Saline Picture Frame Co.

Circle of Art Entry #179

Peter — 2008-05-01T11:23:28-05:00

Wow - it has been a flood of Circle of Art donations coming in this week. We passed the three hundred mark yesterday. As always we are amazed and excited by some of the treasures being dropped off. One of our favorites Circle contributors, Julie Fremuth, returned this year with two nice pieces including this wonderful diptych "Please See Me". In other Circle of Art News we have a great new carrot orange Circle T designed by graphics volunteers Kathy and Keith, a official Circle of Art poster donated by our freinds at University Litho and Mary and Courtney have launched a Circle of Art Facebook page. All we need now are free spending bidders!

First Annual Seconds Sale on the Third

Peter — 2008-04-29T08:38:25-05:00

We make a lot of frames - for our Dexter and Saline stores, for our commercial and online accounts and for our online store. As we make all these frames we accumulate a lot of "seconds". Our Dexter store basement storeroom is full to the brim and we are clearing out the accumulation at bargain prices. Come and choose from hundreds of frames starting at just $2.00 and piles of standard size mat blanks (with your choice of opening cut for free) sarting at just $1.00. Help us clear the racks and take advantage of some great deals!

Circle of Art Entry #37

Peter — 2008-04-15T11:22:22-05:00

Tableside by Jill Stefani Wagner

Jill Stefani Wagner is one of the very generous artists who make the Circle of Art possible. Jill is a busy and talented painter who combines a demanding day job as a principal at Wagner Design Associates with a serious career as a painter. Despite that she has donated several exquisite little watercolors to all four Circles. In past years she has taken to us to Tuscany (I bought one of those), Montana and this year back home to Northern Michigan. Take advantage of a chance to own an original water color by a talented painter and to help Food Gatherers fight hunger in our community at the same time. You can see more of Jill's work at www.jillwagnerart.com and at the River Gallery in Chelsea

Artists Census

Peter — 2008-04-13T13:47:31-05:00

How many artists – performing, literary, and visual -- live and work in Washtenaw County…and why is it important to know?
As part of the county-wide cultural plan project, Dexter Picture Frame Company is working with the Arts Alliance to determine how many artists and creative individuals live and work in Washtenaw County. Why? Because artists are the spark that ignites our county’s creativity -- but without knowing how many painters, writers or photographers there are here, it’s hard to give individual artists the credibility and respect (not to mention the services) they deserve.
Artists of all types – visual, literary and performing, of any age and educational background – are encouraged to participate. The census is entirely confidential and includes only 10 questions.
If you’re an artist, take the census! If you know other artists, encourage them to take the census! This is an effort that will only succeed if we, as a community, work together!
Link to the Survey - http://www.artscount.org

Graduation Time

Peter — 2008-04-12T07:48:09-05:00

It's that time of year again - a new crop of bright eyed, fresh faced young graduates marching out into the world. We salute these young scholars as the hope of the future and encourage them to display their new credentials proudly. Our Letterman diploma frame will do the job nicely. At just $99.00 (a paltry sum compared to those tuition bills)it make a great gift for your favorite graduate. Order yours at Saline, Dexter or at the Picture Frame Co. Online

Turning Art into Food

Peter — 2008-04-05T12:18:20-05:00

Things are ramping up for the 2008 Circle of Art. Above is the new Circle of Art graphic created by volunteers R. Keith McGuire of Inner Eye, Inc. and Kathy Rhadigan. We are thrilled with the new logo and the tag-line "Turning Art into Food", both of which capture the spirit of The Circle of Art. The artist donations are beginning to stream in and more than 50 of them are up on the website ready for your bids. Our resident tech guy, Brian Katke, has been furiously slinging code and has greatly streamlined the online bidding process. Give it a try and get the party started!

Aged Metallic Frames

Peter — 2008-03-05T13:57:37-05:00

We are pleased to introduce the newest addition to our Stock with Style line. Available in soft silver or architechtural bronze, our Aged Metallic frames have a mellow transitional look. The combination of metallic base, simple shape and distressed finish make these frames appropriate for vintage posters, photographs, bookplates or botanical prints. See them in Saline, Dexter and online.

Meet Susan Amstutz

Peter — 2008-02-29T08:41:49-05:00

Susan Amstutz: Abridgement
February 1st -March 22nd
Opening Reception February 29th 5-8pm

We've been framing Susan Amstutz's work for a number of years - in fact both Sara and Mary have purchased pieces from her. We are excited about her current show both because we get to see a large body of her work and to find out more about her as an artist. Susan is modest about her art but we managed to corner her when she was at the gallery helping to set up the show and were able to ask her some questions.

Q: Susan, your landscapes are so evocative, are they real places?
A: Some of them are real locations, whether painted on site or from photos. I carry a camera with me so I can record places and color. Some of the landscapes are imaginary and some a combination of both

Q: What's your favorite medium to work in?
A:My favorite medium to work in is oil, including the encaustic work. I also enjoy water based paints, batik, cold water dyes, etc...

Q: What can you tell us about your technique?
A:About the abstracts -" I layer alot of color and textures. I use a lot of "found" objects to push and scrap the paint. Cardboard works well because its easy to adjust the size easily.On "Straw" I used wood glue and strips of wood to build up the surface, painted it, let it dry and them pulled off the a significant amount of the wood to create more texture. On "Control" I layered a significant amount of acrylic paint, then oil paint of a lot of different colors and shapes. Next,. I painted it all red (oil). Once dry, I covered it with furniture remover and let it bubble up and almost completely dry. Next, I used a putty knife to cut and scrape a random kinetic pattern. All the abstracts are mixed mediums, a combination of acrylic and oil, with, of course, the acrylic used first, to prevent peeling. I also use combinations of gold leaf, oil pastel, oil sticks, tissue, etc.
About oil encaustic -This is a highly toxic technique. You need lots of ventilation. I don't use pre-mix waxes. I make my own. On top of an electric griddle, I place a cake pan with an inch or two of water in it. Inside the cake pan I place a cupcake tin. Each of the wells in the cup cake tin holds a combination of beeswax, paraffin, damarr varnish, and oil paint. Before the oil paint is added to the mix, I let the excess oil leech out of it by squeezing it out on cold press board and letting it set for a few hours. It works like a double boiler. The painting is done with palate knives and brushes in one had and a hairdryer/heat gun in the other. The paint has to be applied, quickly and remain hot.

