Category: Art

June 25, 2019

Colorful Art for Sale by Dean Russo

You may, or may not, have heard of Dean Russo. But whether you are a fan, or soon to be fan, our upcoming print-on-demand website will give you access to print over 300 images from this motivated artist! Growing up in Brooklyn, New York, Russo found that he was extremely inspired by the urban landscape; deserted buildings and walls re-imaged by lively murals and graffiti. He decided to take that style, and create pop art prints about animals, and what is truly happening behind just their face. Using all sorts of mediums, Russo paints different animals with bold, black outlines, and then bright colors and patterns. Doing this, he is able to portray the pureness and joy that comes with these beautiful creatures.

Russo also has other prints that are not related to only animals. Using his same eye-catching style, he creates prints about a lot of different topics. With the launch of Art & Canvas, you will have the opportunity to search through a ton of Dean Russo’s vivid and colorful art prints, to find the perfect one(s) for you!

If you are interested in purchasing a Dean Russo print today, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-666-7654 or e-mail us at [email protected].

You can also view some of our full size Dean Russo posters at www.posterservice.com

Dean Russo – Elephant Turtle by Dean Russo Einstein by Dean Russo

PSA010985 PSA011145 PSA010995

June 18, 2019

Open Back Frame DIY Projects

In case you weren’t aware, we sell picture frames of all varieties. One of those varieties happens to be picture frame shells, sometimes called open back frames. Almost all of our series are available as shells, which essentially means all you’re getting is just the frame, no glass and no backing. There are a number of reasons why you would order just a shell, in this blog post you will find 5 different magical projects that you can complete with our open back frames.

Wild Flower Holder

It’s obvious that you can use our frames to frame artwork or family photographs but why stop at traditional? Use our frame shells as a way to make wild flowers pop against your living room wall. Featured in this picture is our Farmhouse Barnwood in Charcoal. The wild flowers in this picture are tied around the frame but you can also just mount the vases on your wall and then use our handy sawtooth hanger to hang the frames around them. Our recommendation is to purchase a frame about 5 inches wider than the vases you have to make them really stand out.

Light Fixture Boarder

It seems like not only is June the month for weddings, its also the month for new construction. If you are building a new home or even renovating a kitchen, don’t use just plain old wood, fill it with our reclaimed barnwood picture frame as a way to set your lighting fixture off.

Photo Collage Board

You might have recognized this next piece on our DIY Picture Framing page on our website.

This particular project uses not one but two of our products. We took one of our wire hanging kits along with a shell and made a DIY photo board. This versatile DIY project can be used as a creative way to finally display the thousands of pictures you’ve taken of your baby or pet or as a central message board in an entry way.

This particular frame that we used is our Timber series in White. We spray painted a pair of clothes pins black to add a contrast against the bright white frame. Even the most beginner DIY-er will be able to accomplish this.

Arts & Crafts Nature Scene

If you’re familiar with our products you might be aware that we have a few unfinished frames. While these are a great choice to have on hand for a

rainy-day activity with your kids, if you’re looking for a less hands on approach, purchase any of our frames as a shell and dollar store toys or even found objects around your yard and DIY a nature scene. This particular frame is our Appalachian Barnwood.

Wine Cork Message Board

Calling all wine lovers! This fifth and final project is perfect for you. Instead of tossing out those corks, repurpose them as a message board in your kitchen. Purchase a square picture frame shell such as this Corporate Black and go to down hot gluing corks. You’ll never forget to buy that needed agreement with this handy project on your island.

These are just a few projects using picture frame shells. If you’re interested in more check out our Creative Use of Frames or our DIY Inspiration Pinterest boards. Have some examples of our you’ve used our shells or picture frames in an unconventional way? Post them in a comment or send them to us on Facebook

January 8, 2019

Top Home Decor Trends for 2019

Trends change year after year, and with 2019 just beginning that means new home decor trends! Picture frames are a big part of many homes, but decorating the rooms around them are just as important. Keep your home up to date with these top trending styles for the new year.

