I have been coming here for almost 15 years. Rodolfo and his staff always do a great job. It's not necessarily cheap, but it's great value for the money. There is absolutely no need to go to any other framing place. I haven't had any pieces done here that I haven't loved. The right frame and matte can make all the difference. read more

This review is long overdue. Thank you Artistic Picture Framing for your care, precision, time, and attention to detail. Rodolfo truly is a joy to work with and is so knowledgable about his craft. Couldn't have pictured (love a good pun) working with anyone else for the first framed piece in our son's nursery. While at a community holiday fare, we bought a super cool piece of art from a local vendor of a map of El Cerrito which includes my husband's work site. It's playful, colorful, and full of joy. After utilizing the Yelp app to find a framing company close by, we found Artistic Picture Framing. After meeting the crew in-person, we knew we were in the right hands. We worked with Rodolfo on choosing the right colors for the piece and chatted about becoming parents, the nursery we were building, and the magic we were hoping to encompass and build around from this staple piece. He captured truly what we were looking for at an affordable rate. Looking forward to utilizing this service for future art, so happy with the outcome! read more

Artistic Picture Framing - Thank you for our first framed piece, Artistic Picture Framing in Berkeley! - Framing Near Me - Berkeley, California

I had a framed artwork that broke when it fell and hit the ground. It was a fairly clean break, along the side joints, but some of the wood framing had chipped. I called four framing shops but none would touch a repair. It was a very large piece and I didn't want to spend $1-2K on a redo. Artistic Picture Framing agreed. It took 3 days, just over $100, and it looks good as new. Amazing! read more

We lost our beloved Ginger in August 2022, and my dear niece gifted me a beautiful portrait in her memory. I wanted a frame that would truly honor it, and after researching framers across two counties, I found Artistic Picture Framing with glowing Yelp reviews. Rodolfo was amazing--patient, talented, and perfectly matched the frame to the portrait and our home. I'm thrilled with the result and will absolutely return for future framing. Highly recommend--worth every penny! read more

Artistic Picture Framing - Forever our Beloved Ginger - Framing Near Me - Berkeley, California

THE ONE When cult members talk about meeting their guru for the first time, they often say something like "when I looked into his eyes, I knew he was The One, and from that moment onward, it was the end of me. I thought that if I should die on the spot, it would not matter, my life had already been fulfilled." This is how I felt yesterday when I met Rudolpho, the proprietor of "Artistic Picture Framing" on Shattuck Avenue. "My friends! Come in!" he said with his warm smile and kind eyes. "My name is Rudolpho, and I cannot wait to see what treasures you have brought me!" My wife and I have been on a home improvement binge this year. It's a hobby with endless possibilities and plentiful rewards, but most importantly it provides a long list of "to-do" items that keeps the abyss at bay. I can't be bothered with the meaninglessness of existence until I've finished installing this wainscoting in the bathroom! Perhaps it is the curse of the empty nest - parents, who have become inured to endless tasks after 18 years, suddenly find themselves unmoored without a long task list. As this year comes to an end, our list is almost empty, and like a junkie scraping for remnants on a spoon, I stumbled on some family heirlooms in the attic that would probably look very nice if they were framed. Not today, abyss! I parked right in front of "Artistic Picture Framing", but the broken meter would only allow me 9 minutes of parking. "We're just getting some basic frames" I thought, "9 minutes might be enough time?" I needed only two minutes with Rudolpho to realize that I would never want to leave ARTISTIC PICTURE FRAMING. Not in 9 minutes, not in 9 hours! I moved my car to the rear parking lot and settled in for wild afternoon of unrestrained romantic storytelling, utterly charming braggadocio, and yes, a patient explanation of the finer details of ARTISTIC PICTURE FRAMING. "We are not fancy people, we just want simple, black frames" I said as we began our journey. But when I showed him our attic treasures, which had been handed down for several generations from one attic to the next, he could not contain his excitement. "Oh no my friends, you cannot frame these precious items in basic black. Look at these colors! This piece is extraordinary - let me show you!" Rudolpho vanished to his frame library and quickly returned with several astounding frame corners, colorful frames that I never would have picked off a shelf but brought out the beauty of the art like a tangy spice on a gourmet meal. "Can you see that?" he asked, treating us not like ignorant doltish children, but rather as well-meaning philistines who just needed a little push from the darkness into the light. "Can you see it? CAN YOU SEE THE LIGHT?" "I CAN SEE IT!" I said, ecstatic as a tentpole Baptist. "I will sell you basic black if you wish" he said, "but first I want you to see all the wonderful possibilities! Show me a picture of your house, I want to know where this will live!" Not only did we get a masterclass on framing, but we also learned a lot about our new best friend Rudolpho. "I have been a framer for 42 years, can you believe it? I am 63 years old!" I could not believe it - he looked not a day over 48. "What's your secret?" I asked. He looked me in the eyes like he was going to tell me the most important thing in the world. "My secret" he said, "is that I love what I do. I love it! Unfortunately I do it to pay for all my ex-wives and their husbands, but I still love it!" Did we spend more than we expected? Oh yes, but I would spend it again and again for such an experience - it was a lesson in life and love at the feet of the master. He shot a perfect arrow through the intersection of the practical and the sentimental - Rudolpho was a teacher, a lover, a wizened guru on the art of framing! We left almost three hours later, beaming with joy, basking in the afterglow of Rudolpho. read more

