Everything in life needs a frame. A human’s personality needs a frame: his ethics, his profession, and his stances with others. Everything needs a frame to highlight its content, even pictures and paintings. Imagine the Mona Lisa the greatest painting in the world without a frame. Would her beauty be as it is now? Therefore, Lebanon Times Magazine interviewed Mr. Aubrey Mendonca, the artist and the expert in art and the manufacturing of frames.
- Tell us briefly about yourself?
I am a Mechanical Engineer by profession and I always had an intense dedication for Art and Woodwork. Twenty-three years ago, when my son was born, my vision was to start a business so I would have flexible time with my family. Being passionate in Art and Woodworking, I decided the best enterprise for me was with an Art Gallery and Custom Framing place. Hence achieving my dream in Perimeter Art Gallery & Custom Framing. It was important for me to provide customer care with the highest exceptional level that my clients truly deserve. I have been incredibly fortunate that our hard work and sacrifice has always featured a wonderful team of professionals committed to upholding the values which Perimeter Art Gallery & Custom Framing was originally founded on. We have customers coming from all over the country and internationally to buy art and to get the quality conservation custom framing. Our prices are very competitive and reliable. We tend to rely on the feedback provided by our Commercial and Residential clients that measures professional and personal success in our business. As a Small Business Minority Owner with an uncommon work ethic in accepting and overcoming complicated challenges in my company’s earliest years, I was able to get the community and the merchants in the area involved. Thus, being one of the primary co-founders of Rice Village Alliance (RVA). I was responsible in putting together and promoting business events in the Village. One of the numerous events held every year was Holiday Magic in the Village in December bringing public and private school students here to shine in their various performances. I am also involved with the Houston Police Department (HPD) and served on their Citizen Review Boards for the City of Houston and the South Central Sub-Station sitting at the Captain’s Review Team. I was awarded Citizen of the Year by the Greater South West Houston Chamber of Commerce for involvement and promotion of the Area.
- Do you think your business is encouraging artists? And how?
Perimeter Art Gallery & Custom Framing carries over seventy-five local artists along with well-known renowned artists. Many of the local artists have been trying unsuccessfully to get into galleries for many years. When they come to us, some need to be groomed and advised a little, helping them to improve on quality of their artwork that can then be displayed in our Gallery. We also do work with some of the area schools to help and advise in the art classes and occasionally exhibit the students’ art in our Gallery.
- Do you think in your opinion that the frame plays its role in highlighting the painting?
Framing a piece of artwork is very important as it gives life to the piece. If the frame is too big or too small and the colors of the mat are not right, the artwork will not connect and stand out. With the right frame, mats, and glass the artwork brings new life to the environment of the space. With the vibrancy of the art it adds joy to one’s life.
- Are you or the customer choosing the frame?
When a customer brings their piece of art for framing, we always consult with them on the color and the setting of their place, then advise them on the right mat colors and frames from our extensive collection to make the artwork stand out. We use conservation methods to frame the art so it does not lose its value or get damaged over time.
- Is there an exhibition in the coming months? What are the details of the exhibition?
The Gallery has regular exhibitions. The next art exhibition will be on September 15, 2017 (Friday) from 4:30pm to 9:30pm. Six local artists will be displaying their works which will also be on sale. The artworks include oil on canvas, photographs on metals, ceramics, wood sculptures, and limited edition prints of well-known artists. One of the wood sculpture artists will also be displaying his talent in sculpturing and carving from a piece of wood in our Gallery Lobby.
There will be a live music DJ along with hors d’oeuvres and wine.
- What is Mathilda’s role in the business?
Entrepreneurship is exceptionally rewarding and my wife Mathilda inspires me to help our business grow as she specializes in back-end operations/development of the business, interacting with the artists, social media, building the company’s website, and other business matters.