Employee Owner Spotlight: David Johnson

Employee owner name: David Johnson

Department/Job at Work: Art Preservation (A.P.) – Matting; David has also worked in Glazing, and Fitting

Number of years working at Bark: 14 years

Hails from: New Canaan, Connecticut 

What did you for work do before you worked at Bark Frameworks?

I was a frame designer for a Manhattan-based framer, for about 4-5 years prior to working at Bark. Before that, I was a painter, and stay at home dad, raising my two kids.

What is the biggest challenge in your area of work at Bark?

I would say it is ensuring the standards that were laid down by our founder, Jed Bark, are maintained, and — if possible — improved upon. For example, I’ve worked on developing techniques for materials that were new to the company at one point, like Luxar. Luxar is a double-paned, laminated glazing product that is conservation quality, and anti-reflective. It’s very heavy – it weighs 80-100 lbs, and takes two people to handle it. When we first started working with it, I had to devise a method to cut these larger lites of Luxar. We tested methods, several times. At first, it would take almost all day to cut a large sheet. Now, after developing a more effective way to cut it down on both sides [by aligning the score lines exactly] – it takes less than two hours. Developing and testing new methods like this has really helped us to be more efficient while working with high-grade, archival materials.

What do you like best about working at Bark?

Seeing the artwork that comes through from major museums and collections. I like working with artwork from all around the world; as well as artwork from the masters. I personally love any kind of artwork from medieval churches, to Rembrandt or Degas.

I also really enjoy conveying information to newer employees about Bark’s procedures and the “why’s” of our processes and how we do things here. Being able to guide personnel as to how our systems work, and Bark history — essentially what makes us “Bark.” Embracing the totality of the Bark system.

Also, I like testing materials – which I do often here. I like to make sure our practices meet – or exceed — the strict guidelines for our conservation efforts.

Name a particularly memorable framing job you worked on:

A collection of Harper’s Weekly historic covers came through, years ago. Two of them had my great-great grandfather’s illustrations on them. That was memorable!

A second memorable moment: working in A.P. one day and seeing a finished frame — then realizing, after a moment, that it was my own artwork! (See said artwork, below, a family portrait David painted for a client, circa 2004).

How has your life in- and outside of work changed as a result of the COVID pandemic?

I actually worked on a painting commission a lot of that time, initially [when New York was shut down in 2020.] Then, when I got up to our Rhode Island house, I had quarantined for a few weeks. I was finally ready, for a month or so, to do fun things with my family — but then I got an email about Bark returning to work (Bark re-opened on June 8, 2020, with all Tier 1 manufacturing). Frustrating!

What does being an employee-owner mean to you?

Being an employee owner gives me a greater sense of responsibility. I care more about where the Company is going, and what direction it takes.

Self-portrait, by David Johnson.

Are you an artist?

Yes – I am a painter; I sometimes work with pastels too. I got my degree in Painting from Maryland College of Art. I did my first oil painting when I was six years old….

I’m the youngest of four kids, and I remember – after all of my other siblings had left for school – running into the kitchen and asking my mom about artists and masterworks (I probably had heard my old siblings, talking about art/painting). She looked shocked, but that’s how curious/passionate I was about art, from a young age.

Any outside hobbies/interests you have when you’re not making frames?

Making art or being with my family; I also love to play tennis and golf, bike ride, and swim.

Thank you, David!