Natural Decor

Home Decor Trends 2019 — Photo by Geneva Vanderzeil

Living in the 21st century means always being surrounded by technology. We’re excited to get a little break from this as bringing natural elements into the home is becoming a hot trend. House plants are growing ever more popular for their aesthetic and natural air purifying qualities. Plants are bringing us back to nature, but the internet is giving us access to unique containers, plants, and information!

Another way to incorporate natural decor into your home is adding furniture or objects made from natural materials. Wood frames are an option, along with wooden chairs, tables, or shelves. Stone or granite tables, counters, or walls are another way to add natural elements into your home. Floral wallpaper, fabric, and artwork coming back into style as well.

Boho Decor

Boho clothing and the general style has been trendy for a while. However boho interior design is just recently making a comeback in 2019. Bringing bright colors, patterns, and whimsical pieces into your home sets up a unique design. You can achieve this look by layering, using soft lines and curves, and combining both vintage and modern decor. Personally, I’m excited to see a more colorful trend after a year of rustic everything. Check out our Pop Art and Colori frames for colorful inspiration!

Canopy Beds

Canopy beds haven’t been in style for decades. However in 2019 we’re seeing a huge increase in their trendiness. They allow for hanging and decorating around for sleeping area. This makes ultimate comfort and style at the same time. Modern canopy beds are slimmer and take up less space than in the past, allowing them to fit in apartments or smaller rooms.

Jewel Toned Decor

Jewel Tone Home Decor — Photo by homestilo

Deep jewel toned colors are in style in 2019. Greens especially are trendy, matching the natural decor vibes. These rich colors are thought provoking and mystifying. Green in particular hasn’t been particularly stylish for almost a century! However today’s eco-friendly movement has brought it back into our minds and into our homes.

If you’re looking for more eco-friendly decor, check out our eco-friendly wood frames.

January 8, 2019

Photography and Folk Art on Etsy

Frame USA wants to encourage everyone to shop small this holiday season! We’re featuring Etsy shops to help support small businesses. This list features shops selling photography and folk art.

Photography

Ice-Bell Photography

Ice-Bell Photography sells photography prints. Images in her store are landscape and wildlife from around Missouri and Arkansas. Support an artist by shopping small this holiday season!

Visit her shop here: www.etsy.com/shop/IceBellPhotography

Images by Mary Anne

Images by Mary Anne is an amateur, self-taught photographer from NJ and who sells photos from home as well as her travels. She also takes local, custom requests.

Visit her shop here to support small businesses https://www.etsy.com/shop/ImagesByMaryAnne

Lake Tahoe Photo

LakeTahoePhoto sells calendars, greeting cards, and art prints of photographs from Lake Tahoe.

Visit their shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/laketahoephoto

Folk Art

KRAM Gifts&Crafts

KRAM – gifts&crafts shop creates Polish handicraft made in the USA. They make reverse glass paintings and frame them with Frame USA frames!

Visit their shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KRAMgiftsANDcrafts

Sharon Boody-Dean

Sharon Boody-Dean creates original and unique one-of-a-kind nature art on Birch bark framed in Frame USA rustic frames, along with Birch jewelry.

Visit her shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/sharonboody

Willowbrook Creations

Willowbrook Creations shop creates quilled art pieces. Quilling dates back to the thirteenth century and utilizes small strips of paper in order to create art. These would make lovely home decor, and their framed pieces use Frame USA frames!

Visit their shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillowbrookCreations

January 8, 2019

Fine Art and Art Prints on Etsy

Frame USA is featuring Etsy shops this holiday season to support small businesses! Shopping small is super important to us as an all American company. If you’re looking for art or to support an artist, here is a list of Etsy shops selling artwork.

Art Prints / Original Art

Strawberry Luna

I am a silkscreen print-maker, and my husband & I are self-taught illustrators who design all of the prints in our shop. We love using Frame USA. Not just for the high quality of the materials used, but also because the frames and components are made in the US. As American makers and artists who use USA made and manufactured paper and inks for our screen prints, that is really important to us.

