.
Framing Edwin Deakin, and the East Bay’s Great Painting Heritage
This Saturday, June 9th, our neighbors and good friends at North Point Gallery are opening a show that celebrates the extraordinarily rich painting tradition of our city and region. Entitled “Historic Artists of the East Bay,” the show runs through June 30, ... continue reading.
Re-framing Great American Impressionist Hayley Lever
I need to write up the story of how reproduction French baroque gilt frames came to be regarded as suitable for impressionist paintings, but the absurdity of it is plain enough to see. Here’s a good example of a landscape, “Woodstock,” by one member of... continue reading.
Framing George Applegarth, and Big Alma’s Dream for a Place of Art
San Francisco architect George Applegarth (1875-1972) was a big dreamer living in a time and place marked by big dreamers—like the colorful “Big Alma” Spreckels who dreamed of building a great art museum for her city of San Francisco. Of humble roots, Alma... continue reading.