Mulberry Gallery

Creating Vignette’s to Enhance Your Memories

By Cynthia Howe

Bob Dylan once said, “Take care of all your memories, for you cannot relive them.” Preserving memories and a passion for art is the basic premise behind Mulberry Gallery.

For over 30 years, between photography and framing, Del and Barbara Doan-Crawford have helped others create and craft their tangible family memories and keepsake treasures. With so much history between artists and memory keepers, a unique bond has forged and blessed the participants.

“I found the fabulous photographer, Barbara Doan, in 1989 when my daughter Jacqueline was just 8 months old.” Julie Hansmann of Aptos shared. “I had an idea as to how I wanted to photograph her. Barbara is the master at taking an idea and then elaborating on it. She created a soft white background unique to my color scheme for this portrait, and not only did my daughter have a big pink bow on her head, but Barbara had strands of pearls and a pale pink, soft textured, feathery scarf available for the session. The result was adorable!”

One of Julie’s favorite portraits created by Barbara is of her three children set in a Nativity scene. Del and Barbara fashioned the crèche to capture her three children, then aged 4, 2 and 6 months as the Holy Family. Del and Barbara found large stuffed animals to complete the scene after building a manger from old barn wood. The extra mile they take with their clients sets them apart from others.

“Barbara will go above and beyond to create a vignette or background that you desire. My children and I have loved working with her over these last 23 years. We have moved twice and have lived in two other cities. I have never found a photographer as creative, talented and as willing to go the extra mile.”

The respect and admiration Julie feels about Barbara is mutual.

Barbara shared, “What I have learned from Julie is the art of ‘vignette’. She has an amazing ability to pull objects from life – such as bits of lace from a special garment, or a much loved baby toy or book. We have combined these images with new or vintage frames to create the most beautiful vignettes of her family in her home.

I’ve taken her inspiration with me on many a photo shoot. Now I make sure to capture an unexpected twirl of a skipping child, the paws of a family pet prancing over family feet, or a close up of chubby fingers.”

Del and Barbara are warm and creative, with a depth of understanding and knowledge that serves their clients well, clients such as Gero Heine.

“Over the years Del Crawford has been incredibly generous in his time and knowledge as it pertains to photography, the art market and home décor.” Gero Heine, Fine Art Photographer of Nature shared. “Del has been an invaluable mentor to me. He and his staff have gone beyond the extra mile in matting and framing my work over the years; often times high volumes in a tight time frame. Del has been honest with me in my choices, from mat and frame combinations to feedback in my career, and I trust his opinion. Over the years that trust has been proven over and over again.”

Gero moved to the Santa Cruz area when he was 16 from Germany. While he spent most of his professional years in the corporate world, he has spent the last six years in the Fine Art Show circuit throughout the Western United States. Retailers, such as Williams Sonoma and a number of Fine Art Galleries, have created a higher demand for his work.

“I first started bringing my prints to Del at Mulberry for matting and framing. Del gave me fantastic feedback. His clientele saw my work in his gallery and he began mentoring me. Over six years later, Del is still matting and framing all of my prints. We still have informative conversations, but more importantly, Del, Barbara and I have become close friends.”

Del said, “Gero first came to us for framing after a trip to Africa about six or seven years ago. I was so impressed with his work that I suggested we do a show of his photographs in our gallery. It was a huge success. He soon quit his ‘day job’ and embarked on this incredible artistic journey. In the beginning, I was able to provide some insight into the business and marketing aspects of selling art. He has taken his craft to a level now that provides him with a nice income as a professional artist. He is without a doubt the most successful of my art mentoring projects and has become a very good friend.”

Amahl Drake is known for her beautiful, and sometimes unusual, pieces of artwork. Most of these pieces have been completed and framed by Del.

“Every time I take something to them, a painting or a piece of handiwork, anything that needs to be framed, I always trust Del’s judgment.” Amahl shared. “I’m so impressed with his depth of knowledge. He approaches every item with a great deal of reverence.”

According to Del, “Amahl is one of my favorite clients and friends to work with. A favorite piece I helped her with was a portrait of her daughter that was done for a wine label. It was a large piece and it was painted entirely using the winery’s vintage red wine. It is a memorable piece.”

Del and Barbara have built around them encouragement, knowledge, creativity and more importantly relationships. Their work is what adds the shadows of color and texture, painstakingly woven, to create this beautiful tapestry called Mulberry Gallery in Aptos.

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Mulberry Gallery 8050 Soquel Drive, Suite E, Aptos, CA 95003. Tel #: (831) 685-1504. Website: www.themulberrygallery.com – Hours: Tuesday through Saturday
10:00 am to 5:30 pm