Frame-ables

"Rivka Art" by Shelley Skelton

2012-01-05T09:40:00.000-08:00

Gallery 111 at Frame-ables is pleased to present "Rivka Art" by Shelley Skelton, a collection of colorful abstract acrylics. The exhibit will run through the month of January.

From the artist:

Iwas born in Philadelphia and grew up there, where my sister was alwaysconsidered the artist in the family. My parents sent her to art schooland me to drama classes. As a teenager, I was pretty dramatic, but nevereven tried to draw the proverbial “straight line.” I was always creativeand after moving to Michigan in 1969, I happily accepted the opportunity towork as a designer in an upscale cabinet company, where I could expand on mycreativity. I had great ideas and imagination, but had difficulty gettingmy designs on paper. One day, one of the draftsmen said, “just draw whatyou see.” Those were the magic words and I was finally able to doperspective drawings so others could actually visualize my designs. Butsoon a change occurred and when I realized I wanted to draw what I felt and notwhat I saw, I knew it was time to put my feelings on canvas. Using oilsand acrylics. my paintings are colorful and bold, expressionistic and bright,sometimes a little darker reflecting my mood. I start out with a conceptbut rarely know where it is going until the final stroke.

Iam a self-taught artist. Quite often, I will reflect on a finishedpainting and see something that was not a conscious thought, but that came fromsomewhere within. I have found a way to express myself in a very privateway. I want to share it with the world. I do give my paintingsnames, but it is for the beholder to see what he or she wants to see. Ithink of my work as “caricatures of life,” free and uninhibited, depicting subjectiveemotions through exaggeration and fantasy.

"Local Colors by Lori Bate

2011-11-08T11:33:00.000-08:00

Gallery 111 at Frame-ables is proud to present "Local Colors", the first art exhibition of pastel artist Lori Bate. The Concord resident presents a new collection of stunning local landscapes and still life studies. The exhibit will run from Thursday, November 17, 2011 through Saturday, December 31, 2011 during regular business hours. The Opening Reception for the public will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2011 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, refreshments will be served and the artist will be in attendance. Visit the Frame-ables website for more information and examples of Lori's art.

"Crabapples"

LoriBate tookher first drawing lesson at the age of nine at the Currier Gallery of Art inManchester, NH, she also took advantage of her grandmother's talents as anartist and painted with her. Graduating from Wesleyan University as adouble major in American History and Studio Art (drawing and printmaking), Lorithen got her Master's Degree in Architecture from the University of Virginia.She practiced for ten years designing award winning University Buildingsand Campus Master Plans.

Lori thenattended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, and started anaccessory design business, Civitas, printing city plans on neckties andscarves. This was a successful endeavor, however, she yearned to get back toher roots of drawing by hand. Last year Lori began exploring pastels, whichquickly became her passion.

"I am inspired by the'pronk' still lifes of the Dutch, the stillness of the Luminist landscapepainters and the brushwork of Sargent. My goal as an artist is to understandwhat is before me and render it so that others can experience it in the sameway that I do. I hope as an artist to produce work that is meaningful toothers."

Boston Bruins Win The Stanley Cup !!!

2011-06-16T13:26:00.000-07:00

After nearly forty years of frustration, the Boston Bruins have finally won the Stanley Cup! Frame-ables can help you preserve your memories from this year's historic journey, from the Yearbook at the beginning of the season to the Sports Illustrated Commemorative Edition following the Stanley Cup Finals.

A List of Ideas:

2010-2011 Boston Bruins Yearbook

Stanley Cup Finals Program

Stanley Cup Finals Tickets

Sports Illustrated Cover

SI Commemorative Edition

Autographed Hockey Puck

Autographed Hockey Stick

Autographed Goalie's Mask

Autographed Jersey

Autographed Photo
Autographed Trading Cards

Commemorative Pins

Commemorative Badges

Commemorative Plate

Banners or Pennants

Panoramic Posters

Photographs

Art Prints

Newspapers

Classic Water Gilded Frames

2011-06-02T10:22:00.000-07:00

Frames that embody the spirit with which they are made.

