A visit to Custom Art Framing/Gallery

My two girls are quite comfortable at Gallery9 since I'm always bringing them with me to stop in for various Gallery Director-related reasons. Recently my youngest, Pippa, enjoyed some time with Julie and her dogs.  

Initially I think Pippa was a bit tense. Looks as though Dave was, too. 

This photo cracks me up. You can just see in Pippa's smile that she's still a bit scared. 

They are officially warming up to each other, and all are friends in the end. 

Thanks for reading! 

-kmw

Kim Morin Weineck to teach here on Tuesday nights

I've been added to the teaching roster at Gallery9/Custom Art Framing starting October 19th!

Where? Gallery9 at Custom Art Framing
45 Central Street, Norwood MA 02062
When? Tuesday evenings, 7-9pm
Arrive anytime after 6:30pm to get ready.

You can sign up for one class, a 'onesie' for $30
or sign up for a series of four classes, a 'foursie' for $100.
With a 'foursie' you must take the four classes over five consecutive weeks. This way you get one free absence during your paid four-class session.

All supplies are provided by the student.

The format is 'open studio' with all students working on their own projects within a group setting.
Be as structured or as loose as you'd like. I'd be more than happy to develop a curriculum with you for your sessions in class.

Open Enrollment: Start any time you are ready! How much fun is that?

Class is always running. Check the gallery blog for cancellations.

If you're still on the fence, stop in during a class. Check out what's going on. I want you to be comfortable about taking a class with me.

Any questions? Email julie@customartframing.com or call the gallery at 781-762-3300.
Thanks!

Canvases are IN!

We're having an open call art show, Looking Up, in November and the canvases we're providing all artists have arrived!

Should you wish to stop in and enter, please do. We'd be delighted to see you!

Open Call to artists!

Gallery9 at Custom Art Framing in downtown Norwood is seeking artist submissions for their show this November, "Looking Up." For a $10 entry fee, all artists are welcome to contribute an original work created on a gallery-provided 10"x10" canvas.

For more information, please see the gallery website www.gallery9online.com or call 781-762-3300.

Inaugural Critique Group!

What fun we had at the inaugural Critique Group at Gallery9 in Norwood. This past Saturday artists got together at the gallery before opening to give and receive constructive feedback on artwork.

For artists who work alone in their studio space, this critique opportunity can offer a valuable service to get outside perspective. And what a great way to meet new artists! Our next critique is Saturday, April 24th.


Here I am critiquing the work of diane s. scotti. Her starlings painting is part of a series of her recent work, and the exciting comments from critique have me wondering which exciting direction she'll be taking this accomplished piece.

Critique Group at Gallery9 is a comfortable and supportive service welcoming artists of all levels. We meet in the gallery at 8:30am, the last Saturday of the month. Bring up to two paintings for $5. Also bring your coffee and a muffin or whatever else is a delicious, portable breakfast.

Commissioning artwork

I had posted about the paintings I did of a giant fork and spoon in the spirit of the holidays and all the eating on everyone's agenda. How exciting it was for me to receive a commission from a shop customer that she wanted me to paint a fork from her set of flatware.

What a characteristic fork and what fun to paint!

If you have something in mind you'd like painted either for yourself or to give as a supremely thoughtful gift, please come to us. Chances are we'll have someone in our array of talented artists who can meet your specific vision.

Valentine's Day is coming up....


(I took this photo at my house in front of the fireplace right before I packed it in the car and delivered it to the gallery. In person the colors were better because the lighting in my house isn't optimal for photography like this.)

What's going on?

Over a month since the last post and what a busy time it was! Thank you everyone for your support of Custom Art Framing and Gallery9 during the busy holiday season. We truly appreciate your business.Some exciting things are afoot! As with our personal lives, the new year brings along an infusion of renewed focus and energy.

For 2010 the gallery and frame shop will be showing new artists, offering classes and workshops on art and framing, and many other wonderful things.

Please sign up for our e-newsletter where you'll receive updated information and be sure to check the website and this blog for more information.

It's going to be an exciting year!

Handmade Pledge

This little mantra I found online. It's the 'handmade pledge.' And it's the perfect introduction to my topic of the Shop Till You Drop event, a week from today. Julie and I (and Noreen who is making soap!) have been busy working to find and create the best merchandise for the show.

