Bryan Smith Frames

SCRUMPTIOUS SGRAFITTOS! Wednesday Works-in-Progress. Regardless of whether a true historical reproduction sgrafitto design or a modern, original or historically-inspired pattern has been ordered, the method is the same. The desired section of the frame is sanded, gessoed, has clay applied and is gilded with real gold leaf (22K or 12K in most cases). Once this has cured and been burnished, a layer of paint is applied over the gold (black is a popular choice, but many colors are available). Once dry, the preferred pattern is sketched on top … and the fun begins! In most cases, a simple, sharpened piece of wood is used to remove the paint and reveal the gold beneath. That’s what’s happening in these images. (From top left @quebracho_inc , Quattro Frames, @goldleaf_framemakers and @lucie_dru_smith for @bryansmithframes .)

Suspended in Silence Available @rehscontemporary We Walk This Road Alone Arc Select Exhibition Model: @emmafeddo Frame by @bryansmithframes @artefex #538 panel Contact @lance_rehs I’m extremely honored to have been selected for this wonderful group exhibition with six other artists of diverse styles. The opening is May 15, 4–8 PM. The extended opening is May 16, 12–5 PM. This is one of five paintings I will have available. The narrative explores solitude—the quiet, often unseen moments when life pulls us under, when we feel ourselves sinking beneath the weight of the unexpected. There are times we must walk this road alone, searching inward for stillness, for a sense of grace we can return to each morning—something that allows us to rise and meet the light again, to continue forward. The figure is, in many ways, a self-portrait. She exists at rock bottom—not in despair, but in surrender. It is in this depth that a profound stillness emerges, a moment of release where the body softens, the breath slows, and the noise fades. In looking upward, she reaches beyond herself—toward something greater—seeking clarity, calm, and the quiet reassurance that she will rise again. The composition is intentionally restrained, built on a limited palette of two to three colors and a narrow range of values, allowing the emotional weight to remain undistracted. The frame by Bryan Smith echoes the language of the painting—its textures reminiscent of submerged stone, its warm tones reflecting the light that gathers above her and touches her face. There is a point, when you reach the bottom, where resistance dissolves. The body yields, the hands release, and in that surrender, something shifts. It is there—within stillness—that the return begins. #ContemporaryArt #FigurativePainting #ArtExhibition #ArtCollectors InnerStillness

My wall of works @briscoenightofartists . My work happens to be next to good pal, sculptor Paul Rhymer. The museum cleverly displayed our burrowing owl pieces next to one another. The live auction and small works sale are tonight. The luck of the draw sale is tomorrow night.

Penelope & the Nest Maybe there is a theme developing as my last image post was a nest with a collection of lost, broken and abandoned elements of nature in my woods. Here a nest found, abandoned in October 2024. One of those beautiful natural wonders that was hidden in the tree. Never noticed, although I walked by it everyday, twice a day. Found one day, when the leaves had shriveled for the fall. It is large, beautiful, intricate and so delicate. And then there was Penelope, a striking pairing. This is still a work in progress but I can't wait to have it hanging on the wall. #creativeportraits#portraitphotography#studioportraits#portraiture#wisconsinphotographereauclairephotographerelizaporterphotography

If you’re going be in Denver tonight then you won’t want to miss the opening for Anna’s solo show at Saks Gallery. Anna’s got a lot of beautiful stuff in the show, including this large triptych framed in a 16 karat floater. @annarose_artist

“His Highness,” 90x24”, oil. Custom 18k hand carved frame by the amazing @bryansmithframes , for my solo show, “Little Kingdoms,” October 10-24 at @saksgalleries . Join us for the opening reception October 10 from 5-8 pm! Who exactly holds the crown here—the boy (modeled by my son Everett), gazing up in wide-eyed wonder, or the giraffe, towering like a gentle monarch over his domain? When I traveled to South Africa in 2023, I experienced a massive perspective shift. Watching giraffes move gracefully across their native landscape, I experienced the kind of awe and humility that arrive only when you’ve been given the rare gift of feeling truly small. In this meeting of scale and imagination, “His Highness” pays homage to Maurice Sendak’s “Where the Wild Things Are” while inviting us into the playful imagination of childhood. I’ve scattered a few blue emperor dragonflies through the scene, which add a touch of whimsy and a subtle nod to the giraffe’s African homeland. For me, exploring the genre of imaginative realism has rekindled my sense of play and deepened my respect for the way children so naturally blend reality with make-believe. 📸: @long_shots_media_