Q: When did you start painting?
A:My mother and aunt painted. She taught me about line and color at an earlier age. She also taught me how to use oils when I was in elementary school, around age 10 or so.Later she gave me her oil paints, pastels, everything she had. It created a very supportive atmosphere.

Q: Do You do commissions? How much?
A:Yes, I'm happy to do commissions. Pricing depends on size and complexity.

Q: You've been a generous contributor to Circle of Art. What are your thoughts about the event?
A:The COA is a wonderful event. Its makes a difference in people's lives. It benefits people in need and it enables others to help people in need. Both are gifts to those of us participating. Also, along with honor of being able to help others the COA allows artists to meet fellow artists.

Q: What's your day job?
A:I'm a Graphic Designer for the Sprinkler Fitters located in the Great Lakes Building at Washtenaw Community College. I have also been a teacher in the Visual Arts and Technology Dept, Graphic Design at Washtenaw Community College for ten years. I teach Design History, during which, I show the students gold leafing, paper making, calligraphy, wood block relief, silkscreen and more. I also have taught other design and application courses as well.

Pictured above, from top left, "Straw", "Hendershot Highway", "Michigan Fence Row I", "Azure"

Introducing The Side Door Gallery

Peter — 2008-02-02T14:33:31-05:00

"By My Father's House"

Announcing the newest member of The Picture Frame Company family - The Side Door Gallery! Our new exhibition space will showcase some of the many talented area artists we have gotten to know over the last 20 years.

Our inaugural show features the work of our friend Susan Amstutz. Her luminous landscapes and abstracts will be on display in The Side Door Gallery through March. A opening reception will be held on February 29. Visit www.TheSideDoorGallery.com for more information about Susan Amstutz and her work, or view images from the show online here.

Attached to The Dexter Picture Frame Company, The Side Door Gallery is part of our growing roster of Picture Frame Companies - Saline Picture Frame Company, Dexter Picture Frame Company and The Picture Frame Company online.

Warhol Words

Peter — 2008-01-22T17:35:10-05:00

Pop Art pioneer Andy Warhol has, with the passage of time, himself become a Pop Art icon and subject. We are amused by this series of quotes from an artist whose 15 minutes of fame is extending well into the new century. Mary designed this fun series of 10x10 Warhol quotes in Neilsen �Pop� bright anodized frames. At $69.00 each it you can inject some Pop Art sensibility just about anywhere. See all the Warhol words here. Read more about this strange and fascinating man here

SpartaCraft Flag Cases

Peter — 2008-01-07T17:42:20-05:00

SpartaCraft is one of our favorite vendors - a small company that takes pride in what they do and does it well. Situated in the famed High Point furniture area, they make flag cases (which they were the original manufacturers of) by hand from select American hardwoods.

Flag Cases are specialized picture frames designed to display and protect the flags provided to drape the caskets of honorably discharged veterans of the military. We are resigned to the globalization of modern life but are pleased that we can carry this particular item from an domestic maker. I know my dad, Captain, US Army 1940 - 1945, South Pacific theatre probably rests easier with his flag in a case made by good old boys from North Carolina.

We carry SpartaCraft flag cases for both the 5'x9.5' burial flag and for the smaller 3'x5' commemorative flags. You can see our selection here.

New Stock Mouldings

Peter — 2008-01-03T14:26:59-05:00

We're excited about our new Casual Colors line of clear aniline dyed wood moulding with eased edges. The combination of bright colors, wood grain and a crisp square shape make these new mouldings fun and versatile. They've become our new favorite poster frame. As part of our expanded "stock with style" line these frames are quick, affordable options where a fashionable flash of color is called for. At Saline, Dexter and online soon.

Holiday Hours

Peter — 2007-12-21T14:38:43-05:00

We will be open Sunday Dec. 23 from 12-3 and Monday Dec. 24 from 10-1. We will be closed on Christmas Day and on Boxing Day, Dec. 26. We will have regular hours Dec. 27 - 29. We will be closed Monday Dec. 31 and Tuesday Jan 1. Beginning January 2 we will be back to regular hours. We wish you and yours a wonderful holiday.

New Frank Lloyd Wright Tile

Peter — 2007-12-17T10:43:27-05:00

This great tile, from Motawi Tileworks, is part of the new Frank Lloyd Wright Coonley Playhouse Collection. The playful designs are adapted from Frank Lloyd Wright�s design for the Coonley Playhouse Light Screen Triptych, build in Riverside, Illinois, 1912. We like everything about this tile, the bold cheerful design, the arts and crafts history and the fact that it was made by the really nice folks at Ann Arbor's own Motawi Tile Works At $34.95 it is a great gift for the arts and crafts buff on your list. Available at Saline, Dexter and online. Click here to see other great gifts under $35.

Puzzled?

Peter — 2007-12-11T14:33:06-05:00

Puzzled about what to get for your favorite Sudoku enthusiast? Look no farther, here it is! A leather bound Sudoku book with 72 puzzles ranging from easy to difficult. At 7.95 it is a great gift for your favorite Sudoku fan. Available in a red or black at Saline, Dexter and online. Click here to see other great gifts under $35.