Facebook? Really?

It’s kind of been like falling off a log. One thing leads to another and before you know it, you’re knee deep in you-know-what.
A couple of months ago, I began experimenting with Facebook. Initially I joined up to connect with my high school classmates. Not that I had a burning desire to re-connect with them, but we needed someone to take over the duties of our upcoming 30 year reunion. (oops, tipped my hand didn’t I?) At first there were just a handful of us, but it was so easy to become “friends” again. We were instantly able to learn about each others’ families, jobs, hobbies etc. And the really fun part is sharing photos. Unlike myself, many of my classmates haven’t changed a bit. They must live closer to the fountain of youth.

Before long, I had connected with relatives, co-workers, classmates, my kids and their friends and on and on. And then something really amazing happened. I began connecting with clients of Rimrock Art. That’s right! I became FRIENDS with our CLIENTS. Wow! That’s the Holy Grail of business isn’t it?…to have your clients become your friends as well?

So the next logical step was to have Rimrock Art & Frame have it’s own identity on Facebook so that I could post information about artwork and framing ideas without looking like I was personally obsessed with art and framing. Soon after we launched the Rimrock Art & Frame Fan Page, we began seeing fans trickle in slowly at first, then at a more brisk pace. Because Facebook is the ultimate “networking” venue, we are able connect with and befriend folks who may never have heard of us. In other words, friends of friends become friends who become fans….you get the point.

At Rimrock, we are very sensitive to our client’s privacy and do our very best to respect their wishes regarding communication. We hate Spam too! Our email campaigns are designed to be delivered only to those who wish to receive them, with a very simple opt-out feature should they ever grow weary of hearing from us. Facebook holds a clear advantage over emails because it is completely voluntary and privacy is easily controlled. You can browse your page and get all the updates you want without taking any action. Conversely, with email, spammers can deliver junk to your inbox which require you to take action leading to frustration and wasted time.

From a retailer’s point of view, Facebook is a dream. We can post a quick message with a nice photo in a matter of minutes and know that we’re not invading anyone’s privacy because only our Fans will see the post. Our fans can quickly see what we’re offering just by browsing their page. If they want more information, a simple click leads them to our website or other appropriate link. We’re able to share video, photos, links, ideas and hold discussions with our clients (friends) at their leisure.

Based on the feedback we’re receiving, we’ll continue to build our presence on Facebook and hope that you’ll join us as a Fan. See you there!

click here to follow us on Facebook

What is an Artist Proof?

One of the most commonly asked questions in our shop is “what is the difference between a print and an artist proof print?” Good question. And the answer is fairly straightforward.

When fine art reproduction became practical and viable through technological advancements in printmaking, many artists found that they could extend their market reach and make their art available to the masses by making inexpensive prints (inexpensive relative to the price of the original artwork). In an effort to manage the supply and demand chain, it was necessary to restrict the total number of prints made of any particular piece of art…..and so the Limited Edition print market was born.

Traditionally, the artist was very involved in the printmaking process. As the first “proofs” were either pulled or printed, the artist would work out the color and quality issues as they came out of the press. After several corrections, the artist may have set aside a number of “artist proofs” that would not be included in the regular limited edition print run, but were of high quality. As the limited edition print market took hold and supply and demand began dictating prices, the artists discovered that there may be a market for the very limited number of artist proofs. Clients could obtain a very limited, nearly perfect special print directly from the artist, setting themselves apart from the normal print buyer.

Over time, the artist proof became a standard in printing of a limited edition. Also known as A/P Prints, they are outside the regular edition and are equal in quality to the edition and signed as Artist Proof or A/P by the artist. They were traditionally the property of the artist and usually limited to 10-15% of the edition as well as being priced slightly higher due to the restricted supply. In today’s print market, the A/P edition prints are normally sold along side the regular edition prints at a slight premium.

What is important to note is that the Artist Proof prints of today are of the exact quality, type, media etc as the regular edition (unless of course the artist declares otherwise). The only difference between them is the restricted quantity of prints bearing the A/P designation.

