Clinton Hill Framing Gallery

2012-02-12T12:24:00.001-08:00

Many of you know me best for establishing Clinton Hill Simply Art & Framing Gallery in 1991. Opening Clinton Hill Simply Art & Framing was the 2nd ACT of my life (the business).

Learning of Whitney Houston's death immediately gave me flashbacks.

Elton John's recent quote "Whitney Houston was one of most beautiful person I ever met and one of the greatest voices I've ever heard... ditto I couldn't have said it better.

I recall meeting Whitney Houston upfront and personal in the Lady's Restroom. It was during my life's 1st ACT (the career). It was then, I immediately became a CLOSET Whitney Houston FAN.

Not sure how you heard of her death (okay to share). The TV was my message carrier. On the screen, I saw scolling Whitney Houston passed away. But what my brain saw was Whitney Houston in Passed Away. I thought good move for her. Another film. It fits her.

When I returned to the room and I saw her photo, heard the newscaster, it was then my brain registered Whitney Houston is dead...what the hell I thought.

Then the flashback. That beautiful smile and twinkle in her eyes. It was mid 1980's. A colleague from New Jersey, invited me to meet her afterwork at a little Jazz club uptown called Mikkell's for drinks. Because a fellow Jerseyite was appearing --Cissy Houston. Well I was in. I really enjoyed Cissy Houston and thought what a wonderful place to hear her.

Cissy Houston was just terrific. Everyone was in fine form. Then Cissy announced a first. Gary her son. He sang first WOW. what a voice and he was easy on the eyes. A kinda Teddy Pendergass type. After Gary, she beamed and announced my daughter will sing for you. This is her first public appearance singing solo just for you. Whitney stepped forward from the backup singers line and the room was never the same. Her performance was all the talk.

At some point, I went to the Lady's Room. While in the stall, I could hear two young girls talking. One was talking about her new Cat. While the other was commenting in a girly type chit chat. I stepped out and at the sink stood Whitney. Our eyes met. Stunn, I said you were just wonderful. I just seemed to blabble something about her great potential how surprise to meet her and offer my predictions for her future along with my best wishes.

She was wearing a white angora sweater that created a kinda of unforgettable angelic look. Whitney was so engaging. She really talked to me very folksy. Something like you really liked my performance etc. She said something like "I may sign or I just signed with Arista". She was so cute. Maybe ten minutes talktime. Walking towards the door I said "I'll buy your records".I never forgot her smile. Never thought to ask for her autograph. Rule #1.

From that chance meeting and experience in the restroom, I became a Closet Whitney Houston Fan. There was absolutely something about her then that was very different and unique.

Yes her voice was special and a certainly a naturalgift, meeting her at the onset of a brilliant future/career was memorable but the Whitney I thought was exceptional was Whitney the actress.

I just couldn't get enough of "the Body Guard". If I saw it once I saw it one hundred times. Pairing her with Kevin Costner was brilliant.There were a lot of first with their roles. The multi-layered storyline Whitney played showcased all her talents and revealed a true thespian.

I think we all know what the autopsy will probably reveal.

I think we also know she was reigns as an ICON. My wish is that her death like Michael Jackson's will motive people Globally to put the pills back into the bottle, leave the aersol Can on the shelve, keep the crack in the pipe and step away from the glue in memory of their ICONS -- just go Cold...turkey!

If you have any Iconic memorabillia starting now thru March 31, I will waiver specialty fees $20 on any Custom Picture Framing item. I'm 100% out of the CLOSET. RIP WHITNEY

MARCH watch for ...on the wall with Framinglady

2012-02-12T11:02:00.000-08:00

If you are new to custom picture frame buying, an Artist looking for Frames, interested in what to look for in Framing services or just need to get a few answers... starting in March, I will post some of the most often asked questions under the name Framinglady. Yes another name. So start getting your questions ready or watch for ...on the wall with Framinglady.

Check out this awesome video of paint-in-motion!

2012-02-10T10:25:00.000-08:00

One of our loyal customers just showed us this awesome video of the painted work of David Garibaldi being created in a live performance! and we wanted to share it with you.

