Custom Frames Ready for Easter Exhibit

Preparing for the upcoming Easter exhibit involves framing two of the four paintings to be included in the show. Since 1995, Al Young Studios has not only maintained its own frame shop, but has developed a unique approach to meeting its custom framing needs, particularly in terms of museum-quality frames.

Framing can be one of the great riddles that must be solved in the ongoing work of any studio. Not only is cost an important factor, but getting the desired result from even the best of framers can be a very difficult challenge. In the early years of trying to figure out how to meet our framing needs, we had the great good fortune to have a very fine experience with a world-class framer; however, businesses come and go, and it eventually turned out that the best approach for us was an in-house solution; not the best choice for everyone, but it worked for us.

The Studios' need for custom frames dates back to the early 1980s when Al's work focused on miniature pencil drawings. Framing costs were high, the sizes of the artworks to be framed were small, and Al's skill in woodworking and other handcrafts made framing a natural subject of interest. As his work moved from miniatures to 4 ft. x 8 ft. painted panels, the Studios' framing techniques also expanded.

Today, the Studios' need for large-scale frames is met by a methodology in which the frames are “stick built” from such materials as rough-cut alder milled in the Studios' woodworking shop, vendor and custom-milled mouldings, composition ornaments, metal leaf and sizing, acrylic paints and sealer, as well as wax. Creating the frames in-house has made it possible for the influence of the artist to be present throughout the presentation of the artwork.

Not all of the Studios' frames are stick built. Some consist of moldings that are cut and assembled by the vendor, to be modified and then gilded at the Studios. Vendors play an important part in the Studios' diverse approach to framing. Our list of long-time vendors, for the more hard-to-find framing products, and those few services that we do use, includes Style Craft, Decorator's Supply, Wall Moulding, and Easy Leaf.

The following photographs were taken during the week or so that has been devoted to creating the frame for I Shall Be Whole. The painting measures 42 in. x 48 in. With the thickness of the frame being 8 in., the outside dimensions of the frame are approximately 57 in. x 63 in.

In the following photograph, a ledge is attached to the perimeter of the alder liner that will surround the painting in the completed frame. The ledge makes it possible to mount the liner to the layer that serves as part of the backing for the frame.

After construction is complete, the frame is prepared for gold leaf. The following photograph shows part of the process of antiquing the leaf. Antiquing is done with an eye toward the overall presentation of the image. Colors and textures play an important part in that presentation, and various techniques are employed to layer them in much the same way that glazes are applied to a painting.


After the antiquing is done and sealed, the frame is waxed and buffed.