Behind the Scenes: "Thriller" Jacket

A black and red calf leather jacket is among the most recognizable and famous garments of the 20th century.  This jacket has been described as "the greatest piece of rock and roll memorabilia in history.”  The iconic jacket was worn by Michael Jackson in his “Thriller” video in 1983.  One of the most famous jackets and I get to frame it.  Well, at least a replica of the jacket since the original is currently in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

This replica was designed by Marc Laurent and cut to the King of Pop's exact measurements.  The jacket features an exact print of Michael’s signature and actual autographs from the remaining Jackson 5 members; Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon Jackson on the inside lining.

A piece of rock and roll history deserves a one of a kind custom frame.  Framing this jacket came with a few challenges. One challenge was showing the signatures on the inside lining without taking away from the piece. Another challenge was a conservation challenge of  how to mount the jacket while preserving it. It took some time but the jacket is mounted on a black glossy mat without adhesives or being sewn through.  To have some added dimension and structure to the jacket it is stuffed with acid-free materials.

  

To fit the depth of the jacket a 2” gold and wood panel frame was cake-stacked; (moulding is set 90 degrees on it's side to create depth and topped with another frame. The face of the bottom frame is now the side.) Then topped with a custom wrapped red leather frame to match the leather of the jacket. 

For an added custom touch the glass was hand-painted with Michael’s silhouette and Thriller logo. Michael's silhouette was painted on the inside of the glass in silver and placed to float over the jacket.  The Thriller logo was painted in red with touches of black and placed to fill some negative space at the bottom of the frame.

All elements placed together with a few finishing touches; here is the finished piece.  A one of a kind custom frame for an iconic jacket.

Rosie the Riveter; Framing an American Icon

“Rosie the Riveter” is the name of a female character that came to symbolize the real women who filled America’s factories, munitions plants, and shipyards during World War II. In later years, Rosie also became an iconic American image in the fight to broaden women’s rights. Rosie appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post; painted by Norman Rockwell.The Post was then one of the nation’s most popular magazines, with a circulation of about 3 million copies each week.
Rockwell’s illustration features a brawny woman taking her lunch break with a rivet gun on her lap and beneath her Penny loafer a copy of Hitler’s manifesto, Mein Kampf. Her lunch pail reads “Rosie”; viewers quickly recognized this to be “Rosie the Riveter” from the familiar song. The Post’s cover image proved hugely popular, and the magazine loaned it to the U.S. Treasury Department for the duration of the war, for use in war bond drives.
Here are the details of framing an original issue of The Saturday Evening Post; May 29, 1943. Featuring “Rosie the Riveter”

Since Rosie is truly an American icon. An icon demands to be artistically framed. The customer wanted the piece to be substantial but not overly done or large. We felt the best way to showcase the magazine and preserve the integrity of the piece would be to see the entire magazine.
The magazine is first floated on a dark blue mat. The top mat is raised and set away from the magazine in order to show it in its entirety. A gold fillet was added to the top mat to integrate the gold of the frame. We hand-painted the top mat with watercolors to extend the flag image from the magazine’s cover. All finished off with an American style gold frame that has rope knot detailing.

September 1943, the Magazine War Guide was asking magazine publishers to participate in a “Women at Work Cover Promotion.” They needed women to work in all kinds of jobs, not just those in munitions plants or military-related factory work. Everyday “civilian jobs” were vital, too. The slogan for this promotion was: “The More Women at Work the Sooner We Win.” The Saturday Evening Post once again asked for Norman Rockwell to create a cover. For this cover, Rockwell created “Rosie to the Rescue”; a portrayal of an American ‘liberty girl’ dressed in patriotic clothes cast as a ‘jack-of-all-trades’composite, capable of doing any number of civilian jobs – nurse, mechanic, telephone operator, milkman, farmer, etc. to help the War effort.

