“Art is less important than life, but what a poor life without it,” says veteran fine art framer Raymond Chen, 77, inside Image Gallery, his Evanston storefront. The narrow, unassuming shop has been home to his business for 35 years. His own marvelous and meticulous water colors share space with the custom frames on his walls. “People look at the mattes and think ‘Why do I need that? Just the frame! Nonsense. They don’t understand how to present the work,” says the Taiwan native. “They think in transactional terms only.” He says his attention to detail and craft allows him to routinely sell dozens of works at regional fairs for up to $2500 a piece. “Others sell two, three or none,” he claims. “These people used to call me but not so much now. I sell more than them and they don’t know why. It is because I care. I take my time. I do it correctly. But I do not DO this for money. That’s not important.”