In our monthly newsletter, we feature a “Tip of the Month.” (Subscribe here.) They always seem to favor artists. We are all artists at Damico Frame & Art Gallery, so please forgive the bias. This month we wanted to give some tips for everyone. ‘Tis the season for giving, right? So, here are some quick tips that also serve as great gift ideas!

Quick Tip & Gift Idea for Artists

Are you having trouble getting in the studio consistently? Do you have a hectic domestic and/or work life? Here is something simple you can do: try switching to a dry medium for a while, such as:

• Pastel
• Charcoal
• Graphite
• Color pencil
• Or similar media

This is also good for parents concerned about any fumes or toxicity which may come along with some of the wet mediums. Plus, it won’t hurt to get your mind out of your comfort zone for a while. And most importantly, you can pause without worrying something will dry out before you’re ready to resume progress. Not sure which brand to get? No problem! Check with your local art supply store, preferably one staffed with artists. They specialize in art supplies and can tell you everything you need to know (even if you’re not an artist yourself) and help you stay within budget.

Quick Tip & Gift Idea for Photographers

Remember the days before digital cameras? Do you still have some old negatives from great shoots during that era Let us scan them for you. Even from something as small as a 35mm, we can usually get prints in the 20-30 inch range. That is as long as the negative or slide is in decent shape, of course. Yep, that’s right: we can scan slides too. If you have wide format negatives, that’s even better. Those allow us to generate prints sometimes as big as 30-40 inches!

You don’t even have to be a professional photographer. We offer this service to everyone. So, if you need a gift idea for a family member, consider rummaging through your old negatives and slides. We can hook you up with a gift they won’t forget!

Quick Tip & Gift Idea for Shoppers

This is a great holiday gift idea: You probably already have in mind (or maybe already bought it!) a print or piece of art for a loved one. There is no doubt you will stress about how to frame it. Your heart is in the right place, but you don’t want to pick the wrong thing, right? Well, get rid of that stress by doing this: bundle your thoughtful gift with one of our framing gift certificates (any amount) along with the print. And when they open it, you tell them, “I thought you’d love this art and I also thought you would like to be involved in designing the framing together.”

How’s that for thoughtfulness?! Plus, you score some great points with the recipient. 😉