Finer Frames

We're on the Move

2010-09-13T02:48:00.000-07:00

Finer Frames is making a change. I'm moving out of the retail store in Meridian and going on the road with mobile picture framing.

Think of me as your personal art & framing angel that will visit you when and where you call. Same great quality & design, but with better service and lower prices!

meg@finerframes.com
FINER FRAMES 738 S Bridge Way Place #200 Eagle ID 83616

Painting for Grown-Ups

2010-07-09T10:31:00.000-07:00

Remember when the teacher said "it's time to take out your paints"? Feel like a kid again and learn to paint with one of the best painters in the mountain west. Mark Davis is teaching Interpreting a Photo oil painting workshop on Saturday, July 24 from 10:00am - 4:00pm. Learn time saving advice for improving your painting. Open to artists of all levels ages 14 and up. Call 888-9898 or email meg@finerframes.com to register.

Unleash Your Inner Artist

2010-02-27T04:50:00.000-08:00

Here's a chance to nurture the starved creative voice inside you. Art classes are starting at Finer Frames. Professional teaching artists share their experience in small & supportive classes. (We promise we won't make fun of your stick-figure drawings)

Spring & summer classes for youth and adults are listed below.

CLASSES FOR KIDS

Discovering Creativity (ages 5-10) 9:30 - Noon, Monday 3/29 - Friday 4/2 Young artists have fun exploring formal art elements while building skills in drawing, painting, and mixed media. Lessons combine two-dimensional art media and techniques with art history. Taught by Juanita Pond $55

Teen Academy Saturday Class (ages 13-17) 1:00 - 4:00pm 4/24 or 5/22
Saturday classes at Finer Frames provides innovative visual-arts education to children who want to be creative in their free time. Sarah Crawford, provides hands-on instruction in drawing and painting techniques to beginners while advanced students work independently with instructor guidance. Teen artists, ages 13 & up can expect to have their artistic sensibilities valued and encouraged in exciting ways. Class size is limited to 6 students. Instructor: Sarah Crawford $45

Youth Academy Saturday Class (ages 6-12) 1:00 - 4:00pm 5/8 or 6/19
Saturday classes at Finer Frames provides innovative visual-arts education to children who want to be creative in their free time. Sarah Crawford, provides hands-on instruction in drawing and painting techniques to beginners while advanced students work independently with instructor guidance. Young artists, ages 8 & up can expect to have their artistic sensibilities valued and encouraged in exciting ways. Class size is limited to 6 students. Instructor: Sarah Crawford $45

Drawing for Comic Books (ages 10-17) Saturday 7/17 and 8/14
Learn the tools of the trade of comic book drawing, from story and layout to penciling and inking with pen, brush, and marker, as well as strategies for creating gag cartoons and comic strips. Draw the human figure for comics, graphic novels and animation with emphasis on anatomy, proportion, invention and expression. Basic drawing experience recommended. Taught by Sarah Crawford $45

Intro to Drawing (Grades 1st - 3rd) Monday, 5/3 or 5/24
Professional artist Linda Aman introduces young artists to the art of drawing. This session, created for home-school students, focuses on new skills in pencil and pen drawing. Linda works to ensure each student excels in discovering their talent. All Materials are included. $30

Intro to Drawing (Grades 4th - 8th) Monday, 5/3 or 5/24
Professional artist Linda Aman introduces young artists to the art of drawing. This session, created for home-school students, focuses on new skills in pencil and pen drawing. Linda works to ensure each student excels in discovering their talent. All Materials are included. $30

Intro to Drawing (Grades 6th - 12th) Monday, 5/3 or 5/24
Professional artist Linda Aman introduces young artists to the art of drawing. This session focuses on learning new skills in pencil and pen drawing. Linda works to ensure each student excels in discovering their talent. All Materials are included. $30

Exploring Art for Youth (Grades 1st - 3rd) Monday 6/21 & 28 or 7/12 & 19
Linda Aman teaches a variety of art mediums in the dynamic series that introduces students to contemporary media. The first 2 lessons focus on learning the skills of block printing. The last 2 classes focus on learning the techniques of drawing and watercolor painting. Linda works to ensure each student experiences a wide variety of subjects which allow them to discover projects where they personally excel. All materials are included. $135