Visit their shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/strawberryluna

Blue Otter Art

Blue Otter Art presents the watercolors of the deep wilderness, painted on location in the mountains and on the rivers from Alaska to Arizona, Hawaii to the Grand Canyon, and internationally from Canada to New Zealand, Europe, Mexico and the countries of Africa. The artist is Kim Solga, whose paintings capture a moment in the timeless flow of river water, glacier ice, the slow growth of pine, the bloom of wildflower. “I paint on location, perched on a boulder beside whitewater rapids. I sketch from a bed of pine needles beneath a spruce, surrounded by snowbanks, a raven watching from a branch overhead. I climb high onto the mountain, above treeline, into the silent song of bare rocks in late summer.”
Whether framing for a gallery show or for sales on the Blue Otter Art Etsy shop, Kim uses the excellent ash wood frames from FrameUSA.

Visit Blue Otter Art here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BlueOtterArt

Gina Barry Artist

Gina Barry strives to live life by concept of Wabi Sabi – finding beauty in imperfection. Her art is made with acrylic paint pulled across the page with a card, then finding trees in the paint and adding them in ink.

Visit Gina’s Etsy shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GinaBarryArtist

Linda Blondheim Art

I’ve been painting since I was eight years old and have been a professional painter for forty years. I have degrees in Fine Art. The focus of my work is on rural, agricultural land and trees, as well as nature. I love to paint flowers, gardens, trees, fields, rivers and marshes.
See my paintings of trees and farms at my Gainesville studio, inside Paddiwhack 1510 NW 13th Street.

Visit Linda Blondheim Art’s shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LindaBlondheimArt

WiseTails

WiseTails makes art in honor of animals. They love the truth, grace, and beauty of all animals and aspire to capture these qualities in my work. They offer instant downloadable prints, printed and shipped prints and cards, and canvas prints, along with original art!

Visit WiseTails here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WiseTails

Real Art is Better

Real Art Is Better creates and sells colorful art prints and original paintings of beer, Alaskan scenery, and more. They frame their images with Frame USA products!

Visit their shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/RealArtIsBetter

Sirens Song Art

I decorate Frame USA unfinished custom frames with seashells both vintage and new, and I use antique, vintage or new artwork in the frames. I really appreciate that your company does custom sizes and I have used them to frame many antique prints from my husband’s online antique print store (Stonegate Antique Prints) as well.

Visit Sirens Song Art here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SirensSongArt

Ozmists

Ozmists Etsy shop sells prints of colorful and whimsical illustrations. They create artwork inspired by magic, tarot cards, and fantasy art. Along with fine art prints, Ozmists sells vinyl art stickers and sticker packs, ceramic mugs, phone cases, and more.

Visit their shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ozmists

Explorers Camp

The Explorers Camp Etsy shop offers unique artworks inspired by adventure and exploration. Their designs capture the spirit of some of the most beautiful natural places and the adventure of seeking them out.

Visit their shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheExplorersCamp

HeritageWorkshopCo

My Etsy store, HeritageWorkshopCo, contains original art, mostly on reclaimed wood, reflecting an appreciation for home and family. I also offer original canvas paintings and prints. If you are looking for something completely original, come browse here! Shop Owner: Pam Britton, a published artist with Penny Lane Publishing, Inc.

Visit HeritageWorkshopCo here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/HeritageWorkshopCo

Dawna Boehmer

My shop contains prints of several illustrations I’ve done of Cincinnati and Dayton. There are also whimsical prints of The ABC’s of Cincinnati, Chicago, Richmond, Va., Roanoke, Va., and Washington, D.C. For avid readers there is “So Many Books So Little Time.” All the prints are very colorful and humorous.

Visit Dawna Boehmer’s shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/DawnaBoehmer

December 10, 2018

Home Decor and Apparel on Etsy

Frame USA is supporting small businesses by featuring Etsy shops throughout the holiday season. As an all-American company, we believe it’s important shop small! If you’re looking for home decor or apparel for your loved ones or yourself, check out this list of shops.

Apparel

Scrappin’ Twins

We offer t-shirts and mugs for twins and their families. All our designs are created by a twin mom for other twin families! This is the perfect gift for the twins/triplets, families of twins/triplets, or those expecting twins/triplets in your life.

