"The frame can make the painting."

 

I feel the frame is part of the creative process and that the best frame becomes part of the art.  This is especially important with my 3-dimensional paintings, which require engineering that is often supported by the frame.

 

Lucky for me, my framing partner is Rob Griffin, a Williamsburg-based wood craftsman who meticulously creates my frame designs in solid wood.  Rob's wood collection includes walnut from a tree he cut down when he was 14 years old, cherry, pecan, ash, real worm-wood that aged in his mother's garage for 50 years, and just about any fine wood he can get his hands on.  Once the frame is completed, Rob hand-rubs the surface with oil until it has a rich but clean finish.  Or if the frame is to be painted, he gives it back to me for final adornments.

Now Connie and Rob are working on furniture.  Most are contemporary designs that Connie sketches on old client envelopes; some show wood in its natural glory, others will be painted.  Look for a furniture link in the near future!  


 For more information about the frames, contact Connie Desaulniers at connie@bydesign.bz or call 757/897-0776.
Check out these amazing frames below.  Click the thumbnails for an enlarged image.
A resident of Williamsburg since 1975, Rob has been passionate about wood and how it can be transformed since he received his first lessons from his uncle at the age of 8. 
Today he mills his own wood.  He often repurposes fine trees that have fallen due to hurricanes, are removed from construction sites, or have outgrown their setting in a residential property.  According to Rob, "Some of my favorite people are tree removal guys".
See examples of the frames below.