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

Protection and Prospect, Part II: The Frame

Posted on March 20th, 2017

In my last post I discussed the compositional strategy of “protection and prospect” that Paul Roehl explained in part of his February 25 lecture here at the Gallery—a strategy that’s extraordinarily compelling because it taps in to a primal psychological need we... continue reading.

Protection and Prospect: A Lesson in Composition from Paul Roehl

Posted on March 1st, 2017

This past Saturday afternoon at the Gallery, Paul Roehl gave a very informative and engaging talk called “Beyond Representation: The Poetic Landscape.” (This was part of our highlighting Paul’s work through March 18.) One concept in particular resonate... continue reading.

On Framing Boats—and “the Fellowship of the World”

Posted on February 6th, 2017

We just framed this charming little painting of a boat under construction. Titled “Lowell’s” (presumably, for the boatbuilder whose shop is depicted), it’s an oil on board, 9″ x 12″, by New England artist Kevin Shea. The frame is a No... continue reading.

A Frame Is a Kind of Eye: Framing Picasso

Posted on February 2nd, 2017

The twentieth century was not kind to picture frames. This Pablo Picasso etching of the artist’s model and muse (or one of them), Dora Maar, spent the better part of the last hundred years smashed into one of those acrylic box frames—the ultimate minimalist trea... continue reading.

Mountain Hawk’s Homage to Edward Curtis—Video

Posted on February 1st, 2017

In the new showroom we’ve finally been able to properly display Paul Unks’s truly wonderful photogravures of Edward S. Curtis images produced by his outfit, Mountain Hawk Prints. We have three framed, below. To help you appreciate Paul’s achievement, w... continue reading.

Robert Flanary on Visual Memory

Posted on January 30th, 2017

This past Saturday, in our first artist presentation, part of our first Artist Highlight in the new gallery, Robert Flanary gave a short “Shop Talk on Visual Memory.” It was a fairly brief but deeply thoughtful insight into the aspect of how painters see and... continue reading.

New Work by Robert Flanary

Posted on January 28th, 2017

Painter Robert Flanary is currently being highlighted in the gallery and will be here this afternoon—visiting from his home in Chehalis, Washington—to give a presentation, “A Shop Talk on Visual Memory.” Shown here are several new works we’ve frame... continue reading.

Framing Visual Memory: A Presentation by Robert Flanary

Posted on January 14th, 2017

The Gallery is currently highlighting the artist we’ve represented the longest, Robert Flanary, and on Saturday, January 28th from 3:00 to 5:00 Bob will be here to give a short talk titled “A Shop Talk on Visual Memory.” Several new paintings will be o... continue reading.

A Wintry Bridge to the New Year: Framing Harry Orlyk

Posted on December 29th, 2016

Today I finished framing two exceptionally beautiful East Coast landscape paintings that an old and dear friend had brought in. They’re by upstate New York painter Harry Orlyk (b. 1947).  The first one makes a very suitable New Year’s offering—a bridge in... continue reading.