It's very exciting.

More will be posted as we have time to take pictures of the progress, but for now just know that it'll be worth venturing out for fun, wine, and cheese from 6-10pm next Friday, December 4th at the gallery.

Have a great day!

Under the table

I've mentioned before in blog posts that I'm delighted that Julie lets me bring my little three-month-old, Elizabeth, to the gallery. We were both in attendance at Don Weller's Friday show last night.

Elizabeth had a place of honor out of the way of everyone.

Photos from Don Weller's show

What fun we had at the reception for Don Weller, Julie's dad (seen here with our wonderful customer, Gary Greenburg.)A wonderful turnout. Great artwork. Excellent conversations.A lovely time. (Judy Donovan and Bill Hurley smile for the camera. Polo Barrera does, too, but sadly I chopped his face in half! Oh no!)Thank you to all who attended, purchased, and enjoyed. We appreciate your support. :)

Walpole Library fundraiser

Local painters have made donations to the Walpole Library art auction.

Recently this article appeared in the Walpole Times:

WALPOLE - Original art work to be auctioned off at the Friends of the Walpole Library Art Auction to be held on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 7-10 p.m. in the Allen Room of the Walpole Country Club. Shown here are five members of the Foxboro Art Association: Nancy Bacevich, Haydi Hurley, Tony Donovan, and Ann Gorbett all Walpole residents, and Kimberly Weineck formerly of Walpole currently living in North Attleboro. Raffle items and a silent auction of donations from local businesses and area attractions further help to raise funds for the new library. Music provided by the Wildewood Jazz Band. For more information go to walpolelibraryfriends.org.

You may recognize a few names in here from Gallery9 and Custom Art Framing. I'm holding my pastel---framed at Custom Art Framing, of course! There's also Tony Donovan of First Friday, October 2nd in the gallery fame. Gallery9 carries the work of Ann Gorbett and has carried the work of Nancy Bacevich.

It'll be a great event at the Walpole Country Club. Hope you can make it!

Nancy's First Friday post

This post was written by Custom Art Framing's own Nancy MacCallum and appeared on the Boston Handmade blog today.

Custom Art Framing and Gallery 9 is hosting a gallery opening for Don Weller on Friday night October 30th from 6 - 8pm.

I have a copy of this magazine from 1975 framed in my kitchen. Blast from the '70s!

Don is a celebrated illustrator, art director, graphic designer and cowboy. He spent years as an art teacher for Colleges and Universities in California, Arizona, Utah, Texas, and Washington State. Over the years, he has done covers for TV Guide, Time Magazine, posters for the Hollywood Bowl, the 1984 LA Olympics, and the NFL to name a few.

Currently he raises Cutting Horses in his ranch high up in the mountains in Oakley, Utah, while continuing to produce amazing artwork. His style has changed over the years, but there is always something familiar in his artwork that tells you it is his.

Don recently published his newest book of western inspired watercolors titled Watercolor Cowboys .

I am very close to this artist, he is my father.

If you are around the Norwood area on Friday, October 30th, please stop by and have a glass of wine with us.

Faces at the gallery

Since late August, Noreen has joined us at Custom Art Framing and Gallery9, and we're delighted to have her with us.She's a whiz with all things framing---assembly, design, etc. and such fun to talk to.

Noreen has taken some of the pressure off Julie to get everything done, including organize our walls and walls of frame moulding samples.

She joins Julie, me, Nancy and Nell (who joined us at the beginning of the summer.) We laughed that you need a name that begins with "N" to work at the shop.

And so now Julie and I will be known as Nulie and Nim. (I know, not so funny.)

Hope to see you in the gallery soon!

Gallery visitors

Keeping some of the aspects of my life without children has been critical for me and my sanity. On Fridays I've been trying to work at the gallery per usual. I haven't been there as much as I'd like, but the time I do spend there inspires me to get back into my studio.

Julie, the gallery owner, has let me bring Elizabeth with me to work and I'm so pleased that she's an easy infant so this has worked out.
Here is a photo of a gallery visitor, my student, Frank, holding Elizabeth. What a treat it is as a new mom to be have my little girl with me at the gallery. I don't think some of the customers mind, either.

