H Marion Blog

Spring cleaning time is fast approaching, and you may find treasures that you never knew you had. A look around the house could yield photos or objects hidden in an attic, an old trunk, or even a shoebox. These items often give glimpses into family history. What better way to preserve these memories than to frame them?

Snapshots and memorabilia tell a story, and are a nice way to remember a special person or activity. Embellishing the frame design with both a photograph and added certificate of recognition makes an impressive presentation. The person you are honoring or the family you are presenting to will have a memory to last a lifetime.

A nameplate with a description of the person’s accomplishments can also add to the design. Perhaps the person wrote something, and you want to use an excerpt beneath their photo. Collages of photographs or magazine articles can also be incorporated with a small commemorative plaque for a unique arrangement.

Whatever finished product you aim to achieve, we have the resources to create a beautiful custom-made mat and frame design for your project. We can frame your family photos using design styles and colors to achieve just the right look for your home. Whether your furnishings are contemporary or antique, we have the right design for you. A wall of family history is a pleasure for you and a conversation piece for your visitors.

Frames should complement both their environment, and the art they adorn. “From a design standpoint, our frames are seen as an interior finish,” says Marion, “homes employing finishes like hardwood, granite, real stone, custom millwork and designer furniture should have art and framing of a similar caliber.”

Whether the framing project is truly valuable or simply priceless, we are seeing a definite shift in trends regarding what clients are framing. More people are preserving or restoring family heirlooms such as antique photographs, hand-made textiles, and military medals. “We are seeing a nostalgic movement where people are reflecting on their heritages,” says Marion. He maintains this trend seems most prevalent with Baby Boomer clients. “When these clients come into the store, their aim is to surround themselves with framed memories, which tell a visual story, rather than an oral one.”

The right framing treatment not only enhances the presentation of your cherished items, it can also extend the life-span of items that might otherwise fall victim to damage from excessive handling and improper storage. No matter what your project entails, the Art Consultants at H. Marion Framing will ensure that the appropriate materials and preservation framing techniques are implemented so that your project will be around to delight future generations.

Ever imagine riding 109 miles through the southwestern desert with a peloton of professional cyclists (and amateur enthusiasts of course)? Next month I have an opportunity to do just that.

Every year a  group of local riders travel to Tucson to participate in El Tour de Tucson. Not only is this road race a blast (if you don’t crash), but it is a major source of funding for the University Medical Center and an organization called Tu Nidito.

For the past 12 years, Tu Nidito has been the primary beneficiary of El Tour de Tucson with cyclists raising more than $200,000 for the cause each year. These funds are essential to Tu Nidito programs, providing more than 25% of their annual operating budget and supporting hundreds of children each year.

to read Michelle's story, click here

This will be my first year having registered to Ride for a Child at the University Medical Center’s 27th El Tour de Tucson. I have been paired with Michelle, one of the special Tu Nidito kids. Each of these children has had their life impacted by the diagnosis of a serious illness or the death of a loved one. With our help and the support programs provided by Tu Nidito, these children have the tools, resources, comfort and support they need to get through these difficult times.

read more about Tu Nidito

Local picture framer follows Andy Warhol’s prediction and gets 3 minutes closer to his 15 minutes of fame! Jan Marion of H. Marion Framing Studio recently participated in a promotional video for Tru Vue’s Museum Glass® Feeds America program, through which H. Marion Framing will help generate up to $25,000 in donations for Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief charity. Customers will have a chance to win up to $500 in-store, or $150 in Discount Certificates toward future art & framing purchases at H. Marion Framing Studio.

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Jan Marion of H. Marion Framing recently celebrated a milestone birthday and received a truly surprising and heartfelt gift; one designed right in his own frame shop and assembled at his production facility. Unbeknownst to Jan, his mother Florence had assembled for him a memory box, composed of a special photograph and a pair of rather eccentric suspenders to commemorate the occasion. The suspenders, worn by Jan’s late father, Hal Marion, are displayed in an “M” configuration and depict a pseudo-monogram, which encompasses the photograph of Jan and Hal on a whale-watching excursion. The overall composition is very effective, both in terms of meaning and its ability to keep the viewer’s eye moving around the piece. It creates a simple, yet dynamic presentation.

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