Ken and Pat Baur, Owners
Ken and Pat have over 25 years experience in owning and operating successful retail businesses. They created Framing Concepts with the goal of offering a stimulating environment that demonstrated the beauty of art and proper framing. The business has evolved into a decor resource reaching far beyond framing and art, and now includes three showrooms, and framing service in Chicago's Merchandise Mart, a Corporate division operated by Pat, and various framing services for professional photographers and designers throughout the region.
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Ken Baur
Owner
Ken wears many hats at FCG. He makes the business run smoothly, oversees all three galleries, and participates in designing and framing. Ken also operates a framing consulting business called KB Consulting to help other framers navigate tomorrow's changing industry.
Childhood Ambition: To run a sub 4 minute mile
Interior Identity: Metropolitan Noir
Soundtrack: "Notting Hillbilly's"
Hobbies: Golf, Gardening
Wildest Dream: Walking the entire Yellowstone National Park
Biggest Challenge: Being patient
Perfect Day: Any day I don't have to leave the house
Top Movies: Pursuit of Happiness, Saving Private Ryan, Shawshank Redemption
Inspiration: Those I've met that had difficult childhoods but still worked hard to have a positive, successful life.
Who he'd like to meet: Michael Jordan
Favorite picture on the wall: "Wine Cellar" - I like the rhythm, it looks alive.
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Pat Baur
Owner & Chesterton Designer
Framing Since 2001
Pat is the designer and manager of our Chesterton gallery, as well as the head of our business division, Corporate Concepts.
Childhood Ambition: To make it this far
Interior Identity: Cottage Casual
Soundtrack: James Taylor, Jimmy Buffett, Billy Joel, Harry Chapin...
Hobbies: Scrapbooking, playing with grandchildren
Wildest Dream: A day at a really good spa
Biggest Challenge: Raising Two Children
Perfect Day: Sleep until I wake up on my own
Top Movies: Any romantic comedy - the Thin Man series
Top Books: Great Expectations, The Birth Order Book, biographies
Inspiration: People - I believe I can learn something from anybody
Who she'd like to meet: Warren Buffet
Favorite picture on the wall: "Don Quixote" because the frame looks like the artist painted it to match the picture. |
Brian Boedeker, CPF
Production Manager
Framing Since 1999
Brian is the manager of our 3,000 sq. ft.
state-of -the-art production facility.
His CPF status allows him the ability to create quality projects which do not compromise the value of the art. Brian and his team complete over 90% of all projects in 10 days or less!
Childhood Ambition: To be a bachelor
Interior Identity: Luxe Lodge
Soundtrack: ESPN Radio am 1000
Hobbies: Golf, basketball, kids (not necessarily in that order)
Wildest Dream: To be on the PGA tour
Biggest Challenge: Golf, Getting through the holiday season in production
Perfect Day: Play 36 holes of golf and the kids sleeping in
Top Movies: Ace Ventura, Wayne's World, Anchorman
Inspiration: My wife and children
Who he'd like to meet: Tiger Woods, and Michael Jordan
Favorite picture on the wall: "Signed Cubs Sweatshirt" because it says "If it takes forever.."- Go Cubs! |
Barbara Ann Holmes, CPF
Valparaiso Designer & Manager
Framing Since 2000
Barbara is our Valparaiso Gallery designer and manager. She is an accomplished musician, and an exciting part of our team.
Childhood Ambition: To be a star!Interior Identity: Mix between Classic Club and Global OriginsSoundtrack: Soulful ballads + Classic Rock + Oldies + Blues = Musical SlushHobbies: Singing, dancing, painting, cooking, writing, competitionsWildest Dream: Win a GrammyBiggest Challenge: Rollercoasters and BakingPerfect Day: Taking an Autumn Stroll with my husband, and fixing dinner together while watching our favorite movies.Top Movies: Breakfast at Tiffany's, all the National Lampoon flix, Dirty Dancing, Big Fish, Wizard of Oz, Sandlot, The WarTop Books: Chronicles of Narnia, Shopgirl, The NotebookInspiration: My family, the Great OutdoorsWho she'd like to meet: Steve MartinFavorite picture on the wall: "395" because of it's texture & warm focal point, it reminds
me of Autumn. I love that the title leaves it open for interpretation.
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Tracy VonGruben
Crown Point Designer & Manager
Framing Since 2002
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri,
Tracy now brings her framing and graphic skills to beautiful Northwest Indiana.
Childhood Ambition: World Famous Artist/Architect/Veterinarian/Rockstar
Interior Identity: Urban Loft - Metropolitan Noir
Soundtrack: Anything that ROCKS
Hobbies: Playing piano and guitar, drawing, painting, watching movies
Wildest Dream: Playing piano on stage with my favorite musicians
Biggest Challenge: Waking up early
Perfect Day: French Toast for breakfast, some fun in the sun at the pool or beach, and a night at the movies with my fiance.
Top Movies: Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Pride & Prejudice
Top Books: Les Miserables, Jurassic Park
Inspiration: My friends and family are a constant source of love and inspiration, and why I get up in the morning.
Who she'd like to meet: Harrison Ford
Favorite picture on the wall: "Harlequin" - I love how the texture of the frame matches the swirls in the painting. |