Treasure Island family portraits
An annual delight: Family Portraits at Treasure Island Casino
This business is project-driven, which means we get involved in projects that have a beginning and an end. Some projects have longer life cycles than others, and all projects are unique.
Our most recent project is a series of family portraits. The Human Resources department at Treasure Island Casino has contracted us to provide family portraits (photos taken, printed, and framed) for all of their 1,500 employees who want to participate. At first glance, this might seem like a church directory project, where efficiency is prioritized over creativity.
But it isn't, and here's why:
Each family has their own story to tell. There was the man who, despite being extremely body-conscious, proudly showed me his gastric bypass scar. Or the young family with a little boy who had serious skin graft scars all over his body from a bad burn accident, yet he was busy running around, trying to keep up with his older siblings. Or the married couple who have been together for 55 years and still enjoy ribbing each other with wisecracks. This photo is of a young mom who had just found out she is pregnant. Her joy is obvious, and she is so excited that she is exaggerating her pregnant belly.
Another aspect was the challenge of using a very spartan set consisting only of a white vinyl backdrop and a simple bench while still making every image unique. It was easy to fall into patterns of using common poses that would always work. The challenge was to slowly add to the repertoire of winning poses by experimenting.
Initially, this project was not especially welcomed because the hours were long and crazy (the casino operates on a 24-hour basis), but after two weeks of photography, I am really sorry to see it end. The casino employees are fun and genuinely fond of each other. The demographics are at the lower end of the income scale, so it has been an especially well-received perk by the employees.
This has been a lot of fun.
Finally, a chance to use 'ubiquitous' in a sentence
The Artistry of Cash's Silk Embroideries
Cash's (sometimes called J&J Cash) is a UK company located in Coventry, England. For over 150 years, Cash's has been producing silk embroidered bookmarks, luggage and clothing labels, and name tags. You might assume that something as ubiquitous as a clothing label wouldn't merit museum-level custom framing.
But you would be wrong.
Cash's produces products that are clearly motivated by quality and pride in craftsmanship. These items are genuinely works of art, much like a beautifully machined watch—a labor of love.
One example is a silk embroidered horned owl, part of a limited run of coniferous forest animals Cash's produced. Other animals in the series include a peregrine falcon, an otter, and some wood ducks. Each piece is about the size of a business card, and each will have its own frame.
Cash's is currently producing a series of Beatrix Potter silks, which are perfect for the embroidery medium. The price is very reasonable, considering the quality and craftsmanship involved.
The missing piece
The Lost Puzzle Piece
Many years ago, a very good framing customer brought in a beautiful antique jigsaw puzzle to be framed. It was from the turn of the 19th century, and the construction itself is a work of art. The pieces are scroll sawed, and several pieces themselves are shaped as children's toys (monkeys, toy soldiers, etc.). It is a remarkable example of craftsmanship.
The only problem was that a single piece of the puzzle was missing. This seemed very tragic, and because of the depth of the puzzle, it was as obvious as a missing tooth on a beautiful model in a toothpaste ad. But, it is what it is, and since it had been in her family for many years, it was decided to frame it up as is.
Jump ahead several years to the present... the customer removes a drawer from a dresser, and lo and behold, the missing puzzle piece reappears from behind the drawer.
There is something very therapeutic in knowing that the missing puzzle piece will soon be reunited with its brothers and sisters, and now the picture is complete.
The Lord works in mysterious ways.
Better living through framing
Innovative New Products from Red Wing Framing Gallery
Since the beginning of 2009, Red Wing Framing Gallery scientists have been quietly and diligently working on a number of new products. With the advent of 'digital everywhere' technologies, customers have been eager to use their own images to decorate their environments in ways that reflect their lifestyle and taste. Our challenge is to meet this expectation with innovative and unique products.
Two exciting products are nearing introduction:
Gallery Panel: Targeted at contemporary customers who want a unique and fresh way to present their images, the Gallery Panel is elegant with old-school details but also offers a bold and progressive presentation. Think of it as a harmonious blend of ebony and ivory.
Image Sandwich (I-S): Still in the early stages, this product is a bit further behind in its introduction. The I-S will be a transmissive image that allows light from behind and lays flat on a wall. Early prototypes are promising, though practical size limitations may need to be determined. As a humorous note, I-S Version 2.0 might also function as a PDA. :)
The European marketplace tends to be more aggressive in pushing image technology. Interestingly, some of the best ideas come from European organizations that have been in the image business since the Middle Ages. We aren't above learning from our European counterparts, but it's essential to remain unique and creative.
We will announce new products as they are ready, and teasers are always free and unsolicited.
And please disregard any misinformation.
Stewy's on Main
New Restaurant in Downtown Red Wing: Stewy's on Main
Another restaurant has opened in Downtown Red Wing. Stewy's on Main will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and provide a full bar offering.
Stew approached us a month ago and gave us free rein (with his final approval) to design attractive wall images. It was decided to focus on local iconic scenes, with a focus on both sides of the Mississippi River.
Panel prints are used. This is a print on hardboard mounted with a reverse frame to create a wall stand-off and laminated with a linen finish. The beauty of this product is that it is very contemporary, pool-table flat, no glass is used, and it creates a very nice drop-shadow effect. Each image is either 40"x40" or 27"x40".
The first grouping of three are all Downtown Red Wing photos, with the common denominator of the violin-playing model. These were printed with a brown sepia tone.
The second grouping is from the Maiden Rock Flood Run in 2004. Same image tone, different effect.
One wall is all about elegance and grace, and the other wall is all about machines and chrome.
Yin and Yang. Joanie loves Chachi.
Beauty and the Beast
A Contrast in Projects
Beauty:
The first project is for the new Norton's Downtown and Lucky Cat Lounge. This restaurant-lounge-fine wine store has some very large and high walls, and it needed a tasteful image that befits the atmosphere of this white-linen restaurant.
The image used is "The Flaming June," selected for its gracefulness, color, and impact. It is one of the first things you see when you enter the restaurant from the parking lot and walk towards the hostess station.
The final image size is 8' x 8', printed on a satin fabric with an unfinished and unweighed bottom edge. Because of the 'hand' and drape-ability of the fabric, the entire image has a beautiful waft to it as it moves with the air circulation, almost as if it were breathing.
Beast:
Right next door to Norton's restaurant, the new Red Wing Shoe Company store is being built. This store will be a showcase for The Shoe, which has its world headquarters directly across the street. Red Wing Shoes are simply the best-made boots and shoes in the world. I wear my Model 414 boots for nine months out of the year, and I can personally vouch for the high quality and ruggedness of their products.
This project is labeled the beast because of the harsh conditions these images have to tolerate... beastly. The weather was -15°F with snow and high winds when they were installed. The construction wall is literally 6 inches from Highway 61, and the images have to endure heavy truck traffic, rocks, dirt, grime, and salt, along with the weather extremes.
Each image (there are two) is 6' x 15'. It is a reprint of the architectural concept drawing, with an opening date and The Shoe logo. A heavy-duty scrim material was deployed and further reinforced with the thickest laminate available. The edges were treated with a super glue-like adhesive, and 1/2" weather-resistant, reinforced nickel grommets were used every 2.5 feet.
Too much fun.