Village Frame Shoppe

Do not miss out!

Fred Swan – in-store book signing

This Saturday – December 2nd, 2023
11:00 am to 1:00 pm

We have books, calendars, framed canvas and paper prints, and original works here in the Gallery.

We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Freedom From Want

Thankfulness radiates from Norman Rockwell’s iconic holiday scene in which three generations gather around the dining table. The gleaming bird, presented by the family matriarch, is the crowning glory of this feast, accompanied by a covered casserole dish, a plate of celery, cranberry sauce, and a bowl of fruit. Despite this appetizing spread, the people seated at the table do not gaze hungrily at the fare before them; instead, they appear to marvel at one another, rejoicing in the love and togetherness that fill the room.

Published in 1943, it is lauded for its technical mastery of white-on-white painting—white plates on a white tablecloth. The illuminated A-frame of smiling faces encapsulates virtue and familial love; yet, in real life, the individuals depicted were not biologically related. Rockwell instead formed the group from family, friends, and neighbors—including the Rockwells’ cook, Mrs. Thaddeus Wheaton, shown serving the turkey.

1. Freedom From Want
2. Freedom of Speech
3. Freedom of Worship
4. Freedom from Fear
Bonus: Golden Rule (1961)

Behind the Four Freedoms

The paintings were inspired by the 1941 State of the Union address by President Roosevelt where he outlined these four democratic values that he considered essential to preserve.

He first pitched his Four Freedoms idea to the War Department, but the unit was unable to commit financially. He then traveled to Washington, DC, and proposed the series to the Office of War Information only to be told, “The last war, you illustrators did the posters. This war, we’re going to use fine arts men, real artists.”

Feeling defeated, Rockwell headed home to Arlington, Vermont, making a stop in Philadelphia to meet his Saturday Evening Post editor, Ben Hibbs. Hibbs enthusiastically embraced the concept. “Drop everything else,” Hibbs said. “Just do the Four Freedoms.” Rockwell was given eight weeks to finish the series; seven months later, they were complete. Each ran as a full-page interior illustration adjacent to an accompanying essay, authored by writers who expounded upon the images Rockwell had created

Source:
https://shorturl.at/ksxMP

It's getting colder out there, but we have a new shipment of wonderfully warm mittens to counteract the winter chill. These are locally crafted from repurposed wool and lined with cozy polar fleece. Great for yourself or as gifts for others.

It's his birthday this week, so we've decided to feature the work of Eric Tobin!

Eric Tobin is a seventh-generation Vermonter and has been interested in painting and drawing since childhood. He was influenced and taught by some very well-respected artists from a previous generation, such as Thomas Curtin, Rhett Sturman, Charles Movalli, and Fred Hines. His plein-air paintings capture the beauty, light, and moments of the New England landscape with his impressionist style with a special love for his native Vermont, and it can be seen in each of his works.

"I strive to paint the feeling of a place and particularly like painting in the winter, spring, and fall," he says.

Eric's career as an award-winning, highly-regarded, and heavily-collected landscape painter makes him a Vermont treasure.

Come into the Village Frame Shoppe & Gallery and see Eric's original paintings in person. These photos do not capture the intricate color and brushwork.

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We are pleased to bring you this Vermont Artist's Historical Profile:

Aldro Thompson Hibbard
1886–1972

Aldro Thompson Hibbard was an American plein-air painter best known for his winter landscapes. He studied under Joseph Decamp at the Massachusetts Normal Art School and under Edmund Tarbell at the Boston Museum School. Hibbard viewed nature as a subject for lifelong analysis and observation. Painting in Vermont and Rockport, Massachusetts, Hibbard became famous for his snowy scenes of mountains, rural towns, streams, and waterscapes. He was most associated with the Boston School, whose artists integrated the vivid brushstrokes of Impressionism with the principles of traditional verisimilitude. His work has been shown at the Venice Biennale and is in museum collections including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Portland Museum of Art, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

1. In Vermont
2. Near South Londonderry, Winhall
3. Sawmill At Winter
4. South Londonderry, Vermont
5. Vermont Farm In Winter
6. Vermont River Valley in Winter
7. Winter, Mt. Mansfield and West River Valley

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Here's a lovely profile of Frame Shoppe favorite Fred Swan in Seven Days.

Fred has created many beautiful images over the years and we are proud to display his work here. Come in and take a close-up look for yourself. We have his hot-selling 2024 calendars in stock and also his career retrospective book, "The Art of Fred Swan." It is the perfect holiday gift for any enthusiast.

A New Book Recaps the Long Career of Vermont Painter Fred Swan Barre artist Fred Swan's paintings of the New England countryside often evoke a common reaction: "Oh, I know where that is!" Swan has painted real...

We would like to share this six-part series with you. Frame Shoppe friend Alex Foltz has joined Northwest Access TV for a series of Plein Air painting programs where he shares tips and offers instructions.

Here is Episode 1:
Join host Alex Foltz for an educational outdoor oil painting lesson in beautiful Montgomery, Vermont! Learn the art of Plein-Air painting and enjoy the scenery on this debut of our newest NWA-TV series!

https://youtu.be/u9mQnXHITN8?si=Xj8Kpl9u3NzQ-J70

Alex is a great talent and we are happy to share his methods with you! Tell us what you get out of this series and share your work in the comments below. We will follow up with more episodes over the months to come.

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FOLTZ STUDIO (Episode One) | Montgomery, Vermont Join host Alex Foltz for an educational outdoor oil painting lesson in beautiful Montgomery, Vermont! Learn the art of Plein-Air painting and enjoy the scene...

Please help us welcome Nichole Cunningham and Jennifer Kostuck to St. Albans Community Arts! We strongly support their aim to boost the arts in St. Albans and encourage community engagement.

St. Albans Community Arts refocuses; Kostuck and Cunningham take lead ST. ALBANS CITY — With two new volunteer co-directors on the scene, St. Albans Community Arts is now back up and running.

Would you pay $9.85m for a painting from beloved TV painter Bob Ross? What about if it was his very first on-air painting? Here is an interesting and short story about why they set the price that high.

What are your Bob Ross memories?

Bob Ross’s canvas from the first The Joy of Painting episode hits the market for $9.85m Minneapolis gallery Modern Artifact called the price a “not-for-sale number”, adding that they intend to take the 1983 painting on tour

This week we are pleased to feature the work of Michael Labiak.

Michael began as a student of the fine arts and has been actively painting all of his life. After many years of working as a creative director/art director at various advertising agencies, he now has the time to pursue his love of fine art painting. His works in oil and watercolor are in great demand throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and most recently, in Poland. Michael enjoys traveling to many places to paint including Vermont, Florida and Hawaii. Currently, Michael is working on a series of landsapes depicting Monhegan Island and the surrounding New England area.

Come into the Village Frame Shoppe & Gallery and see Michael's original paintings in person. These photos do not capture the intricate color and brushwork.

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Fall Sale on Select Pottery and Glassware - 25% Off!

We are clearing out inventory to make room for holiday restocking and we have reduced the price of select pottery and glassware to 25% off. ONLY WHILE SUPPLIES LAST! They make great gifts!

The top recommendation from Livingetc.com -
1. GO FOR THE BEST FRAMER YOU CAN FIND AND AFFORD.

It's quick, easy, and cheap to head to Ikea and get a basic frame for your artwork, but trust us when we say taking the time and spending that bit more on a professional framer will take your image to the next level and help it stand the test of time...

https://www.livingetc.com/advice/how-to-choose-a-picture-frame #:~:text=Choose%20a%20frame%20that%20either,more%20elegant%20or%20formal%20pieces.