So which type should you buy? Some art collectors insist on buying only A/Ps because they feel that they will hold their value or perhaps increase in value over that of the regular limited edition. Whether this is accurate or not, depends entirely on the current market. Like anything, a piece of art is really only worth what it can be sold for.

We hope that this brief narrative will be helpful to you in discerning the difference between normal limited edition prints and artist proof prints. If you have any further questions, please let us know by submitting your question below and we’ll happy to assist you.

406-652-3455

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How to Make Memories into Art

Personalize Your Home; Put Vacation Memories on Display

With the holidays just around the corner, now is the time to gather your favorite vacation photos and souvenirs to display throughout your home. Scrapbooking is one way to display your memories but why not take them out of the album and put them on your walls?
“People shouldn’t shove their memories into a box and put them away. By framing them and turning them into art, not only are they personalizing their home, but they are preserving memories,” says nationally recognized interior design consultant Barbara Schmidt, whose work has been featured on television and in countless publications including Architectural Digest, InStyle, Elle Décor and Metropolitan Home. “The key to showcasing memorabilia is keeping it sleek. People are focusing more on color and graphics when framing their precious memories to keep the presentation fresh and unique,” says Schmidt.

Here are a few ideas to consider when framing precious memories:

1. Pick an event like a favorite vacation to frame.

2. Choose a unique variety of memorable items from each event. For instance, ticket stubs from your favorite attractions, unique postcards, souvenirs and pictures are a great place to start.

3. Pick between one to three mat board colors that complement the pieces when they are pulled together.

4. Visit a professional custom framer like Rimrock Art & Frame to determine the right layout and frame.

“People remember things for different reasons,” Schmidt said. “By taking the time to save them instead of packing those items away, it will help the memories live on forever.”
At Rimrock Art & Frame we recommend using preservation quality mat board for conserving memorabilia like the RagMat brand by Crescent. RagMat delivers purity, referring to the fact that it’s made out of pure cotton and is naturally acid and lignin free. RagMat mat board is the only mat board guaranteed safe next to any artwork and is preferred by museums and preservationists, which says a lot. You can’t get RagMat at the hobby shops; it’s reserved for professional framers.
For more information about RagMat and custom framing, visit us at www.rimrockart.com or email us at gallery@rimrockart.com with questions.

1070 S. 24th Street West
Billings, MT 59102
406-652-3455

Rimrock Art on YouTube

We get so many comments about our television ads that we decided to go “big-time” and post them on YouTube.

Have a look and see if you recognize anyone! Thanks for viewing.

The Readers Have Spoken!

We are HONORED AND HUMBLED! The Billings Gazette just announced the winners of the Readers’ Choice contest, where readers cast ballots for their favorite businesses. Rimrock Art & Frame was selected as Billings Best Custom Frame Store.

Best Custom Frame Store

Why were we selected? Well, I think folks recognize a good thing when they see it, and at Rimrock Art & Frame they see a good thing. We work extremely hard at exceeding our clients’ expectations while creating new friendships and obviously, the word is out! Clearly we’re set apart from the big box stores because we’re locally owned, operated and support our community accordingly. We think if we’re going to be a true member of the community, we ought to keep our tax dollars and community support right here in Billings.

Everyone talks about it, but I refuse to use the term “customer service”. It’s a worn out cliché. It’s used by businesses who don’t really know what they’re good at. At Rimrock we aren’t just building picture frames, we’re building relationships. We believe that people are created to be in relationship with other people, so we crave that personal connection even with the places we do business. My favorite saying is “anybody can build a frame around a picture, but not everyone can build a relationship around a frame.” I really think that’s the key to our success. We get to know our clients, not just sell them stuff. One of our favorite customers put it this way; “I love the feeling when I come into the store. it’s like a being part of a “family”. You remember our name and what we have purchased. Your store and staff rock!”

We also believe that we offer outstanding value. When you consider our knowledge, selection, quality, price, craftsmanship and service, our value can’t be beat. Oh and one more thing….custom framing is all we do! We aren’t distracted by selling furniture and home accessories or stocking the shelves with craft supplies. Our passion is custom framing and it shows.

