Owning original Art

Have you ever gone to someones home and your senses were filled by their Art collection? Creating an Art collection is much different from decorating a house although your Art will eventually decorate your home. Your Art is much more personal than a mere decoration. Deciding to collect art is exactly that, a decision. And it comes from an appreciation of the creativity around us. Like any big project, you break it down into manageable steps (like the saying, how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.) Step 1, say to yourself, "I'm going to build an Art Collection." Don't stress, step 1 is free. Step 2, identify what media you like or prefer (e.g. oil paintings, pastels, sculpture, printmaking, ceramic, etc. ) Step 3, decide you want to buy one piece of art each year. Or, I want to spend $300 (or $3000, etc.). It becomes a game. When you go to a gallery, you say to yourself, "is today the day?" Once you decide to enrich your world with Artwork it's a matter of narrowing down to the piece to buy. If you have a gallery or artist you like, visit regularly. If it's a gallery rather than an artist, learn about the artists they represent. If you like a particular artist's work, ask to meet him or her. Like I said earlier, owning Art is very personal. Attend openings. At Nelson Fine Art, we have an opening reception for artists every month on First Friday. If a piece of art at a reception seems interesting to you, ask the gallery owner to introduce you to the artist. Visiting with an artist can give you a better sense of what he or she was trying to accomplish. Just like that, you've added to the art experience. You can't do that with a vase or print you buy at a store. Step 4, buy! Now wasn't that simple? And in a few years you will have a collection of Art to be proud of. Benefits of buying original art? You own one of a kind pieces. If you met the artist, you have a better understanding of your piece. By buying original Art, you also encourage your artist to continue. And you keep the dollars local.

How to enjoy an economic downturn

You don't have to spend money. Have you ever been to a business website and been told that? Doubt it. What I'm trying to say is during these economic times in which we find ourselves sometimes it's important to find things to do that are free or cheap. Here, I'm talking free. Every month, Nelson Fine Art features 2 different groups of artists. Group #1 is presented on First Friday during our monthly art shows. Group #2 artists lease gallery space and are generally seen throughout the year. As a matter of fact, right now at NFA, we have 4 new artists in Group #2 to add to our mix of regulars. Between the 2 groups, you can usually see about 40-60 new pieces of art each month. No charge. Ever. I'm not saying we don't sell the art. We'd love for you to buy one original piece of art each year, but that's another post for another time. So, while you are concerned about the economy and your finances, try something free, come to Nelson Fine Art and expose yourself to art.

This public service announcement is brought to you by Nelson Fine Art, Tree House Custom Framing, and the Brew Plum Coffee Bar. (Here's the sales pitch) When the time comes that you or a friend needs custom picture framing, please use us and recommend us. Remember it's the framing that makes the rest of the gallery work. We'll work hard to earn and keep your business and trust.

Evolution

"Change is inevitable at NFA" has regularly been posted in various parts of Nelson Fine Art to prepare folks for the next iteration of gallery layout. Part of the natural evolution of a business is steady, regular change. Change forces you to get better or get out and it's a necessity. For the past 5 years, Artopia Art supply store has occupied a significant piece of real estate as well as being an important influence on the Nelson Fine Art business plan. In order for Artopia to evolve, owner, Becky Mallory has decided to move the store to its own store location, 316 E. Main Street, about 4 doors down the street from the Nelson. Official opening date is May 1 and will give Downtown Johnson City another art destination and Artopia a street front presence. Good luck Becky. We'll do all we can to help your continued success.

P.A. Turner

I usually like to use this site to highlight the custom framing at Nelson Fine Art and Tree House Gallery, but this bears a post of it's own. We've handled P.A.'s work for several years. It tends toward "out there" status and is really fascinating work. If you are unfamiliar, follow this link and read her thoughts and see more of her work.

Customer Referrals!

Some businesses make customers out of friends. I'd like to think we make friends out of our customers. It makes for a pretty satisfying 18+ years that I've owned this gallery. And you know, we've made quite a few friends if I may say so. Every business owner has to balance his or her time between attracting new customers and maintaining the loyal returning folks. It is said that it costs less to keep a customer than to attract a new one. This post is dedicated to doing both. In reality, I don't know who (if anyone) reads this, but I'll present this idea anyway. If you refer a friend for custom framing, then we'll give them $10 off their framing and we'll give you the same break on your next framing. Of course, the key is your friend needs to tell us you referred them. We'll take care of the rest.

Brew Plum-coffee, tea, and atmosphere

About 5 years ago, my good friend, Duke, asked me if I'd ever thought about selling coffee inside Nelson Fine Art. My answer was, "about everyday." When he offered to lend me his coffee kiosk we were unsure what was ahead. Now, that little kiosk has evolved into a full line coffee bar. I'm really jumping the gun a little because it's yet to be evaluated by the Health Department, but construction-wise it's done. Brew Plum is the newest addition to the Nelson Fine Art Center. Kate Pierce with several years experience in the "coffee business," will be running the new endeavor. Until we are given the green light for the full line espresso drinks, Kate will be brewing and serving the richest coffees around. Some of the finest locally roasted (Maryville, that is), Vienna Coffee Company offers us the freshest, tastiest beans to be found. For the present, Brew Plum will be open 9 a.m. until 5, but Kate has plans to begin evening coffee times to include Mom's Knit Out, Poetry reads, writers groups, and book clubs. By the way, the sign above is a temporary one we made with our Wizard computerized mat cutter. The final product will be up soon.

Tree House Gallery is here!

We've moved Tree House Gallery into Nelson Fine Art! The Art Center is now a full service facility. In addition to the rotating exhibits and gallery spaces dedicated to individual artists, you will find Artopia Art Supplies, Brew Plum Coffee Bar and Tree House Gallery custom picture framing. By adding Tree House to the family of Art resources, we now have more frame and mat choices and more years in business than any other frame shop around. Tree House has been in operation since 1981 and Nelson's (formerly Lady Bug Gallery) since 1972. If you go to a frame shop and they show only have 200-300 frame samples, then they are limiting your choices and their own creativity. We have about 1500 frames to choose from and as many mat samples. Expect a lot from your framer's creativity.