We are grateful to be together again and back in the shop. Our systems are up and running, work is getting done, and the rooster is crowing. (For those who don’t know, our doorbell sound of choice is a rooster crowing.) It puts a little spunk in your step to greet a new customer and whatever treasure they may have brought in.

A few months ago, pre-shutdown, we greeted a very lovely lady. She was carrying many treasures. They were mostly paintings, but there was one piece we fell very deeply in love with. It was a signed limited edition lithograph of a Dove by Georges Braque.

The piece carries such a quiet, understated beauty. Marisa said it reminds her of a petite Phyllis’ Dolobosky painting of a house we had framed, and I agree. There is something so soothing about these pieces— something I feel we are all craving a bit more of. There is no fuss, nothing flashy, just a quiet palette and simple shapes, yet so incredibly beautiful.

For the Braque, our job was simply to contain it. There are many theories of how to frame original art. I had a painting teacher once tell me the frame should just protect the piece from everything else around it. I tend to agree, but the trick is to keep the visual language in tact. Too simple of a statement would introduce a new variable; it wouldn’t take a back seat where it belongs.

In this case, the language of this piece is peaceful, soft, simple. It is very easy on the eyes. We chose a finished corner frame with hand glazing in soft whites and umber. The goal being to stay out of the way of the beauty that is already there without introducing any elements that don’t belong, all while giving it the level of quality it deserves. Our customer loves it, and we hope Georges Braque would be okay with it as well. It was a pleasure to work on.

Many projects have come through our door since the shutdown: paintings with personal meaning to be passed down to the next generation, old black and white photographs of family members, Patriots memorabilia just in time for Father’s Day, 2020 diplomas (congrats!), and many more. We appreciate all of them… large, small, funny, heartwarming.

We are so grateful to our customers, new and returning. You keep us inspired and fill our days with fun!

Take good care of yourselves and find something soothing to look at.

P

When the Rooster Crows Part Two: Braque’s Dove