Vivian Kistler on YouTube

[Kai Vanuffelen]

I noticed two short videos of Vivian Kistler on Youtube yesterday. One about framing sports-shirts and one about a newspaper. They are three years old and taken not long be fore her early death. They are oddly aimed at amateurs, but it shows the beginner-framer how she looked like and sounded and gives some informative tips. She was always willing to share her experience and knowledge about framing with others and had a down to earth approach.

I have not yet found a biography of her. Apparently she had a mascot named Pierrot in her shop-window made of tubes and featured in a 1979 or 1980 Decor magazine issue. Ours only go back to 1990, so if anyone has a picture and like to post it here.

I also have an early matcutting book of her series printed in the '80's with a white cover. This was before the Series of seven books had their individual colors. One of her books, Pricing for Picture Framers I had her sign in the front.

 

[Les Martin. MCPF]

Vivian's Classes

I never missed a chance to attend Vivian's class or a talk. Not only did I learn everytime, it was like being at a "stand up" comedy and I always felt good after listening to her. She charged every one up about framing and customer service. The good ones go too soon and she was a great one.

 

[Ellen Collins MCPF]

Amen, brother. The thing I liked best about Vivian was when she said out loud the things that we held as deep dark secrets. Who can forget her holding up a framed picture with one hand plainly covering a flaw and saying "See how beautifully this turned out?" [not that I have ever done that....hehehe]