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
From Gold to Oak—I: Re-Framing Rosa Bonheur Stags
The theme of this post, replacing gilt frames with dark wood frames, has since been greatly expanded upon on a page created a couple years later, “Fixing ‘A Very Prevalent Error: The Cabinetmaker’s Answer to the Gold Frame Convention,” here. Have... continue reading.
Framing Photographs—I: Contemporary Landscapes by Geoffrey Agrons
Geoffrey Agrons is a good customer and a superb photographer. We just framed this set of his photos printed on handmade Japanese paper, and they present a good opportunity to demonstrate two important lessons of framing design: framing contemporary photographs close, an... continue reading.
Framing Arts and Crafts Tiles
Suitable frames for tiles are hard to come by—especially as the old tiles in particular become more highly treasured: folks want to do them proud, but production frames on small works of real handcraft only accentuate their makeshift nature. Yes, tile frames are easy ... continue reading.
Framing Paintings—I: Kevin Courter’s “Colusa Sunset”
“All true art is praise,” as John Ruskin said, getting right at the heart of picture-making (and blowing the top off a lot of pretentious blather about art, too). Last fall Kevin Courter brought in this work of praise, a 16″ x 20″ oil on linen, l... continue reading.
An Embarrassment of Riches: New Showroom Display Full of Great Paintings
We just rehung the Gallery to show off all eight of our painters. It’s a true delight to walk in and see such a lavish display of this tremendous group of artists. I hope you’ll come by and experience it!... continue reading.
“True Grit”
What’s it take to get through a recession? A little “True Grit” helps. The Coen brothers are remaking the John Wayne classic and needed authentic-looking quartersawn oak frames on several Matthew Brady portraits that will help dress up a courthouse sce... continue reading.
“Real Wealth” a Year-and-a-Half On
In the Winter 2009 issue of Arts and Craft Homes and the Revival I published an essay called “Real Wealth: The Value of Art and Craft in a Debased Economy.” (You’ll find a link to a pdf on this page.) In it I expressed my hopes for the sustenance — o... continue reading.
Holton Studio Landscape Show—A Heaven in the Eye
The opening for the current landscape show at Holton Studio, A Heaven in the Eye, took place last Saturday, Nov. 14th. The show features 7 Northern California landscape painters: Kevin Courter, Christin Coy, Mark Farina, Paul Kratter, Terry Miura, Robin Moore, and Br... continue reading.
Cold Weather Painting, by Paul Kratter
In late February I spent a couple of days at Silver Lake just south of Lake Tahoe. A recent storm left a fresh layer of snow and cooler temperatures. I had a chance to do some sketching (I’ll write about that later) and did one painting. Winter painting offers som... continue reading.