Confessions of a Right-Brainer

TO LAUGH OFTEN AND MUCH; TO WIN THE RESPECT OF INTELLIGENT PEOPLE AND THE AFFECTION OF CHILDREN; TO EARN THE APPRECIATION OF HONEST CRITICS AND ENDURE THE BETRAYAL OF FALSE FRIENDS; TO APPRECIATE BEAUTY, TO FIND THE BEST IN OTHERS; TO LEAVE THE WORLD A BIT BETTER, WHETHER BY A HEALTHY CHILD, A GARDEN PATCH OR REDEEMED SOCIAL CONDITION; TO KNOW EVEN ONE LIFE HAS BREATHED EASIER BECAUSE YOU HAVE LIVED. THIS IS TO HAVE SUCCEEDED.

                                                     -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Mary Lou Retton!  ”The” Mary Lou Retton….All Around Gold Medal in women’s gymnastics at the 1984 Olympics!!!  Her and I chatted about old times over a glass of wine…..OK…maybe I am embellishing that story a little bit but I did get to talk to her (that consisted of me telling her how cute I thought she was).  She is super tiny, I mean tiny, I think 4′ 9” and cute as ever!!    I had at least 4”on her.  Whoaa!

I attended  SME Sioux Falls Women in Business Conference.  Mary Lou was the keynote speaker.  She talked about her life and challenges she faced in the competitive world of gymnastics.  She is a very inspiring woman!  I left the conference all revved up….ready to tackle on my dreams at 9:00 pm last night.   

This is an actual signed Lance Armstrong jersey I framed.  Pretty cool, huh?

Don’t miss out on our Custom Framing Sale, April 22nd-26th 20% off all custom framing orders!!!

Ellis Park by Liz Tran

Check out a new online source for art.  Archival Elements is very excited to be a dealer of Artaissance and online art gallery.  What is super cool about the online gallery is you can customize the size of the art. There are over 2,000 works to choose from. www.artmystyle.com

We are featuring Liz Tran’s work.

Hello….

 I have been creating tons of new things for Archival Elements.  I have my own little mini sweat shop in the back of the store.  You think I am kiddin’!!??  Well sort of!!!   I am so excited about my new creations that I can’t wait to introduce them, but of course…..you will have to wait…just a little longer.  I will give you a few hints.  The first creation is for the home…..you can rest your tired feet on it…… (look out Martha, I may have one up on you)…….another one of the creations is something you can wear…..around your wrist…..with a Latin flare……….

…..to be continued

Ok people, I gotta tell ya, January and February have been a slow couple months.  I think it is a combo of consumers are now feeling the guilt of holiday spending, Anderson Cooper talking about how bad the economy is and the weather plays a big part.  Just so you get my drift, actual temperature today is -20 degrees.  Burrsville!!!! 

I struggle to stay motivated when business is slow. I know, I know!!! This is the time when I am suppose to be tackling the stack of papers that need to be filed and work on new strategies to improve business (understand…I already have a strategic planning time set in my daily schedule. It happens between 10 PM -2 AM at my home office, AKA my bed). What I am realizing during this slow time is I am passionate about what I am doing.  Without my passion I could easily get discouraged and want to throw in the towel.  BUT…my passion is the arts!  I love surrounding myself with beautiful art, talented Artists and people who have an appreciation for the arts.  I even enjoy the everyday challenges of running a business.  

 I AM in the right place, doing what I am suppose to.  Thank you “slow times” for allowing me to reflect.

Here are a few images from inside our gallery.   Grab a cup of joe at Michelle’s Coffee just 2 doors down and come browse, shop and get your fill of the top local artists at Archival Elements.  

I have been a long time admirer of Cassandra Barney’s work.  I was introduced to her work because I collected her father’s work, James Christensen .  I am so lucky to have several of Cassandra Barney’s pieces hanging in Archival Elements.   I am especially excited about her new works.  Titled; “All That I Have is Yours to Give”,  “Minerva”, “Theodosia” and “Violetta”.  I will be receiving the set of 4 in early February.  You can also view other works by her at Greenwich Workshop.  I am an authorized dealer of her gi’clee prints on canvas so if there is a piece you are interested in, I would be more than happy to order it for you. 

The holidays are here and so is the holiday decorating at our house!!!  My Husband and I were in desperate need to upgrade our “boxed Christmas Tree”.   I really wanted to purchase a real tree this year.  I wanted the whole experience of spotting the perfect tree (the spindliest tree on the Christmas tree farm, A.K.A. Charlie Brown tree) using our own hands to cut it down, ya know, the Clark Griswold experience??!!  But then…….the Menards’ Sunday ad came out and I found the most beautiful white artificial Christmas tree.  I just had to have it!!!