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.
Imagine where you might hang one of these …
Claude ThebergeTournee du Chat Noir de Rodolpe Salis by Theophile Alexandre Steinlen
Join us for the NW Natural 39th Annual Street of Dreams kick off event July 23, 2014. Village Frame & Gallery is collaborating with The Geezer Gallery to exhibit works by local elder artists–including artwork not usually exhibited at the Gallery. Tables and decks will be open all day. There is a block party from 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm, complete with preview home tour, food, drink, and music. Proceeds benefit the Home Builders Foundation renovation project at Clackamas Women’s Services domestic violence shelter.
Tickets are available for the party at StreetofDreamsPDX.com.
Reframing is often wise, both for gaining new perspective on life issues, and for artwork that could use a pick-me-up.
Improper framing can lead to irreversible damage. If you are concerned about the integrity of your frames, bring your art to the Gallery for an inspection.
If you have frames that are looking tatty or you no longer enjoy the overall look of a piece of artwork, don’t dump it, reframe it. An updated frame will revive your art and make it feel new again. Most importantly, you can upgrade framing materials to protect your art better.
Reframe pictures when:
Corners are pulling apart. You can only tap in those loose nails so many times. If your frame has started falling apart, replace it.
The finish is worn. When wood is crazed, warped, or scratched, or if the finish has become dull or faded, it’s better to start fresh. It’s difficult to keep touching up blemishes and scratches on wood. Over time the finish becomes mottled, with shiny or dull spots.
You have a piece that was poorly framed. Maybe you purchased original artwork in a cheap exhibition frame or inherited a piece that was framed by an amateur. Replacing substandard framing with conservation materials is critical to the longevity of the art.
New environment. If you are moving your museum quality print from a dry, sunny living room and putting it in or near a bathroom, for example, consider replacing the glass or matboard to assure better protection from moisture and air.
Your tastes have changed. If you are redecorating, old frames may not fit your new look. Maybe you’d like to go shabby chic, with the look of old window frames around your art, or exchange simple acrylic frames for a more elegant oak fleur-de-lys.
If You’re Ready for a New Perspective on Your Artwork, Come See Us
Village Frame & Gallery has the expertise to assess whether your frame can be skillfully repaired or if it’s time for a replacement. Bring your artwork to the Gallery for a free consultation during regular business hours or call to schedule a consultation at your site. Whether you want a new color, different textured matboard, heavier picture wire, or even a different sized frame, we can advise you every step of the way on your reframing project.
In order to allow our employees to celebrate Independence Day with their families, Village Frame & Gallery will be closed Friday, July 4, 2014. We hope you will also be able to spend the day with loved ones and look forward to serving you after the 4th.
Diane Flack. (Image source: Portland Society for Calligraphy)
June 6th is First Friday in Multnomah Village. Join us at Village Frame and Gallery for an exhibit of calligraphy, block printing, and other paper arts by Portland artist Diane Flack. She will be at the Gallery:
Friday, June 6th from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, June 7th from Noon to 4 p.m.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Artist Statement: Diane Flack
I have been a freelance calligrapher for about 22 years and a block printer for ten. I also play at watercolor and hand made books as well as artist books and cards. I love the look of ink on a page. I am also in love with paper, all kinds of paper.
While studying block printing with Denis Cunningham, I also fell head over heels for patterns, negative space and all aspects of block printing. The process is very labor intensive but the result is always a surprise, not always a good one. I often find a photograph or see a scene that catches my eye because of the lights and darks, contrast of positive and negative space and composition. Then I draw, or redraw it to capture the scene in a block print friendly way. After carving and inking, the process is a mystery, just waiting to be pulled. Sometimes the mystery is solved with a successful print and sometimes I must go back and retrace my steps, make adjustments, carve more, and attempt the process again.
I am interested in realistic scenes of people working, charming old cars, interesting traditional kimonos, and celebrations of life. I am used to people who work hard and respect the beauty of classic cars and 40’s images. I have no fidelity to genre. I am interested in all kinds of patterns.
Block printing is exciting because it is a lesson in simplicity. Taking an image down to the most simple lines is often rewarding, often misleading. Being able to read a print the first time around is my goal. Not like a child’s painting, where you must say, “Tell me about this,” because you have no idea what it is supposed to be. I love it when I pull a print and hang it up for inspection and someone will say, “Hey, that’s a great cowboy!” I am experimenting with abstract geometrics inspired by the Gee’s Bend quilts. I also love fabrics and textures.
My work has been purchased by Lewis and Clark Library, and hangs in prominent homes in Portland, Washington, California and Rome, Italy. I have been fortunate to show my work with Print Arts Northwest, University of Arkansas in Rome, Focus on Books Conferences and the Streff Gallery at Marylhurst.
I have served on the Boards of Focus on Book Conferences, three international conferences hosted by the Portland Society for Calligraphy, the Marylhurst Alumni Board and the Multnomah Arts Center. Chair. I teach Bookbinding and Calligraphy for Portland Community College and sub in three of their libraries.
Sunday, June 15th is Father’s Day this year. Show Dad how much you appreciate him with a gift of art that will provide him with year’s of pleasure. Village Frame & Gallery has a variety of gifts for fathers and many are on sale this month, so if you are looking for something unique, stop by the Gallery.
When choosing art as a gift, look for:
Images that evoke a shared memory of an experience, place, or time.
Works featuring the recipient’s favorite place, hobby, or other interest
If the recipient is a collector, for instance of model trains or antique tools, pictures that fit into their collection
As always, if we can be of service while you are shopping for Father’s Day, please come see us during our usual business hours or call for an appointment.
Join us for the NW Natural 39th Annual Street of Dreams kick off event July 23, 2014. Village Frame & Gallery is collaborating with The Geezer Gallery to exhibit works by local elder artists–including artwork not usually exhibited at the Gallery. Tables and decks will be open all day. There is a block party from 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm, complete with preview home tour, food, drink, and music. Proceeds benefit the Home Builders Foundation renovation project at Clackamas Women’s Services domestic violence shelter.
Are you ready?