About Our Seminars

Picture Panache Framing & Design is pleased to provide educational and entertaining seminars tailored specifically to the needs of a variety of audiences.

CUSTOM SEMINARS

Do you need a speaker for your women's group or community group? Or, do you have a business? Perhaps you're an artist, photographer or designer and you're looking for a way to attract your ideal clients? These presentations are a great way to get potential clients through the door. Also, it's a wonderful opportunity to show appreciation for your current customers.

"Very informative and well presented!" --- Sandy Gamble, Interior Decorator

Best of all, it's interesting and FUN for everyone! Click HERE if you'd like a certified design professional to present a seminar tailored to your group's needs.

EXPAND YOUR SKILLS

If you're looking for a fun way to learn more about design, custom framing and more, we host a variety of exciting seminars for you to choose from. Take a look at all the great options below. Bring a friend or meet new friends and get ready to laugh and learn.

"Presentation was informative and clear, easily understood, and fun. Your eye helps me develop mine. Thank you very much." --- Judy & Fred Riley

"A lovely presentation which encouraged me to explore the personal meaning I attach to the artwork I surround myself with." --- Monica Kingsbury, Registered Clinical Counselor.

Click HERE if you or your group would like to attend any of the following seminars.

Picture Panache Seminar Descriptions

Walls That Wow!

Ever wonder why some rooms seem perfect while others have all the right "things" but still don't have that pulled together "look" you were hoping for? We've got answers!

This seminar introduces you to arranging artwork using the principles of design. You'll learn to create rooms that are both comfortable and memorable.

Learn easy and helpful tips for creating walls and rooms that WOW!

Yes, I want wall that WOW! Click HERE to register for a scheduled class or book this seminar for your group or business now!

Start With Art!

Are you thinking about redecorating a room? Or, perhaps transforming your whole home? It can be overwhelming and frustrating trying to pick the right colours for your walls. With a million little paint chips, how do you choose?

This seminar teaches a fail-proof system for selecting the right paint colours, the first time. All of your art will standout perfectly against the flawless background.

Yes, I want to learn the fail-proof system for selecting the right paint colours! Click HERE to register for the next scheduled class or book this seminar for your group or business now!

Art Speaks! What is Yours Saying?

If you love 'The Secret' and are fascinated by the 'Power of Intention,' then join us for a look at how art speaks to us on a subconscious level.

What could a change in wall décor mean to your life?

Yes, I want to discover what my art says to me! Click HERE to book this seminar for your groups' next event!

One Red Paper Clip (Or What You Focus on Expands)

Remember the blogger who traded one red paperclip for a house?

If you believe that what you focus on expands, then come and learn an easy, breezy way to bring more of what you want into your life. Discover how your décor can help you focus on your dreams, so you get there faster!

Yes, I want to reach my goals faster through art and decoration! Click HERE to book now!

As Good as Chocolate!

What's your pleasure? Do you prefer bulk bin chocolate or Bernard Callebaut?

Just as chocolate ranges in price, so does framing. If you're concerned about the high cost of framing, why not come and learn about the components that go into quality, custom framing.

Find out if custom framing is right for you. You'll leave this seminar knowing how to make informed decisions about the kind of framing that will best meet your needs.

Yes, I want to find out more about custom framing! Click HERE to register for the next scheduled class or book this seminar for your next event!

Artworks Series (3 Parts)

This is a series of three educational sessions which may be taken consecutively or individually.

Part 1) Storage & Protection of Art & Keepsakes

Do you have art, photos, family heirlooms and all sorts of keepsakes tucked away? We all have meaningful pieces crammed in storage spaces, in drawers or the back of closets. These special items could be in danger. Are you committing conservation "sins" that risk damaging or destroying these items?

Learn key tips for protecting art, photos and family history for the next generation to enjoy.

Yes, I want to protect my treasures! Click HERE to register for the next scheduled class or book this seminar for your next event!

Part 2) Selecting Matting & Framing

Confused by the different types of mats available? Have you ever wondered how to select the 'right' colours to enhance your artwork? Learn how to recognize and choose good framing design.

Get tips, tricks and new ideas for enhancing your art and rooms.

Yes, I want to learn about good framing design. Click HERE to register for the next scheduled class!

Part 3) Creating & Hanging Framed Art Groupings

Running out of wall space? Maybe you've moved and your artwork doesn't fit the way it used to. Or, maybe you're an avid collector and don't know what to do with all the beautiful pieces? In this seminar, you'll learn tricks to creating harmonious groupings of art and objects.

Yes, I want to know how to arrange my art and objects. Click HERE to register for the next scheduled class!

Upcoming Events

At Picture Panache Framing & Design, we love hosting events and inviting the community to participate. It's a great chance for us to meet you and you to meet us. Check back often to find out about our next special event. Or sign up for our free newsletter and you'll never miss out on the fun!

Yes, I want to receive the Picture Panache FREE newsletter! Click HERE to sign up today!

Saturday Oct 24  & Sunday October 25, 2009 Saanich Peninsula Fall Studio Tour

Picture Panache Framing Studio Open House

Picture Panache is excited to be participating once again in the Community of Arts Council Saanich Peninsula Fall Studio Tour. As has become our tradition we are hosting an artist you might not see otherwise. This year you'll enjoy meeting Gail Lamarche who will be presenting  some of her most recent drawings, monoprints and watercolours.
 
