Voyage La’s Most Inspiring Stories:

Meet Lanna Borom of Belle Arte!

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lanna Borom.

Lanna, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?

1979: Chuck Borom, the owner and president, started by making frames in his own garage. He then decided to travel the world selling framed art. Starting with the letter A, the adventure began in Alaska, onto Australia, then Africa.

Cut to 1989: Never made it to B… instead Chuck decided to create Belle Arte. He settled down by opening his own factory in Los Angeles and by getting married to me.

Together we created a business that we love, providing quality framing services to local artists, designers, and neighbors of Los Angeles.

We love to work with people who make art and people who love art!

Belle Arte entrance

Cuba Dancers Mirrored framed and matted for Zoe Bios Creative

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Being in the art and framing business has definitely had its challenges. Originally, we were wholesalers only of framed art and mirrors. Then, after 2008, when the housing market crashed, no one wanted to buy art for their foreclosures.

That’s when we really opened our doors to our local photographers and artists, and to anyone who needed to frame art they had for a show, or individual pieces for their home. It was a win/win for everyone! We were able to offer better pricing as we are actually a factory and not a retail storefront.

By inviting everyone in, we could keep our employees busy and didn’t have to downsize. Also, we got to meet the most incredible artists and friends.

Thus, we are still in business today and can still offer volume pricing to designers for their projects as well as great service for everyone!

Belle Arte – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?

Our business concept is to be a go-to framing and mirror source for local artists and designers of Los Angeles and beyond. All of our prices are wholesale for any project, budget or high-end.

We’ve been in business for 30 years working with the design and hospitality industry, from local artist and galleries to national designers. With experience in doing rush jobs for galleries and art shows, we understand deadlines and we are willing to work with the unique demands of a project.

We understand that framing can be intimidating so we make it an enjoyable and creative experience.

Simon Birch and his stretched canvas paintings at the 14th Factory

Framed print by Simon Birch

What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?

I have had many proud moments, but, my favorite recent one was framing an enormous canvas for Simon Birch’s 14th Factory’s opening! He is an amazing artist to work with and his pieces are stunning! -Chuck

I really felt proud when a designer asked me to come up with local art and a whole new fresh take on a hotel in Detroit. I had a blast and every image I chose was approved! I got all the artwork printed and framed and shipped out exactly when she needed it! – Lanna

See the original article:
http://voyagela.com/interview/meet-lanna-borom-belle-arte-lincoln-heights/
 

Framed Photography by Ryan Plett

Framed Gallery Wall Art for Zoe Bios Creative

The Benefits of Art in the Workplace - Part Two: The Employee

Part two: The Employee

Art benefits employees too! Art in the workplace has definite benefits for employees as well. Studies have shown that art surrounding a company’s employees can definitely influence their mindset. Art can be inspiring, and an inspired employee can generate more new ideas, leading to new promotional campaigns.  New, vibrant and relevant campaigns can lead to more company growth.

Just looking at a work of art can unlock a person’s creativeness. Employees who are feeling energized and creative will emanate these qualities to coworkers and customers alike. It can make the difference between a lively, productive workforce and one that is slogging through the day with an eye on the clock.

There’s no doubt that art can have a direct effect on the atmosphere in the workplace.  Think of a painting of a couple holding hands by candlelight, or a photo of a beautiful woman in a silk robe looking out of a lace curtained window with a cup of tea in her hands. These images can enhance a certain restaurant’s desire to appeal to those customers who want the experience of fine dining where the lighting is low and romantic. On the other hand, a funeral parlor would probably want peaceful, calming, or religious art to help customers who are experiencing grief.

Another aspect of art in the workplace is that it can function to define spaces. Used as focal points in spaces where employees and/or clients gather, it can act as a clue as to what should be happening there. For example, an area with refreshments such as coffee and tea or a lunchroom could be enhanced with art depicting delectable foods and beverages. Meeting rooms could have more business-oriented art in those spaces to help with setting the pace and atmosphere. 

Keep in mind that if you are getting ready to build or renovate office space, at least plan for the possible placing of art in the future, even if you have no idea what form it will take right now. You can avoid costly mistakes later by thinking with the lighting being installed or the bracing that might be needed for heavy art works down the road.

Every company wants happy, on-purpose employees and clients who love being in their space. Do all of them a favor by boosting their morale and firing up their creativeness. Everyone wins with well-chosen, well-placed quality art in the office.