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 Dard Hunter and the Roycrofters
This is a set of six hand-colored prints by Dard Hunter (1883-1966), framed in pairs. Made in 1909-1910, they depict the architecture of the Roycroft campus in the heyday of the Arts and Crafts Movement. Dard Hunter was a major Arts and Crafts figure, especially in the ... continue reading.
A New and Very Subtle Profile
Here’s a key lesson I learned a long time ago when I started looking closely at early twentieth century oak frames: while the shape of a frame molding should be alive to the picture, subtlety is crucial to keeping the frame in its subordinate role. Following the e... continue reading.
Framing Paul Roehl for “California Wildflowers”
We had a great opening last Saturday for our latest show, “California Wildflowers.” Many of our artists were able to come, including Paul Roehl. Paul has this lovely 16″ x 20″ oil on panel in the exhibit, “Spring, Coast Range”. The fr... continue reading.
“California Wildflowers” Opens Today!
Our new show, simply titled “California Wildflowers,” opens today! After a refreshingly wet winter, California enjoyed a lush and brilliant spring. In this show, eighteen painters celebrate that revitalizing season and its blossoms. Below is one of the thirt... continue reading.
Framing Erik Tiemens for “California Wildflowers”
In our latest exhibit, “California Wildflowers,” which opens this weekend, eighteen painters celebrate our beautiful state at its most beautiful—in bloom! Erik Tiemens is represented by this stunner, “Reaching the Top” (oil on canvas, 18″... continue reading.
Framing a Toshi Yoshida Abstract Print
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!
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
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
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.