* Traditional * Contemporary * Hand Carved * Gold Leaf

Frame-ables proudly offers meticulously hand-finished, closed-corner, water gilded frames from C&J Picture Frames. The method of applying gold to wood frames dates back to the 12th Century in Europe. By the 14th Century, most European gilded frames were commissioned by churches and featured ornamentation mimicking their exteriors. During the Renaissance, gilded frames were offered to the public by craftsmen, as art became an important part of everyday life.

C&J Frames are perfect for original artwork, antique prints, old maps, rare photographs, and everything else unique or valuable. The frame designs are reminiscent of every period, place, and art movement. The gold leaf actually shines or 'glows', especially when viewed by candlelight, the traditional means of lighting for centuries.

The following are just a few of the hundreds of profiles offered:

From the C&J website:

"Manufacturing hand made custom frames for the finest art galleries, framers and museums since 1990. We strive to preserve the art form of making frames using only the highest quality traditional materials and old world techniques. The master craftsmen at C&J create the finest handcrafted frames in the world. From American, French, Spanish, and Dutch to contemporary, oriental and Art Deco designs. Our historical and modern frames are available in a large variety of finishes including traditional 22 karat gold and 12 karat white gold leaf. Our ornate frames are carved entirely by hand out of the finest kiln dried basswood."

"After a frame is hand carved and joined, it is sprayed with gesso and then sanded. Clay is then brushed on to the areas that will later be leafed. Once the clay is dry the Gold Leaf is applied by a process called water gilding. Thin coats of gliders liquor (water, alcohol and glue) are brushed onto the frame. The gold leaf is applied on top of this water using a gilders tip. As the water evaporates the leaf will adhere to the frame. Once dry it is ready for burnishing with agate stones. In the final steps, frames are finished according to the required specifications and sealed for long lasting protection."

Creative Mat Design

2011-05-27T13:04:00.000-07:00

Frame-ables proudly offers the most creative mat designs in Concord. Creative mat design is the most 'custom' aspect of custom picture framing, adding flair to any frame style and mat color chosen. While a frame and a mat color can blend with an environment, mat designs help to enhance the art while adding a perception of importance. The framed piece shown below features two popular techniques: A French Line and a Painted Bevel.

French Lines: Drawn with a ruling pen using acrylic paint or ink, French Lines add a sense of elegance to a piece of art. French Lines are traditionally used on Diplomas, Botanical Prints, Etchings, Maps, and anything linear, but can be used on most anything. The color of the line(s) can match a school color, a color in the art, the frame color, or be a simple gold or black. Some designs feature two French Lines, while others can have the two lines cross over at the corners.

Painted Bevels: Painted with a brush using acrylic paint, Painted Bevels are a creative alternative to double matting. Where two white bevels between a colored mat may be distracting to the art, a single Painted Bevel focuses on the color in a more subtle manner. Painted Bevels are traditionally used anytime a double mat is appropriate.

Fabric Mats: To add texture and elegance to a piece of art, a mat can be covered with almost any fabric. The mat is cut before the fabric is attached, then the fabric is wrapped around the beveled edge. Fabric Mats are traditionally used on Antique Prints, Photographs, Original Art, Objects, and Textiles.

Fillet Mats: A Fillet is a small piece of moulding that attaches to the inner lip of the mat, adding dimension to the piece while elevating the perception of the art. Fillets are traditionally used to take the place of an inner mat. and often coordinate with the frame. The framed piece shown below has a Fillet in both the top and bottom mats.

Panels: Often used in 'French Matting', Panels are painted onto the mat with a brush using watercolors (other methods are appropriate). Panels can be painted solid colors, washes, or even marbleized and are often painted between two French Lines.

Inlays: Just like in woodworking, a mat can have a secondary color as an Inlay, either at the inner edge or a distance out from the mat opening.
Island Mats: Removing an Inlay from within a mat creates an Island Mat, with a secondary color showing underneath.
V-Grooves: Bevels are cut in opposition a distance from the mat opening, creating a 'V' the same color as the core of the mat (generally white). A second V-Groove can cross over the first at the corners.
Notched Corners: Steps can be created in the corners of the mat.
Southwest Corners: Just about any design can be cut in a mat, with Southwestern designs being the most accepted as their design adds to, rather than distracts from, the art.

Fathers Day Gift Ideas

2011-05-21T12:44:00.000-07:00

Fathers Day is a time to celebrate your dad and the life he has lived. There are no better gifts to give a father than framed mementos. Frame-ables offers custom frames to capture all the wonderful moments of his life. The following list will give you many great ideas...

