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 Frank Montague Moore
This is a classic California impressionist painting by British-born Frank Montague Moore (1877-1967), painted in the 1920’s. The oil painting, which is 12″ x 16″, is set in a 2-1/2″ wide stained quarter sawn white oak frame is our No. 308.0 profile—a simple scoop with a bead near the sight edge, and has a 23 […]
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Framing a Sōsaku-Hanga print by Shiro Kasamatsu
This is a woodblock print by Shiro Kasamatsu (1898-1991), “Kasugana, Nara.” Kasamatsu played a significant role in the early twentieth century shin-hanga (new prints) movement. But this print, made in 1961, is from the artist’s later period, when he wa... continue reading.
Framing Helen Hyde
I’m proudly adding this one to the “Japanese Print Tradition” section of the Portfolio. It’s a beautiful example from outstanding early twentieth century American print maker Helen Hyde (1868 – 1919). We set “A Mexican Coquette” (19... continue reading.
Framing Two More Alan Tuttle Paintings
We’ve greatly enjoyed framing Alan Tuttle’s paintings over the years. I think the first one was “The Falls,” at right; we also had fun framing “Flower.” Here are two more frames we made for Alan recently. The artist, who lives in Dela... continue reading.
Simon Addyman Featured in the Gallery
We had a lovely opening for landscape painter Simon Addyman last Saturday. Simon and his wife Carol came down for the event from their home in Auburn. In addition to eleven paintings we had framed and hung, we also display another dozen paintings that Simon brought to t... continue reading.
“Alta California”: Framing an Erik Tiemens Commissioned Painting
We just finished framing this spectacular painting, “Alta California,” that a customer commissioned from Erik Tiemens, a long time member of the Holton Studio Gallery roster. Erik brings us closer to the dramatic crashing surf and rugged coastline of the sta... continue reading.
Valentine’s Weekend Sale!
We just put a beautiful batch of framed prints and ready-made frames on sale. This is a short one for the special, long weekend! Ends Tuesday, February 18. Happy Valentine’s Day and Presidents Day! Go to sale page…... continue reading.
A Minka for Pictures: Framing Hiroto Norikane
I often say that what we’re offering is the simple home for pictures. The simple home ideal was practiced and advocated by Bernard Maybeck and Charles Keeler here in Berkeley, and shaped much of the city’s early architecture. I take it to express the princip... continue reading.
Highlighting Robert Flanary
Jessie just re-hung the gallery to highlight our inventory of paintings by Robert Flanary. There are 26 paintings in all. Most are framed—those are shown on Robert’s page, here—but there’s also a large number of unframed (or ready-to-frame!) pieces. A lo... continue reading.