Jack Frame’s exquisite tree paintings explore balance, proportion, and tonal harmony, capturing the beauty and symbolism of nature. By placing his subjects in simple, elemental spaces, he invites viewers to contemplate the iconic imagery of trees and find solace in their timeless patterns.
Preferring to work en plein air, Frame creates each composition as a firsthand record of time spent with his subjects. This approach imbues his paintings with authenticity and offers the artist a profound connection to the landscapes he observes. Painting, he explains, allows him “to be present, to be a part of the world.”
Frame’s style reflects a blend of influences, from Bosch and Constable to medieval art and Japanese screen printing. His work is shaped by his love of philosophy, poetry, and theology, bringing depth and refinement to his practice. Using a combination of oils and acrylics over metal leaf, he crafts vivid, textured works with vibrant finishes reminiscent of Chinese and Japanese silk paintings. He frequently incorporates traditional artisan techniques like gilding, enamelling, and marbling, resulting in unique and striking compositions.
Born in Kent in 1983, Frame graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 2007, where his degree show sold out. He went on to win prestigious awards, including the GSA Painting Prize, the Standard Life Award, and the Jolomo Award for Landscape Painting in 2009. Since then, his work has achieved international acclaim and attracted collectors such as actress Kate Hudson, broadcaster Muriel Gray, and musician Matt Bellamy.
Now splitting his time between rural Norfolk and Glasgow, Frame remains captivated by the interplay of colour, surface, and form. This dynamic interaction, he says, generates “a real sense of energy” in his art, which continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.
