1st cutting
Reflecting on the First Hay Cutting and Business Optimism
July in Minnesota means the first hay cutting of the season. In a normal year, most farms will have two cuttings and then leave some winter ground cover for the critters. The first cutting will have the most yield, but it isn't until the second cutting that the break-even point is reached.
For a farmer, the first hay cutting is an opportunity to reflect on the business (year-to-date), and also project the business going forward for the rest of the year. Stretching this metaphor to a near-absurdist level, it isn't that much different in the art industry.
Business is up, and the industry is cautiously optimistic. The nature of the business has changed, and the types of projects have also changed. Anticipating these changes and responding to them are some of the biggest challenges a small business owner will face.
We will continue to evolve, but we will also continue to provide the things we enjoy most about being in this business.
A new web-based product is under development and should be available before the end of the year (the evolving thing). There are also discussions taking place regarding an original art exhibit in the November/December timeframe (the enjoyment thing).
And of course, thank you for your patronage. Art is good.
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.
Charley Harper, 1922-2007
Remembering Charley Harper
It was three years ago today that Charley Harper passed away.
Charley was a very unassuming artist from Ohio. He began his career as a book illustrator and over time transitioned to being a wildlife artist—but not the typical wildlife artist. Charley used his graphic art skills, his penchant for precision, and his sense of humor to portray the natural world like no other artist ever has.
One of his pieces, "Isle Royale," captures exactly what a birch tree forest feels like. You might think you are alone, but there are probably dozens of different eyes watching you at any given moment.
Goodbye Charley. You are missed.
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.
The story arc of the Marc Chagall project
Rescuing a Marc Chagall Linoleum Lithograph
Just to refresh... a customer had rescued this original Marc Chagall linoleum lithograph from slowly being destroyed by the mounting and the framing (please see: "How to commit art murder," or, "I ruined a masterpiece, but saved on the framing"...). The mats were leeching acid into the art paper, the non-UV glass was allowing the sun to fade the art, and the MDF frame was slowly dissolving the art with formaldehyde out-gassing.
The rescued piece will be picked up by the customer today, and a ceremony will take place to present the art back to the public library. I thought I would share the design details of this project:
It features a double rag mat design (100% acid-free) with a filet. The bottom mat has a 1" reveal (this is a museum standard for a design with a filet) and the top mat has a 3.25" reveal. The art paper had some waviness, and it is loosely held in place with archival corners on the backside. This allows the art to breathe and respond to the ambient temperature. The outside moulding is called an Amante design, which is a classic moulding style. The glazing is a museum-quality UV glass, which is almost imperceptible. It was decided not to conceal the staining from the previous mats and to incorporate the flawed feature into the overall design.
It looks very classy and is totally reversible for future framers in the event of a re-design.
Respect the art. Protect, preserve, and present the art.
Red Wing Central Park Band Shell: A Follow-Up
Does this guy ever stop talking about the new bandshell?
Apparently not.
It's time for an update on the Red Wing Central Park Band Shell.
This time last year, the park was a mess. Frozen and snow-covered dirt piles were scattered all over the site, making it look like a project that was going to miss the July 4th deadline. However, Red Wing Construction is a very professional company, proud of the product they deliver. They met the July 4th deadline with days to spare.
After the project was completed, Red Wing Construction presented The Jones Family Foundation (the benefactors of the band shell to the City) with a beautifully framed memento. It is a 36"x32" multi-opening custom framed piece showcasing the band shell from different angles and during the very first performance. It also includes a custom embossed mat of the Red Wing Construction logo.
We were proud to provide all of the photographs, the printing, and the framing, and we have since created a few more of these pieces for Red Wing Construction.
How to commit art murder, or, "I ruined a masterpiece, but saved on the framing"
A Close Call for a Marc Chagall Masterpiece
This is a tragic tale, but thank goodness a good samaritan rescued the art.
An original Marc Chagall lithograph had been donated to the local library. Many years ago, someone decided to frame this irreplaceable piece using the cheapest solution available. This included a low-quality MDF frame with standard glass and paper mats. To further insult the art, it was glued to the back of the mat.
Let's summarize how this art was nearly ruined:
The frame was made from a cheap MDF material that out-gasses formaldehyde, effectively dissolving the art over time.
The glass provided no UV protection, making fading inevitable.
The mat was a cheap paper mat with acids that leeched into the art, and foxing (bacteria) was growing on the paper.
The glue—oh, the glue. Don't even get me started on the glue.
A biological, chemical, and radioactive attack on the art—a true WMD from an art standpoint.
Friends don't let friends frame drunk.
Despite all this, the artwork itself is a stunning piece of creativity. Chagall, a Jewish Russian-French artist who lived from 1887 to 1985, was a giant in the art world and an early innovator of Modernism. His work is truly inspiring to examine.
We are now working on a new and completely archival frame design for this piece. I will post updates when the project is finished.