framing the ideal job: to Lackland AFB and back again

In 1983, Mark Winter began his career with the military stationed at Lackland AFB.
Although he completed his military stint many years ago, Winter has come back to the base where it all began for him. In 2003 as a civilian he started working in the Lackland AFB Arts and Crafts center frame shop. Winter is doing exactly what he’s always wanted to do, frame making. As a seasoned artist, Winter encased his own work, but wanted to do framing as a primary occupation.

Working at the shop has taught Winter a number of things about framing and the various materials available at the Arts and Crafts centers. These centers provide military personnel with high-quality mounted pieces, at affordable prices. For instance, Lackland Arts and
Crafts center offers museum glass, a high-end material, popular in eyewear that produces
a non-glare effect.

Winter is most proud of providing military personnel with personalized service, quality work
and affordable and/or comparable prices to the major framing chains. He has encased
several unique pieces including a tapestry from India and art pieces that deployed troops brought back from overseas.

The most interesting process he works with is conservation framing, in which the piece is
not only framed for display, but also encased to prevent damage and aging. An example
of this sort of preservation would be Winter’s work with an 18th century Chinese shadow
box, which a customer brought in for repair. Winter replaced the glass with museum glass,
as well as the wooden latches and touched up the corking all of which help slow down the
deterioration process of this valuable antique.

A Texas native, Winter has been an artist by trade for the last 20 years, inspired by his grandmother, also a talented artist who passed away in 2004 at the age of 100. Having
served in the Air Force and being the son of a retired non-commissioned Air Force officer, Winter has found the last seven decades of military aviation to be a primary focus in his artwork. He recently had a showing in San Antonio, TX and features his work online at hometownartgallery.com under the name of Douglas Winter, his original first name
and artist alias.

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