Batican

Batican Batican builds Custom Artesian Frames for Artists and Collectors. Batican Framery was founded by Nigel Robertson in 2012.

Nigel spent some time in Europe at the Florence Academy of Art to learn classical drawing and painting. During trips to museums he spent many hours looking at just the frames pondering how they constructed these amazing works of art. Nigel was taught to build frames by master framer S.J Ruppel, and inspired by the European masters as well as contemporary framers.

11/09/2025

I’m not much of a talker, but here’s the latest update…

I had to go to the hospital yesterday. It was the combination of extreme stress, drinking too much, working too hard, an...
09/30/2025

I had to go to the hospital yesterday. It was the combination of extreme stress, drinking too much, working too hard, and eating too good. Friday I had the most excruciating abdominal pain I’ve ever felt in my life. I’ve broken both my legs and this was close to being as bad. Abdominal pain is no joke. The doctor said it was gastritis. I didn’t have healthcare because I have been too busy trying to keep up with work and running a business that I never had a chance to keep my health insurance in order plus I was making too much money to get normal benefits and didn’t have enough time to sign up for quality, premium benefits I am way in the negative this year so it was easy for me to qualify thankfully so Monday morning I signed up for health insurance and went to the hospital. The good news is the doctor says I have Viking blood and all my organs are fine aside from slightly fatty liver they got me in and out pretty quickly, and I started feeling better quite rapidly. right now I’m bedridden and just trying to take good care of myself. It shouldn’t be long before. I’m 100% again. I’m gonna change my diet and start eating a lot better and drinking a lot less. I’m in a good place for the most part, I’ve put up good boundaries to keep my stress down and I’m sticking to those. There’s been a certain individual that’s been extremely toxic who I won’t mention that’s all I have to say about that. I’m hoping I feel better soon. I got a whole bunch of work on my plate to do. I’m trying to order a whole bunch of bass wood and a bunch of new knives to release new profiles. 2026. I should be fully set up an operational and doing really good work. There’s a lot of positives and a few negatives, and I think we will have the negatives sorted out soon. Please pray for me. thank you. Much love to you all thank you for your continued patience and support. -Nigel

Here’s an Ornate Arched Cassetta in 23k size 24x36 I made for the amazing whose work I absolutely adore. Hope you like...
09/22/2025

Here’s an Ornate Arched Cassetta in 23k size 24x36 I made for the amazing whose work I absolutely adore. Hope you like it!

Another piece of perfection for a double 23k Gold lip Casine. Absolutely Gorgeous. So happy with out it came out. Miter...
09/21/2025

Another piece of perfection for a double 23k Gold lip Casine. Absolutely Gorgeous. So happy with out it came out. Miters are joined with Dual Mortise and Tenon Joints. These should stand the test of time.

Another Beauty from earlier this year. Artwork by
09/21/2025

Another Beauty from earlier this year.
Artwork by

Slowly but surely getting things moving. Here’s an 8x10 Casine in 12k white gold for / that is long overdue. I always ...
09/21/2025

Slowly but surely getting things moving. Here’s an 8x10 Casine in 12k white gold for / that is long overdue. I always give Symi my absolute best and I get all nervous about making frames for her and I end up taking forever. 🙈 And then on top of that some disaster seems to always happen. Last time it was Covid, this time my entire life fell apart, and I had to put it back together, and move my home and my shop2000 feet up and 35 miles into the mountains and remove 10 tons of junk from my future workshop almost single handedly, and somehow she still waits patiently for these. Any sane person would have given up by now but I’m obviously crazy. That or I really like making frames. Thanks again for your patience Symi. You are a saint. Xo -Nigel

Let’s talk Joinery! I’ve upgraded my joinery to Mortise and Tenon joints! More specifically Festool Domino Joints. As fa...
09/06/2025

Let’s talk Joinery!

I’ve upgraded my joinery to Mortise and Tenon joints! More specifically Festool Domino Joints. As far as I know, I have had a low rate of failure, however I am working to push that rate to zero.

When I started I would use V-Nails, then upgraded to biscuit Joints, and also tried spline Joints. What I’ve come to find out in 13 years of making frames is that the most important factor is the dryness of the wood, next is the perfection of the miter, and the last being the joint itself, and I’ve really dialed in all three of these aspects it does take longer to join each frame but I don’t have a problem with that. The frames can be dry fitted and still hold together as if they were glued, which I’m positive will provide superior strength. There is literally no flex in these frames, whereas even biscuits flexed a little. Further more, I’ve been the back side of the frames for years now, and I’m adding an additional seal to it with red quick clay, and hypothetically that should make our frames even more moisture proof, thus increasing the longevity even further.

The truth is that there will rarely be a frame that doesn’t crack no matter the quality. If you go to any museum you will find frames that have checked, and been repaired and checked again. Checking is the technical name for when two glued pieces of wood cracking.

Other contributing factors for checking:
#1: dropping or stressing the miters. One bad fall can compromise the strongest of joints.

#2 Stacking the frames flat can stress the miters and ruin the bond. People often transport artwork in their cars flat stacked with moving blankets in between when doing local shows. Very bad practice. Frames should always be stored vertically or leaning against a wall, or in an artwork storage.

#3 extreme humidity and temperature changes through out time. The wood though dried and shaped and cut up is actually still alive and because it is cellulose, it is like a sponge and changes shapes. The more it changes shape, the more it compromises the joints. Places like Arizona Colorado, Wyoming are the worst. Generally desert places as well.

To be continued in the comments:

Brand New Flemish Corners!Catching up!It’s been an intense year. Definitely the most difficult move I’ve ever endured. M...
09/04/2025

Brand New Flemish Corners!

Catching up!

It’s been an intense year. Definitely the most difficult move I’ve ever endured. My new workshop was filled with 10 tons of junk, literally 20,000 pounds of junk and ceramic molds. It’s been an intense five month process to get settled into this new place. I’m really happy to be making frames again, and I’m as inspired as when I first started.

I’ve also upgraded my joinery to Festool Domino Mortise and Tenon Joints, which should be the strongest and most durable joint possible. It’s very exciting.

Carving has been added to my repertoire, but a couple more lessons wouldn’t hurt. I enjoy the process very much.

I have a light load of frames to finish right now, but I am also working by myself again, so I’m not exactly sure on the timeline of things. I’ll be keeping you all posted regularly on the progress with the personal goal of posting daily.

Thanks again for all of your patience and understanding.
Much love!
-Nigel

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4051 N Valentine Avenue Suite 112
Fresno, CA
93722

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