Drew Wilen began picture framing while still pursuing his art degree. Picture framing was chosen because he wanted to maintain a link to the arts, while learning a practical skill. Drew began his training at Deck the Walls, a frame shop located in the Maine Mall. He began to hone his picture framing skills: design, matting, archival and conservation framing, and shadow-boxes. 

After some time, Drew began work at Green Design Furniture in Portland, where he not only further developed woodworking skills by making furniture, but he also benefitted from an employee led business model, learning to work as a valuable member of a team. During this time, Drew discovered that he missed picture framing, so he began working part time at Casco Bay Frames, a frame shop in Portland. 

Again, Drew decided it was time for a change, this time a much more significant one. He moved to New Jersey and began working in New York City at Drummond Framing Inc, where he began to mill frames in house.  Over time, he honed this skill and decided to return to Portland, Maine. 

In Portland he began working at Jameson Gallery and Frame where he added restoration work to his growing portfolio of picture framing skills. Drew also began indulging in his passion for creating his own frames and started to develop a line of original handcrafted frames. For a while he worked out of studio space in the State Theater Building. He became active in the Portland art scene and showcased his work on the monthly First Friday Art Walks. 

A long time environmentalist, Drew wanted his line of frames to reflect his beliefs and has spent time exploring, researching and developing a line of frames that impact the world we live in as minimally as possible while still maintaining a high level of artistry and quality. 

In 2009, along with his fellow framer, Drew purchased the frame shop equipment from Jameson and opened Art House Picture Frames located at 61 Pleasant Street in Portland, Maine. Over five years, Art House Picture Frames established itself as a solid member of the art community in Portland, participating in First Fridays and exhibiting original artwork in their gallery space. 

In 2014, Drew purchased his partner’s share of Art House Picture Frames and continues to offer all custom framing services, restoration, archival framing, and his own line of handcrafted frames.