Leah De Lane donates time to MH Historical Society, downtown association
Published in the November 27, 2013 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
Leah De Lane, owner of FastFrame in Morgan Hill
Leah De Lane loves working at FastFrame, her custom framing business in downtown Morgan Hill, because it lets her use her business background in sales management while nurturing her creative side in an entrepreneurial pursuit. After mentoring with a FastFrame franchise owner in the East Bay, she opened her own shop in Morgan Hill in 2005. She and her husband Scott Parker fell in love with the city and moved here from Fremont shortly after.
When she’s not working with FastFrame customers, De Lane serves on the board of directors of the Morgan Hill Historical Society and assists the group with grant writing, fundraising, events, and framing and preservation of museum artifacts. She is also a member of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association and frequently volunteers to assist with its events. Morgan Hill Life asked her for advice on professional framing of photos and other mementos.
Why should someone consider a professional custom framer rather than doing it themselves?
A great custom framer will be experienced in design, construction, and the proper methods of handling your artwork. They will work with you to design a look that not only enhances and draws attention to your artwork, but that also matches your aesthetics and décor. A professional frame shop will have a large selection of quality materials and a staff that is experienced and creative. Another important benefit to custom work is the preservation factor. A knowledgeable framer will be able to explain the benefits of protecting your artwork.
You mentioned the importance of preservation in framing. Describe what this is and why a person should consider this.
Most people are not aware that everything that touches your artwork and photographs affect it over time. When artwork is placed into a frame, the materials used in that package are creating an environment that is either protective or harmful to the piece. For example, pre-made frames commonly use styrene that has plastic properties that out-gas chemicals onto the artwork. They almost always have glass that has no ultraviolet coating to protect art from fading, which can happen from indoor lighting as well as sun exposure. All of the materials that surround your artwork and hold it in place, such as the matting, backing, and hinging materials, can discolor and damage the piece if they are not archival acid-free quality. An experienced framer will be able to explain your options and advise you as to what materials are best suited for your project.
What elements should people consider when framing a picture?
The frame design chosen for your artwork should draw the eye in towards the image instead of to the framing elements. Pick colors and textures that are found in the artwork to accomplish this harmonious look. You also want to consider the theme, or style of the artwork. Very contemporary pieces are most likely not going to look best in a rustic feeling frame, for example. One of the fun elements of frame design is that there are no hard rules and there isn’t just one design for each piece of artwork. You can have three different framers design the same artwork and come up with three distinctly unique designs that all look great.
What is unique about a person’s experience at FastFrame?
We offer an enormous selection of quality frames and materials in a variety of styles to cater to every need. We offer specialty items such as hand-painted French mats and water-gilded closed corner frames as well as metal frames and everything in-between. Custom framing is a very technical field and we only employ highly trained and experienced staff that continues to educate themselves in new techniques.
What unusual picture framing experiences have you had at FastFrame?
The most unusual items tend to be three-dimensional pieces that require a lot of creativity and skill to work with. We love a challenge, so these are also really fun projects for us. Shadow boxes that contain memorabilia are also interesting because you can help to create a story with them and they are very personal for the client.
