If you’ve ever visited our gallery, you may have admired one of Serena’s paintings without giving much thought to the frame surrounding it. That’s exactly as it should be.
A good frame shouldn’t shout louder than the artwork. Instead, it quietly does its job, complementing the painting and allowing it to shine.
People are often surprised to learn that framing isn’t simply a case of picking a colour that looks nice. It’s actually one of the final artistic decisions in the life of every painting.
Once Serena has finished a piece, the oils need time to dry before we can frame it. At the moment, the studio shelves are lined with paintings patiently waiting for that moment—bright florals, peaceful landscapes, little treasures destined for Art in the Pen next week. It’s always a slightly nerve-wracking sight, especially when the exhibition is getting closer and the drying time can’t be hurried along!
What happens next is very much a team effort.
Serena chooses the frame colour. As the artist, she instinctively knows what will best complement each painting. Sometimes a black tray frame gives a contemporary piece the strength it needs. Other paintings come alive in a soft oak finish, while others suit a crisp white that keeps everything feeling fresh and light. There isn’t a formula—every painting tells us something different.
Once the decision has been made, it’s over to me.
I fit each painting into its tray frame, carefully positioning it within the shadow gap that creates the floating effect we love so much. The back is neatly sealed with framing tape, the correct hanging hardware is fitted, and finally it gets one last inspection before it’s ready to meet its new audience.
It’s a process that most visitors never see, but one that we genuinely enjoy. There’s something rather satisfying about watching a finished painting settle into the frame that was clearly meant for it. Somehow, it suddenly feels complete.
As I write this, our shelves are looking rather colourful. Every painting is drying, every frame is waiting, and the countdown to Art in the Pen is well and truly on. There will no doubt be a few late evenings in the workshop over the coming days, but that’s all part of preparing for one of our favourite events of the year.
When you visit our stand in Skipton, you’ll see the finished paintings hanging proudly on the walls. What you won’t see are the days spent waiting for paint to dry, the conversations over which frame colour is just right, or the careful finishing touches that happen behind the scenes.
But perhaps that’s the point.
When everything comes together perfectly, all you notice is the painting.
