Arts & Crafts Frames

In a book entitled “Stones of Venice”, art critic John Ruskin complained of the ugliness of industrialization era products. The book formed the keystone of what became known as the Arts and Crafts Movement, [continued] which was largely initiated by designer/craftsman William Morris. The movement evolved in the 1880’s and affected furniture design, architecture, fabric and wallpaper patterns as well as fine art. Its main purpose was to extol the beauty and affordability of hand-made objects. Furniture and picture frames were most often fashioned in stained oak with simple joinery thus maintaining the integrity of the movement.

In this series of oil and pastel paintings it is my goal to depict hand-made objects that have a decidedly southwest flavor. I have also framed these paintings in stained red oak that reflects an overall design characteristic of the Arts and Crafts Movement.