Photographs from a family event or vacation.

An autographed photo of Bobby Orr flying through the air.

Tickets and a Program from the first baseball game he took you to.

An old magazine ad for the Mustang he always wanted.

A pocket watch you admired or pipe that he smoked.

Civil War memorabilia he proudly told stories about.

Some of the coins, stamps, or baseball cards he collected.

His lucky fishing hat or fishing flies from his tackle box.

The tools he used to build your crib or tree house.

A LIFE Magazine or Sports Illustrated from his youth.

The medals he earned while serving in the military.

His signed Larry Bird jersey that he never took off.

Concord ArtWalk

2011-05-12T09:24:00.000-07:00

Frame-ables will be participating in the Concord ArtWalk, presented by the Concord Chamber of Commerce, on Saturday, May 14th from 10 am to 5 pm. Concord photographer Bill Claybrook will have local images available in the showroom, and Concord resident Andrea Zall will have a variety of photographs on display in the window. The ArtWalk will cover Concord Center, Thoreau Street Depot District, and West Concord Village and include shops, galleries, and restaurants featuring works of local artists.


'Barn in Wheatfied' by Bill Claybrook

Bill Claybrook is a fine art image creator who lives and works in Concord, MA, and has been a professional photographer for over 30 years. His photography has covered many parts of the United States as well as Canada and Europe. Bill sells his local images at Frame-ables and at exhibits across New England. He prints all of his images, and is a knowledgeable PhotoShop user with a focus on transforming digital images into fine art images without destroying the integrity of the originals. Bill teaches digital photography workshops in Cape Cod and Concord. His goal is to teach workshop participants how to transform photographs into fine art images, with a focus on black and white images.

'Canal Sunset' by Andrea Zall

Andrea Zall is a Concord resident and the owner of Frame-ables. She has been a professional photographer for more than 30 years, and sells her images at Frame-ables. Her love of travel is immediately evident in the images displayed in the gallery, which features photographs from Europe as well as New England. Andrea is an animal lover as well, and has a collection of images, affectionately called 'Andy's Animals', ranging from birds to billy goats.

Identifying Damage in Art

2011-05-10T12:54:00.000-07:00

When a customer brings us a piece of art to be framed, the first topic of discussion is the condition of the art and then, if the art is in a frame, the materials used. Acid is the primary cause of damage to works of art on paper, and is found in many basic framing materials. Wood frame mouldings, paper matboards, cardboard, and masking tape are the most common offenders. Regular picture framing glass is a secondary cause of damage, as more than half of all UV rays make it to the art and cause colors in the art to fade. Most of damage to art happens slowly over a long period of time and can go unnoticed by someone who looks at the art every day.

There are many signs to identify damage to art within a frame. The most obvious identifier is the color of the bevel of the matboard. Paper matboard is made of ground wood pulp, which is highly acidic. Though paper matboards are generally made with white cores, the bevels will ultimately turn yellow, orange, or even brown as the acid burns it. The art will also be affected by the burning acid which will leave a brownish mark at the edges near the bevel of the matboard. Frame-ables only offers acid-free paper matboards, which are treated with an acid neutralizer, and naturally acid-free rag matboards.

An example of 'foxing'

Another obvious sign of damage is an acid burn on the art, which yellows the paper. Acid burns are caused by a cardboard or wood backing board, and often appear as 'freckles' on the art, typically called 'foxing'. Acid burns are generally treatable to an extent by a paper conservator, one of which Frame-ables works with. To prevent acid burns, Frame-ables only offers acid-free and rag backing boards.

Fading colors in the art and matboards are the other signs of damage that may not seem obvious because colors can fade slowly over time. Often when a framed piece of art is taken apart, the matboard will be darker at the edge that was under the lip and thus not exposed to UV rays. In most cases, when the matboard is removed from the art, the edges of the art that were covered by the matboard will be darker than the part of the art that was exposed. Can you remember what the true colors of the art and matboard were when you first framed them? Chances are they were darker than what appears today. Frame-ables only offers glass that blocks approximately 99% of all UV rays.

Don't let your memories fade, or the value of your art depreciate because it was framed improperly. If you have a piece of framed art over 20 years old or done at a discount frame shop, look for any of the types of damage mentioned and bring it in to Frame-ables for a free check-up and evaluation.

