Local | Rochester Framing & Fine Art Printing

Wow

By Rochester Framing on August 15, 2021 in Business, Downtown Rochester, Local

I just realized that this blog has not been updated in 19 months. So let’s see, what’s happened in the past 19 months…pandemic, stay-at-home, riots, re-start, re-adjust, mask-on, mask-off, mask-on. Pretty much the usual, right?

We are okay. We are operating on an appointment basis (www.RochesterFraming.com or 507-208-4949) and that will probably not change soon. The customers love this and so do we. It makes it very easy to provide full attention to the client and their safety.

We are very busy and we have almost the entire team back, plus a new face. The Rochester shop received a lot of local love during the shut-down and I will always be grateful for that. Clare is running the Red Wing shop and we added new print shop space in March. Val manages both the Rochester and Northfield locations with help from Rikki. I still fix things and print things.

Short and sweet. Be well and be safe. -John

Welcome Northfield Framing & Fine Art Printing!

By Rochester Framing on September 1, 2019 in Business, Framing, Gifts, Local, News, Shop, Standard Post

We are very proud to present
Northfield Framing & Fine Art Printing
Est. August 2019

Since opening Red Wing Framing & Fine Art Printing in 2002, our goal has been to create a triple focus of certified custom framing shops which are easily accessible to a large portion of south central Minnesota and western Wisconsin. With the addition of Northfield to our Red Wing (2002) and Rochester (2014) outlets, our dream is being realized. We are grateful to our customers, friends, families, and business supports who have helped make this happen. Thank YOU!

Our new shop is located in the beautiful Bridge Square of downtown Northfield, MN. The area has ample parking along streets and neighboring lots, and our design and retail shop has fantastic mojo. Northfield is a community rich with industry, agriculture, arts and culture, a fantastic foodie scene, and two prestigious universities, Carleton College and St. Olaf College.

In addition to our wide selection of custom framing samples and fine printing offerings, we are excited to offer readymade frames, framed and loose prints, original art, artisan crafted jewelry, handmade quilts, bags, and notions, pottery and Motawi art tiles, art cards, and fine gift items. Please stop by and see us Thursday (11-7pm) and Friday/Saturday (11-5pm)! Shop our wares, design a project with our master framer, take a seat in our comfy chair, and enjoy the opulence and warmth of our brand new space.

“Come on in, the framing’s fine!”

Selfie mirror!

Peace.

Gifts and treasures!

Artisan wares.

Our beautiful face.

Wide selection!

Handmade jewelry.

Purses, handbags.

Quilts and framed art.

Readymade frames!

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.)

art big turn music festival debussy don mcclean goya goyescas hokusai inspiration la mer music opera orchestra piano red wing seurat sondheim van gogh

The Identity Project

By Rochester Framing on June 22, 2018 in Art, Business, Downtown Rochester, Framing, Local, News

In June 2018, we were given the great privilege to support a fantastic local art exhibit developed by Riverside Central Elementary School in Rochester, MN. Over 530 students at Riverside created collages and artworks featuring their own portraits. Students were encouraged to let their personalities shine, and truly be the individuals that they are. The artwork is exhibited at the Minnesota Children’s Museum of Rochester and will eventually be incorporated into an outdoor mural painted onto the school. (Media source.)

Our job? Framing and printing! Six students were chosen to have their artwork reproduced and professionally framed for the exhibit. Additionally, the framed pieces will be auctioned to benefit arts education at Riverside and the mission of MCM Rochester. We were thrilled to work with the project coordinators and of course, the amazing artists.

Our framing choices were made to honor the individuality of each artist and his or her piece. Frames were selected to reflect the student’s portrait, coordinate with the collaging, and sync with each artist’s personality. Each student also completed an artist profile, which was displayed along with his or her framed artwork.

As we always say, we *heart* kid’s art, and this project stole our hearts in a big way. Show your support by visiting the exhibit, running through September 9, 2018 at MCM Rochester.

Thank you to Riverside School principal Matt Ruzak, fourth grade teacher Melanie Shaw, instructor and coordinator Lida Casper, and the Minnesota Children’s Museum of Rochester for their support of this project and media release.

arts education giving back identity project kid's art minnesota children's museum rochester children's museum rochester minnesota support local support the arts

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.