Visit their shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ScrappinTwinsShop

Corporate Arts

Corporate is a home based studio in Pennsylvania. Our primary product is Auto Art using digital imaging techniques We market Car Show Boards, Canvas Art and T-Shirts. Shop owner Barry Cleveland holds numerous graphic and photo awards in U.S. and worldwide competition. His artwork has appeared in national publications and numerous galleries and shows.

Visit Corporate Arts here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/corporatearts

Home Decor

Treasured Maps

Treasured Maps are framed magnet maps of the USA that teach geography while stressing the importance of personal connections with friends, family, and special places of interest. Each map comes with printer labels and 18 magnets that you can use to customize with your own images of family members, favorite vacations, and other memorable moments.

Visit their shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TreasuredMaps

Creative Glass by Becky

Sitting around our country kitchen table, I learned to do crafts as a young girl with my Mom and my sister. My Mom always had great ideas and it gave us quality time together. I LOVE creating things! Not everyone is “crafty”, so being able to create things for others to enjoy makes me happy and I feel blessed. Working with glass in all shapes and sizes has really let my creative side come out to play. If you love colorful home decor, come check out my shop.

Visit Creative Glass by Becky here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CreativeGlassByBecky

Debbie’s Music Boxes

Debbie’s Music Boxes and Etched Glass has been making unique music boxes and other artwork on Etsy since 2008. Support small businesses and artists and visit their shop at www.etsy.com/shop/Musicbox4u

Autumn Drift Flies

I am Dave P. Fisher, a professional fly tier, specializing in trout, steelhead, and salmon fishing flies. In recent years I have added Fly Art Works to my line of fishing flies. The art works are framed, and feature vintage post cards, (some over 100 years old), or conservation, state, or international stamps depicting trout or salmon. With these are added flies specifically tied for the piece. I tie each fly individually, I never use mass-produced flies. The pieces are created by me start to finish. I also create small individual framed pieces with a single fly mounted in the frame to be displayed on desks of shelves.

Visit Autumn Drift Flies shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AutumnDriftFlies

Fanatic Frames

Fanatic Frames uses new and vintage sports pennants, street signs, and other memorabilia, combined with your favorite players or teams sports cards to make a collectible for any fan. Each piece is designed, cut, and assembled by hand, and is one of a kind!

Visit their shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/fanaticframes

MMB PhotoGraphics

MMB Photographics sells canvas wall art and other home decor. Their work focuses on colorful photos of animals and nature.

Visit their Etsy shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mmbphotographics

Places Interpreted

Places Interpreted sells canvas, fine art, framed, and metal prints of “a memory, an emotion, a personal connection to places we’ve lived, loved, traveled or dreamed of traveling to.”

Visit their Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/placesinterpreted

December 10, 2018

Etsy Shops Offering Custom Products

We’re promoting Etsy shops leading up to the holidays to encourage you to shop small! Etsy is full of handmade items and artwork, and that includes custom orders. At Frame USA we know the importance of and the work it takes to create custom items. If you’re looking for a personalized gift, check out the list below of shops.

Personalized Gifts From Etsy

Brushwork Portraits

Capturing the people and pets you love in colorful pastel and digital paint. Visit BrushworkPortraits Shop on Etsy and request a custom painting or grab a print of your favorite pet! Visit their shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BrushworkPortraits

Knotooshabby

My business is called Knotooshabby, and I make personalized items for homes and weddings. My subtitle/tagline is “For the little things in your big moments” because I primarily focus on making those small detail items that commemorate, or add to, the biggest events in people’s lives. My products celebrate new babies, homes, engagements, and weddings. I sell picture frames, Christmas ornaments, signs, wedding cake toppers, and wedding invitations.

When you land on my shop right now all of my Christmas tree ornaments are featured for the holiday season, but Frame USA is my supply source for my Picture Frame section. I order “Decorate-It” unfinished picture frames and I personalize them by hand. Frame USA picture frames are the only items I order pre-made, all other wood products in my shop I make myself (my husband helps too) using woodworking tools I’ve inherited from my Father and Grandfather.

