D. Michele Hampton

Michele is a native of Jacksonville, Florida and has been interested in art from an early age. Over the years that interest has grown. Although she has no formal training, God has given her a talent that she enjoys using. Michele began to transition from art as a hobby to art as a profession in 1983 when she was hired by a well known artist and Gallery owner, Marie Harcleroad, in Atlanta, Georgia. It was a match made in heaven. This was where Michele was supposed to be. The art of framing came easy to her as she learned the ropes over the next few years. Being trained by one of the best led her to move, with her husband, back to Jacksonville and to open her own art and framing Gallery in Jacksonville Beach. Hampton Gallery served the South Jacksonville Beach and surrounding area from 1991 through 2008. During this time Michele began to develop a passion for creating and producing hand made frames – “The Art Around the Art” -one of a kind pieces hand cut from raw wood or recycled from old frames and refinished to compliment and enhance the art it is framing. She has transitioned her business to a new name and increased product and services offered out of a warehouse and retail space in Atlantic Beach, Florida.

Additionally, it seemed to develop naturally that the passion for refinishing frames would carry over to refinishing furniture and re-purposing other small items. Michele finds delight and satisfaction is finding discarded pieces and giving those pieces new life. She has many items for sale in her online store, or you may give her a call to setup an appointment if you are interested in getting a refinishing quote.

ARTIST STATEMENT: “As a framer, I am happy to be inspired by other artists and their works. I believe that the frames I create are the art around the art, making what is hung on the wall one finished piece – “The two become one.” The frame can be a strong visual that draws the viewer’s eye to enjoy the art and see what it is the artist is trying to convey. I enjoy being part of that completion. I have been creative as far back as I can recall. I enjoy designing and hand-making frames; it fulfills the creative and mechanical desire. Sometime we are blessed enough to make a living doing what we love to do.”