Exploring Art for Youth (Grades 4th - 6th) Monday 6/21 & 28 or 7/12 & 19
Linda Aman teaches a variety of art mediums in the dynamic series that introduces students to contemporary media. The first 2 lessons focus on learning the skills of block printing. The last 2 classes focus on learning the techniques of encaustic painting with wax. Linda works to ensure each student experiences a wide variety of subjects which allow them to discover projects where they personally excel. All materials are included. $140

Exploring Art for Teens (Grades 6th - 12th) Monday 6/21 & 28 or 7/12 & 19
Linda Aman teaches a variety of art mediums in the dynamic series that introduces students to contemporary media. The first 2 lessons focus on learning the skills of block printing. The last 2 classes focus on learning the techniques of encaustic painting with wax. Linda works to ensure each student experiences a wide variety of subjects which allow them to discover projects where they personally excel. All materials are included. $140

CLASSES FOR ADULTS (Ages 16+)

Drawing for Painters Monday 3/22 - Tuesday 3/23 - 9:00am - Noon
Improve your painting by learning drawing skills practiced by the masters. Learn how to avoid the most common drawing mistakes new painters make while discovering techniques for improving proportions, perspective, shading and design. Joyce brings her terrific sense of humor and provides useful critique for improving your painting while encouraging development of your own personal style. Joyce Green $75

Awash in Watercolor Wednesday, 3/24 through Friday, 3/26 - 9:00 am - Noon
So you think painting watercolor is tough? Learn Joyce's solutions for building a compelling painting. In this follow-up to "Drawing for Painters", you'll study design, composition, the structure of a painting, glazing and helpful techniques for creating textural affects. Bring a passion for painting and your own photos for reference. Joyce Green $125

Capturing the Light in Floral Still Life Monday April 26 - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Create stronger paintings by gaining a better understanding of how to produce and use dramatic light effects. Included in the workshop are ways to improve backgrounds, edges and composition, all of which contribute to the mood of the painting and the emotional response of the viewer. Learn Tricia's ways of creating drama through contrast and variety of colors and textures. Multiple still life arrangements will be provided. As a successful professional, Tricia's work can be found in many personal and corporate collections and in the book "100 Ways to Paint Still Life and Floral". Tricia May $65

Learning to Paint What you See Mondays in June 6/7, 14 & 28 - 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm
This series of intensive study is aimed at helping the artist to see first then learn to translate the subject into the medium of paint. Seeing the end, knowing what you are after and how, will determine the way you travel there. Making a clear statement and defining your intentions comes from a solid foundation of the basic vocabulary of painting. How the principles of light work to create value and color relationships, edges, gradations and three-dimensional forms are some areas of study where we will work hard. Once the artist has a grasp of the foundational aspects of painting, they will find a freedom that allows for a clear communication and an open path to creating. Oil Painting (acrylic accepted). Mark Davis $99

Interpreting a Photo – Oil Painting Workshop Sat May 15 or Sat July 10 - 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
A photograph that has been 'copied' will never have a chance of becoming much of a real painting. Even the best photo reference will distort sizes and change the colors and value of everything in your subject. We will show you how to use the photo reference as a visual guide and how to give your paintings a sense of light. Some painting experience suggested. Acrylic and watercolor painters welcome. Mark Davis $75

The Dynamics of Light-Filled Landscape Painting Mon 5/3, 10, 17 & 24 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
A photograph that has been 'copied' will never have a chance of becoming much of a real painting. Even the best photo reference will distort sizes and change the colors and value of everything in your subject. We will show you how to use the photo reference as a visual guide and how to give your paintings a sense of light. Some painting experience suggested. Acrylic and watercolor painters welcome. Mark Davis 99

Composition for Landscape Painting Mon 7/12, 19 & 26 or Mon 8/2, 9 & 16 - 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
You will learn the rules of composition used by professional landscape painters, while examining compositional basics including balance and natural composition as they apply to still life, figure and landscape painting. Mark will demonstrate cropping and framing using photo reference and a view finder for painting plein air. We will discuss how color and value effect composition, and review common mistakes made in landscape painting. Emphasis will be placed on helping students develop their own unique styles while incorporating the basic principles of composition as they paint along with the instructor. Mark Davis $75

To register call 208-888-9898 or email meg@finerframes.com

Art Classes for Kids

2010-02-26T09:31:00.000-08:00

Kids can discover their creativity and explore the arts during spring break. Come join Juanita for a fun-filled morning learning about art with hands-on projects. Class is limited to 6, so register early.