Check it out here

We have 24x24 prints of this great rendition of, "Jesus Christ Savior" by David Garibaldi, in stock now, unframed for $30.

2012-02-01T11:34:00.000-08:00

February Special Picture Framing offer..
February is "Sweetheart month" here's a sweetheart Sale for all my internet blog viewers for the month of February at Clinton Hill Simply Art & Framing Gallery. Save $20. If you come in as a Couple (no Pets please) just say February is Sweetheart Month get an instant $20 off your bill.

If you are not a Couple but found this offer download the $20 discount bill and present it. This offer expires
February 28th.

New Frames!

2012-01-07T08:24:00.001-08:00

20th Anniversary -- My Favorites

2011-12-14T21:08:00.000-08:00

October was the highlight month for closingout 20 years in business. I was so pleasantly surprised and pleased that two colleagues from my before I opened Clinton Hill Simply Art & Framing Gallery days(career past)traveled
to Brooklyn to say congrats.
Go to the Slide show. See me sandwiched between Wayne Sobers former Executive Vice President at Black Enterprise Magazine, and Jeff Burns, Jr. former Senior Vice President EBONY Magazine. Also,see how tickled Lincoln Ressler 50th District leader,and I with our whirls of curls. Lincoln is a friend of the Gallery and loves buying Postcards. If you live in Lincoln's District, then you are extremely lucky to have him. His future is brilliant.
And lastly, did you recognize the guy sticking his hands in the giant fishbowl. That was customer friend Ralph Carter,actor who played Michael on 1970's sitcom "Good Times" picking the winning entry for our 20th Anniversary Drawing. And the winner -- Dr.Pascale Kersaint-Gibson a Fort Greene resident.
Here's your internet special mention Ralph Carter or Lincoln Ressler name and get an instant $20 off any services over $45.oo

Global Visitors traipsing through the Neighborhood

2011-12-14T20:17:00.000-08:00

It gives me so much Joy to meet visitors passing through our neighborhood. All Walking from Williamsburg area trying to find their way to the Brooklyn Bridge or DUMBO Please do take a look at the slide show of past Gallery Visitors
It usually starts with how much are your Postcards? (with accent) then the peering into the wallet or purse for bills, then the palm full of change as they try to pluck out U.S.coins. That's when the fun for me begins-- I usually try to guess what Country.
The French are the easiest --with the Japanese running a close first. The most fasinating are the Irish. The most talkative are the Italians running a close first with the Australians. It's the Americans that stump me.
Much to my delight for the first time this month two young ladies from Switzerland stopped in -- was I lost. It's always the Postcards that draws them in. I'm so pleased they buy a little piece of Brooklyn to take home from Clinton Hill Simply Art & Framing.
I am inviting you to stop in for your last minute Xmas shopping -- the Stocking Stuffers are back! All wood 8x10 b/w celebrity postcards matted and framed for $19.99 an excellent gift idea. Make it personal and special for the Holiday. Here's your internet SPECIAL 20% off list.

Onward to 21 years

2011-12-14T18:47:00.001-08:00

Yes it is true -- Onto 21 years on Myrtle Avenue. I really don't know where the years have gone. It seem like yesterday I had to threaten the general contractors. When I finally opened the Doors for business, the well wishers said "good luck" and you're going to need lot's of it in this neighborhood. After 5 years, several people stopped by to confess, I really didn't think you would make a year. At the 10 year mark, many said are you going to retire soon? Once at 15 years, I really started thinking maybe it's time to pack it in. Considering I enjoyed a successful career before becoming an entrepreneur. Instead, I opened another GALLERY. Clinton Hill Art Gallery on Vanderbilt Avenue. wham o bam o the economy and The Pratt Store both hit both businesses hard without warning. Well, I dusted myself off, stood up straight, regrouped, and became management and labor as I inched closer to 20 years. Yes it is true Clinton Hill Simply Art & Framing Gallery located in Brooklyn is New York City's oldest independently owned custom picture Framing business operated by an African American female.

Community Pictures

2011-10-27T10:57:00.001-07:00

Specialty Objects

2011-10-03T15:43:00.001-07:00

We don't just frame images! come in and see how you can preserve whatever object is important to you or someone special.

Check out all our specialty framing by clicking here