Is it just us, or did 2017 just fly by?!
From new product launches to incredible collabs, this year was a busy one for the Simply Framed team, and we’re so excited for what the next has in store. But before diving into 2018, let’s take a brief stroll down Memory Lane and celebrate some of our favorite framing projects of 2017.
Jean Michel-Basquiat and Ryan McGinley Exhibits at MCA Denver
When the hippest art museum in Denver asks you to design and produce custom frames for original art by two contemporary American masters, you jump at the chance. That’s what we did when we were presented with the opportunity to frame works for Basquiat Before Basquiat and Ryan McGinley: The Kids Were Alright at MCA Denver earlier this year—1700 (!) of McGinleys Polaroids and a never-before-seen series of Basquiat’s photos, to be exact. The exhibits were some of the most successful in the museum’s history, and we were honored to play a role in making the magic happen.
Basquiat’s self portraits, framed in our Simply Framed Black Label collection!
McGinley's 1,700 Polaroids were matted in custom designed Black Label frames that stretched around the entire floor of the museum. They showcased a fascinating cast of characters through a seemingly endless series of raw, straightforward portraits that the artist shot during his youth in New York City.
Block Shop Woodblock Prints
Longtime fans of Block Shop Textiles (including us!) were over the moon when the sister duo behind the global textile company launched a line of Woodblock Paper Prints floated and framed in our Natural and White Gallery Frames. We admire the shop’s mission to make heirloom textiles with high social benefit and low environmental impact, all created via their partnership with a family of printers and dyers in Rajasthan. The result: unique works of art that beautifully adorn your home and help you give back at the same time.
Block Shop Textiles' Woodblock Paper Prints looking gorgeous in our Natural Gallery Frames. Photo by Lily Glass, shared via sfgirlbybay.com.
Simply Framed Metal Frames
In case you haven’t heard, we now offer three new collections of metal frames in the shop! After months of hard work, it was so fun to see our efforts come to fruition and custom frame works by artists we love in Old School, New School and Metal Gallery Frames. And best of all, we’re just getting started! With each new custom framing order requesting metal, we fall in love with the sleek profile, subtle sheen and genius versatility of these beauties all over again.
Wilder California’s California Cactus No. 2 custom framed in our Old School Metal Frame in Matte Rose Gold.
A Very Blue Artist Showcase for Altitude Summit
Altitude Summit (or Alt Summit) is an annual conference where creative entrepreneurs, lifestyle bloggers and social media influencers meet to network and share ideas—and, if you ask us, it’s the place to be each February (Palm Springs weather does not hurt). Our custom frames were lucky enough to join in the fun this year, showcasing original works by a dizzying array of artists who submitted illustrations, photographs and print designs all in the theme of the color blue. To say we were in great company is an understatement.
Artwork by members of the #AltSummit community custom framed by us. Click here for artist credits.
Sally King Benedict Art in our Max Plexibox Frames
2017 was the year plexi brought sexy back. But it had nothing to do with Justin Timberlake and everything to do with the launch of our new Max Plexibox frames in collaboration with Apartment Therapy founder Maxwell Ryan. We’ve loved framing so many interesting pieces in these custom depth Lucite boxes, which allow art (especially of the three-dimensional variety) to shine with minimal distraction. But we must admit, Sally King Benedict’s colorful abstract faces are among our favorites. The vibrant hues and playful shapes create a perfect counterpoint to the frames’ chic simplicity.
Original art by Sally King Benedict in Max Plexibox Frame with White Linen.
Joy Cho’s Color Factory Postcards
If you spend much time on Instagram, you likely know all about Color Factory, the Insta-inspired pop-up experience that lured crowds of snap happy fans to a San Francisco warehouse this year. While we sadly didn’t make it to the art-filled exhibit, we were thrilled that our frames did, showcasing a set of Color Factory postcards for Joy Cho of Oh Joy! We love the way the rainbow of souvenirs looks in our Max Plexibox Frame, and we’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the exhibit’s return (fingers crossed!).
Joy Cho’s Color Factory postcards custom framed in Max Plexibox with White Linen. Art by Erin Jang of The Indigo Bunting and photo by Lily Glass.
Karina Bania’s Art for Lexi Mainland’s Living Room
In our opinion, everything Joanna Goddard touches turns to gold—and this living room makeover for Cup of Jo author Lexi Mainland is no exception. With the help of Amy Row of Homepolish, the Brooklyn space was beautifully transformed this year. Highlights of the newly appointed interior include a fresh, bright color palette; elegant mid century-inspired furniture; and a pair of original paintings by California artist Karina Bania custom framed in our Natural Canvas Float Frames (coming to SimplyFramed.com in 2018!). We love Karina’s bold, abstract works and think they give this welcoming room a beautiful focal point.
Original art by Karina Bania custom framed by us. Photo via Cup of Jo.
Simply Framed x Maisonette
Partnering with Maisonette to celebrate Art Week was definitely a highlight of 2017. Not only did we get to ooh and aah over the online shop’s expertly curated mix of children’s clothing, accessories and furnishings, but we also got to introduce a handful of our incredible Simply Framed Pro Partners to a new audience. Custom framed, kid-friendly artwork by Daylight Dreams Editions, Randal Ford, Kate Holstein, Max Wanger, Geoff Reinhard and CDR are still available in our co-curated boutique. If you have a young aspiring art lover in your life, we strongly recommend snatching one up, pronto.
Peace Sign by CDR in our Natural Gallery Frame.
Ice Cream by Max Wanger in our Neon Pink Plexibox Frame (available in our shop 2018!).
For All Womankind
As a female-owned business, we wholeheartedly support the mission behind “Fempowerment” design initiative For All Womankind. The company actively raises money for not-for-profit organizations working to advance women’s rights and equality—and makes really cute art along the way. To show our admiration, we partnered with the company earlier this year to custom frame one of their iconic posters, which they gave away to a lucky Instagram follower.
Girl power never looked so good. Art by For All Womankind, White Gallery Frame by us.
Kristin Texeira’s “Memory Maps” for Uprise Art at Art on Paper
Starting with personal writing before focusing on color and form, Kristin Texeira’s pieces are more than paintings. She calls them “memory maps” for their ability to creatively capture, document and preserve memories in the form of gorgeous, colorful collages. We had the honor of framing some this year for Uprise Art’s booth at Art on Paper, an annual event that showcases the works of contemporary art galleries. While we custom frame pieces by Uprise Art’s burgeoning artists all the time, this project gave us the chance to see an entire collection come to life in person. It was an unforgettable experience.
Art by Kristin Texeira custom framed by us for Uprise Art at Art on Paper Spring 2017.
Happy New Year, everyone! We wish you all a wonderful end to 2017, and hope 2018 brings you everything you wish for—including more beautiful art in beautiful frames.