Discovering Creativity (Ages 5 – 10)
Instructor: Juanita Pond
Monday, March 29 – Friday, April 2, 2010
9:30am – Noon

Spring Break week beginning March 29 ( 9am – Noon) Young artists have fun exploring formal art elements while building skills in drawing, painting, and mixed media. Lessons combine two-dimensional art media and techniques with art history and focuses on self-expression. Open-ended projects provide practice and experience with a variety of recycled art media and styles. All materials are included. $55

Register by calling 208-888-9898 or meg@finerframes.com

Wholey People

2009-09-13T16:13:00.001-07:00

Our annual trek through Art in the Park was an absolute delight when we met Oregon potter Barbara Hertel. Her booth instantly seemed different from others cluttered with stacks of ordinary bowls. The displays were simple and the pottery stood in stillness each filled with purpose. Her Wholey People sculptures caught my eye. She writes "These people stand as whole spirit beings. They bring a presence of hope and courage to help us move into our own wholeness and holiness." Barbara decorates the figures with symbols representing love, relationships and spiritual life. She is clearly a skillful potter, but the emotional connection that her work contains makes her an outstanding artist. And I'm very happy to give her Wholey People a home on my mantle.

" A pot without a soul is just clay around a hole." Barbara Hertel

2009-08-24T15:00:00.000-07:00

High School Sweethearts

Every once in a while I get to surprise someone with a memorable shadowbox... and it's the greatest part of my job!

This high school football star was wanting to surprise his bride of 30 years with a very special frame. He had his arms full of letterman jackets, pictures and pom-poms. It was everything she saved from Clark High School from 1977. His young bride had saved everything... I loved it!

I started working though their souvenirs and began to get an idea of how best to lay it all out. A few of the patches on the jacket needed to be moved and missing pins needed to be replaced. The only thing I was missing was the CHS Fight Song to make the collection complete. I wrapped the lyrics on the inside edge of the frame. But the personal touch that put this box over the top was the carving in the side of the frame. I carved the lovebird's initials into the black wood frame. It was perfect!!!

Here's what my customer had to say about the project... "I just wanted to thank you again for the master piece you created for Sonjia and me, well last night was just what you would have anticipated a lot of tears, smiles and great feelings of the past and present!! Thank-you again for your personal touch and interest into our lives which you have touched and preserved with your talent!!!!!"

Meet Miss Maria

2009-06-01T11:48:00.000-07:00

Perserving family heirlooms is by far our most honored activity. However, framing these family treasures can be our biggest challenge. Meet Miss Maria. The life-sized shadowbox houses a beautifully restored clothing sewn by client's great-great grandmother. Dozens of photographs tell of Maria's family history and decorate the sides of the frame.

The trick in designing a custom frame that compliments antique items comes when the frame has to fit into a contemporary home. A simple color theme of chocolate and silver make a sleek backdrop and the glossy finish of Larson-Juhl's Thornhill Espresso frame give it a fresh & contemporary look.

We took very special care of the garments while stitching them to the back mat board. The original photos were saved for the scrapbook, so we copied each one, trimmed and arranged them on the four side panels. The best photo of Miss Maria was given special focus in the cradle of the arm of the blouse.

The result is a beautiful display of Miss Maria's family history.

Visit http://www.finerframes.com/ for more examples of our fantastic shadowboxes.

Art for Animals Art Show & Sale

2009-03-17T11:26:00.000-07:00

Dogs Would Paint People!

Given the chance, dogs would paint people with a ball in their hand, in a wide open field. Dogs would paint pictures in joyful colors with gentle brush strokes. Dogs would paint what they love most.

For the people that love dogs, here is the chance to paint what you love and help animals too!

Art for Animals is an art show and sale to benefit the animal rescue efforts of the Meridian Valley Humane Society. Artists from 1st grade to adults are asked to create original drawings or paintings with the "Be Kind to Animals" theme. Consider topics such as your pet, concern for wildlife and endangered species, adopting homeless pets, etc. Entries must be 20" x 24" including frame and be ready to hang. A $10 donation is requested with each entry, all entries receive $20 gift certificate. Awards will be given. Deadline is 6:00pm Friday, March 26, 2009.

For additional details, contact meg@finerframes.com or call 208-888-9898.