Deeply honored to have my portrait of @bryansmithframes Bryan and Allyson Smith, “The Frame Makers,” 48x36”, awarded Best of Show in the @richesonart #Richeson75 Figure/Portrait competition by juror @kailunqu ! Thank you so much, Kai! This painting was a labor of love and I’m grateful for the opportunity to paint it. So often the focus is on the artist, but Bryan and Allyson are incredible craftspeople who make our paintings look good, thanks to their beautiful frames! #framemakers #portrait #portraitpainting #bryansmithframes #annarosebain #oilportrait

I sought to create the perfect portrait of my son. Through the process however, I realized that no amount of experience or talent could perfectly capture the full essence of the child I prayed for. What I do hope my son sees in this portrait is the love of his mother expressed through brush and pigment. Henry periodically comes into my studio and points to his portrait screaming “you!” (He is learning me vs you 😂). I am happy that I’ve captured his likeness enough for him to recognize himself. Thank you @bryansmithframes for the perfect frame. I adore how the 22k gold leaf illuminates Henry’s sweet cheeks 🥹❤️. “Henry”, oil on linen panel, 10x12” #oilpainting #portraitpainting #childportrait

A few revisions and a frame. This painting is still wet but I just had to try this great handmade frame by Bryan Smith Frames. I’ll let it dry and seal it but I do love it in this frame. It looks great. @bryansmithframes 9x12 oil on panel #birdpainting #cardinalpainting #backyardbirds

Stampede Moon 10”x10” Custom frame from @bryansmithframes . This little gem is available through my website. #artforsale #oilpaintings #lake #moon #stampedelake #californiaart #landscapeart #painting #nocturnart #

Congratulations to our returning instructor, Adrienne Stein @adriennestein , who is teaching in Amsterdam this year, on the completion of her stunning new piece! “Riverbend,” 60” x 30”, oil on linen ©️Adrienne Stein 2025 This beautiful work is now on view at the @newsalemmuseum , nestled in a charming New England town in the Berkshires. Award-winning artist Adrienne Stein returns as an instructor, joining Quang Ho for our first-ever SOLD-OUT Dutch Cruise! We set sail soon this July—beginning in Amsterdam and cruising through the picturesque waterways of Holland and Belgium with two master artists: @quanghoart and @adriennestein . The Dutch Cruise An exclusive workshop experience with Quang Ho and Amsterdam, Brussels, and more! July 3 – 12, 2025 Please message us to get on the waitlist or for more info! 👉 @workshopsinfrance 👈 Frame by @bryansmithframes @newsalemmuseum @adriennestein @quanghoart . . . #dutchcruise #cruise #dutch #amsterdam #holland #adriennestein #quangho #opa #newsalemmuseum #artmuseum #artpaint #artexibition #oilonlinen #oilpainter #oilpaintersofamerica #fantasypainting #figurativepainter #portraitpainting #berkshire #berkshires #bryansmith #artshow #artworkshops #paintingworkshop

After 3 flights and 27 hours of air travel, we returned from Vietnam yesterday at dawn, where my gracious parents delivered us home from the airport and took Liam while Quang and I packed our bags and jumped in the car to drive to New Salem, MA for the awards ceremony tonight! 🥵 We are hanging on by a thread but I’m so grateful for this full life and a loving, supportive family that makes all of this possible. Can’t wait to see old friends and meet new ones tonight! Also, GET A LOAD OF THIS BEAUTIFUL FRAME by @bryansmithframes ! “Riverbend”, 60”x30”, oil on linen,©️Adrienne Stein 2025