About The Studio The Studio Shop is the San Francisco Bay Area’s premier resource for fine art and quality custom picture framing. With our gallery of fine paintings and sculpture, and our extensive selection of picture frame mouldings, we are able to meet the art and framing needs of all of our customers, discriminating clients and design professionals. In the Community At The Studio Shop, we are proud and grateful to be part of a wonderful community and feel strongly that it is important to give something back. The Studio Shop has taken an active role by providing both direct aid and goods and services, as well as implementing an employee matching program, to support fundraising efforts for local schools, arts groups and other non-profit organizations on the Peninsula. Our Experienced Staff Emma Bell Emma Bell began working for Carl and Janet Martin as a babysitter and, while still in high school, began to train at the Studio Shop as a framer in 2000. Since then she has attended Chico State and received a BA in English, continuing to work at the Studio Shop during summer and winter vacations. Eventually she plans to return to school to pursue an MA in education and teach high school English, but currently is enjoying a sabbatical from her studies, working full-time at the Studio Shop. Emma enjoys tennis and loves animals. John Benson John and Martha Benson, have dedicated over four decades to the Studio Shop. In 1955, as a young wood shop teacher, John was looking to expand his career and found the Studio Shop for sale by the family of Peninsula photographer, Dorothy Crawford. Even with the second generation of Benson's at the helm, John and Martha continue to stay active in the business. John still has a work bench in the back room, a "home away from home", where he frames a few days a month. He also volunteers his time with the Burlingame Lions Club. Kristen Benson Kristen Benson, Gallery Manager and daughter of John and Martha Benson, grew up in the Studio Shop surrounded by art. As a young adult she began formal art studies, experimenting with a variety of mediums from painting to textiles and lithography. After earning her BA in art from Humboldt State University, Kristen began devoting her talents to the Studio Shop as the developer of the gallery's look and feel. Kristen drives the art acquisitions for the Shop, striving to find artwork that is original and different. Her buying trips to New York enhance the quality and variety of local and international artists on display in the gallery. Managing the Studio Shop's extensive art collection, promoting the exceptional gallery shows and assisting clients in the selection of unique art are Kristen's specialties. When Kristen is not at the Studio Shop she can be found backpacking with her family in the Sierra's, practicing Aikido, or creating a new monoprint or encaustic work. Martha Benson Martha still consults on the bookkeeping and business management and volunteers as a nature docent at Filoli. Together, the Bensons share the joy of watching their grandchildren grow up, knowing that the family business is in good hands. Carl Martin Carl Martin, Managing Partner, concentrates his talents on business operations and the management of the Studio Shop's business development. Carl brings years of design experience to the business and strives to keep The Studio Shop on the cutting edge of today's competitive business environment. When Carl is not pulling up his sleeves at the Shop he can be heard playing his trombone with such diverse groups as the Latin rock band, Mestizo, the Redwood Symphony, College of San Mateo Monday Night Jazz Band, Lyratones Swing Band, and Stanford Savoyards. Janet Martin Janet Martin, daughter of John and Martha Benson and Managing Partner, has been a part of the Studio Shop for most of her life. In her early twenties Janet began developing her talents in wood sculpture. She spent a number of years as a self-supporting artist, traveling throughout the West Coast displaying and selling her sculptures. After earning her degree in Economics at San Francisco State, she joined the family business. Today she is both a designer and framing specialist and helps with art acquisitions. She focuses on the Studio Shop's public relations efforts, planning special events and promoting art in the community. She has been vital in the development of the Burlingame School District's Art Contest, Art on the Line. She has been instrumental in using art in special fundraising ventures such as the Decorator's Showcases benefiting Coyote Point Museum and St. Matthews School. Janet sits on the Burlingame Improvement District Advisory Board and represents the Studio Shop on the Burlingame Chamber of Commerce. When Janet is not busy with the Studio Shop she can be found sculpting at home or helping her two teenage sons with their homework. Gary Mohan Gary Mohan joined the Studio Shop with over 24 years of expertise in design, framing, gallery design and art sales. After studying drawing and sculpture in Wisconsin, Gary embarked on a career in the framing and art world in California. Gary's varied background makes him an ideal addition to the Studio Shop's talented staff. His specialty is design though he can easily be asked to lend his skills in framing. When he is not at the Studio Shop, Gary enjoys musical theatre, cabaret, traveling the Peninsula on his motorcycle and the never-ending renovation of his house.