Claremont Custom Framing & David Putnam Photography

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us with Claremont Custom Framing. ❤️

Today’s for the moms, grandmothers, stepmoms, bonus moms, and all the women who somehow make life feel warmer, steadier, and more like home.

The ones who save the drawings… Frame the family photos… Keep the old recipes… Hang onto the memories the rest of us would probably lose in a drawer somewhere.

A lot of what we do here is really about that — moments people don’t want to forget.

We hope today brings you a little love, a little laughter, something delicious at the table, and maybe even a quiet moment to yourself somewhere in the middle of it all. ✨

Happy Mother’s Day.

~ David, Cindy, and Andy
❤️

12/24/2025

Merry Christmas from Claremont Custom Framing 🎄

As the season comes to a close, we want to thank you for another year of trust, conversation, and beautiful art shared. It’s a privilege to care for the pieces that hold meaning in your homes and families.

Wishing you a warm, peaceful Christmas filled with light, comfort, and time well spent with those you love. ❤️

— David, Cindy, and Andy ✨

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from Claremont Custom Framing! As we pause for the holiday, we want to share a simple but sincere thank-you. Every week, you trust us with art and mementos that mean the most—family portraits, heirlooms, original paintings, and artworks that carry their own stories. It’s a privilege to view them, to restore them, and to frame them in a way that lets those stories continue.

This work has connected us with so many wonderful people throughout the years, and we’re grateful for every visit, every conversation, and every project that finds its way to our work tables. There’s no better reminder of Thanksgiving than the welcome appearance of friends and patrons through our doors with the beautiful art you entrust to our care.

From our families to yours, we wish you a warm and restful Thanksgiving.

With gratitude,
David, Cindy, and Andy

11/16/2025

This Week at the Shop – Restoring an 18th-Century Portrait - This week, we had the pleasure of completing the restoration and reframing of an 18th-century oil portrait attributed to Scottish artist Allan Ramsay. The canvas came to us unframed with age, wear, and minor surface damage, but the quality of the workmanship was still clear beneath it. The sitter is identified as Joseph Banks, Esq., though we can’t confirm whether he’s the same Joseph Banks known to history as a wealthy and influential English naturalist and confidant of King George III.

Ramsay was one of Scotland’s leading portraitists of the mid-1700s, known for a refined, natural style. With that in mind, we paired the portrait with a hand-carved gilt frame suited to the period—mid-18th-century British design shaped by French influence, with soft curves and leafwork that complement rather than compete.

The restoration involved surface cleaning, reconditioning the old varnish, applying sizing in small damaged areas, retouching chips and marks, and finishing with a fresh varnish. Once complete, the portrait regained its depth and clarity, and the new frame gave it the stately presence it deserved for enjoyment by its owners. Thank you!

Another rewarding project, and a good example of how thoughtful restoration and framing can bring history forward again. Special piece of your own needing attention? We’d love to help. Have a look at our work at www.claremontcustomframing.com, or stop by our Claremont, NH shop for a free evaluation — walk-ins welcome, appointments appreciated. ❤️

09/04/2025

This isn’t the kind of post we usually make. Claremont Custom Framing rarely, if ever, talks about our donations.

But with the catastrophic shortfall facing our schools - and the burden falling directly on students and families - our community is suffering. We feel it’s important to step forward publicly. We have donated $5,000 to the Stevens High School Alumni Association, which is coordinating donations on behalf of Claremont schools.

We’re not sharing this for recognition. We’re sharing it in the hope that other businesses too, perhaps those with deeper resources than ours, will also step up in this moment for the greater good of our community.

Yes, mistakes were made in how the district’s finances were handled, and the state’s broken funding system plays a role in why we’re here. But right now the priority is keeping our schools open and our kids supported - which means supporting our schools, and a school board that’s working hard to fix this.

Claremont Savings Bank has graciously provided a short-term grant anticipation loan to buy the district some time. But it won’t erase the deficit. If we want our schools - and our kids - to have the opportunities they deserve, we all need to take responsibility.

Claremont is our home. These are our schools. These are our families. Let’s show them we’re in this together.
❤️

You can contact the Stevens Alumni office at the website below.

Stevens High School 2016 Photo by Kenneth Coulombe ’59 SHS Alumni Association We’re proud to be the oldest active high school alumni association in the nation! Click here to read more about our history and click here to read our mission Spring 2025 Fundraiser Please click on the li...

