Creativity | Rochester Framing & Fine Art Printing

In With the Old…

By Rochester Framing on January 4, 2020 in Art, Creativity, Framing, Photography, Printing

In 2019, we framed and preserved an influx of antiquated artworks, thrift store treasures, historical relics, and found family heirlooms and photos. So we are starting the New Year quite inspired by our customers’ “old is new” projects and we hope to see this trend continue. Nothing wrong with brand-spanking-new, but with so much societal focus on “reduce, reuse, recycle,” we’d love to motivate YOU to have some framing fun your “old” finds.

We have a few customers who are topnotch treasure hunters and well versed in the art of “lost art.” They’ll find old, discarded, and forgotten artworks in secondhand and antique stores as well as online (Etsy, Ebay, etc.). Originals, prints, etchings, drawings, paintings, needle works…the variety of media is endless, and the conditions of the artworks vary. The name of our game is both preservation and presentation—we prepare the art to be displayed in a fittingly aesthetic manner and ensure it will be protected for many ensuing years of enjoyment. Old family pieces and “lost and found” childhood artworks have also been high on the frame-worthy list. Check out a few of our favorite “up-cycled” artworks. Its amazing what a fresh frame and mat can do!

Another facet of the “old is new” movement is the restoration of old family photos. Our digital experts can revitalize, refresh, and digitally repair your old photos. Need some extra prints of Great Aunt June for your cousins? And yikes…does that photo have an old coffee stain across Grandma’s brow? We can fix that, and we can print that! We are also experts at caring for original photographs. The science behind preserving old photographs is special and extensive, and our certified professionals will help you make the right choices with materials and mounting processes to ensure safekeeping of your photographic heirlooms. The safest place for your old photos, if not in an acid-free album in the dark, is in a frame with UV glass and archival materials.

This photo had fade marks, poor color, and insect excrement. Our digital team brought the image back to life.

Great Grandpa’s military portrait had faded and torn. We proudly restored this photo and provided prints for the extended family.

The old photo on the left had tears, fading, and other flaws that we touched out before printing for our customer.

So what do you have under the bed in that old “family box” that might be worth displaying? How about that drawing your daughter did in 8th grade, or Great Aunt June’s cross-stitch sampler? Come across a painting at the Salvation Army that warrants a revival?

Art is all around us, and we challenge YOU to make the old new in 2020.

Art Inspires Music

By Rochester Framing on February 2, 2019 in Art, Creativity, Local, Music

As we prepare for the Big Turn Music Festival in the Red Wing shop (join us!) we are reflecting on the notion that art inspires music. There are examples of this throughout history. Here were a few we found interesting!

Goya and Grenados

The Parasol, Francisco De Goya

Enrique Grenados (1867-1916) was a Spanish composer who’s masterpiece Goyescas was composed as an expression of the paintings of fellow Spaniard Francisco De Goya (1746-1828). Both artists were influenced by the Spanish wars, nationalism, and the Romantic era of art and music. Goyescas was originally written as a piano suite in 1911, and later adapted into an opera which debuted at The Met in New York City in 1916. (Source. Source.)

Hokusai and Debussy

The Great Wave, Katsushika Hokusai

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) is the woodblock artist of the famed Under the Wave off Kanagawa, aka The Great Wave. It is suggested in the art world that this work inspired Claude Debussy’s (1862-1918) also famed La Mer. Author Charlotte Landru-Chandès stated of La Mer, “The work is unquestionably pictorial in nature.” Debussy had actually aspired to be a painter! Though he never took that artistic course, Debussy’s work as an art inspired composer has stood the test of time, as does Hokusai’s Mount Fuji series. (Source.)

Seurat and Sondheim/Lapine

A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, Georges-Pierre Seurat

Georges-Pierre Seurat (1859-1891) is noted for his development and application of the pointillism technique, seen in his most famous work A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte. This painting inspired an entire Tony Award winning musical, Sunday in the Park with George by Stephan Sondheim (1930-) and James Lapine (1949-). The entire production focuses on a “fictional” George Seurat and his immersion into both an outer and inner world that shapes the painting. (Source. Source.)

Van Gogh and Dutilleux

Henri Dutilleux’s (1916-2013) orchestral work Timbres, espace, mouvement was subtitled La nuit etoilée (The Starry Night). This reflects his inspiration which was drawn directly from Vincent Van Gogh’s (1853-1890) renowned work of the same name. Dutilleux’s choice of prominent solo instruments for his composition (wind and percussion) “represents the movements of the clouds and the light of the stars and the moon.” (Source. Source.)

