July 2026

Name: Tamburrini Art & Framing

How did your creative journey start?

I’ve always had an interest in Art and Design and knew from a very young age that my career would lie within the creative industries. I grew up in Clydebank with a pencil and paper or a hammer and timber never far away from me, and I was always making ‘things’ or space planning my bedroom! I was also very lucky to have creative siblings and art teachers who encouraged me on my pathway to what I have become today. I graduated as an Interior Designer in 1992 after studying for four years at the Florence Street Annex of The Glasgow College of Building and Printing, and this is where my ‘proper’ and disciplined creative journey began. 
 
I’ve always been fascinated by Architecture, Design and the Environment I live within, and my early morning walk as a student to Florence Street in the Gorbals from 1988 until 1992 – passing through Paddy’s Market when the vendors were setting up – was always an interesting and stimulating start to my day! Each of my student days brought something inspiring and different, and I became a sponge for anything that would increase my knowledge and understanding of Art and Design. It was during these four years that I began to fully understand that an initial concept or idea is rarely the best solution and that development should be part of the creative process…a belief I still live by to this day. The very early 90’s introduced a new awareness of ‘Lifestyle’ and ‘Designed Environments’, and it was during this time that I explored the notion of setting up an Art and Design business to capitalise on this new found interest in artwork and interiors. 

How did your organisation start?

I’ve never actually practiced as a professional Interior Designer since graduating in 1992, choosing instead to set up a commercial Art and Design business specialising in Picture Framing, Artwork, Giclée Prints and Mirrors. My professional qualification, along with a natural understanding and appreciation of composition, form and presentation, has always set me apart from other framing competitors, and being a professional designer has always been an effective bridge to provide design-related advice to customers who have struggled with integrating their framed artworks into their existing homes or commercial spaces. 

My core customers in the early years were Interior Designers, Architects, House Builders, Hotel Groups and Retail Outlets, and I had a small specialised team to help me service the volume orders that were generated. My client list over the years has been extensive, and I’ve provided cost-effective art and framing solutions for major high street retailers such as Harrods, John Lewis, TK Maxx and Costco, along with international and boutique hotel groups including Cameron House Hotel, Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant Group, Ibis Hotels, IHG Hotels and Macdonald Hotels. I have also worked extensively with major house builders including Cala Homes, Persimmon Homes, Taylor Wimpey, Miller Homes and Avant Homes…to name but a few. 

Early in my career, I received a commendation at The Balvenie Artisan Awards in 2002 for a collection of hand crafted mirrors using acid-aged copper, which I designed and made as a creative nod to the copper stills used at the Balvenie Distillery. Around the same time, I was also fortunate enough to have appeared on ‘The Home Show’ on TV…my face and nervous voice emblazoned on millions of TV’s around the UK!! Both of these opportunities served as a springboard for business and creative growth and helped me build my profile as a skilled Artisan Picture Framer. 

What creative activities do you offer as an organisation?

Since 2020, I have manoeuvred myself away from the larger commercial jobs, and I now specialise in Bespoke Picture Framing, Fine Art Scanning and Giclée Printing primarily for Artists, Photographers, Interior Designers and private clients…all from my studio at D2 in Larbert. 

The conservation, and future integrity and safety of any artwork I have been entrusted with is always present in my practice these days, and this is absolutely reflected in the materials and processes I utilise. I always ensure that the highest levels of archival care and materials are available for the artworks I’m framing. I take pride in my output, and it still irks me when I see artworks and high-value prints touching the underside of the glass. This should be AVOIDED at all costs as the lack of airflow promotes condensation and mould…which will cause irreparable damage to the artwork. The high level of care and attention I practice is appreciated by my customers, and this provides me with an enormous level of job satisfaction. I want to be the best at what I do, and I’m very fortunate to be doing a job that I am passionate about. 

Furthermore…who doesn’t enjoy a creative chat with an artist!?

Who are you aiming to support?

I have always supported Artists, Photographers, Designers and Professional Creatives throughout my career, and I’m glad to provide genuine encouragement, advice and motivation whenever needed…all free of charge!! On a practical level, though, I provide a standard 25% discount on my picture framing service to all of the above along with discounted prices for Giclée Prints. If you’re lucky enough, then you’ll often leave my studio with a bundle of free gratis mounts or board as a special thank you for being a customer! I have always been motivated by ‘Cost Effective’ picture framing solutions. Professional framing does not have to be cost-prohibitive. I always strive to make my pricing structure as competitive as possible without compromising on quality or professional and environmental ethics. 

I am a huge supporter of new and undergraduate artists, and in 2025 I worked with The Tighnabruaich Gallery to introduce the Tamburrini ALTIMAS Award – a £300 picture framing prize for undergraduate or recently graduated artists. The inaugural ALTIMAS award was won by Glasgow School of Art graduate Connor Draycott, whom I still support and provide mentorship to. I plan to provide the ALTIMAS award during 2026 and for all forthcoming years, and hope to support and reaffirm my connection with The Tighnabruaich Gallery and the Scottish Contemporary Collective by doing so. 

What advice would you give creatives who are just starting out?

Experiment and MAKE MISTAKES…embrace and try every artistic technique and medium you can possibly think of…and don’t be scared of innovation and doing things differently…invent your own techniques!! Some of my best work has been borne from fortune and experimentation!!

From a professional point of view, though, give thought to the substrate you’re working on and ensure it is a suitable material for the longevity and integrity of your artwork. You want your artwork to survive FOREVER! Also…give some thought on how you plan to present and frame your artwork when it is finished, as this will likely influence the substrate you use. As an example, if you want your finished artwork to be mounted and glazed within a thin frame, then producing it on a chunky cradled panel or stretched canvas wouldn’t be ideal…producing it on rigid board or paper/card would be the better approach for cost effective picture framing. Presentation and framing SHOULD be part of your creative process and planning!!

What can visitors expect when visiting your space during Falkirk Open Studios?

My studio is always a hive of activity, and I tend to work on several jobs at the same time.  Visiting the studio will allow you to see all of the stages (and the materials used) when making a Bespoke Picture Frame. This will include bevelled mount and glass cutting, or sanding and preparing picture frames for painting and waxing. Visitors will also see the Fine Art Scanning and Giclée Printing process along with how to safely and properly ‘T’ hinge prints and artworks to mounts. 

Examples of the Bespoke Artwork and Giclée Prints I produce for show homes will also be available to view and purchase.