This Etsy shop is my full-time endeavor, outside of managing our household and taking care of our puppy! I can be found on Instagram and Pinterest under my name @lyssalynea where I share content from this business and coming in 2019 I’ll be adding a second Etsy shop and a blog that will focus on my fine art Paintings and Drawings.

Visit Knotooshabby’s shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Knotooshabbystudio

PreservebyPalazzi

PreservebyPalazzi creates custom made aprons designed to preserve a special memory about someone. Each apron has 2 large pockets. They’re perfect as gifts for memorials, celebrations, holidays, etc.

Visit their shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/PreservebyPalazzi

Larisa Designs

LarisaDesigns on Etsy makes customized name photo letter framed prints. Just tell her the name or word you’d like displayed and she will make you a custom piece. All of her work is proudly made in the USA!

Visit LarisaDesigns here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LarisaDesigns

Rich Hours Art

A Certificate of Marriage is a beautiful memento of your wedding. Each one is hand-painted with genuine 23 kt gold leaf and rich colors on fine art paper and contains the names of the bride and groom, date, verse or vows and a beautiful border design. It can also serve as a guestbook, with spaces for all the guests to sign.
My artwork is inspired by medieval manuscripts, but all the designs are original. If you would like a Certificate based on your own ideas, please let me know and we can work together

Visit Rich Hours Art here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/richhoursart

December 10, 2018

Shop Small on Etsy This Holiday Season!

Frame USA is promoting Etsy shops this holiday season! Small businesses and artists are important to us as a company. We encourage everyone to shop small for holiday gifts this year. Here are the first of our featured shops leading up to the holidays.

Framed Art

AgedPage

Images from AgedPage Photography speak softly to the soul by capturing moments in time, conceived with a nod to the past and a touch of vintage charm. The AgedPage print shop features photographs of country landscapes, still life images and rustic barns.
An Etsy shop since 2011, visit their shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/agedpage

Alphabet Art Photos

At Alphabet Art Photos we love to bring people closer and help them celebrate life’s major milestones through our personalized artwork. Our passion and purpose is to continually create art that brings enjoyment into the home while offering a customer experience that we would want for ourselves.
Have you browsed our store and read the reviews?
Don’t worry if you haven’t cos here’s the news…
Our artwork is designed with you in mind
Each item is personalized, all one-of-a-kind.
So, pick out your letters and choose a font
We’ll take the time to create the look you want.
We’ll send you a proof to look over and consider
A thumbs up from you and we’ll print, pack, and deliver
A personalized gift that is made from the heart
Your name spelled out with our Alphabet Art!

Visit their shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/AlphabetArtPhotos

Burning For You

Burning for You is a collaborative effort between a graphic designer and an artist/architect. We offer you custom handcrafted laser engraved wood and hand dyed leather goods and accessories. We really have a passion for creating! Each piece is made with care; from the conceptual stage all the way to the finishing table. Our hope is that you enjoy our products as much as we enjoy making them.
Visit their shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/BurninForYou

CT Costa Photography

CT Costa Photography has been an Etsy seller since 2011 and continues selling fine art nature photography worldwide. They create inspiring photography of majestic landscapes and serene seascapes, and frame them with Frame USA products! Visit their shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/CTCostaPhotography

Faith Wickey

These adorable glass art pieces would make great gifts while supporting a small business! Faith Wickey creates whimsical fused glass art pieces, then creates shadowboxes using frames from Frame USA. Visit their Etsy shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/FaithWickey

RibbonMade

RibbonMade on Etsy has some great items to gift this holiday season! They hand decorate Frame USA frames for all sorts of occasions, along with offering children’s benches, keepsake boxes, and other decor! Visit their shop here http://www.ribbonmade.etsy.com

October 18, 2018

How to Prepare for an Art Exhibition

As an artist, getting accepted into an art exhibition can be super exciting but also overwhelming. You’ve put the hours into creating your artwork, but now it’s time to make it presentable. The work itself is what got you accepted into the show, but your presentation is what will help you sell.