Van Gogh and McLean

Van Gogh had an eclectic 20^th century fan club, with Don McLean (1945-) composing a hit song who’s lyrics tell the story of Van Gogh’s struggle with psychosis and society. Vincent (Starry, Starry Night) is somewhat of an ode and certainly a validation of Van Gogh’s under-appreciated brilliance as an artist. The song references a number of Van Gogh’s works as well as his artistic style and process. (Source.)

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New Gallery Collection: Alphonse Mucha

By Rochester Framing on September 9, 2018 in Art, Creativity, Framing, Gallery Posts, Gifts, Standard Post

We are pleased to exhibit the first framed pieces from our collection of prints by Alphonse Mucha. Mucha was a Czech artist (1860-1939) who “could draw before he could walk.” His career as an artist took off after he was chosen “in desperation” to fulfill an immediate art poster demanded by Parisian stage star Sarah Bernhardt for her production, Gismonda. Bernhardt fell in love with Mucha’s work, and his creation revolutionized the art poster industry. Mucha worked in high demand for years after.

Today we enjoy his works in various forms, including print replications of his production posters and decorative panels. Mucha was championed for bringing beautiful artworks to a wider public, making his prints and posters affordable and available. According to the Mucha Foundation, “It was Mucha’s belief that through the creation of beautiful works of art the quality of life would be improved. He also believed that it was his duty as an artist to promote art for ordinary people.”

We are thrilled to present our first set of framed Mucha prints, for sale and view in our galleries. Each is framed with exquisite and preservation quality materials to honor the compelling vision of the artist, and the inspiration and beauty he aimed to elevate for all people. Silk mats, museum glass, and delicate style frames show off the magnificent women, and the interpretation of each work will be an individual experience that viewers will enjoy. Learn more about Alphonse Mucha at www.muchafoundation.org, and stop in to our galleries to see the collection for yourself! Framed works as well as prints are for sale in our gallery.

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Worth it.

By Rochester Framing on April 25, 2018 in Art, Creativity, Framing, Gifts

What is it that makes something worthy of framing? Should it be a work from a notable artist? Should it cost X amount of dollars? Should it be historically significant?

Sure! In May 2018, the Peggy and David Rockefeller family will auction 600 million dollars worth of original works by artists such as Monet, Renoir, and Picasso in New York City, USA. These pieces surely fit all of the above criteria, and we’d certainly be proud to frame the work of such masters.

Son’s Stormtrooper Mask

Grandmother’s Needlepoint

In the business world, perceived value is defined as “the worth a customer ascribes to a product or service.” In our business world, perceived value can be used to describe the non-monetary value a customer ascribes to the artwork or object considered for framing. Our very proudest projects are those that connect to our customers’ stories—your hearts, your histories, your lives and families, your memories, your hopes.

Travel Postcard

So what if your project is just something your son drew in kindergarten class, or, just this old needlepoint that your grandmother stitched, or just some picture you found and liked? (Yah, we hear the word “just” a lot.)

Frame-worthy? ABSOLUTELY!

Puppy Paw

Van Gogh Print

Literally, JUST Wrapping Paper! Why not?

There is no price one can use to describe the worth of such projects. What is the value to you or your son who sees his professionally displayed artwork and is encouraged to continue creative and educational endeavors? What is the value of preserving your grandmother’s stitchery, passed down through generations of family who will remember grandma’s name and story? And what if its “Just some picture you liked”…well, there is a reason it drew a connection, and doesn’t that connection merit saving? The motives to frame something don’t have to be deep or philosophical, but the impacts of these projects can be truly priceless.

You have brought us your project to frame. We are honored to learn and share in your story. Fine custom framing is our heart and our story, and we are equally privileged to work with your $66 million Van Gough or your late pup’s paw print in plaster. If it matters to you, it matters to us.

So, is it frame-worthy?

Yes, and you don’t need to justify it.

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Frame Story: Dan and His “Fur Family”

By Rochester Framing on February 22, 2018 in Art, Creativity, Framing, Local, Neighbors, Printing

We first met Dan in 2015 when he visited our Red Wing shop after a Google search for framing and printing. Dan’s initial project utilized both services—printing his commissioned artwork and framing it accordingly. Dan was cool, easy to work with, and he appreciated our high touch service style.

“You all took some time to get to know me and you listen to my input when selecting frames and I was involved in the whole process. How often does that even happen any more?” he remarked.

Meet Dan, Paavo, and Miss Belle!

Paavo resides at Wishbone Ranch and is part of the non-profit “This Old Horse” retirement program. “Miss Belle” is a young Friesian cross who is still in training. “They bring a lot of joy and meaning into my life,” Dan said of his horses.

As well as being a horseman, Dan is a cat man! Here’s Angel and Smushie.

We are proud to continue to help Dan tell his story by framing his many commissions. Dan prefers framing that fits both the artwork and his home decor style, and likes our Tru Vue museum glass for its unmatched clarity and UV protection.