Making Frames

Nearly 2 weeks ago, I started making some frames, and I finished them up about a week ago. (One of them is for a piece in upcoming exhibition in CO at "The Center for Fine Art Photography.") Here's some photos from the process.

Sorry everyone else shopping at Menards, but I picked over their poplar stock PRETTY well.


At the Hamline University woodshop.


From my Instagram: "Playing in the woodshop. Making some frames for an upcoming exhibition."


After a pass through the table saw.


Safety selfie.


After 2 passes through the table saw.


Final frame (and mat) dimensions for the piece for the CO exhibition.


The large frame and 1 of the small frames mitered, assembled, and puttied (just the nail holes).


Another Instagrammed photo: "A 32"x41" frame for an upcoming show in CO,
and three 22"x28" frames. Puttied, sanded, and ready to be finished!"


Some tight joints.




Hanging out in my office for the weekend.

After they spent a few days in my office, I hauled them home, wiped them down, and laid them out for finishing in my garage:

Wiping on a coat of tung oil. The difference is subtle, but I like the way it gently
"warms up" the frames. (Coated on left, not on the right.)


Before / after.


Before / after.


After drying for a day.

Check out my last post for some photos of the large print that will be going in the biggest frame for the exhibition at "The Center for Fine Art Photography."

Upcoming Exhibition in Colorado

I recently got a piece into an exhibition called "NIGHT" at The Center for Fine Art Photography in Fort Collins, CO. I decided to make a larger print for the show. I submitted a file last Monday night to White House Custom Color, and about 40 hours later, this appeared on my front porch:

The 30" x 40" print laid out in my studio. Note the letter-sized test prints to the far right.


A detail photo (dollar bill for scale).

The print held up well at that size (although that's about all the bigger I'd be comfortable making it). I made some frames last week, and just finished them yesterday. More on that soon.

Mapplethorpe and Verburg on 'Perfection'

I recently came across this Robert Mapplethorpe quote:

I am obsessed with beauty. I want everything to be perfect, and of course it isn't. And that's a tough place to be because you're never satisfied.

That reminded me of something that I recently heard on an episode of "Minnesota Original" on PBS about local photographer Joann Verburg:


Direct link: https://youtu.be/SnnY3WdT_YQ

Here's a quote that starts around the 5:15 mark where Verberg talks about photographing a city in Italy:

There's a way in which in Italy I feel like I will never understand how to do it correctly, and that's very freeing. As an artist, if I think I can do it correctly, that's in my way. Whereas in Italy, I know everything I'm doing is incorrect - the way I speak Italian is dreadful - so I can be incorrect and not worry about it. What is means as an artist is that there's no right way, and I can just keep trying different things. And that's what I need to be able to do.

Those quotes aren't really related. It was just interesting to me to come across Mapplethorpe talking about how he's never satisfied because nothing is perfect, only to remember hearing Verburg a few days before saying how doing things incorrectly or imperfectly is freeing.

Current Exhibition at the Soeffker Gallery

I made it into the Soeffker Gallery yesterday to photograph the Faculty Exhibition. Here are a few photos:

[click any image to enlarge]

Dave's interactive piece outside the gallery doors.


Allison's installations.


More of Allison's work.


Josh's piece had some subtle movement that required you to be present to enjoy.


Andrew's paintings.


John-Mark's prints.


My photographs.

Here are 2 snapshots from the opening reception if you missed it.

And here are some recent related links: making prints for the show, matting and framing work in my studio, and the postcard for the exhibition.

Stop by until March 28th if you want to see the exhibition! 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. M-F.

Photography T-Shirt (For Lovers)

Are you and your significant other really into photographer? Then consider getting a set of t-shirts from Plushtography:

Opening Reception Last Night

Last night was the Opening Reception for the 5-person show at the Soeffker Gallery at Hamline University. I didn't take many photos, but here are 2 from near the beginning of the opening:

My parents surprised me by driving up (2 hours 1-way) to be at the opening, and they brought my Grandma as well. Thanks to all my friends, family, neighbors, and students who showed up!

I'll photograph the show in the upcoming weeks and post those photos here. Check back soon.

Final Exhibition Prep

I just posted this on Instagram:

Caption: "The opening for this exhibition is Thursday evening! 6-8. Stop on by!"

(Oh, and then I noted that yes, that dead plant is supposed to be there - it's part of an installation.)

Here are some related links:

- The Facebook Event page for the opening
- Making prints for the show
- Matting and framing work in my studio
- And the postcard for the exhibition

Hope to see you on Thursday!