So, if you voted for us, Thank You! If this is the first time you’ve heard of us, we invite you to stop in and experience the difference!

2010 C.M. Russell Art Auction

As you’ve probably heard, the long-running C.M. Russell Art Auction held on Charlie Russell’s birthday (March 19) each spring in Great Falls, MT has been under controversy of late. We don’t know many details, but we’ll tell you what we know for now.
For 39 years, the Great Falls Advertising Federation (Ad Club) has organized and operated the art show and auction “to benefit the C.M. Russell Museum” as well as the club’s programs. For reasons unknown to us, the Ad Club and the C.M. Russell Museum have had a falling-out and are not working together on the 2010 art show and auction.
It seems that BOTH organizations will be holding their own “shows” held during the week of March 17-20, 2010. The C.M. Russell Museum has named their event “The Russell: The Sale to Benefit the C.M. Russell Museum” and the Ad Club has named their event “The CM Russell Art Auction”.

For a detailed evaluation from the Museum’s point of view, see the open letter from the Museum’s Board of Directors.

We’ll keep you posted as more information becomes available.

Rimrock selected to supply Cancer Center artwork

Your humble local framer has been selected to furnish and install over 100 pieces of Montana themed artwork in the new Billings Clinic Cancer Center, slated to open in early August.

Gallun Snow Associates from Denver, Colorado coordinated the competitive bid and selection process. According to Margie Snow, principal at Gallun Snow, Rimrock was chosen by the Clinic based on price and ability to handle such a large project in a short time frame.

Both the designers and the Clinic are very price conscious so we’ve had to work hard addressing special pricing with suppliers as well as providing some value engineering ideas to help lower costs.

We’re honored and pleased to be a part of such an exciting project, especially one that is addressing the comfort and needs of cancer patients.

Charles Fritz ~ An Artist with the Corps of Discovery

Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark did not succeed in finding an easy water route across the North American continent as instructed by President Jefferson, however they did lead the Corps of Discovery on an adventure beyond their wildest expectations. The discovery of the geography, flora, fauna, and encountering the Native peoples within the boundaries of the Louisiana Purchase was meticulously documented. What they lacked, and lamented, was the inclusion of a professional artist. Until now.

We Proceeded On by Charles Fritz

Artist Charles Fritz set off on the entire length of the Lewis and Clark Trail. Painting en plein-air, he visited the sites at the same time of year as the expedition to accurately capture the colors, light, weather, etc. that the group encountered in 1804-06. With exacting research, each of the one hundred paintings in the exhibition references a journal entry and is accompanied by additional text embellishing the painting’s context in the collection.

“With the completion of Charles Fritz’s monumental project, a huge void has been filled! Through the eyes of a gifted and dedicated American artist, we now have a view of the world of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery. This book will hold a special place in the William Clark family library, and it is a must for any serious student of Lewis and Clark or anyone who appreciates the adventure and magic of early Western exploration.”
Peyton C. Clark – great, great, great grandson of Captain William Clark

Mr. Fritz has long been a friend of Rimrock Art Frame and we’re proud to announce that his exhibition of “One Hundred Paintings Illustrating the Journals of Lewis & Clark” will be on display at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming from June 6 through August 30, 2009. We are your source for Mr. Fritz’s fine art prints and his newly released 136 page book illustrating “The Complete Collection”. Log on to www.rimrockart.net to buy now!

Certain text courtesy Charles Fritz Fine Art, Buffalo Bill Historical Center and Far Country Press

Russell Chatham Original Lithography

I just love it when a client asks “so what’s the big deal about a Russell Chatham print, and why are they more expensive?” My eyes light up and I reach for the jeweler’s loupe. Here we go!

Original lithography is becoming a rare cat. Fewer and fewer artists are willing to expend the energy, time and expense to produce this quality artform. While original lithography is technically printmaking, there are substantial differences between a “print” and an original lithograph.

