Meet Norman Kirby: Creator of Fence Art in Jersey City

Nichole Blackburn Manthe, a fine artist and muralist, discusses her career and the intricate process behind her large-scale murals. She highlights that the pre-planning phase for each mural, including research, design, custom color palette selection, and fine-tuning, takes three times longer than the actual painting process. This extensive preparation ensures the creation of impactful artwork that tells a story and evokes emotion. Manthe, who has been drawing and painting throughout her life, established Celadon Studio Fine Art, a boutique studio specializing in large-scale murals, custom canvas art, and hand-painted children's spaces. Her work as a muralist requires her to constantly adapt to new designs and physically demanding tasks, such as painting on scaffolding and contending with outdoor elements, all while maintaining high standards of creativity and quality. With over 25 years of experience, she has refined her techniques in this specialized field. Beyond her commercial work, Manthe founded Big Sky Countries, a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving back to the community through art. For over two decades, this initiative has created murals for various children's facilities, including elementary schools, special-needs facilities, orphanages, hospitals, and teen shelters. A key aspect of Big Sky Countries is the collaborative approach, where children and staff at each venue participate in painting the murals. This collaboration aims to empower, inspire, and educate individuals through art, particularly in schools lacking art programs. Manthe emphasizes the importance of art in providing a voice and identity, especially for withdrawn or anti-social children with whom she feels a strong connection through shared artistic expression. Manthe also shares insights into her personal life, recommending local attractions in the South Bay area of Los Angeles. Her recommendations include activities that blend her passion for scuba diving and spearfishing in the kelp forests off Palos Verdes, especially during lobster season, either from chartered boats or through night free diving. She also suggests scenic beach walks through Redondo, Hermosa, and Manhattan Beaches, complete with stops for food and photos. Evening adventures include bonfires at Dockweiler Beach. For leisurely Sundays, she recommends renting beach cruisers to explore the Strand, people-watching, and identifying dream homes. Having recently learned to sail, she also enjoys taking friends out from the Redondo Beach Marina. For dining and social experiences, Manthe suggests classic spots like Tony's at the Pier for happy hour, live reggae at The Lighthouse on Sundays, burgers from The Standing Room, dinner at PostMB, sunset concerts at Nelsons, and the omakase menu at Sushi Chitose. Finally, Manthe expresses gratitude to her high school art teacher, Mr. Kooper, who significantly influenced her career path. Mr. Kooper provided her with a space to create art during high school and encouraged her to build a portfolio, which ultimately led to a scholarship at Otis Art Center in Los Angeles. She credits him with changing her life, underscoring the transformative power of art and mentorship, echoing Malala Yousafzai's sentiment about the impact of a single teacher. #FineArtist #Muralist #CeladonStudio #BigSkyCountries #CommunityArt #ArtEducation #SouthBayLA #CreativeProcess #Nonprofit

This article, updated in March 2024, identifies and reviews several top picture framers in New York, based on recommendations from a dozen in-the-know New Yorkers, including museum executives, stylists, and interior designers. The framers highlighted are recognized for their ability to handle unique requests, craft custom solutions for challenging artworks, and deliver high-quality results. Downing Frames, located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, is lauded for its versatility and experience in handling unusual shapes and complex projects for high-profile clients such as MoMA and the SculptureCenter. They are noted for incorporating diverse elements like mirrors, stickers, and holograms into frames and creating asymmetrical polygon frames. The firm is also praised for its ability to meet tight deadlines, as evidenced by a recent project involving delicate Philip Guston works that required hand-applied gold leaf frames within a month. Greenpoint Frames offers a competitive price-to-quality ratio, particularly when compared to Manhattan-based framers. Owned by Adam Collignon since 2018, the shop has expanded its material inventory and staffing. Clients like fashion designer Alan Eckstein appreciate the value and quality provided, citing a significant price difference for similar framing jobs between Greenpoint and Manhattan. Collignon emphasizes the personalized approach to