The Frames of Artists to Admire
The Frames of Artists to Admire
Happy July creatives! This month I want to embrace the exciting energy-boost & passion that comes with the warmer weather by featuring some artists who go above & beyond with their framing. The following list will include Artists I personally admire and some staff picks too. Not just nice-pictures-in-objectively-nice-frames but pieces that truly meld with their frames. Of course, I'll also include some frames from our collection that match. Honestly, I'm excited to dive in just thinking about it.
Personal Picks:
1. Micca from Melbourne, Australia
Micca is an amazing surrealist painter/illustrator that I've (Me, Anya, hello!) been following on Instagram for a while now, but just recently have noticed her knock-out frame choices. Her work is magical and dreamlike, yet rooted in the heavy realities of her lived experience.
Micca, unlike many artists who go for sleek modern frame profiles, goes instead towards ornate Classical & Gothic frame types. BUT (there's always a but) the bold color finishes on these frames gives them a contemporary edge. I personally love frames that color-match to a T, so Micca's work scratches a visual itch that I often don't get to scratch. Beautiful work + beautiful frames + beautifully surreal methodologies = an A+ for me.
Frame Doors I'd Point Micca Towards: Fancy St. & Lover's Way! (yes our frame doors are named!)
2. Brooks Shane Salzwedel from Long Beach, Cali.
Brooks is the master of atmosphere. His work primarily consisting of Fog-laced forests, icy expanses, and fractured wildernesses -- crafted with layers of resin, wax, graphite, acrylic, and semi-transparent films. His recent iceberg and forest series pushes further into concepts of vulnerability, permanence, and queer ecology. I also found him on Instagram.
His frame choices are quiet. Often opting for a thin matt-black profile over something colorful & out-there (the white example below is the "loudest" one I saw in his collection). They're not as world-stopping as Micca's frames to me, but they truly help his work glow, especially when he chooses mouldings with a stripe of color.
Frame Doors I'd Point Brooks Towards: Lined Up Rd & Linen Lane
Artsy Picks:
To get a broader view of what artists can do with their framing, I also sifted through Artsy listings to see what modern/contemporary artists are doing (outside of my bubble). I chose artists & pieces that I feel stay true to the satisfying framing category.
3. Shiri Phillips from Omaha, Nebraska
Another example of great color matching. Shiri's acrylic abstracts are fun, impressionistic, and evocative of her graphic design background. Pixilated and yet natural with paint textures that look like flower petals. I love these frames; they're architectural but don't take too much attention away. More so, I love the fact that the canvas background tricks the eye into believing these marks are on a panel or tactfully chosen matboard. Plus, glitter paint?!
Frame Doors I'd Point Shiri Towards: Glam st. & Fancy st.
4. Kyle Goderwis from Seattle, WA
Abstract artist Kyle Goderwis works in various mediums including collage, acrylics, and epoxy resin. His color pallet is feel-good, breezy and full of life. What's unique about his framing (if not obvious) is the fact that he uses his frames as an extension of the artwork -- ignoring their art-corralling nature and painting right over them. Most frames he chooses to do this with have flat-faces, though he does play around with height with some stepped-mouldings.
These are just very joyful artworks & carry a childlike sense of exploration with them. What a great tool framing can be to bring these feelings into something physical.
Frame Doors I'd Point Kyle Towards: Painter's way & Lumber lane.
5. Sandro Chia from Florence, Italy
Sandro is an Italian Neo-expressionist artist who works primarily with the figure. His mark-making is quick & his figures stubby (I mean that in the best way -- lots of broad-chested, short legged men), with a very musical way of working with color.
What caught my eye in terms of Sandro's framing was how organic they are. Some works being encased in plaster mouldings and others in raw wood. They complement Sandro's style well and match the almost incomplete/imperfect nature his work embodies. I personally love the wooden frames with their stripe of color, though they do look very delicate.
I have noticed a new trend today with artists using plaster (or maybe paper mâché) as frames or additional elements to their artworks. Often as tendrils or sunrays extending from the work. Have you seen this as well with the artists you see online?
Frame Doors I'd Point Sandro Towards: Nautical Nook & Lumber lane
FUN ROUND! Amazing Staff Frame-Choices!
Sara: These are Sara's artworks! They are also for sale: Sara Larson Available Works | Candita Clayton Galler. Sara often goes for lustrous frames that complement the artwork's undertones.
Justine: These are Justine's artworks! They are for sale: Contact justine@crestar.art. Justine often chooses frames with a lot of movement (like the paint splatter moulding on the snail).
Lisa: This is a personal framing project for Lisa!
Me (Anya): These are my Artworks! I often choose frames that have that 'pop' of color or textural interest. These are for sale: Art by Anya Detonnancourt | Artwork Archive.
Brendan: These are some personal framing projects for Brendan + Edith!
If you saw something that inspired you today please reach out and see what we can do that's similar!
Our frames are cut & put together in our store by our highly experienced staff of creatives in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. With over 4000 choices for our customers there's a little something for every type of artwork.
Thoughtful frame selection is one of the most important aspects of custom framing. The right frame enhances artwork, complements its style, and helps create a cohesive presentation that can transform how a piece is experienced. While this blog was heavily influenced by my own tastes, I hope that it proved that framing can be a tool for artistic greatness.
Artists who carefully consider custom frame design often create a stronger visual impact, using moulding, matting, and glazing choices to reinforce the story, mood, and character of their work. At Crestar, we've worked with artists throughout New England who understand that custom picture framing is the final design decision that can make the work unforgettable.
Whether you're an emerging artist, established professional, or just an art lover, studying successful custom framing examples can provide valuable insight into how frame design influences the perceived value of an artwork.
Interested in Framing with Us?
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