New Art in the Gallery

2011-04-29T08:53:00.000-07:00

Frame-ables is pleased to offer new limited edition art by Lisa Joyce Hill and Beki Killorin of Island International Artists, a wholesale company that exclusively represents 40 artists worldwide. The artists that Island International Artists represent embody the style and methods of nearly every kind of artistic interest and endeavor. Visit www.islandinternational.com to view a small sample of art available through Frame-ables.

From the artist biography of Lisa Joyce Hill:
"In each composition I seek to express the moment, when the emotion of the scene inspired me. I try to create hits moment in a minimal sense, avoiding the details that are unnecessary to express it, relying on my original impression to interest and inspire.
As a young girl, the Impressionist and Post-Impressionists inspired me. Their uses of color as well as their everyday, ordinary life, subject matter interested me and coincided with my everyday enjoyment of poetry. The Impressionistic idea of capturing a moment in time was especially moving to me, as I have always been a hopelessly sentimental person. However, it is not only the sentiment of the moment savored but the artistic freedom that the subjective interpretation of that moment provides me as an artist."

From the artist biography of Beki Killorin:
Beki's style provides a contemporary look to familiar subjects that brings a unique life and spirit to each piece she produces. Each work of art receives her special imprint... a small red dot that precedes her signature.
"The willingness to explore the soul of my subject with artistic creativity, emotion, design, and color and then be able to translate that language in a unique way to you is for me, a continuously creative and exciting story that I can tell with my brush."

Seeing Art in a New Light

2011-04-22T08:39:00.000-07:00

Frame-ables offers picture lights from House of Troy. Founded in 1947 in Montreal as a custom lamp shop selling to gift shops and department stores, the company moved to North Troy, VT in 1960 and changed their name to reflect their new location. While in Vermont, the company designed the picture lights that would become known as 'the best picture lights available'. The location changed again in the 1980s, but the name remained the same, as the company moved to its present day home in Hyde Park, VT. House of Troy designs and crafts all of its products to assure lasting performance. Although many of its products continue to be designed and manufactured in Hyde Park, the company also sources parts and products worldwide in order to provide the best possible value to its customers.

Picture lights are used to shine light directly onto a piece of art, allowing the art to show its true colors. Typically, the light fixture is attached to the back of the frame at the top as the lamp hangs overhead. An adjustable arm moves the lamp closer to the art while a ball swivel angles the lamp. Each picture light has an 8 foot cord with an in-line switch 3 feet from the plug. Many different finishes are available:


Gold #1	Pewter #31	Polished Brass #61

Gold Wrinkle #2	Wrinkle Platinum #42

Bronze #5	Satin Brass #51	Antique Brass #71

		Weathered Brass #76

	Statuary Bronze #56	Mahogany Bronze #81

Celebrating Patriots' Day... and Amos Doolittle

2011-04-14T10:06:00.000-07:00

On April 19, 1775, the Battles of Lexington and Concord were fought between the Kingdom of Great Britain and its thirteen colonies, and marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Patriots' Day is a civic holiday commemorating the anniversary of the battles, and is observed in Massachusetts and Maine (once a part of Massachusetts). The holiday is observed on the third Monday of April, and other events and re-enactments take place during the long weekend.

Amos Doolittle (1754-1832) was a silversmith and engraver from New Haven, Connecticut who became famous for his series of copper plate engravings depicting scenes from the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Doolittle was a member of the Governor's Second Company of Guards under the direction of Captain Benedict Arnold at the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Stationed in Cambridge in early May of 1775, Doolittle and portrait painter Ralph Earl (1751-1801) were permitted to travel to Lexington and Concord to depict the recent events.

After Doolittle interviewed some of the combatants of the battles and Earl sketched the landscapes at four locations, Doolittle advised on which events Earl would paint over his landscapes. The artists returned to camp at the end of May, and the four paintings were transformed into copper plate engravings and a set of prints were made. Neither of the artists signed the artwork.

The Concord plates depicted "A View of the Town of Concord with the Ministerial Troops destroying the Stores" (Plate II) and "The Battle at the North Bridge in Concord" (III). The Lexington plates depicted "The Battle of Lexington" (I) and "The South Part of Lexington where the first Detachment were joined by Lord Percy" (IV).

