For several years now, we've dreamed of opening a studio. Last fall we spotted a spot in Stowe that we just fell in love with. But after crunching the numbers we passed on it. The winter came and went, the economy got all messed up, and we started worrying about the future, just like everybody else. And then summer came and the grass got green and the flowers bloomed, and we planted a great big garden and we got a beautiful Hearthstone Mansfield soapstone woodstove.
Our dear friend Neil Korn who publishes East Coast Snowboarding called us in June and told us about a gallery that was closing in Stowe. We went down and looked at the space. It was love at first sight, especially for Veronique! Andre was a bit worried about the monthly nut, but after some number crunching, we both agreed that this was meant to be!
Our lease began on August 1st, which happened to be Andre's mom's birthday, and here is what mother nature bestowed on us -
Here is what the building looks like from Main Street in Stowe, just one block east of the landmark Stowe Community Church...
The space has six huge windows that we plan on filling with oversized images...
Here is what you see when you walk in (assuming that you have made an appointment! ;-)
The previous tenant was the Maplewood Gallery which was run by wood.net, a consortium of Vermont furniture makers and wood crafters. We bought this amazing retail counter from them. It has a solid 2" thick walnut counter and solid maple cabinetry that Veronique could not live without! (Check out her smile!)
There was also a built-in cabinet with amazing spot lights that showcases our albums and gallery wraps (yet to be properly hung).
The main space is comprised of our patented LOVE CIRCLE preview area and shooting room.
To date we have always shot environmentally. The world better watch out now that we finally have an area to play with our ALIEN BEE lights and modifiers and backdrops!
Our 57" HD TV is ready and willing to WOW our clients with their images! Andre will be running the show from the oak desk with a wireless keyboard and mouse and a Mac MINI computer...
No studio would be complete without a digital darkroom...
Aeron chairs and 30" Apple Cinema displays, tons of RAM and huge RAIDS, nuff said...
We have an amazing conference room too!
After the day is done, we can retreat 12 miles north to our 10 acre homestead in Johnson, Vermont! Buio and Izzy love to chill in the sunshine...
All I can say is that somebody was smiling on us to make this happen! Special thanks to two very special ladies, Agnes Joan and Marie Elizabeth, we couldn't have made this quantum leap without your love and support!
