Through life’s twists and turns, art remains close to his heart
CLAYTON, CA (Aug. 24, 2025) — Frank Senor has called Clayton home for nearly three decades, but his artistic journey began long before he arrived in our charming foothill town.
Born and raised in the historic Temescal district of Oakland, Senor picked up a pencil as a child and never really put it down. “I’ve been doing artwork from the time I could draw,” he says with a modest smile.
Senor’s artistic foundation is rooted in precision and craftsmanship. After earning an associate degree in architectural drafting and taking various art courses, he landed a job as a technical illustrator with the U.S. government at Treasure Island. But life, as it often does, had other plans – he was called into military service. When he returned, the government had relocated the entire art department to San Diego.
Despite the detour, Senor continued to develop his craft. He exhibited his work in the Bay Area and was even featured at the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento. Along the way, he collected a few awards and built a solid reputation. But with a growing family, art transitioned from passion to practical pursuit.
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In the early 1970s, as large companies began laying off their in-house art teams, Senor found himself in uncertain territory – until a “job shop” agency recognized his unique skills and began placing him in temporary roles across the Bay Area. “They paid well,” Senor says with a chuckle, “and they needed someone with my background.”
Those years were formative. Senor mastered a wide range of disciplines: technical illustration, graphic design, layout for camera-ready art, industrial photography, darkroom development and slide presentations. “All by hand – no computers back then,” he notes proudly. “You had to know how to draw in ink. If you could do that, you had an edge.”
In 1974, Caterpillar Tractor hired Senor to manage all their art and presentation work for the West Coast. “Great company and a great job,” he reflects.
After eight years, however, labor disputes prompted the company to relocate, and Senor pivoted once again – this time launching his own graphic design business. For five years, he created visual aids, charts and slide presentations for Bay Area corporations.
In 1987, craving a change, Senor obtained his general contractor’s license – a move that may surprise those who know him primarily as an artist. But he’d always been handy, doing side jobs since the ’70s. Eventually, he transitioned into a long-term role as a facilities coordinator for a large credit union, where he worked for 15 years before retiring.
Now 17 years into retirement, Senor maintains a home studio. “I’m not producing a lot of artwork these days,” he notes with a laugh. “When I do, it’s in oils. Remember, I’m from the ’60s.”
Still, his creative spirit remains alive and well. He’s surrounded by artist friends, and some of his five grandchildren are already showing impressive talent.
Clayton has been fortunate to benefit from Senor’s artistic touch. Most recently, he designed the signage for JOR Fine Art Gallery – a graceful blend of clarity and elegance that now adorns the storefront on Oak Street. “We’re lucky to have a gallery like this in town,” he says, always generous in his praise of fellow artists and the community.
Senor’s story is one of resilience, adaptation and lifelong creativity. From ink drawings to oil paintings, from drafting tables to gallery signs, his artistic legacy continues to shape the visual culture of our community – one brushstroke at a time.
Julia O’Reilly Is the owner of JOR Fine Art Gallery in Clayton. Email comments to her at joreillyfineartgallery@gmail.com
Julia O'Reilly
Born and raised in the beautiful city of Istanbul, Turkey, Julia pursued her studies in Business and Economics at Istanbul University before immigrating to the United States in 1991. She furthered her education at Las Positas College, specializing in Interior Design, and eventually settled in Clayton, where she has resided for 29 years. In 2003, Julia began her career as a jewelry artist, earning recognition from Diablo Magazine as the Best of the East Bay Local Jewelry Designer in 2012. Since 2014, she has been involved with the Blackhawk Gallery in Danville, California, and became President of the Alamo Danville Artists Society in 2020. In 2022, she opened her own JOR Fine Art Gallery, and for the past two years, she has been actively contributing to the Art Community in Clayton, a passion she deeply cherishes.