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December 12 , 2008

Gallery Thrives by Providing Joy

By Leslie Perales Observer Staff Writer

Though many people are pinching their pennies this holiday season, ArtInsights in Reston Town Center is faring well in the economic storm, according to its owners. "People want to see beautiful art that makes them feel good," said Leslie Combemale, who owns the gallery with Michael Barry.

ArtInsights carries animation and film art, and Combemale said she thinks her business has remained steady because, even in times of struggle, people still want to see and be around things that they enjoy. Combemale said interest in film and animation art has also grown because artwork is a stable, and enjoyable, investment. Combemale also said she thinks part of their success is because the art she brings into the gallery is always art that she would want for her own home.

Additionally, she said, "Here I always have something nobody else does." For example, Combemale said she is now offering an exclusive piece by "Harry Potter" artist Mary GrandPre. "The Golden Web" is a signed piece that depicts a fight between Harry Potter and Lord Voldemort.

Though ArtInsights carries a large variety of film and animation art, Combemale also has a large amount of new work, including prints and paintings from the "Harry Potter" series. Some of the pieces include paintings from Jim Salvati, who created the concept art on which many scenes from the Harry Potter movies were based.

ArtInsights also is currently exhibiting "A Tribute to John Alvin," which includes never-before released original art by Alvin, who created the posters for movies such as "E.T.," "Beauty and the Beast," "The Lion King," "Blade Runner" and "Gremlins." Last February Alvin died of a heart attack.

The exhibit is the largest collection and show of Alvin's artwork ever assembled, Combemale said, and it also includes his work from created for the 30th anniversary of "Star Wars," and pieces he created for "Jurassic Park." "He is one of the foremost talents in the history of film," Combemale said. "And he's right here, right down the street."

In 2005, when Combemale first met Alvin, she interviewed him about his work and she recently put together a film with that interview. She said she plans to upload that film to her Web site to educate customers about the artist. "I'm genuinely wanting people to learn more about it," she said.

In addition to creating a video of Alvin, Combemale has also been working on an ArtInsights educational collectors series of videos to educate people on the work in her gallery. "There are a lot of people that come here who do not understand what I do," she said. "Whenever I focus on educating people about the art, it always winds up with us being more successful."

Combemale said she enjoys educating people about what they are buying because purchasing art is emotional and she wants to ensure all shoppers leave with something they love. "If you're really good at what you do, you're going to be successful," she said.

Combemale also said she thinks her customer service skills set her apart from the crowd. She said she always searches for items that customers request, even if she does not currently sell that product. More than a decade ago one of Combemale's clients told her that he was looking for a specific piece and he did not even know if it existed, she said. When she found it recently, she remembered that he wanted it and acquired the piece for him, Combemale said.