Big Tonic Picture Framing | Bristol

Figure III. A new silverpoint drawing from my series ‘Be Still, My Soul’ This week will mark 12 years since my best friend Henry died, aged 19. I wish I could introduce you to him, his humour and qualities - to describe him and the endless positivity his friendship has brought to my life - but alas my words will inevitably fail to capture the totality. While this has been a very difficult few months, I feel so grateful for my partner of 12.5 years @adam.mccormick1 , for my mother, and for my close friends who have stood beside me with care and constancy x

Hello everyone 👋 it has been a little while. I want to share with you something which is deeply personal and emotionally significant. My young cousin Charlotte died unexpectedly in 2022, after just turning 17 (2005-2022). She grew up in rural Donegal, Ireland, surrounded by horses and her favourite colour was white. Following her death, I began working on an artwork made in her memory. It is a pastel and charcoal portrait of a horse. I also wanted to include a feather, as feathers hold special meaning for those closest to her. The piece was going relatively well, but I was struggling with the feather as I didn’t have a physical one to draw from. Then, one afternoon, while I was thinking about the drawing, a feather of brilliant white slowly fell down in front of me. That is the feather that I used as the reference. This piece is called ‘Charlotte’s Horse’ May her soul rest in peace 🙏 Amen.

I get a lot of comments on this from peeps who visit my studio/workshop. It’s the hanging system I designed for my oil and watercolour paints 🎨 🖌️ 🌈 Solid black walnut frame too 🪵 Please enjoy the song. It’s an absolute banger by the Egyptian singer Sherine. Much love and best wishes, Connel @ Big Tonic Framing in Bristol

Hiljaisuus (Silence) -collection of paintings is now on show at the @hrevansgallery ”The perfect vase” ”The perfect nightlight” ”The perfect view” acrylic on canvas board (2026) 26x34cm framed beautifully by @bigtonicframing #paintings #contemporyart #paintingart

Framed these three awesome paintings for fellow Bristol-based artist @alisalehtinenart They are painted on panels so each one needed its own subframe to raise it up in the float frame. Little bit of creativity required to achieve the desired look. We went with a subtle artisan black finish and I’m loving the vibeeee 🤓 (Thanks for sending the pic Alisa!)

A better photo 🐚 The Burden Of Stillness Now available at the @southovergallery as part of their Spring Show 🌷 Photography @alexcattphoto Framing @bigtonicframing

It’s not too often I’ll agree to having my photo taken, but @nicolejordoncutshair was being a charmer so I had to 😝 I’m stood at the entrance to my workshop, surrounded by pangolins - on the left you can just see the tail of the original silverpoint piece. This is a smaller frame that uses the same moulding I designed for ‘Charlotte’s Horse’ I filled a whole sketchbook refining the profile before commissioning bespoke tooling and having the timber cut to my exact specifications. I wanted something architectural, weighty, almost monumental. Even at a reduced size, I think it keeps that presence. Sending you my best wishes this Ash Wednesday.

Always a pleasure framing for the wonderful @helenatraill . A fellow neurodivergent artist who loves a bit of character in her frames! 🤓 you could say: we’re basically twins! In all seriousness though, it is a real pleasure to be part of both an artist’s & an artwork’s journey 🎨 🖼️ So, please do swipe through to see some progress shots. The pics show how this frame is a composite of three separate frames - two oak frames and a pine subframe 🌲 made in Bristol from sustainably sourced timber (ofc!)

Sometimes framing isn’t about new, contemporary pieces, it’s about caring for objects that carry a lifetime of significance. I was asked to work on a pencil drawing and frame made by my client’s late father. We needed to replace the mount with something that better suited the piece, but retain all the other the original features such as the backing. The rebate was shallow so there was little room for additional conservation materials. Instead, I inserted a thin sheet of acid-free barrier board. This added a small but crucial layer of protection, while still preserving the structure he built. As a framer, sometimes what we do is almost pure design while at other times I feel my true work is to try and slow the effects of time on objects… While everything in life deteriorates over time, I try to help ensure that time is kinder, and affects a piece more gently. To advise and use my knowledge of materials and preservation - this is the quiet side of framing. We carefully balance conservation with respect for the object as it exists. And what a privilege it is to be entrusted to do this work 🧡

Big Tonic Framing’s so excited, and he just can’t hide it 🎵 🎶 🎵 So I’ve just got myself a new mountcutter and framed these stunnin’ prints by @barrycawston.r.w.a . In case you missed it… these mounts are THICK. The thickest available on the market. The king of mounts 👑 It started off wobbly but we’re ending Jan on a high. I sincerely hope that you’re all doing well too 🧡

‘Waves Within’ is now available in @northstreetgallery . Come and swing by if you’re in the neighbourhood. Big thanks to Connel @bigtonicframing for building the frame. Personally I think this one feels more like an inner landscape than an outer one so the dark wood finish which Connel recommended feels like it pairs well and really lifts the painting.

Just a quick post to say Happy New Year everyone 🥳 thank you so much for your support and kindness in 2025! I’m really looking forward to seeing what 2026 holds 🧡 from Connel & Big Tonic 🤓🐈‍⬛