Showcasing Landscape Painter Maryalice Eizenberg

2011-04-08T12:31:00.000-07:00

"Marshland"

The Gallery at Frame-ables has been proud to display the works of renowned landscape artist Maryalice Eizenberg since 2006. A Massachusetts native, Maryalice's decision to settle on the Cape was easy for someone so committed to recording the world around her in visual images. Dramatic patterns of light and color are what attract Maryalice to a subject. It is the emotional response to these elements that she tries to share with the viewer.

"Penzance Point"

Maryalice Eizenberg is an award-winning artist who has worked in a variety of mediums, but always returns to her first love... oils. Her art education includes course study at both the Worcester and Springfield Fine Art Museums. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and has studied with accomplished artists such as Donald Demers, Rosalie Nadeau and Charles Sovek. Her work is held in private collections in the USA, Europe and Japan.

Seeing Art Clearly

2011-04-01T12:04:00.000-07:00

Frame-ables proudly offers Tru-Vue Conservation Glass, the highest quality UV blocking glass in the picture framing industry. Conservation glass is an important element in the framing process as the silica coated glass blocks 99% of harmful UV rays, helping to prevent artwork from fading. Conservation Clear Glass looks similar to regular glass, but has the UV blocking coating on one side. Museum Glass has an oxide coating applied on the opposite side of the silica-coated side to inhibit light reflection, making it appear as if there is no glass on the artwork.

PROPERTIES OF GLASS

Light Transmission is how much light reaches the artwork

Light Reflection is how much light is bounced back off the surface of the glass

UV-Blocking Capacity represents how much light in the 300-380 nanometer range is prevented from reaching the artwork. Ultraviolet radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength shorter than that of the visible region, but longer than that of soft x-rays. The energy in UV light rays is high enough to sever the organic bonds of paper-borne art, and contributes to severe color loss and deterioration of artwork.

CONSERVATION GLASS

Conservation Glass is standard float glass used for picture framing. Each piece (lite) of glass is 2.5mm thick and packed between sheets of paper. Conservation glass must block at least 97% of UV rays. Silica (Silicon Dioxide) is used as a UV-inhibiting coating, and is found in nature as quartz and opal.

Conservation Clear Glass allows for 89% light transmission, 8% light reflection, and 99% UV-blocking

Museum Glass allows for 96% light transmission, 1% light reflection, and 99% UV-blocking. The side opposite of the silica coated side has highly-energized metals (oxides) deposited onto the glass in precisely controlled thicknesses

Introduction

2011-03-17T07:41:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our blog!

We hope to inform and educate you about the wonderful world of art and custom picture framing. Every week we will introduce you to a different aspect of our business. This week we will introduce the store...

Frame-ables celebrated its 25^th anniversary in 2010 with special events to go along with its usual commitment to providing creative custom picture framing and a wide variety of art and collectibles. The store was founded by and is independantly owned and operated by Concord resident Andrea Zall, a professional photographer whose images grace the walls of the gallery.

The friendly and talented staff bring an average of over 20 years experience to the counter, and have designed and framed nearly everything imaginable. From children’s art to original oil paintings, postal stamps to concert tickets, sports jerseys to christening gowns, mirrors to tv screens, Frame-ables has framed it all. The store can also help with art preservation and restoration, with experience handling centuries-old artwork.

The gallery at Frame-ables includes beautifully framed images of Concord and New England by reknowned artists, a selection of colorful prints and photographs, photo cards, antique maps, framed mirrors, tabletop and poster frames, funky jewelry, and a collection of hand-made pottery.

Frame-ables is consistently voted number 1 in Concord’s Readers Choice Awards, and given the Gold Award as Regional Favorite. The showroom at Frame-ables features a selection of creatively framed art and objects that showcase what can be framed while demonstrating the staff's skill and talent.

Andrea is actively involved in the community as a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and was one of the first women to join the Concord Rotary Club.

We invite you to stop by the store, located at 111 Thoreau Street in the Depot section of historic Concord, MA. We are open Tuesday through Friday from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, and Saturday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm. Find us on the web at www.frame-ables.com or on Facebook as Frameables Frames. Call us at 978-369-5053 or e-mail us at frame.ables.frames@gmail.com