Featured artwork: "Miss Bourbon Retires" by Kristin Dam

Art Tasting

2008-09-01T19:53:00.000-07:00

Try this idea on for size... a new way to learn about fine art, a little taste at a time. In a first of many more to come, I hosted an "Art Tasting" party for friends and clients interested in learning more about what ingredients make a great painting. Twelve artists, including the one pictured by Tricia May, displayed original paintings, etchings and pottery. Our beloved friend and art critic Clay, shared his insights about technique, composition, medium and materials to a group of party-goers hungry to learn a quick course on art appreciation.

The reoccurring theme of the evening was; trust your instincts and buy original! For art to matter, it must connect with the viewer. It may be the color or scene that reminds you of a sweet memory. Whatever captures your interest about the work makes it a piece worth having. Do not wait to be told it's "good" by an art critic. Trust your instincts when it comes to buying original art and only buy art you love!

STAR STRUCK

2007-08-28T11:54:00.000-07:00

Fans of James Christensen’s fantasy paintings will appreciate the work we put into this detailed frame. The black moulding is simple in design, but looks more interesting with the hand-carved wood blocks on the corners. Erin, the resident color specialist at Finer Frames, made sure they were a perfect match to Roma’s moulding. She added extra details that made this mat out of this world. The bevel of the mat is twice the thickness of ordinary mats which gave Erin a wonderful canvas to paint on. The bottom is painted with a checkerboard pattern that fades into stars half way up the sides of the mat.

Thanks to Rodger for turning our creative juices loose and letting us create a one-of-a-kind frame for his picture.

Wakeboard Olympics

2007-08-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

They’re not Olympic gold medals – but the kids were just as proud to earn theses hand-made trophies. After an extraordinary week long effort to earn the coveted title of “Best Wipeout” off the wakeboard we celebrated by awarded each kid with a medal made of tinfoil and boat rope. The kids posed for funny pictures with their boards and prized medals around their necks. The only way to do enjoy these unforgettable memories is to frame them in a shadowbox we can enjoy every day.

It took 6 frames to create this mountain lake inspired shadowbox. Each photo was wrapped in one of my favorite frames - Roma’s Tabbicino tobacco rustic olive wood. The same frame is repeated in the triple frame combo that surrounds the grey background – which by the way is a perfect match to the vinyl in the boat. It’s all in the details baby!

Framing to the Extreme

2007-08-14T14:11:00.000-07:00

July 2007

What do you do when you get a call from the producer ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition asking about framing? You get busy framing right away.

Working with the design producers at ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition was exciting, fast-paced and extremely fun! The famous TV show made a stop in Boise to rebuild a house for the Stockdale family. Our task was to create four name frames to match each of the children’s theme rooms and we had a day to build them.

Our framing team got started right away dreaming up ways to decorate around each child’s name. Nothing ordinary about this project – we were framing to the extreme. The first was McKinnon with the Winnie the Pooh inspired frame. Erin, our resident artistic genius, painted the “hunny pot” and bumble bee on the mat and added silk flowers. Then came Baylee’s cowgirl frame with cow print painted mat and frame with silver stars. Jeddi’s frame was created to match his Star Wars themed room. The high tech gadgets that decorate the mat are actually parts from our broken telephone. Haden’s frame had to fit a woodsy Abraham Lincoln theme. We hit the copper penny on the head by adding photocopies of five dollar bills and a line of pennies around the frame. Each of the frames looked amazing. The entire experience was a blast!

Look for our frames on an upcoming episode of Extreme Makeover. Oh and by the way, Ty says hi.

Meg Glasgow

meg@finerframes.com

Amy’s Art Auction

2007-08-14T13:24:00.000-07:00

June 2007

We love Amy. Although she’s only been part of the Finer Frames family for a year, we wanted to throw her an auction party. Her battle with cancer was beginning to take a toll on the emotions as well as the finances and we hoped that raising a little money would help cheer her up. It worked!

We sent out the call to artists and were overwhelmed when we received original art donations from 40+ artists. Our favorite supplier, Larson Juhl stepped up and donated mats and frames so that we could make each piece of art look amazing.

The auction rocked! It was held in my backyard garden on a warm June evening. Everyone was relaxed, drinking wine and listening to Brother Bob play his funky blues guitar. Our favorite customer/art professor, Clay, did an amazing job as auctioneer - teaching as he was selling. Everyone must have felt the magic because they emptied their pockets. We raised over $9000 for Amy! Put this one in the record books for our most successful fund raising event ever.

Meg Glasgow
FINER FRAMES
meg@finerframes.com