framing, considering not only the artwork's composition but also the client's living space and home aesthetics. He also playfully dismisses the idea of a universal mat-and-frame combination, underscoring the bespoke nature of his craft. Handmade Frames in Williamsburg is the preferred choice for architect Annabelle Selldorf, who has used and recommended them since 1990 for both personal and client projects, spanning contemporary works to old masters. Paul Baumann and Marilyn Gold, the owners, are commended for their meticulous approach and innovative solutions for city living, such as a 27-foot-long Richard Serra quintych frame designed to separate for transport and a delicate silk scroll mounted with glass panels for protection. Soho Picture Framing is favored by stylist Beverly Nguyen for its ability to create specific wooden frames, particularly a 1.5-inch oak frame with floating glass. Nguyen had previously faced resistance from other framers for her simple yet distinct design preference. Owner Michael Ingbar readily accommodated her request, providing the exact shade of natural oak and dimensions she desired, leading to her repeat business. Bark Frameworks in Long Island City is recommended for its art historian's eye and comprehensive manufacturing capabilities. Elizabeth “Buffy” Easton, formerly of the Brooklyn Museum, initially worked with Bark Frameworks on reframing Impressionist and Post-Impressionist paintings, appreciating Jed Bark's critical perspective. The firm's in-house gilders and metal shop allow them to create seamless metal frames and specialized hand-carved frames that enhance the artwork's presentation. Ulfig Projects in Bedford-Stuyvesant caters to new collectors and is highly regarded by interior designer Adam Charlap Hyman. Weston Ulfig is known for his subtle structural decisions that enhance contemporary pieces at a competitive price point, as all work is done in-house. Ulfig's suggestion to mount Charlap Hyman's cutouts onto a textured mat to highlight shadow and dimension demonstrates his ability to bring artwork to life. Finally, Skyframe is a popular choice, recommended by individuals like Jenna Lyons, for its expertise with high-end art and willingness to fulfill unique and specific requests without rushing decisions. Lyons cites an example where Skyframe custom-made a silver-leaf frame with a black border for a Cy Twombly piece, ensuring it floated within the frame without casting a shadow, comparing the experience to finding a skilled tailor. #NewYorkFramers #ArtFraming #CustomFraming #ArtConservation #HomeDecoration #InteriorDesign #BestOfNewYork

This article, part of New York Magazine’s 'Best of New York' series, identifies and details the top art hanging services available in New York City. The recommendations are based on insights from over 50 art world professionals, including artists, art advisers, interior designers, and gallerists, who shared their experiences with local businesses known for their creativity, vigilance, precision, and fair pricing. The goal is to provide a comprehensive guide to installers who excel in diverse art installation scenarios, catering to both major galleries and private collectors, and who can handle challenging conditions such as extremely high ceilings or narrow doorways. Six distinct art hanging services are highlighted for their specialized expertise. ILevel, founded by David Kassel, is recognized for immaculate gallery walls. With over 30 years of experience, Kassel, an art school graduate and former Guggenheim installer, now leads a team that focuses exclusively on art arrangement and installation, handling approximately 56,000 items annually. High-end interior designers like Alexandra Pappas and Alan Tanksley praise ILevel for their precise work and ability to create balanced layouts for diverse collections, emphasizing their efficiency and personable approach. They are noted for their ability to execute complex salon-style hangs quickly, even under tight deadlines. For smaller projects and those on a budget, Handy Andy, run by Andrew Bias-Drakeford, comes highly recommended. Bias-Drakeford, a self-taught handyman, has gained a following on Instagram for his time-lapse Reels showcasing his methodical installation skills. Interior designer Tobi Wright and photographer Katherine Slingluff commend his patience, efficiency, and ability to navigate challenging installations, such as hanging unevenly sized prints alongside a steep stairwell. His mindful approach to the client's space is also a key differentiator. Fisk Fine Art Services, led by a husband-and-wife team, specializes in transporting, shipping, and installing art, particularly for oversize wall hangings. Serving prominent galleries like Pace and Matthew Marks, as well as private collectors, the company is known for handling logistical challenges. Curator and art adviser Lolita Cros