This place is fantastic. Friendly, transparent with pricing and everything they will do, and attention to detail - clearly, takes well-deserved pride in their high quality work. Highly recommend! read more

Incredible, 10/10! They went above and beyond to accomodate me within a very aggressive time frame. The final product was "picture perfect." I am grateful! read more

Rodolfo is a pleasure to work with, you can tell his passion for the artistry and he's so incredibly knowledgeable! If you are looking for quality work and amazing customer service, make the trip to Berkeley and Rodolfo will help you make your artwork pop! read more

If I could give Artistic Picture Framing more than five stars, I would! Twice, Rodolfo took an art work I had, applied his phenomenal talent and married a frame to both the art and the environment in which I was hanging the art. Several years ago, Rodolfo, at Artistic Picture Framing, framed a large Picasso "style" contemporary portrait of a woman for me to work in a room with 18th century French antiques. He created a frame that married the two time periods and I continue to love it. And last month, I brought a signed Leroy Neiman Bengal Tiger serigraph, measuring just under 3' by 4', that I wasn't enjoying in its original simple silver frame, into Rodolfo. He had me bring photos of where I was going to hang the Tiger, this time in a contemporary setting on a large dark wall. Again, Rodolfo applied his artistry to creating a perfect frame for this piece and for its setting. He carefully matched the matting to the border of artwork, enlarging the light border to help the tiger "pop" on the dark wall. And he picked up the gold color from the room it is now hanging in on the exquisite frame and in the thin spacer between the artwork and the mat. From an artwork I barely liked, thanks to Rodolfo's talent, my Bengal Tiger is now my favorite artwork. Rodolfo gets my strongest recommendation. I originally was concerned by the price of the frame, but Rodolfo's frames, with their high quality and artistry, are more than worth the cost. read more

Artistic Picture Framing - Picasso "Style" - Framing Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Stunningly beautiful work!!! Whether small photos or family mementos, Rudy is a true artist with his whole attention on your piece. read more

We brought a painting on canvas that we bought at a festival to Artistic Picture Framing to be framed. The gallery curator recommended a metal floating frame, and we came into the shop with that recommendation and no idea what a floating frame was. Luckily the people here are experts! After a 15ish minute consultation, we decided on a color and material for the frame and left our painting with them. It took about 6 weeks to get the call that our painting was ready, but the wait was so worth it! We love the frame and the painting looks beautiful in it. We'll definitely be back the next time we have some art to frame! read more

Artistic Picture Framing - The framed painting! Silver metal floating frame - Framing Near Me - Berkeley, California

Rodolfo at Artistic Picture Framing is a joy to work with; so talented, warm, creative & helpful. First off, I had a piece that needed a little repair, but it's heavy, and I'm disabled. Rodolfo came to my house to pick it up, and delivered it back (along with my two new pieces) with a whole new frame! The other art that I brought in was tricky to frame in order to really bring out the balance in the colors without overwhelming the eye, or making them look monochromatic. Rodolfo has such skill in diving right in and suggesting various textures & colors for mats & frames. He is enthusiastic without being overbearing & also letting the customer know the price ranges of the materials they are looking at so there isn't sticker shock. He does not try and upsell and will work with in your budget. I am on a tight budget and I ended up with some spectacular art! The pictures really don't do Rodolfo's work justice- both recent pieces are breathtaking. I'm very happy with his work and extra special customer service!He also very fun to work with! I'm excited to have another framing adventure with Rudolfo! read more

Artistic Picture Framing - Framing Near Me - Berkeley, California

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This is a place you go when you are ready to get premium work done. It is not cheap, but that reflects the quality of the work. They finished my framing job earlier than anticipated and the staff was communicative and very helpful. read more

A wonderful experience. I had my first piece of fine art framed, and they were so helpful. I've acquired a second piece and will return to get it framed very soon. I highly recommend Artistic Picture Framing for your quality framing needs. Also - the parking is easy, and it's a decent part of town. read more

