Studio Guide
How Heart to Art Has Served Southern California Since 1988
Heart to Art has served Southern California since 1988, combining art consulting, custom framing, mirrors, special finishes, delivery, and hanging under founder Ami Chen’s direction.
Updated August 5, 2026
The studio serves homeowners and design teams alike. Projects range from one treasured photo to a full business art package.
Every process begins with the piece and its setting, then continues through final placement — with Ami involved in key design and making choices.
A Southern California studio founded in 1988
Ami Chen founded Heart to Art in 1988. From its Southern California studio, it serves homes and businesses across the region.
The studio creates custom displays instead of relying on one standard solution. Its team looks at the artwork, size, room layout, desired mood, and hanging needs. This approach suits both personal pieces and full interiors.
Custom framing shaped around each piece
Heart to Art frames fine art, canvas, photos, prints, textiles, jerseys, and keepsakes. It also works with vinyl records and oddly sized objects. Designs range from modern profiles and wood molding to shadow boxes and carved frames.
Each project starts with size, style, care needs, and hanging plans. The studio then chooses suitable glass, backing, mounting, spacing, and frame proportions. An inherited painting may need a different solution than a hotel hall.
Making, carving, and finishing in-house
Heart to Art completes many making steps in its studio. Its work includes custom molding, hand carving, close-corner frames, special finishes, and mirror beveling. The studio also handles fitting and final checks.
A connected process gives the team control over fit, joints, color, and texture. It can adjust a profile, tone a finish, or refine a mirror design. Ami stays involved in decisions that shape the completed piece.
Art consulting from selection to hanging
Heart to Art offers more than frame making. The studio helps homeowners and project teams find artwork and plan its display. Media include paintings, prints, photos, and canvas art.
The choice process begins with the room and its needs. The team considers size, color range, lighting, layout, audience, and budget. Artwork can then move through framing, packaging, delivery, and hanging.
Home care and business capability
Some clients bring one photo, jersey, painting, canvas, or mirror idea. Others need matched art for guestrooms, restaurants, model homes, halls, or public areas. Heart to Art gives both types of work close attention.
The studio also has experience with hotels, restaurants, and building projects. Published client lists include The Four Seasons, Wynn Hotels, Omni Hotel, BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, Wood Ranch BBQ and Grill, D.R. Horton, and Oakwood Worldwide. Samy’s Camera is a premier partner.
Serving Southern California today
Heart to Art serves homeowners, designers, hotel teams, restaurants, and builders across Southern California. Services include custom framing, mirrors, art sourcing, carving, special finishes, delivery, and hanging.
This broad service creates continuity from the first idea through final hanging. A project may start with a room, artwork, photo, mirror, or reference image. One studio can guide its materials, making, finish, and placement.
Key takeaways
- Ami Chen founded Heart to Art in Southern California in 1988.
- The studio serves home and business clients across Southern California.
- It produces custom frames, mirrors, carving, and many finishes in-house.
- Clients can plan art consulting, delivery, and hanging with making.
Frequently asked questions
When was Heart to Art founded?
Ami Chen founded Heart to Art in 1988. The company works from its studio and serves clients across Southern California.
What does Heart to Art make in-house?
Its capabilities include custom molding, hand-carved frames, close-corner framing, special leaf finishes, and custom surface treatments. The studio also cuts and bevels mirrors, fits completed pieces, and does final checks.
Does Heart to Art work with both homeowners and businesses?
Yes. The studio serves individuals, designers, architects, builders, hotels, restaurants, photographers, and buying teams. Projects range from individual framed pieces and mirrors to matched business interiors.
Ready to talk through your project with Ami? Call or text the studio — no forms required.
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