During a much needed, week-long vacation in Southern California, I dropped by Frame of Mind Pictures in Glendale to check out a new art exhibit celebrating milestone anniversaries for David Lynch’s The Elephant Man, Wild at Heart and Twin Peaks. Curated by Master Framer Tommy Ardolino, this free exhibit is on display through June 12, 2021. I spent more than an hour speaking with Mr. Ardolino at his gallery filled with antiquities, vintage movie posters and a prop from Seasons 1 and 2 of my favorite television show.
FRAME OF MIND PICTURES IN GLENDALE, CA
Located at 225 North Maryland Avenue, the shop is typically open on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
According to their Facebook page, Frame of Mind Pictures is a “multi-faceted custom framing and art service, owned and operated by award-winning artist, screenwriter, and film producer, Tommy Ardolino.” Established in June 1987, Tommy moved his business from his home in New Haven, Connecticut to Glendale in 1991.
I learned of this new exhibit from fellow Bookhouse Boy Aaron Cohen who tagged me on Twitter. Timing was perfect since I planned on spending a week visiting Twin Peaks film locations.
In fact, the gallery is located just down the street from the building exterior that served as Lucky 7 Insurance in Season 3.
ARRIVAL AT FRAME OF MIND PICTURES
I arrived around 1:00 p.m. and parked along the street near a coin meter. There is additional parking across the street that uses a credit card pay station. Outside the entrance, a board indicated the films celebrating anniversaries this year.
Lynch’s The Elephant Man turned 40 years old on October 10, which is the same day that Tommy opened this exhibit. He later told me his story of seeing the award-winning film on the massive screen at the Egyptian Theater in Los Angeles.
Tommy first moved to Los Angeles in 1979 to attend film school at the University of Southern California. He remembered seeing a midnight showing of Eraserhead with his fellow film students. He was surprised that Lynch would be directing a major studio film with notable British actors. On opening night, he rode his moped to the theatre and quickly parked it behind a dumpster so as not to be late entering the packed show.
He doesn’t have a singular favorite David Lynch film though The Elephant Man made an impression on him. He prefers to look at all of Lynch’s work as a singular effort. The show he curated reflects this view as there is something for everyone.
Upon entering, I was greeted with the familiar sounds of Angelo Badalamenti’s soundtrack to Twin Peaks playing from a hidden speaker somewhere in the shop. I could hear Tommy speaking on the phone, so that gave me a few moments to look around (a funny aside, he was speaking with Rebekah Del Rio – gosh, I adore her!).
When Tommy appeared after his call, we chatted about inspiration for this show. Frame of Mind Pictures previously presented themed exhibits around The Beatles “Yellow Submarine” and the 50th Anniversary of Woodstock. The latter was on display in March 2020 just as the entire world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of working on a documentary as his next project, he turned his attention to the David Lynch exhibit.
Curating pieces for this exhibit began around June 2020 and included a mix of newly framed pieces along with other rare gems and even antiquities related to Lynch films.
Here is a short video tour which provides a good overview of items on display, many of which are for sale.
THE GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL MURAL
The one piece I couldn’t wait to see was the Works Public Administration (WPA)-inspired mural once found on the set of The Great Northern Hotel in Seasons 1 and 2 of Twin Peaks. It’s difficult to see with my What Would Jack Do? face covering, but I’m beaming just standing by it.
The mural was first seen when Ben Horne confronts his daughter in his office in Episode 1001.
Standing in front of the mural was an incredible feeling, especially during this 30th Anniversary year of the show.
I mean how many times have I seen that mural while watching Twin Peaks? Now I was standing inches away from it.
While I’ll be examining this mural in detail at a later time, Tommy shared a few stories about it.
Tommy recalled that Michael Horse told him that the mural was delivered to the Twin Peaks set by Dennis Hopper and Harry Dean Stanton on David Lynch’s birthday.
When the mural was on display at Frame of Mind Pictures, an elderly woman told him that she remembered seeing it at a restaurant in Oregon when she was a child.
The signature on the image is: DCS / WPA CCC / ’32. This could be a reference to the WPA Civilian Conservation Corps, a voluntary relief program that operated in the 1930s.
Tommy’s story of how he acquired it will leave you speechless. He attended an auction of Twin Peaks props held on Melrose Avenue in 1993. There were many items available including furniture, lamps, accessories and more props from the original set.
Toward the end of his visit, he spotted this mural upside down by the door, and remembered it from the Great Northern Lodge. He asked one of the auction workers about it, surprised that no one had placed a bid. The worker said they were going to just get rid of it and Tommy offered to take it off their hands.
THIS WOULD LOOK NICE ON YOUR WALL
Opposite the mural, I found a floor-to-ceiling wall filled with David Lynch and Lynch-inspired memorabilia. From movie posters to vintage postcards to publicity photos, the wall celebrates nearly all of Lynch’s works.
Items for sale were indicated by small colored stars with a corresponding price list found nearby.
One of the coolest items was a hand-written letter from Sir Frederick Treves, Surgeon to the King of England, and physician to the Elephant-Man. It was surrounded by other framed images of historical figures and original artwork inspired by Lynch’s 1980 film.
I loved seeing several framed Italian movie posters for both Wild At Heart, my first David Lynch film.
The Italian poster for Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me is gorgeous; those reds really pop seeing them in person. I found myself looking over the wall again and again finding new treasures with each viewing.
WILD AT HEART
Tommy’s creativity knows no boundaries as he explained this particular image presented in a bright pink frame. The screen image is from Wild at Heart but look carefully at the wall paper.
Better yet, take a look at this short clip with Diane Ladd’s outstanding performance. Notice the wallpaper? It’s the same one used in the film. Tommy received some of the wallpaper that the set decorator used on set.
This is a better look at the wallpaper.
Tommy included some of that wallpaper in the limited edition exhibit poster which I purchased for $20.
The framed version of this poster contains a larger slice of the wallpaper. It’s such a unique item from something that is nearly impossible to find today.
SNOQUALMIE FALLS POSTCARDS
I also loved seeing nods to the real “Twin Peaks” such as three framed images of postcards from Snoqualmie Valley. This stunning image includes vintage cards from one of my favorite Washington state spots – Snoqualmie Falls.
This framed image uses black-and-white photos of the falls and surrounding valley and presents them under vintage antique glass. Tommy said this glass is highly sought after by collectors for its unique qualities. There is a slight wave to the glass that happens naturally after many, many years.
One more framed collection of old image of the falls during a time before the Lodge perched above the falls existed.
OTHER DAVID LYNCH TREASURES
Under to glass cabinets near the entrance you’ll spot several items from both Twin Peaks and related to the story of the Elephant-Man. I loved seeing the cassette tapes from Julee Cruise with a copy of the Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me script underneath.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND A VISIT TO FRAME OF MIND PICTURES
If you are in the Glendale area, I highly recommend you stopping by. Tommy already sold two framed Twin Peaks publicity photos during opening night. I imagine more of these items will disappear quickly.
If you are interested, you can reach Frame of Mind Pictures at 818-738-0736.
Thank you to Tommy for his time and for curating an amazing exhibit!