Been here twice for glass replacement for frames and was very satisfied. The customer service was excellent and quick. Pricing is decent because I think the quality of their glass is good. I will definitely be back for framing as they have the largest and most diverse collection of frames I've ever seen. read more

If I could do six stars, I would. They are not cheap, but they are worth every dollar. It took a while for several art pieces of ours to be framed -- close to three months, but the end result is so impressive that I'm fairly beside myself. In the instances where they had to come up with solutions or frames that we had not initially decided on, the choices were exceptional, matching color or contrasting textures. I'm really stunned and more than happy. They can expect work from us in the future. No question. read more

It isn't easy to find a framer who is precise at framing needlework. When I saw the artwork framed at Artistic Picture Framing, I was so impressed. I decided right off that this is the place to have all 3 of my needlepoint birth announcements framed. Paul assisted me with choosing the matting, colors and frames which helped me with the decisions I ultimately had to make. I was amazed and delighted when I saw the finished products. The quality of the work is beyond words. Artistic Picture Framing is the best framer and I highly recommend them for your framing needs. read more

I've been here three times, and have been impressed with the quality of service and quality of product all three times. I've gotten my undergraduate diploma, my graduate degree diploma, and an accounting license framed here. Their prices are steep, but that's a testament to the quality and expert craftsmanship, and attention to detail that Rodolfo and his framing staff invest in every piece of work. They are patient when you come in, and you jointly collaborate to pick out the best frame, backdrop, fillet materials, and glass. This time when I came in, Rodolfo threw me the museum grade glass as an upgrade for free. I will be here in the future if I happen to need additional framing services. Thanks. read more

How do I distill into words the extraordinary experience of working with Rodolfo Olortegui to frame cherished works of art? I met Rodolfo upon entering his Berkeley shop on Shattuck Avenue in November 2022. (Paid street parking, by the way, was available right out front as well as on a side street; I never had trouble parking in close proximity, which matters when one is transporting multiple, large, and/or valuable pieces.) Right away Rodolfo noticed my grandfather's self portrait, oil on board, from 1933. His huge, positive response to my grandfather's face touched me deeply. That he did not similarly exude over my grandmother's portrait (also done by my grandfather) comforted me that he was genuine as well as passionate in his reactions, definitely an artist. It was magical how masterfully Rodolfo pulled out the fillet, mat, and frames that worked best. He knows his extensive stock incredibly well and expeditiously chooses what is uniquely enhancing. In the case of the portraits, he chose an outer frame he had never even used before. It was sumptuous and perfectly suited. When I wanted to be certain of the direction we were headed, Rodolfo graciously provided alternatives till I felt confident in his original inspiration. I was unaware of the passage of time, but I would not be surprised if Rodolfo spent 40 minutes with me over my grandparents' portraits. A third piece I had brought in, a small Japanese watercolor, called out for a much simpler framing and was handled very quickly. There again, however, the choices were perfect for the piece and subtly elevated it as well as protecting it behind museum-quality glass. Soon after this visit I brought in my 28-year old daughter with an unframed prized piece of her own art collection. She'd been adamant that she wanted to buy a simple black frame, but I wanted her to have the entire experience with Rodolfo and end up with something really special that she would cherish for the rest of her life. So it was with a lot of resistance that she met him. Right away Rodolfo was excited by her piece. I recall that he used the phrase "high heels!" He felt that this woman needed everything that was the best. He warned us the prices would reflect that. My daughter was instantly drawn in, but not overwhelmed, by Rodolfo's passion and inspiration. It was amazing to witness their teamwork from the outside. It ended with hugs. The hardest part of custom framing is waiting the 6-8 weeks for the final pieces. I was sustained by a photograph I had taken of my grandmother with the outer frame, propped up with magnets on Rodolfo's metal wall. It reassured me that the choices he and I had made were spot on. My daughter did not have a similar photo and spent the intervening weeks worrying about whether she would like the end result. We both, however, found the unveiling an emotional experience. My grandparents look superb and are protected and united at last. The Japanese watercolor is peaceful and perfect. My daughter's Nikolas Tower woman, always a goddess, is now, in my daughter's words, "magnificent!" Rodolfo is a master framer and I recommend him and his team and the Shattuck location of Artistic Picture Framing with all my heart. read more

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Great service! Super fun process of choosing the right framing and fabric background. Very knowledgeable staff and it's very evident that all of the staff are passionate about their work and do what they can to ensure you get the impact you want for your artwork. Highly highly recommend! read more

Although Framing is expensive it Is a craft! I'm super happy with the work I got done. It was fun to create art. Professional and you can tell everyone loves what they do here read more

Terrific. Friendly and accommodating, such good eye for figuring the picture out and highlighting the subtle details. Apologies for not remembering your name Frame Shop Man but thanks for your excellent work read more