recounts their impressive handling of a large Alex Prager photograph that required navigating five flights of stairs, while Nina Blumberg of Artstagram praises their professional and enjoyable management of an artwork installed via crane through a high-rise window. SAT: Safe Art Storage and Transport, established in 1993 by Werner Lederer, is presented as a full-service art installation company adept at complicated and tedious tasks. Offering shipping, crating, and storage, SAT has worked with renowned artists like Roy Lichtenstein and Julian Schnabel. Art adviser Yvonne Force Villareal highlights Lederer’s meticulous approach to challenging domestic installations, such as precisely hanging a Matisse Jazz cutout series with mismatched wire lengths and expertly arranging a 20-piece Samson Kambalu flag series in a grid on a very tall wall. The longevity of their employees fosters strong client relationships. David Kennedy Cutler, whose team comprises exhibiting artists, is celebrated for handling tight spaces and highly complex installations with a relaxed demeanor. Art adviser Ivy Shapiro recalls an instance where Kennedy Cutler’s team partially removed a large painting from its stretcher to navigate narrow corridors in a prewar home, even with undried oil paint, then skillfully reassembled it. Their practice of pre-measuring and creating mock-ups for large projects minimizes errors. Finally, Dietl International is recommended for long-distance installations, offering comprehensive fine-art import, export, handling, and installation services with offices in multiple cities. Founded by Fritz Dietl, the company is praised by art adviser Emily McElwreath for its commitment to sustainable practices and the talent of its employees, specifically mentioning freelancer Kevin Kennedy for his conservation work and artistic eye. McElwreath highlights their expertise in installing massive artworks under high-pressure circumstances, such as during Art Basel in Miami. #ArtHangers #NewYorkCity #ArtInstallation #InteriorDesign #GalleryWalls #FineArtServices #HomeDecoration #NewYorkMagazine

Even seasoned designers, including HGTV's Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent, face scrutiny for their creative choices, as evidenced by a recent design that garnered mixed reactions from fans. The incident highlights the subjective nature of style and the inevitability of varied opinions when publicizing design decisions. Nate Berkus posted a photograph of a dining room designed by him and Jeremiah Brent in a Los Angeles Tudor home. This particular design element, a graphic grid of Art Deco-style lights on the ceiling, drew significant fan disapproval, with many commenters likening the fixtures to "fire sprinkler lights." Despite the criticism, this situation underscores a fundamental aspect of design: personal taste. Even Berkus and Brent themselves have acknowledged disagreements on certain home features, demonstrating that even within a partnership, stylistic interpretations can differ. This project serves as a reminder that what one person considers innovative and stylish, another might find unappealing. It reinforces the idea that decor is not a universally accepted standard, and elements that resonate with some may not appeal to others. Berkus's Facebook post detailed their objective for the Los Angeles Tudor home, stating their aim was "to create a home that reflected the modern family living there — a home that felt sophisticated, happy, and warm, just like them." However, the chosen lighting arrangement, inspired by the 20th-century Wiener Werkstätte movement, became a focal point of contention. The ceiling featured multiple industrial pendant lights, each with bronze fixtures and dangling crystal strands, intended to evoke a vintage Art Deco aesthetic. Nevertheless, their distinctive shape and arrangement led to the "fire sprinkler lights" comparison, revealing the divisive nature of the design. This specific design choice aligns with Berkus and Brent's broader philosophy of an "anti-trend decor approach," which prioritizes creating timeless spaces over adhering to fleeting popular trends. Despite this intention, some fans expressed strong negative opinions. Comments included, "Stiff and sterile, without any softness or life. Especially do not like the ceiling fixtures," and "Love everything but lights in ceiling... look like fire sprinklers," illustrating the significant divergence in opinions. Berkus himself has previously emphasized that personal design choices, when authentic to the homeowner's vision, contribute to a home's lasting style. By adhering to their design principles, Nate and Jeremiah created a space with enduring character, even if it provoked controversy among their followers. #NateBerkus #JeremiahBrent #HGTV #CeilingDesign #InteriorDesign #ArtDeco #HomeDecor #DesignControversy #AntiTrend