art by Timothy Renner

Save the date for Framers' Workshop's next exhibit "Expose Your Fear" slated for Oct. 29th 2010.

Cityscape by Kay Koehler

Interchange by Kay Koehler

KAY KOEHLER My recent works have been an exploration of new materials, shapes and
forms. After many years of painting realistic landscapes in both oils and pastels I have ventured into more abstract designs.
It has been a process that I have enjoyed tremendously and I hope that
you enjoy the resulting works of my journey.

Diann Cardello

One Simple Thread I & II

Layers upon layers, darkness versus light. One simple thread seems to hold it all together.
So delicate and yet so strong. This mirrors my journey. I have to acknowledge what I've gone through.
That is called life.

Ginny Wise

The beauty of natural landscapes is quickly changing and disappearing. As a plein air artist, I experience a stillness, peace and serenity while painting in nature. Trying to capture the interplay of light, shadow and color, I want my paintings to engage the imagination of the viewer and encourage them to linger in the environment I create. Something special occurs when painting in a field, a garden, the woods or along a path. There is a spiritual connection with the landscape: a vital force, a magical gift, a peaceful feeling, a gathering of your soul! Please enjoy my journeys through nature. Where will it lead you? What IS just over that hill?

patty smith

Goat

Dare to be square

The focus on "pleasing" proportions in art is a very old controversy — do people naturally prefer the visual proportions of the rectangle over the square?

Generally speaking, rectangular shapes are more pleasing to the eye than square shapes. So many of the things we love are rectangle shaped; most houses are rectangle, books are rectangle, pillows are rectangle, even the Stauffers lasagna is in a rectangle pan.

Why then would the artist choose a square canvas rather than a rectangle? I think it’s “Dare to be Square.”
But even though we are daring enough to paint square — we have to be very aware of the composition, make it compelling enough to allow for the square.

All the shapes in the composition must be harmonious. Use vertical lines to suggest formality and dignity. Horizontal lines are restful, relaxed, and casual. The diagonal line creates a sense of drama, and the curved lines add interest and relief.

But still, despite the daring square canvas and the harmonious composition — without even trying — there will still be a “pleasing” rectangle somewhere in the square painting — the square just seems to need it.

Judy Grupp

http://judygruppstudio.blogspot.com/

Hip To Be Square

Hi - this is Judy Grupp - I don't want to date my self - but I just love the name of our exhibit!! Watch this video and you'll understant:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_byVtHrGEM

Greetings!
We're really starting to create some excitement for the Hip to be Square Exhibition! The postcards are on the way and we can't wait for everyone to get a look at them. We had the whole crew at Framers' collaborate on them. We're getting the word out to all of our customers, family and friends.

We've also been busy brainstorming ideas on food and such for the opening reception. We're expecting a good crowd and want everyone to have a great night!

Thanks to the artists who have taken the time to give us a preview of their art and selves. We can't wait to see more. Again, feel free to contact us if you need help getting your work, bio or opinions on the blog.

Thanks, The Framers' Workshop Crew

Hollie Chantiles

Calling Hollie Chantiles a painter is like calling "No Regrets" by Aesop Rock a
Hip-hop song, but unless you're familiar with Aesop Rock that analogy won't make
any sense. So what is a painter? Is putting a brush to wood painting? Does
formal training define a painter? When we consider those two criteria she is
only half a painter. Hollie formally studied illustration, drawing and
anthropology (among other things) at Maryland Institute, College of Art; but
never studied painting. Training has little to do with Hollies passion; after
graduation, while having difficulty finding her niche, she picked up the acrylic
paints her mother had around the house and fell in love.

Hollie is more than a painter and to her painting is much more than putting
brush to wood. For Hollie art, in all its manifestations, is about finding the
majestic in the simplistic. It's about finding and embracing the beauty of a
teacup, the petals of a spring iris or the wings of a honeybee and turning it
into something the rest of us can understand. Hollie sees the exceptional in the
everyday and through her art, her galleries and her community endeavors
constantly strives to share her unique perspective with you.

Perhaps Hollies fascination with, and the joy she finds in the natural and
manmade world around her is best explained by one of her most treasured quotes
from Edna St. Vincent Millay in an unfinished poem.

"As sharp as in my childhood, still Ecstasy shocks me fixed."

Timothy Renner

Alison Renner

Christie Gulden-Swengel

Beverly Munchel-Kievit

I'm a painter who really loves to draw. Or maybe I'm a drawer who sometimes uses paint. Or maybe a channel who connects through a paintbrush and pencil. Who Knows. What I do know is I'm in process. My recent focus is creating automatic-intuitve paintings. I generally start with automatic drawing and then obliterate some of the drawing and then react with more automatic drawing. Trust-React-trust-react. I'm more about the process than anything else. At this point most of my work is non-objective.
This painting is titled : Process