Arranging Your Work

One of the first things to consider is how much space you have. If you know the dimensions of the wall or room you’ll be displaying in, you can make a mock-up of how you want to arrange your pieces. This way you don’t have to worry about whether or not everything will fit once you’re ready to set up. You can do this by measuring each piece and drawing a to-scale diagram of the space. Or if you want to see how it will really look, you can measure the actual size in your home or studio, arrange your pieces in that space, and take photos to reference when you’re setting up.

Photograph Before Framing

Before getting your art display-ready, you’ll want to make sure you have high quality documentation of each piece. Depending on the kind of work you’re showing, you should photograph or scan it before adding a frame with glass or any other distracting display materials. This way, if you sell any pieces during your exhibition you’ll still be able to use it in your portfolio.

Create a Price List and Business Cards

You’ll want visitors of your art exhibition to be able to easily find prices and information about your work. Before your show starts, create a list with each piece’s title, size, media, and price. This list should be displayed somewhere that is accessible to the audience. Depending on how big the show is, you might want to print multiple copies and set them in different places.

Business cards are also important to display at your show. This way if someone is interested in your work and wants to get in touch in the future, they’ll know how to contact you. People might walk into the exhibition on a whim without the funds to purchase something. However, if they have your business card it will remind them that they enjoyed your art, and they’ll be able to easily find you.

Frame Your Work and Prepare for Display

If your art is 2-D you’ll want to make sure it’s framed and ready to hang. There are tons of options for picture frames for your work. However, it’s important that the frame doesn’t out shine or distract from your art. Keep it simple so that no one is paying more attention to the frame than your art. Black or white frames are usually a safe bet. Depending on how you choose to use a frame, or if you go without one, you might need additional hardware to be able to easily hang your work.

Be Personable!

One of the best ways to make connections is to have genuine conversations with your audience. Let them know that you’re the artist and you’re open to answering questions. If they don’t have questions for you, ask them how they heard about the show or what made them stop by. If someone seems interested in your work at all, let them know you have business cards. Being likable in general will make people more engaged with your art.

September 6, 2018

Tips to Overcome Creative Block

How to Get Rid of Creative Block

Creative block happens to every artist no matter how professional they are. We all go through times where the inspiration isn’t there. It can be super discouraging to be a creative person with no ideas of what to make. As an artist, I’ve had plenty of ups and downs. There are times when my imagination goes so wild that I can’t get it all out, and other times when I can’t come up with an idea for anything. Here are some ideas of how to get past the slump of artist block and get back to being creative.

Pinterest is full of inspiring photographs, art, tutorials, videos, etc. When I’m struggling to find an idea for a project, one of the first things I do is make a Pinterest board with relevant images. It’s an easy way to find and store inspiration for your work. Whether you’re looking for a drawing reference or interior design ideas, it’s a great resource to get the creative juices flowing.

Sketchbooks and Journals

No matter what kind of creative person you are, keeping a journal or sketchbook can really come in handy. During those times that you’re full of ideas, you can jot them down for later. When you’re having trouble coming up with something, just revisit those old notes and sketches for inspiration. I’m a firm believe that you should always have a notebook with you. You never know when a great idea (or even a funny comment or sentence you overheard) is going to strike. You’ll thank yourself later for having written it down.

Mix Up Your Routine

Sometimes doing the same things every day can put you in a rut. If you’re moving through the day repeating tasks on auto-pilot, your brain isn’t working to its full potential. This doesn’t mean you need to switch your whole schedule. Making even small changes like going to a new coffee shop or reading a book on your porch instead of your couch will wake up your mind. Sometimes it only takes going a little ways out of your comfort zone to ignite the spark.

Don’t Wait For Inspiration

Waiting for the inspiration to come to you doesn’t always work. Even if you’re proactively trying to find inspiration, it might not happen for a while. That’s why it’s important to keep working on projects even when you don’t want to. Even the greatest artists can make bad art, and sometimes it’s essential to the process. The process itself can even be more important than the end product. We learn from our mistakes, so don’t be afraid to make them!

And once you’re out of your creative block and back to making great art, don’t forget to proudly display it in a picture frame!