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

Framing a Toshi Yoshida Abstract Print

Posted on June 23rd, 2024

This frame design came to me one day a year or two ago while noodling in my sketchbook, and I made a corner sample of it. Shortly after, it came in handy for this 19th century oban size print, “Illusion”, at right, by Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865). I liked th... continue reading.

Another Picture Framing Magazine Design of the Month!

Posted on June 21st, 2024

This month’s Picture Framing Magazine again features our work. The 17th century map by Dutch cartographer Joan Blaeu, which I posted about here, was recognized as the Design of the Month. Since our first Design of the Month three years ago, we’ve been chosen... continue reading.

The Old Connection—II: Framing a Set of William DeMorgan Tiles

Posted on June 19th, 2024

My last post was about framing a set of three identical American Arts and Crafts tiles dating from about 1908, and made by AE Baggs of Marblehead Pottery. This is a set of six tiles, each one 6″ x 6″, by one of the great English Arts and Crafts ceramicists, ... continue reading.

The Old Connection: A Carved Frame for Carved Marblehead Tiles

Posted on June 17th, 2024

This is a set of carved matte green triptych tiles made around 1908 by Arthur Baggs (1886-1947) a few years after he founded the Marblehead Pottery. Each tile is 6-1/4″ square. We made the frame in quartersawn white oak (a natural choice for this image of oak tree... continue reading.

Framing Tia Kratter for “California Wildflowers”

Posted on June 15th, 2024

It’s always lovely to watch a show come together. But this one we’re enjoying seeing bloom before our eyes. “California Wildflowers” opens June 29, and its wonderful. My daughter Ella gets credit for the idea. (Good call, Ella.) The group show in... continue reading.

Highlighting Terry Miura

Posted on May 14th, 2024

To celebrate 15 years of showing Terry Miura, the Gallery is currently featuring the artist’s paintings. A popular teacher and greatly admired by the region’s landscape painters, Terry’s earned the lofty status of an artist’s artist. He’s a... continue reading.

Hanging with Karima Cammell at Brea Gallery

Posted on May 9th, 2024

Our friend Karima Cammell, whose show “High Water” we hosted here in 2021, was chosen from thousands of entrants for a solo show at Brea Gallery in Brea (Orange County), California. We had the great honor of framing most of Karima’s work for for the ex... continue reading.

Re-Framing Manuel Valencia

Posted on May 7th, 2024

Here are two historical California landscape paintings by turn-of-the-century Bay Area painter Manuel Valencia (c. 1856 – 1935). The oils on canvas have no dates, but are said to have been done around 1910. We re-framed them for our friends at California Historical De... continue reading.

Framing Thomas Hill’s Yosemite Valley View

Posted on May 2nd, 2024

Thomas Hill (1829-1908) was born in Birmingham, England, and immigrated to New England as a teenager. In 1851, he married Charlotte Elizabeth Hawkes and started his large family (eventually having nine children; grandchildren would include Norman Rockwell). At age 24, h... continue reading.