Design Star National Winner
When I frantically Federal Expressed my entry during the holiday rush, I kept my fingers crossed by frame design would hold up against the best framers in the nation. I had himmed and hawed over the possible frame combinations so long, I was panicked I had taken too long. But all my worry was for not when I saw my frame at the Larson Juhl Design Star event at the West Coast Art and Frame show in Las Vegas.
Design Star Framing Competition
Fashioned after HGTV’s Design Star, Larson-Juhl expanded the franchise and created “Design Star | Framer’s Edition” competition for the national convention. Competition categories included frame design, marketing, website and more. Judges included HGTV executives, renoun designer Jonathan Adler and industry experts including Sarah Seamark, editor of Art World News . Of the 12 best framers nominated from across the country, I was voted the best Custom Frame Designer for my 4-corner black and white entry. It was honor enough to be recognized for what I love to do, but the cash award, certificate and fancy button was a wonderful prize. I was so overwhelmed texting the exciting news to my hubby at home, I missed the dramatic build up to the announcement to the Grand Champion award winner… and that was ME!
The Design Star Grand Prize award included an incredible opportunity to collaborate with the industry’s best creative designers to develop a Larson-Juhl frame collection that will be launched at next year’s show. This is a dream come true! I am so passionate about creating beautiful frames, this feels like the cherry on top to a wonderful 20 year career. I’m looking forward to the year ahead and the wonderful opportunity it holds. Stay tuned, there are great things ahead!
ROB HART | To the Ends of the Earth
Namche Girl by Rob Hart
Travel along with award-winning photographer Rob Hart as he takes us on a journey To the Ends of the Earth. This visually stunning exhibit documents natural landscapes and portraits from his travels around the world. His captivating images have earn him the grand prize award from the Idaho Statesman Outdoor photo contest.
“I travel as much as I can afford, and afford much less than I desire. The rewards, however, are priceless. Watching sunlight creep across a red desert valley, glitter through an emerald forest, or transform a desolate expanse of ice and snow into a wrinkled lavender blanket is much more than these photographs can provide. They are simply tiny slices of time, a memory; a single moment of the landscape that will never be the same again.” Read more from Rob Hart
Rob’s photos will be on display through February. The Gallery is open weekdays 10:00am – 5:00pm and Saturday 12:00pm – 4:00pm. The art show is being held in conjuction with the Eagle Prayer Flag Project, a collective public art project giving a visual voice to the prayers of the community.
The Eagle Prayer Flag Project
Gokyo Ri Flags Nepal | Rob Hart
Eagle Prayer Flag Project Blessings in the Breeze
Flying on mountain passes in Tibet, brightly colored prayer flags scatter blessings and good luck messages on the winds. Now the centuries old tradition comes to Eagle with the Eagle Prayer Flag Project arranged by Finer Frames. The project is a public art installation that brings the prayers of the community together and lets the messages spread peace, healing and goodwill.
Purpose | Artists and crafters of all ages are invited to create a unique flag made of fabric that reflects their hopes and dreams. The purpose of the Eagle Prayer Flag Project is to give a visual voice to the prayers of the community. The flags are a living, breathing, kinetic journal of our hopes, dreams and concerns. In this season of hope, we can send out wishes for peace, healing, and harmony on the winds with a simple prayer flag.
The impetus behind this installation is to provide a display place for the community to express their prayers and concerns in a visually engaging way. The Eagle Prayer Flag Project is based on Vivika Hansen DeNegre’s The Prayer Flag Project from 2011. She invited people from around the world to join in making Prayer Flags. Each flag is created in the person’s own style, then hung outside for a while, its words and sentiment dissolving into the wind and being spread to all whom the wind touches. More information can be found http://theprayerflagproject.blogspot.com
Inspiration | Flags can be made on fabric with paint, applique, beads and inkjet printing or any embellishment you wish. They could include quotations from well-known sources, poems, your own blessings and wishes for health, healing and abundance. You could use a piece torn from a discarded sheet, a piece of clothing or an old handkerchief. They can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. All you need is small piece of smooth fabric 8” wide by 10” high. Fold over 1” and sew to make a sleeve for the string. For a tutorial on how to make a prayer flag click here.
Installation | Flags submitted to The Gallery at Finer Frames by January 31, 2013 will be strung together and installed outdoors during February. The Eagle Prayer Flag Project is held in conjunction with a photographic exhibition by Rob Hart documenting his travels through Nepal and around the world. Twenty percent of gallery sales will be donated to the charity Stop Girl Trafficking. Flag artists are also encouraged to donate to their mission of stopping trafficking of young girls in rural Nepal and Tibet.
For questions and more information call 208.888.9898 or email meg@finerframes.com
- Installing the Prayer Flags
Pictures of the installation were featured on The Prayer Flag Project website on February 6, 2013.
Art Preservation
Art preservation is an art in itself. Recently I had the privilege of spending time with the conservators at the Art Institute of Chicago. Sequestered in a private wing of the world famous museum, they work behind strict security in high-tech laboratories that resemble more NASA lab than art gallery. They gave me a peek into their methodical, precise and patient commitment to preserve the world’s most significant artworks. Their dedication goes well beyond the normal responsibilities of a 9 to 5, for professional conservators it’s a steadfast devotion to restore priceless works of art to their original glory.
Their painstaking work begins with close examination of the art, and by close I mean with a high powered microscope and series of infrared x rays. Chemical testing is done on paint composition and canvas fibers. Scientists test samples to determine the chemical composition. Paints are faithfully recreated to match what the artist would have used.
Whether a work of art is of great monetary value, historic significance, or sentimental value, it is worthy of consideration in preserving for the future. Proper framing is the best way to protect the art from the dangers of light, humidity and other environmental hazards. However improper framing techniques remain art’s most dangerous enemy.
Professional framers have two primary responsibilities; construct an attractive, well-built frame to enhance the art and protect the art against light, the environment and the effects of time. Our framers will gladly discuss mounting options and suggest appropriate archival materials, stressing long term safety and preservation of the work while considering striving to achieve the highest aesthetic. We begin with one of the largest frame selections available, enabling us to accommodate all tastes and budgets. We also restore antique frames and build new frames to the customer’s specifications.
Finer Frames staff is pleased to assist clients in the preparation and presentation of their fine art. We offer the highest quality materials and custom frame options, museum quality archival matting, UV-filtering glazing and a large selection of frames including contemporary hardwoods, aluminum, and traditional carved guilded frames and period reproductions. Our staff can provide assistance in pro-actively preventing collection degradation through inspection, assistance with proper storage, encapsulation, frame design and construction.
Finer Frames is pleased to offer free telephone and email consultations on your preservation questions, as well as free consultations by appointment at the gallery. Please contact us if you would be interested in obtaining more information about any of the preservation services.
Designed by Artists | Built by Craftsmen
Our approach to custom framing begins with creative inspiration. It’s the artist is us! Every frame project is as unique as it’s owner and our committment is to make yours a one-of-a kind work of art. Our team of artists is ready to add creative touches and hand-painted embellishments to your frame.