FRAN Gordon is used to framing all manner of interesting and unusual things.

But she admits her latest commission has left her temporarily stumped.

“It’s a cricket bat,” she laughs. “It will take some thought, this one. But I have some ideas…”

Fran, owner of high-end bespoke framing business Display, recently returned to Glasgow from London, where she worked with an impressive list of clients, from famous designer Paul Smith and awardwinning Icelandic artist Kristjana S Williams to groundbreaking fashion photographer Nick Knight.

Now based at creative hub The Whisky Bond at Speirs Lock, the Glasgow School of Art and Royal College of Art graduate is delighted to be back in the city.

“Living and working in London was great but I always wanted to come back to Glasgow,” she explains.

“I’ve always loved the city. I grew up in Orkney but I knew from a young age that Glasgow was where I wanted to be.

“I just had a feeling about the place, I can’t really explain it.”

She adds: “The Whisky Bond is amazing - a real hub for the creative industries. It made sense to offer my services to people in the building and the wider community.

“I am proud to work alongside talented artists and designers and the scope for collaboration with other businesses is exciting.”

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Fran’s love of art was sparked by her childhood home.

“Growing up in Orkney meant I was exposed to beautiful landscapes all the time – I was surrounded by inspiring imagery,” she says.

“I think becoming interested in art was quite a natural thing as a result.”

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After graduating from GSA, Fran completed graduate residencies at Hospitalfield Arts in Arbroath and MANY Studios in the Merchant City.

She moved to London to study printmaking at the RCA, and continues to work as an artist and designer, exhibiting around the UK and internationally.

“I became interested in collage because it can be quite abstract, you can use different textures and materials, and play around with colour and composition,” she says.

“Those ideas and skills translate into framing too, where you need a good eye, and are working with different elements and finishes.”

She learned the craft of frame-making at Zinc White in Putney and set up Display with the help of the Prince’s Trust and Glasgow City Council’s Community Business Boost Programme.

Her high-end, bespoke frames are sought after by a range of clients, from art school students to established artists and people simply looking for precious artworks to be displayed.

Every frame is made to order and offers all kinds of hand finishing, including painting, staining, lime wash, varnishing and canvas stretching.

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Fran has framed all manner of challenging artworks, from paper cut outs and t-shirts to maps, ceramics, textiles and sculptures.

“It’s lovely that people trust me with some of their most treasured items,” she smiles.

“That’s something I take very seriously. I am always really interested in the stories behind each print or photograph or papercut and I want to do a good job, working always to conservation standards.”

She laughs, returning to the cricket bat: “And no job is too odd, nor too difficult.”