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
Re-framing Bill Bender
Two paintings by the notable California landscape and genre painter Bill Bender (1919-2016) recently came to us from a collector with a deep love of California’s deserts, and thus a great appreciation for this particular painter’s affinity for the desert lan... continue reading.
Framing Three RTK Studio Tiles
RTK Studio, of Ojai, California, makes beautiful tiles, and it was a pleasure to frame these three critters. Each tile is 6″ x 6″, with frames all 2″ wide and made in stained quartersawn white oak. The three hang in the same room, so we wanted the fram... continue reading.
Framing Thomas Hill and Historical California Paintings: An Exhibit and New Webpage
We’ve spent many years developing and establishing our expertise in framing early California paintings. Now we’re pleased to announce our first exhibit of such work. “Historical California Paintings and How to Frame Them” will open next Saturday,... continue reading.
Framing a Maynard Dixon Sketch
Here’s a 1901 sketch by the famed Western painter Maynard Dixon (1875-1946), titled “Three Bucking Broncos”. We framed it in walnut with a black wash, in a simple profile with restrained but carefully sympathetic corner carving pattern to honor it. (Th... continue reading.
Introducing Oxford Frames
For many years we’ve offered a simple lap-joined frame we call the Adirondack. Now we’re expanding on that design with more decorative variations we’re calling “Oxford Frames”—the traditional name for the frame of this general type first ... continue reading.
Framing D’Arcy Gaw
With the Robert Tetlow exhibit on display, I’m continuing my series of posts on the theme of framing watercolors with this charming 12″ x 18″ piece by D’Arcy Gaw (1868-1944), called “Carmel Cottage.” The painting is framed close in a ... continue reading.
Framing “Places Forgotten and Untouched”: An Evening with Lee Jester
Please join us at The Gallery this Thursday, June 20 at 6:30 for what promises to be a fascinating, thought-provoking and visually engaging presentation by our friend, Lee Jester. A photographer, traveler, amateur naturalist, and former proprietor of The Craftsman Home ... continue reading.
Framing Chiura Obata
With our current exhibit of watercolors by Robert Tetlow and our launch this week of the expansive catalog page, “Mitered Frames—Special Corners,” I’ve been posting all week examples of that medium framed in the sorts of frames featured on the new pa... continue reading.
Framing HW Hansen in a Mitered Frame with Special Corners
When it comes to framing watercolors in frames with special corners—which we’re featuring this week with our Robert Tetlow watercolor exhibit up and our new catalog page, “Mitered Frames—Special Corners”—I can’t resist re-posting a job that... continue reading.