 
Gail Lamarche - First Exhibit in Sidney
 
This is the first exhibit of drawings, monoprints and watercolours by Gail Lamarche in Sidney by the Sea. Gail moved to Sidney in April of 2006 from Eastman, Quebec.
 
Her professional life as an artist and lecturer has been mainly based in Montreal, Quebec.
 
She exhibited and taught at the Universite du Quebec, Concordia and Bishop's University in Lennoxville, Quebec. Her medium of artistic expression has been in textiles (large scale tapestries, batiks, and silk screening), drawing, painting and printmaking.
 
Artwork  Purchased for Prestigious Collections
 
Some of Gails works have been bought by the Federal and Provincial Governments as well as the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the National Film Board. Others have been commissioned for specific sites and yet others are in private collections in Canada, England, France and Switzerland. Some of her work was just recently featured in an exhibit at the Museum of Civilization, Ottawa.
 
Artist in Attendance
 
Gail Lamarche will be in attendance both days of the Studio Tour, with a large selection of unframed works in three different media. Picture Panache Framing will be showing one of each media framed, to give you some idea of the visual impact these works will have when framed and displayed in a home or office setting.  Prices for unframed pieces range from $90. to $1000. 100% of the proceeds from sales of unframed artwork work go directly to the artist (we take no commission). Framed pieces on display are also available for purchase and are framed with "all the bells and whistles"! Picture Panache specializes in designing unique framing compositions to showcase artwork loved by collectors.
 
Drawings
 
The drawings presented are all 8 & 1/2" X 11". They are in black ink, watercolour and mixed media and are an integral part of this artist's creative process. They range in scope from sketches for future works to elaborations on a subject, to completed ideas. They are a visual journal. If you are an artist yourself, you'll love talking to Gail about how she uses this method to reflect and discover new ideas!
 
Recently one of these drawings was sold to the National Film Board of Canada for the film "A Time There Was - Stories of the Last Days of Kenya Colony".

 Monoprints
 
The monoprints are done in three techniques. The black method and in some instances red, which means inking the plate in black or red and creating the drawing by removing the ink. This image is then printed and overpainted with watercolour. There is only 1 original print in this method. All prints in this exhibit were done since 2007 on the Ground Zero Printmakers Press, where Gail is a member.
 
Several of these monoprints have been exhibited at the Boardroom of BC Government, with Ground Zero Pintmakers Society, at Hemp & Co. and at X changes Artists Cooperative.

 
 
Watercolours
 
The watercolours are 24" X 36". Themes or subjects are the garden, the mountains, the spiral or different objects. In some cases the image is composite and built up with compositional juxtapositions and symbolic references and abstracted. Others stay closer to the first impact suggested by the subject.

 
You're Invited!
 
Please mark your calendar and stop by Picture Panache Framing.
Saturday October 24, 11:00 – 4:00
Sunday October 25, 11:00 - 4:00
 
Help us  welcome artist Gail Lamarche !
We really love Gail's artwork and feel privileged to be the first to show it to you!

Of course it's also a great chance to visit our custom framing studio and workshop. Both will be open. Don will be available to answer any questions about items you have stashed in your closet that you might be thinking of getting up on your walls. If you happen to purchase a piece of artwork from Gail, we'd love to work with you to design something to suit your personal taste.  You know we generally work by appointment, so do take this opportunity to visit us during the Open Studio. We'd love to see you.  Tour Maps are available from the mailbox beside the front door of our Framing Studio or in most Sidney coffee shops and bookstores.

Special Offers Currently Available

Framing Party

You've heard of a Tupperware Party? Well, why not host a Picture Panache Framing Party?

In our experience, framing is like exercise. We have good intentions, but life happens. Nearly everyone has something special stashed in the back of their closet that they've been meaning to frame. Or wall décor they still really love if only the framing weren't so dated.

Dig out your treasures, round up some friends and call to book your Framing Party. No need to clean your home or fuss over snacks because we meet at Picture Panache Framing Studio.

As the host, you'll receive incentives and special discounts for framing purchases made while at the Framing Party. Minimum 4 people.

Yes, I'd like to receive framing discounts by booking a Framing Party now! Click HERE to book today.

Helping Schools, Teams, Organizations, Charities & Non-Profits

Are you tired of bottle drives?
Concerned about the security of your children going door to door?
Is fundraising time-consuming and a big hassle?

We have a great new way for your school, team or organization to raise money. It's simple and requires very little effort. Just register with us. We'll open an account and provide you with a customized mailer/e-mailer explaining how easy it is for your supporters to raise funds for you.

All you have to do is distribute this information to your supporters via newsletter, stuffer, e-mail, etc. Anytime a complete custom-framing package is purchased at Picture Panache Framing and your name is mentioned, a portion of the sale will be credited to your account.

Here's an example:

• A Basic Frame for a 16 X 20 image could generate a donation of $16.25
• A Classic Frame for a 16 X 20 image could generate a donation of $29.00
• A Deluxe Frame for a 16 X 20 image could generate a donation of $71.75

On average, 40 supporters total a donation of $1560.00.

How could $1560.00 help your school, team, organization, charity or non-profit?

Yes, I'd like to take advantage of this fundraising offer! Click HERE to set up your account today.

As a Supporter...how can I help?
It's easy. Simply, purchase your framing with Picture Panache Framing and mention the name of the organization you'd like to support. The donation will automatically be added to their account.

Yes, I'd like to support my organization! Click HERE to book your framing appointment today!