07/03/2025

New arrivals! This week at the shop we’ve welcomed new arrivals from Claremont-based potter, John Boland of Sugar River Pottery! John’s work is seen in The League of NH Craftsmen and makes for a fabulous gift or high-quality addition to any home. Come by our Claremont, NH shop for a look around! Thank you, John!

05/18/2025

This Week at the Shop - Recently we had the pleasure of restoring a lovely oil reproduction of an 1881 lithograph titled Spring Showers, originally published by Leighton Bros in The Illustrated London Almanac of 1881. Leighton Bros was renowned during the Victorian era for its detailed lithographic works, often gracing the pages of well-regarded almanacs and periodicals of the time. The Illustrated London Almanac was a staple in English households, known not only for its practical yearly calendar but also for the beautifully illustrated prints that adorned its pages.

Our project came to us yellowed with age, missing areas of paint, and showing grime and fading - you can see that on the left side of our before-and-after image. Housed in what might be its original gold-leaf frame - though we can't be certain - it was clear that time had left its mark. To help bring this piece back to its former glory, we undertook a careful cleaning process to remove surface grime and staining. The canvas was relined for stabilization, ensuring its structural integrity for years to come. Next came in-painting, where the faded and missing sections were meticulously restored, matching the original colors and style of the piece. Finally, we gave the frame a gentle clean-up, brightening its intricate gold leaf to beautifully complement the restored print.

Now, Spring Showers stands refreshed and vibrant, a true reflection of its 1881 origins for its owners to enjoy. Whether it’s a lithograph, a painting, or a family photograph, we’re always honored to bring these treasures back to life!

Have a piece that deserves a second chance? Stop by the shop at 131 Pleasant Street in Claremont, or give us a call to learn how we can help preserve your memories. You can see more samples of our work at www.claremontcustomframing.com!

01/19/2025

This Week at the Shop – Did you know that Claremont Custom Framing not only offers professional framing and restoration services but also features an exceptional selection of artwork for sale? Our shop is home to pieces on display from both local and nationally acclaimed artists, and we’re thrilled to highlight some of our newest arrivals:

• Eric Aho, whose internationally exhibited monoprint etchings evoke the raw beauty of nature.
• Stanley Bielen, celebrated for his luminous floral oils on panel and stunning monotypes with pastel.
• Beth Ganz, known for her intricate photogravures blending photography and printmaking with mesmerizing detail.
• David Burdeny, an award-winning photographer renowned for his serene digital pigment prints capturing minimalist landscapes.
• Stuart Shils, a recipient of the Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant, whose dynamic oil pastels on paper reflect urban and rural life with contemporary energy.
• Ray Ruseckas, a Vermont artist whose chalk and pastel works capture the tranquil beauty of the Connecticut River Valley.

These exceptional works beautifully represent the range of talented artists whose pieces continue to inspire and delight.

We also feature a selection of local professionals such as the impressionist landscapes of Charlie Hunter; evocative Vermont scenes by Gil Perry and Lynn Vanetta; and the timeless watercolors of Bob O’Brien, each experts in their style and medium. You’ll also find the striking photography and photogravures of our very own David Putnam; intricate egg tempera and gold leaf originals of Vermont countrysides and botanical subjects by Gary Milek, elegant pottery by John Boland, and innovative sculpture by Claremont local, Ernest Montenegro. We have a selection of etchings and engravings from artists around the country as well, and with a little prodding ;) you could even be treated to a view of masterful historical pieces by the likes of Stephen Parish, Frank Benson, and more.

Each piece is a testament to the artist's skill and vision, offering you the chance to bring a piece of their world into your own.

Stop by our shop in Claremont, NH, to view these beautiful works, or visit us online at www.claremontcustomframing.com to learn more about our services. Whether you’re looking for the perfect addition to your collection or a meaningful gift, we’d love to help you find something truly special!

01/01/2025

As we say goodbye to 2024, we're reminded once again how much we appreciate our wonderful customers. Thank you for trusting us to frame your memories and treasures this past year—it’s truly an honor to be part of your story.

It's impossible to show all the many good works and wonderful projects we take in. A small sampling is below. We look forward to seeing and working on more of your wonderful projects in 2025. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy, healthy, and art-filled New Year!

Cheers to 2025!

12/25/2024

It’s Christmas once again! From our families to yours, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas filled with love, laughter, and cherished memories. Thank you once more for letting us be part of your special moments this year. Here’s to joy, togetherness, and the beauty of the season. Warm holiday wishes to all! ~ David, Cindy, & Andy ❤️🎄