I had three pictures that needed framing. They helped me choose the exact right frame for each picture. The framing was done in good time and everything was perfect. read more

Although this place is a little pricey, the quality of work is remarkable. The owner personally manages the shop in the other shop but they have an open and they have great printing and imaging if necessary as well. I have a white variety of frames with wide variety prices and quality. They've done several nice frame work for me with picture boxes as well as traditional framing read more

I was impressed with the reviews and visiting the business in person! The owner worked with me on preparing my adult daughter's post graduate diploma. She worked hard to complete her degree out of the US while working. The owner is fantastic and used his techniques and design. Many thanks to this great business! read more

I had a few prints and various things I was looking to frame. I ended up meeting the owner who was an absolute sweetheart. Personally I don't really know anything about framing anything. I had about 8 different pictures and paitings that I wanted to be framed well, but honestly no clue what to do. He walked me through a lot of various options and he was extremely friendly and polite. After he realized I just had no clue we both settled on letting him frame each paiting and image. He really knew what he was doing in walking me through the process so I figured I'd leave it up to him. It was perfect, and well worth every penny. They all are hanging in my house and one in my office and I'm just pleased as punch every day I walk into my living room, or before I start work. The prices were very reasonable for what he did. I feel like a lot of people just get crappy frames from amazon, but the ones he produced were top notch, and well worth the money! read more

Rodolfo is himself an artist and supporter of budding artists. I visited his shop on February 15, when I got the El Cerrito Art Association's requirements for the art show starting March 15. I brought five small watercolors that I planned to display. Rodolfo read the requirements outloud to me. Our mouths fell open when he read that the minimum size is 16x20. None of my pieces were that large. With time needed for the framing process, I had to give Rodolfo five new 16x20 watercolors by March 1. I accepted the challenge, but only completed three. The art coordinator gave me the go ahead to have two older 16x12 pieces with frames matching the size of the 16x20s. I am amazed how beautiful my pieces looked framed. The price was fair and reasonable for a rush job. My watercolors are on display at the El Cerrito DMV until July 12. Below are photos taken at the DMV with harsh overhead lighting reflected in the arcylic. read more

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Great customer service! The owner is very kind and took his time explaining the different options for the perfect frame for my husband's birthday gift. I will use them for all of my custom framing needs. read more

The owner was super friendly and helpful. He went above and beyond what was requested from us. The final product turned out great as a result. Thank you! read more

Beautiful work on a family member's art. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for. Really fantastic to work with.

This time I Had two large painting that needed extra attention (stretched on a frame) all done with care and well constructed frame all hand done a first choice for me because I know it will exceed my expectations every time!! (even helped getting them home!) they increase the value of anything they work on read more

Rodolfo is super knowledgeable and really enjoys the creative part of coming up with great framing options. And the shop turns out really nice final products. I had them frame a NUMBER of pieces for me, and I'm very pleased. Highly recommended. read more

Wonderful experience with Rodolfo...took me through a step-by-step, collaborative process. One that was informative AND throughly enjoyable. Not the cheapest by a long way but you get what you pay for. Highly recommend Artistic for your premium framing needs. read more

Artistic Picture Framing - Framing Near Me - Berkeley, California

The work was beautifully done though the prices were very expensive. Maybe you get what you pay for in quality.

I scheduled an appointment with Rodolfo and he walked me through the process step by step. This was my first time getting an art piece professionally framed and he helped me brainstorm by pulling out framing samples and placing them against the art piece for better visualization. Once he got a feel for the style I wanted, he made further suggestions to help with the decision making. He made the process fun and was very communicative. When my art was ready for delivery he sent me an email with a picture. I am very happy with the end result, the customer service and the turn around time. read more

I'm so happy with my framed art! Rodolfo is wonderful - he worked with me to get exactly what I wanted and was very patient working through all the various decisions about the frame. He diligently followed the artist's instructions for framing, and the end result is beautiful. Due to the artist's instructions, the print started warping a bit, and when I told Rodolfo he came right away and fixed it, no charge. I am blown away what great customer service this is! I have had a few pieces done here, and I will always come here for my custom framing needs. read more

I've brought several paintings and photos in for framing. Rodolfo helped me find ways to bring out the best in each piece. I've enjoyed working on the frames almost as much as opening the paper wrapping to see the final result. read more

These folks are extremely thorough, and really really good at what they do. You get very high-quality. I highly recommend APF for all of your framing needs. read more

I've taken in quite a few pieces and they always do an incredible job. They're fantastic at helping select complimentary frames and beat anyone else's price in the area. Will 100% return. read more

They do beautiful work! They helped me pick the right frames and were super friendly. Definitely don't need to be an art expert to be treated with kindness and respect here. I will use them again. read more