The following is a very well written narrative prepared by Mr. Chatham describing “Original Lithography”:

December Evening by Russell Chatham

Almost all commercial printing that we see today is done using the process called lithography. For the art buyer, distinguishing between an original lithograph and a four-color reproduction is not simply a question of semantics. Depending, naturally, upon the quality of the artist, the former may have real value. Regardless of the quality of the artist, the latter is always worth very little.

To fully appreciate the meaning of the term original lithograph, it is important to understand just how one is produced. To determine if a print is an original, you must closely examine how the ink has been applied to the paper. This can be somewhat difficult with the naked eye, but can easily be done with a magnifying glass or jeweler’s loupe.

Process lithography always begins with a photograph of something. It can be a photograph of an original painting, a landscape, or a new car. In a laboratory the photograph is separated by a special camera into the four basic color elements which are red, yellow, blue and black. A negative is then made for each color. In the print shop the four color negatives are used to produce four printing plates. The structure of the images on these plates is that of mechanically spaced dots. These plates are then mounted on a four-color press and all four colors are printed simultaneously. It is possible to proceed from the photograph to the finished product in two days. In viewing a print produced in the above manner through a magnifying glass, the four standard- colored inks will appear as dots neatly arranged in rows. This tells you the plates were made photo-mechanically, and not by an artist’s hand.

Russ overseeing the process

By contrast, each plate used in the printing of an original lithograph has been hand drawn by the artist. In viewing the product of this process under the magnifying glass, the colors will appear either as a continuous tone, or as very irregular, oddly shaped, colored dots. In all cases this reflects the artist’s various methods and tools. As many as fifty different colors may be used in one work, each one requiring a separate plate. Every one of the inks for an original print is specially mixed by the artist and the printing process is similar to paint being blended and layered on a painting.

During the production of an original lithograph, the artist is directly involved in a hands-on manner, drawing each plate, choosing and mixing each ink and approving each color as it comes from the press. A single plate for an original lithograph may require twenty minutes or twenty hours of an artist’s time, depending upon its complexity. A lithograph with forty-one colors, or forty-one plates, could very well require 200 hours of the artist’s and printer’s time.

Rimrock Art & Frame is proud to have been selected by Mr. Chatham to represent his original lithographs. Please visit www.rimrockart.net to view his recent works, place an order or to contact us.

Consumer Confidence is Rebounding!

At Rimrock Art & Frame, we like to find the “good news” in all things. Here’s a breath of fresh air from the Austin Business Journal.

The Consumer Confidence Index rose significantly in April after posting modest gains in March.

The Index now stands at 39.2, up from 26.9 in March, according to The Conference Board, a New York-based business research group.

The rise in the national index was largely driven by improvements in short-term outlooks, as the Expectations Index rose to 49.5 from 30.2 in March.

February’s reading had been the lowest since the index was created in 1967, and March’s increase marked the first rise since November.

Respondents expecting business conditions will worsen over the next six months declined to 25.3 percent from 37.8 percent, while those expecting conditions to improve increased to 15.6 percent from 9.6 percent in March.

Consumers’ opinions of present-day conditions improved moderately — from to 23.7 from 21.9 last month — with the number of those calling business conditions “bad” down to 45.7 percent from 51.0 percent, while those saying business conditions are “good” increasing to 7.6 percent from 6.9 percent.

Consumers’ assessment of the job market was mixed. The percentage of consumers stating jobs are “hard to get” decreased to 47.9 percent from 48.8 percent in March, however, those saying jobs are “plentiful” edged down to 4.5 percent from 4.7 percent.

The percentage of consumers anticipating fewer jobs in the months ahead decreased to 33.6 percent from 41.6 percent, while those expecting more jobs increased to 13.9 percent from 7.3 percent. The proportion of consumers anticipating an increase in their incomes edged up to 8.0 percent from 7.8 percent.

The percentage of consumers anticipating fewer jobs in the months ahead decreased to 33.6 percent from 41.6 percent, while those expecting more jobs increased to 13.9 percent from 7.3 percent. The proportion of consumers anticipating an increase in their incomes edged up to 8.0 percent from 7.8 percent.