by Ellen Chisdes Neuberg (CHIZ)

JANUARY

EIGHT ART RESOLUTIONS FOR ‘08

As the owner/director of an art gallery in Shadyside, I am happy to report that I am still learning, growing, and enjoying daily contacts with a dynamic cross-section of people who are interested in the arts. During 2008, I hope that I might convey some of my thoughts about art to you (with some Chizisms here and there).  I enthusiastically welcome comments and questions that you might have for me.  You may contact me directly at galchiz@hotmail.com.

With a New Year upon us, the dreaded subject of resolutions comes to mind.  I promise that you won’t need to give up chocolate, but if you are considering a purchase of art for your home, please ponder a bit on these… 

1)   I shall not look for a painting to match my sofa.  Ten years from now, I’ll probably have a different sofa, but I will want to live with the painting forever.

2)   I shall only consider art that makes me feel something, think something, or somehow touches me, making me happy every time I look at it.

3)   I shall buy a piece that I love, not to impress the Joneses.

4)   If my partner doesn’t love it, I will not buy a “compromise” piece instead, that will give neither of us the real joy that a good work of art should impart.  Instead, we will be mature and take turns.  My beloved will probably grow to love it and we will both learn to stretch a bit.

5)   If I love it, it will work somewhere in my home.  If it doesn’t go in the space that I have in mind, it will live happily in another space.

6)   If I really love it, I won’t wait to decide to own it until someone else purchases it.

7)   If it needs a frame, there is always The Great Frame Up.

8)   And lastly, I will keep in mind that, when I purchase an original work of art, it supports an artist somewhere as well as the galleries in my hometown, contributing to the vibrancy and culture of my community.

 A happy and healthy New Year to you all!!!
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FEBRUARY

The (Sometimes) Dreaded Valentine’s Day Dilemma
Making it Fun!
             “After the verb “To Love”, “To Help” is the most beautiful verb in the world!”
                                                         -Baroness Bertha Von Suttner [1848-1914] 

When a guy comes into GALLERIE CHIZ alone and stares at the jewelry, it’s probably gift-giving time.  A sense of bewilderment ensues and a wandering eye keeps him from accomplishing his important mission. We ask “May I help you?” or “Are you looking for something in particular?” and he answers with a shrug, mumbling an indiscernible word or two.  He appears lost, and we’re happy to help.   We are appreciative of our clients and we try to make their visits enjoyable.

I truly love that men are an innately romantic breed and really want to please their women. They seek to please them no matter what.  They come in distinctly different gift-giving categories, however.  There is the guy who wants to buy what his “other half” would really like, but isn’t sure what that might be.  Then there’s the man who is sure that he knows what she would like, but can rarely discover it on his own.  Add to that the person who knows what he likes and wants her to have, regardless of the consequences.  I would like to give Valentine’s Day shoppers, both male and female, a few hints from this woman’s perspective — a woman who has the sometimes painful, mostly privileged experience of witnessing this exercise often, whether it’s for a birthday, an anniversary, or just an “I need something special for him/her” kind of day.

There is help!  Use us!  We are not trying to intrude on your day.  You came in for a reason.  We want you to leave feeling happy.  A happy customer not only makes us happy, but also keeps coming back.  Many of you have even become friends.  We are welcoming you into our daytime home, so please don’t be afraid of us.  In order to better accomplish what you came in to do, please remove the ear plugs, feel free to answer our “hello” (when you turn off your cell phone), and let us help.  We want to share “the love” that we have of the work in the gallery, and want you to appreciate it too.  We may have actual knowledge to impart, if you encourage us a bit.  (Some people actually appreciate help.  If you don’t, we’ll respect that and leave you alone without our feelings being hurt.)  We are proud of what we present to the public for their enjoyment, browsers and buyers alike, and want you to feel welcome.  You can help yourself by sharing your wishes (or confusion) if you’re on a mission — your likes, your dislikes, and even your budget.  Sometimes showing us a photo really helps too.  Give it a shot!  You might learn to enjoy your shopping experiences, wherever you shop, *Valentine’s Day related or not!

The time you have spent gift shopping, listening and gleaning information may serve as a creative giving of yourself, which is what a good gift always ends up being.  Something that’s adored by your loved one lasts forever, and so does the memory of the occasion for which it was given.  When a present is given with love and care, it will be received that way too.  After all, William Wordsworth defined “That best portion of a good man’s life — His little, nameless, unremembered, acts of kindness and of love.”

*Speaking of V-Day, our new jewelry by Alena Zenenkova (including her private collection) is a knockout!  Come see us soon.  Remember, if you join CHIZ before Feb. 29^th, you’ll get a 10% discount on all your CHIZ purchases for 2008!
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