Aah: that Titus.

It's LLB's second anniversary, but who's been getting all of the attention?

Titus!

Lately it's been ALL about Titus.

Titus is our chief style consultant and head of security at LLB.

He greets clients with a very (!) imposing "Woof!" (and some of even you get a "Woof-woof!")

and then he inspects you VERY-very carefully.

Stalking you throughout the store, he sniffs and snorts up every scent that lingers on your shoes, toes and pant legs. Dog smells are Mr. T's favorite, because (in case you did not know this yet and  I don't think he always realizes this) he is a dog -- and he LOVES other dogs. Small ones especially. He can sniff them out on you in 30 sec's. His tail starts going and his nose becomes ever so excited. Here goes the tail, back and forth, back and forth. 

At this point, you may look -- but you may not touch. He likes to tease.

Finally (yawn!) he graciously lets you pet him.

SCORE!

Once he is your friend, watch out. He can get VERY excited. 

And when he brings you his treasured stuffed bunny, you're really golden.

Well, he's made such a golden friend in local photographer Kay Taylor this year.

She is the magic eye behind his latest photographs and she coincidentally also met him through Facebook. They have a lot in common. They both love dressing up (dogs, that is), cupcakes and dachshunds, and they both love garden gnomes.

They are best friends now it seems.

Enough to make a mother jealous...

He sits for her like a little star.

He allows her to dress him up in frames....

... and VERY swanky eye wear...

(... and less swanky eye wear...)

... just like her own adorable dogs:

We have big plans for Titus. Stay tuned:)

And don't forget to visit his facebook page off and on, 

he loves new tall fur-less friends and he is always up to new shenanigans! 

See you soon!

xoxo TITUS

(and Beate)

PS: Kay is available to take photos of your dogs as well!

Contact me at LLB for details, or simply visit her website. 

Ciao!

A day at "La Linea Bella !", photos by Amy Benoit.

Talented C-Ville photographer Amy Benoit spent the day at La Linea Bella last month. Even though she was under the weather, she was as cheerful and creative as always.

If you haven't been to La Linea Bella: It's Charlottesville's latest addition to a very eclectic group of really great framing galleries. We're lucky to have to much creative energy in one spot for all of these creative businesses to do their magic.

LLB opened her doors in May of 2011. I have a long history of love for framing. In fact, I've been framing for 20 years now. I graduated from the Corcoran College of Art & Design in Washington, D.C. in 1991, where I specialized in printmaking. When I returned to Charlottesville from a one year hiatus on the Outer Banks, framing was the perfect profession to sink my teeth into and I received my initial training at the oldest frame shop in Charlottesville.
I ended up managing another creative frame gallery here in Charlottesville, until in 2010 I decided to focus my energy on my own dream venue, La Linea Bella. It's been a great adventurous trip, a lot of diligent work -- and a lot of fun! In January of this year I took over and expanded into the old "Mystery in  Common" place next door to me and I added a light filled gallery in the front of my new space, I am still in the process of hand finishing the floor in the gallery, it's a work of love in progress, just like everything else at LLB.
Atelier ONE @ LLB is to house art by new local or regional talent.
The rear houses my new expanded open workshop, which I am really excited about.

I look forward to the next 20 years of framing and art adventures and hope you'll join me along the way!

(La Linea Bella is now the home of LLB, Casati Art Studio and Atelier ONE @LLB.)

Amy Benoit, who came to follow me around the workshop this past month, has an amazing eye for color and a wonderful warm sense of humor. And she moves so quietly and quickly around you, you don't even know her keen eye is following you along the way.

Amy usually photographs sweet couples and wee ones, which makes working with her so much fun and so much less intimidating and explains her fresh eye and take on things.

It takes a lot for this busy-bee German to hold still long enough for any photograph. I think Amy captured the spirit of the entire venue so well. It's nice to see it from another view like this sometimes. Thank you Amy for a fantastic visit!

Cheers & Cin Cin to everyone else: to a fantastic 2013,

Beate

La Linea Bella !

Atelier ONE @ LLB:

Casati Art Studio:

In the background: my mascot, Luna the goat.

My companion: magical Titus the Teckel, head of security at LLB -- and chief stylist:

See you soon!!!! Thanks for taking a peek!

Copyright 2013 La Linea Bella ! Fantastic Framing & Art, Charlottesville, VA