Spend Halloween in the Village for a Spooktacular Good Time!
It’s that time of year again! Bring your ghosts and goblins to trick or treat in Multnomah Village this Friday. The fun starts at Starbucks, winds around the Village–through Village Frame & Gallery, of course–and finishes up at Dr. Jensen’s office. Along the way, there are lots of fun things to do and 1000s of trick-or-treaters in costume. This has become a major annual event in our neighborhood, so we hope to see you there this year!
Will we recognize you? What are you dressing up as this year? Tell us in the comments section or on our Facebook page. Better yet, post a picture of you in your costume!
More details on Halloween 2014 in Multnomah Village:
Jerry Hammel was a very quiet, sensitive and unique man who had style, panache, talent and humor. And through his paintings he spoke. Being an artist was one of the things that gave him happiness and allowed him the freedom to do as he enjoyed.
He started his career as a graphic designer and a commercial artist, but his real loves were his paintings and sketches. Oh, how he enjoyed drawing curvaceous bodies, doing the makeup, clothes and all the details that made “his ladies” original and beautiful. There were some full of humor, some caricatures, some serious and some whimsical. He was able to blend his rich talent between Art Deco and Victorian.
The vibrant colors and the graphic designs of the people he illustrated speak to the complexities of his life made simple in line, form, elegance and strength. He had high expectations of himself and saw no shades of grey. Although Jerry’s art was filled with color, he lived in a world of black and white; Jerry was a perfectionist. Those who knew Jerry admired his creativity, his artistic expressions and his gifted, multi-faceted nature. He never was able to value the uniqueness others saw in him. Others saw what Jerry could not appreciate in himself.
Jerry always needed paper to be available so that he could sketch whatever caught his eye – even when away from “his board”. At restaurants he would sketch on a dinner napkin. He had excellent taste in clothes. He wore a “Greek” cap, smoked a pipe, wore ascots, French cuff shirts, beautiful cuff links – and – never wore jeans.
As you see his paintings, you will find him to be very sensitive and tender, with the heart and soul of an artist.
See Jerry Hammel’s Work in Person at Village Frame & Gallery
If you haven’t had a chance to see this show, make time before the end of October. This is a large exhibit, but several pieces have already found their forever homes. In the meantime, here are a few pieces that illustrate why Hammel’s work is so popular with those who have seen it:
We Have More Jerry Hammel Artwork at the Gallery Right Now
Jerry Hammel was a long-time resident of Hillsdale, one of those old school graphic designers who never used a computer. He passed away five years ago, never having shown his work publicly. So, for the first time anywhere, Village Frame & Gallery has the honor of exhibiting Jerry’s observational, playful, stylistic art. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us.
You don’t need custom framing for every piece of artwork. Your kindergartner’s finger paintings do very well with nothing more than a simple refrigerator magnet. Easily replaceable digital snapshots need a sturdy, functional frame and no more. But, there are times when you should hire a professional framer. Fine art and priceless keepsakes, for instance, require specific safeguards if you want them to last.
The Smart Money is on Reframing the Whole Question
Sometimes, opting for the smallest initial cost is the most expensive mistake you can make long-term. Certainly that is true when you are trying to preserve the fragile medium used to create art. Paint and fabric deteriorate fairly quickly when exposed to the elements. You probably know that because you have to repaint your house every few years and replace clothing regularly. You likely have boxes of photographs from your childhood that are faded and curling by now. Conservation framing is the means by which you prevent your precious art and images from the same fate.
Think of framing like packing a suitcase for a very long journey. You can throw your expensive wool suit or delicate hand-stitched kimono into a chintzy plastic suitcase and hope it arrives undamaged. Or, you can pack the items you cherish into high-quality, protective, durable materials that allow them to survive the journey. What you are paying for, when you buy the good suitcase, is preservation. It’s the same with custom framing.
So, the smarter questions are …
When I Hire a Professional Framer, What is My Return on Investment?
Answering that question requires basic knowledge of what goes into building a proper frame for valuables. In an extremely small nutshell, the amount you pay for professional framing buys:
Design: Your matte and frame should enhance, rather than detract from, the art. This is when working with a framer who understands art theory makes all the difference. There are seven elements of art: line, shape, form, space, texture, value, and color. Artists use these elements, along with design principles, to compose the finished piece. Custom framers examine those elements and principles to choose framing that appears integrated with the artwork and continues the artist’s message, but does not compete with the art. Framing design can literally make or break the visual appearance of art, affecting your enjoyment of works you are keeping and the price of pieces you are selling.