The customer wanted this piece to work as a set with the “Rosie the Riveter” magazine but not be matching pair exactly. In order to incorporate the two magazines we used the same American style gold frame and hand-painted a mat as well. This magazine was floated on a dark green mat. The top mat was set back from the magazine to show the entirety as we did with Rosie the Riveter.
We hand-painted the top mat with watercolors to resemble an American quilt.

Projects Past and Present

Here are a few of our memorable and creative projects that we have never posted to our blog.  All are items that were near and dear to our customers.  Coincidently none are photographs; but who says frames are just for photographs. When it comes to framing open your mind to the possibilities and create anything into ART!

Vintage Record Album: Abbey Road is The Beatles last recorded album. The image of the Beatles on the crossing has become one of the most famous and imitated in recording history.(1)   Since this album is so famous, it demanded a creative twist.  The cover and record are floating on a cream mat to match the white of the crosswalk.  The bottom of the mat was painted to mimic and continue the zebra walkway. 

Abbey Road

Retirement Gift: This gold badge was given upon retirement; commemorating 50 years of hard work.  An honor such as this deserves to be showcased.  The badge which included a diamond is raised to float over a black suede mat.  To enhance the dimension of the badge the black suede mat was also used as the top layer. The top mat has an opening cut and was raised to the level of the badge.

50th Anniversary Badge

Concert Memorabilia: You Get What You Give by the Zac Brown Band. The cover is signed by the band.  Unfolding the case and sliding the disc out transforms a simple cd case into art. The album and top mat are raised to add dimension. 

Zac Brown Band-Signed 'You Get What You Give' album

 House Warming Gift: A Wishnest is a beautiful house blessing meant to bring love, nurturing and prosperity to your home. The nest is cast from pewter.  The nest is attached to the blue textured background without adhesive. The liner is wrapped in a cream silk.  The nest is accessible to remove the eggs.  Each egg represents one of the customer's four children. 

Wish Nest

Wanted!

It's not everyday you get to frame a piece of history.  We just finished framing one of the earliest "Wanted" posters to bear a fugitive's photograph.  Five days after President Abraham Lincoln was fatally shot, authorities distributed posters promising a large reward, $100,000 for the capture of his assassin: John Wilkes Booth and conspirators.  The photograph of Booth had been produced as a publicity shot for the actor. 

This had to be framed a unique way.  The customer asked if we would make a frame from authentic barn wood.  A barn in Kent, CT had been torn down and he had purchased a few planks of wood.  We were able to take the planks, cut them in half and mill them to create the frame.  The peeling red barn paint adds an authentic feel to the art.  What better way to showcase this piece; that would have originally been nailed to the side of barns in 1865.  

Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is sneaking up on us, and as we all know moms love something from the heart.  Here is a great idea you still have some time for are:

Framed Silhouette of Child- These go as far back as the Victorian era but are growing more popular today.  They are a different look at your child in an elegant, sophisticated way.  Even better they are easy to create. Bring your silhouette(s) to our store and we will help you choose the right background mat to showcase your silhouette uniquely.  Want to finish off your silhouette with a frame. We can also assist you in finding the perfect frame as if it was the victorian era or give your silhouette a modern spin.

Steps to create your own silhouette:

With the light behind your child – have them stand at a 45 degree angle to you. Have someone stand in front of them looking at the child – so that you can take a photo of the child from their side profile. Take several photos – the nose, lips, hair and chin are important – you can also include the top of the shoulders. 
Print your photos onto paper and adjust the contrast – you want a good outline. 
Trace the profile onto black cardstock or for a different effect use wallpaper. Cut out the traced silhouette – it’s easier to move the paper, not the scissors, as you cut. 
Position the cut out onto matboard. 
Apply glue to the back of the silhouette, cover the entire back surface to the edge.  
To add a more personal touch, add one or all of the options shown our example below.

Add a trace of the child's handprint.  Mom's LOVE handprints!

Add the child's name and year.