The Art of Framing Art

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The Hands Behind the Frames: James Olson and 120 New Pieces of Cleared Art

There is something deeply satisfying about watching a craftsman at work. No shortcuts, no half measures, just skill meeting material until the job is done right.

Over the past weeks, our production floor manager James Olson has been doing exactly that. We added 120 new pieces of cleared art to our inventory, and every single one of them passed through his hands.


It started with Janessa printing the artwork on our Epson UltraChrome printer, producing archival quality prints ready for the next step.

From there, James took over. He stretched each print by hand at our large format stretching worktable, making sure every piece sat perfectly before framing.

Janessa and James matched each work to the right frame, pulling from both new stock and our collection of vintage frames, because the right frame does half the storytelling for a scene.

But the work did not stop at framing. With 120 new pieces arriving, we needed somewhere to put them.

So James built new shelving to accommodate the expanded collection, making sure every piece is stored safely and stays accessible when a production calls with a last minute request.

Today March 11th, we celebrate James’ birthday! All the best from all of us!

Emerson is holding “The Bible”. A printed compilation with all the new art and their locations in the shelves. He is the one that makes sure everything is going where it is supposed to go. He is also the one that later finds all the art with his pick list in no time….


This is what it looks like when a small team runs a full service cleared art operation.
No outsourcing, no waiting on third parties.
Printing, stretching, framing, building, all under one roof in Burnaby, BC.
Our inventory now sits at over 4,200 pieces of cleared artwork ready for your next production.

Browse the collection at aionart.com
Or find the Classic Collection by clicking on the image below:

New Original Art by Nefe Ogodo

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Nefe Ogodo’s paintings are defined by a playful yet profound uniqueness, blending expressionism and impressionism to celebrate the vibrant cultural heritage of Africa. His works often radiate humor and rhythm while embodying deep communal values, with figures that emphasize collective spirit over individual identity.

Over the years, Ogodo has developed a distinctive impasto technique, applying bold, directional strokes with brush or palette knives to create dynamic, almost sculptural textures. His compositions are enriched with intricate details, symbolic African motifs, and Egyptian hieroglyphics that weave stories inspired by African folklore and traditions.

Born in Warri, Delta State, Nigeria, Ogodo discovered his passion for art at an early age and has pursued it with relentless dedication. He trained at Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State—one of Nigeria’s foremost art schools—earning a National Diploma in Painting and General Art (2006) and later a Higher National Diploma in Painting (2010). Upon graduation, he established himself as a professional studio artist and has continued to refine his craft ever since.

Ogodo’s work has been featured in notable group exhibitions across Africa, Europe, and North America, including:

Fusion 4 (2019), The Cult House, Torrens, London, UK.

Engaging Space and It’s Metaphor as Memory (2022), Pan-African Circle of Artists, Dakar, Senegal.

Beyond the Return (2023), Sound Out Art Organization, Accra, Ghana.

Art Vancouver (2024), Vancouver Visual Art Foundation, Vancouver, Canada.

Serenade for the Soul, Artistry Unveiled (2025), The Gallery George, Vancouver, Canada.

Through his art, Nefe Ogodo continues to honour African traditions while engaging in a global dialogue that bridges cultures with color, texture, and storytelling.

More of Nefe’s art at AION

New Original Art By Liz Clay

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Liz Clay is the artist behind Cici Art Factory. As a graduate of Emily Carr Institute of Art & Design in Vancouver, Liz believes that kids deserve to see art that sparks imaginations and activates rooms. “I believe that kids remember the art that hangs on their walls. It’s in those quiet moments – when they’re falling asleep at night or lazing about – that they really look at it and their mind starts to wander. I believe that art should not only be inspiring to look at, but inspiring to believe in.”

With this belief, Liz started Cici Art Factory in 2006. As a mom to three girls and two little boys, she has firsthand input on what’s going to work and what isn’t. Liz is over a decade with AION.

Sharks: Acrylic on Canvas – 36″ w × 18″ h
Squares: Acrylic on Canvas – 24″ w × 24″ h

More by Liz Clay at AION

New Classic Art Addition

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78 New Classic Pieces Coming Soon!

Since December last year, Janessa and James work on a variety of formats for our Classic Category. Recently Janessa photographed all of them and is in the process of putting them online.
I will keep you posted with the process.

Welcome to the AION Gallery Blog!

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Welcome to the AION Gallery Blog!

We have been providing cleared artwork to the Vancouver film industry for over two decades.
More than 4,100 pieces across every style and subject, custom artwork on short timelines, fine art printing and framing, and a full studio in Burnaby ready when you need it.
That part is not changing. What is new is this space.
We are opening a blog and newsletter to share what is happening at the gallery beyond the rental catalogue.
New collections arriving, artists we are working with, and behind the scenes of custom commissions.
We are also expanding into areas we have wanted to explore for a long time. Exhibition programming, creative workshops, and open studio events at our Burnaby location.
More on all of that soon. If you would like to stay in the loop, sign up below.
No clutter, just gallery news when there is something worth sharing.