New shop signage

The new shop is coming along and we're excited about the signage.Julie had GIANT frames made for the front of the building. These big frames will showcase reproductions of artwork and inform our customers of events and other things going on at the shop.How flattered I was when Julie asked me for permission to use one of my paintings in a frame! She also selected Edwina Caci, another instructor at the shop, to use one of her images.
Mine is the salt marsh, of course. (I knew you could have guessed that!)

The latest news

Hello curious readers!

I know it's been a long time since I updated our "Frame of Mind" blog with information about Custom Art Framing and Gallery 9 but it's been a frantic time at the shop.

Right when one suspects that never-ending 'to do' list is winding down, new things crop up and changes happen putting things into important perspective.

It was just over a week ago that Dolly, Julie and Nancy's mother (and frequent helper-extraordinaire) suffered a massive stroke. After a week with things in a precarious state, it seems that she is out of the woods but not at all in the clear.

Please keep Dolly, Julie, Nancy (as well as Kathy and Anna, Dolly's other daughters) in your thoughts and prayers.

And of course look for more information about everything going on in the near future. I promise to post more regular updates.

Thanks for checking in!

Picture lights

Did you know we sell picture lights?

What a difference they make in a room!!

Here is a photo of a newly-installed picture light in my living room over a painting by Susan Kelley.

What a difference it makes to both the painting and the room.

Why not take a look around your home and see if there may be a perfect spot for a picture light of your own. They are affordable and a perfect accent to any decor.

Show reception:: Friday, April 24th from 5-7pm

Being Green's show reception is tomorrow, Friday, April 24th from 5-7pm.

We'd love for you to come and look at the submissions from local artists. A generous portion of all show sales will go to the Massachusetts Audubon Visual Arts Center in Canton. What a great cause in celebration of all things GREEN and Earth Day.

Also, please keep checking in for more details about the BIG MOVE to the new location. We're aiming for May 18th. Lots of good things are happening. We're looking forward to showing you all the wonderful new spot!

As for Grand Openings in the new shop, we're not sure when that will be but we'll surely have a big shindig at some point. Right now our focus is on getting opened.

Thanks and hope to see you soon!

Accepted artwork for "Being Green" juried show

Finally! Here is the list of those accepted to the "Being Green" art show. I sincerely apologize for the delay in posting this as I know many of you are curious and rightly so.

Friday and all day Saturday I had a nasty bout of a stomach bug---and you can imagine what that is like for someone 6 months pregnant with a nearly two year old running around. Thank goodness it was a weekend and my husband was around for a bunch of the day to help.

But now, on to the list!

1. Ann-Marie Arcand, "Get Growing" digital poster design, $115 (in the window)
2. Camille Weller, "Angular" photograph, $45
3. Ann Gorbett, "Being Green" oil, $180
4. Julie Vecchio, "Untitled" pastel, $58
5. Kathy Weller, "Polka Dalmatians" acrylic, $75
6. Kerry Hawkins, "Being Green" photograph, $25
7. Krystal Grow, "Boro Grand Banyan Tree" photograph, $50
8. Jennifer O'Neil, "Dreamed Field" watercolor, $95
9. Steve Zafarana, "The Decision" colored pencil, $50
10. Tony Donovan, "Sunset, Red Rocks" oil, $175
11. Lisa Walker, "Be Green" place setting, ceramic, $75
12. Cynthia Rudolph, "Gift From the Sea" collage bottle, $80
13. Edwina Caci, "Ophelia" oil, $450
14. Jed Hickson, "Immortalizing the Eschaton" silver gelatin print, $500
15. Sue Zafarana, "Green, but Red Hot" acrylic, $55
16. Kim Morin Weineck, "Spring Marsh" oil, $65
17. Jim Carey, "Green Like Me" photograph, $95
18. Steve Barylick, "Offer" acrylic, $500

A heart-felt thank you to everyone who entered. We appreciate your support of Gallery 9 and look forward to the show opening reception on Friday, April 24th from 5-7pm.

Juried art list on Friday

We've had wonderful contributions for our Being Green open call juried art show. Thank you to everyone who has submitted.

The posted list of accepted artists will be here, on our blog, this Friday. The delay you're experiencing is because a member of our jury had a conflict.

Please look for the list at that time.

Thanks again!