GALLERY
Fusion Fine Art Framing's goal is to carry unique and innovative artists who specialize in a variety of mediums and is committed to exhibiting and selling the works of local and regional artists in an attempt to represent the many individuals who are dedicated to creating fine art. These works are available framed or unframed.
Although we are primarily a custom framing gallery, we do carry original art and giclees by local artists, including the following...
Charles Murphy
BFA Studio Arts. Minnesota State University
Mr. Murphy, an Artist/Illustrator and Art Educator, has been teaching classes and workshops in Oil, Watercolor and Acrylic since the mid 70's. He received an Arts Educator Of The Year award in 2003. Traveling workshops have taken him to many areas of the U.S. and abroad to France, Italy and Spain.
Charles has been represented by more than 45 galleries in the U.S. and Caribbean and his work is included in innumerable collections both private and corporate including Kraft, General Motors, U.S. Gypsum, John Hancock, Mead Corporation, Prudential, and more. He has exhibited with the American Watercolor Society and the International Society of Experimental Artists.
Murphy has illustrated several books including the multiple award winning "Reach For The Moon" (Scholastic Books) written by Samantha Abeel, "Smokey The Raccoon", "Chickadees At Night" and 2 others by Bill O. Smith and his own book of rhyming verse, "The Waking Hour".
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Charles Murphy lives in Traverse City with his wife, Carrie.
Claud Mills
After growing up along the banks of the Maumee River in NW Ohio, Claud Mills attended Carleton College in Minnesota, majoring in history. Back in Toledo, “at loose ends”, in November of 1975, “on a whim”, he decided to spend a winter in Northern Michigan and maybe “ski a little”…… he’s been here ever since.
That first winter in Glen Arbor, he happened to attempt a drawing of the old outhouse visible out the picture window and rather enjoyed the process. Since then, art gradually (“very gradually”) became a major focus in his life. Largely self-taught, he says “it’s been an interesting journey”.
Working in pencil, oil, watercolor and pastels, Claud enjoys recording his surroundings, hoping “one day” to create a “masterpiece or two”.
In January, 2015, Claud opened a working studio/gallery in Old Town, Traverse City, Michigan. “While I may be taking my art way too seriously, it’s been a joy and a privilege to have such a space.” While the originals are not for sale at this point, Claud welcomes visitors. He has finally had his work photographed and we are proud to be able to carry some of his giclees at Fusion Framing.
Angela Saxon
Angela Saxon lives and works in beautiful northern Michigan near Traverse City — surrounded by the spectacular Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
She received a BFA in painting from Indiana University. Recent painting residencies have included Rome and the Sabina region, Italy; Tuscany and Chianti regions, Italy; Umbria, Italy; Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico; Palm Springs, California; Glen Arbor, Michigan.
Her paintings are shown in galleries throughout the US and her work is held in both private and public collections; she also undertakes commissions.
Gene Rantz
Gene graduated from Western Michigan University in 1955 with a Fine Art major - followed by two years in the US army where he served as an infantry officer.
From 1957 until 1985 his primary career was as a Commercial Artist doing Illustration and Advertising Art in the Kalamazoo area.
In 1985, Gene came to Northport to pursue a full time career in Fine Art. He maintains a studio in Northport, Michigan and Suwannee, Florida. Although he paints mostly in Northern Michigan and Coastal Florida, he also spends time and paints in Homer Alaska and the Western USA and has participated in Plein Air events in Florida, Michigan and Virginia. His works are owned by collectors throughout the U.S.
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In the summer of 2021, Gene passed away surrounded by his family. Thanks to the cooperation of the Gene Rantz Fine Art, LLC, we will continue to offer his giclee prints.