Materials: Archival materials are crucial for defending artwork from environmental damage. Craft store framing is relatively inexpensive because it is made cheaply with inferior materials: matte and backing may be labeled “acid-free,” but usually contain wood-based paper that breaks down over time to produce acid; the glass does not provide sufficient UV filtering; moulding is poorly constructed. Professional-grade framing is in an entirely different class. It is more expensive, but pays for itself by protecting your art long enough to allow it to increase in value.
Craftsmanship: How a piece is mounted and enclosed within the frame, and how the frame itself is constructed, are just as important as the materials used. Art must be mounted properly, based on its media, and not touch the glazing or moulding. The corners of the frame and backing should be secure to keep out airborne contaminants and insects. Amateur mistakes during this stage of framing can completely negate the work put into design and the money spent on conservation materials.
How Can You Get the Most for Your Framing Dollar?
One of the best ways to save on custom framing is to avoid costly mistakes by working with an experienced professional.
At Village Frame & Gallery, every project starts with a collaborative design consultation to:
Choose the best style and color of matte and framing so your finished piece will look fantastic on your wall
Evaluate your artwork and advise you of the materials required to protect it
Asses the value of your art over time to determine how much you should invest in framing
Help you make your final decisions knowledgably
After the consultation, we continue to deliver the most for your money through the use of professional-grade materials and fastidious craftsmanship.
Ready to invest in your artwork? Bring it to Village Frame & Gallery today to learn why our clients keep coming back year after year.
Although Madaline Janovec passed away March 4, 2011, she is still one of Portland’s favorite artists. She left an indelible impression on everyone who knew her. This month, Village Frame & Gallery is featuring Madeline’s work in a special exhibit on display in the shop. Join is for First Friday, September 5th, or our Open House, September 6th to see Madeline’s work in person.
Artist’s Statement
I grew up near the ocean in Redondo Beach, California, but I fell in love with Oregon’s lush, green, wet, mossy scenery while on a trip with my parents at age 14. Oregon felt like heaven to me even at that young age. After studying art at California State University Northridge and California College of Art and Crafts in Oakland, I was finally able to move to Oregon in 1965 with my husband who had enrolled in Portland Museum Art School. I was pregnant at the time with my only child.
In 1973, I moved with my young daughter 40 miles northeast of Portland up the Washougal River drainage area in Washington State onto my family’s 80 acres of forest – 1200 feet above sea level. The location, fairly remote with very few people living nearby, provided lovely views of Mt. Hood and the Upper Washougal Canyon. Perhaps the beauty and the privacy of this space were contributing factors to the spiritual awakening I experienced while living there. My journey into the depths of self-awareness and discovery, allowed me to understand the oneness and connection of all things in life – a profound awareness that affected me deeply and has had a tremendous impact on my life.
Thirty-six years have passed since then and through the years I have come to understand that I have a very deep connection to the earth, and I often feel this connection has intensified with age. In looking back at my art over the years, I realize the birth of my only child and living in the forest (both very grounding experiences) had an enormous influence on the technique and subject matter of my work. My recent travels to Asia have strengthened my mystical connection to certain elements found in nature – rocks, soil, tree bark and moss, and my current work (drawings, paintings, prints and jewelry) seem to reflect this.
I have come to understand my life’s journey has always had a deep impact on my artwork, and looking back through the years, everything seems to make sense to me now.
Make sure to arrive in the Village before 10 a.m. to see the parade and stay for the fun. This year’s theme is “The Village Goes Green” in celebration of our new “green street” run-off and pollution reduction facilities. Follow the Multnomah Village Facebook page to stay up-to-date about Multnomah Days activities and special events.
Village Frame & Gallery Will Be Closed Saturday, August 16th
Yes, yes, we know we are missing all the fun, but we’ll be open again for regular business hours next week. In the meantime, here’s a quick list of events planned for this weekend. Click on the poster below to open a PDF version you can print out and take with you.
Tomorrow is August 1st and that makes it First Friday in Multnomah Village. Come enjoy shopping and special events with your neighbors until 10 p.m. Don’t forget to stop by Village Frame & Gallery where all art posters are on sale 50% off, Friday only. What would you do with a poster? We suggest …
3 Places to Decorate with Posters
Dorm rooms: Know someone headed off to college? Help liven up that dreary dorm room with a colorful poster of their favorite artist’s work, a style they love, or subject matter that reflects their passions.
Work spaces: Art has been shown to help reduce stress, boost creativity and productivity, and enhance employee morale. Because they are so affordable, posters are a sensible, attractive choice for offices, hallways, and break rooms.
Kitchens, Laundries, and Baths: Art posters make a dramatic statement, yet are easily replaced in case of damage from humidity, making them ideal for areas where environmental conditions would be rough on your fine art.