XXXV: Thirty-five years and counting!

Well there's Vermeer and his Girl with A Pearl Earring. . . and Rembrandt.
Van Gogh and his starry night, Holbein and Brughel, and the Zonneveld engravings. 
And many others because the Dutch know their art!

Zonneveld. You may even be lucky enough to have some of his work in your home. 
Of course, you may know him as John Franciscus, the master hand engraver
who works his special magic herein Buckhead.

He's called Atlanta home now for over 35 years and we think that's cause for celebration!

First up is a new website. You'll notice a tulip or two in his honor!
The website is designed to host the best imagery of his work and the amazing collections
of jewelry and gift items that Franciscus Silver & Pewter Gifts ​is known for.
You'll also be able to keep up with the blog and check the calendar of events.  
​
With a wink and a nod, to Vermeer there will be a special collection of pearl earrings so you can channel your inner Girl with A Pearl Earring.
​(We're fairly certain she would have liked an engraved locket to go with those earrings.) And one very special event in October. More on that later! 

Image by Steve Pelosi at www.pelosiphoto.com​

 John Franciscus is thoroughly Atlantan.
​Playing soccer at least once a week, enjoying coffee with friends on a daily basis, and wining and dining during the week as can be done so well in this city that he's proud to call home. 

Atlanta 1982: Andrew Young became mayor. SnowJam crippled the city. E.T. was in the theatre and Magnum P.I. was on the set. You were listening to Lionel Richie, Olivia Newton John  and the Steve Miller Band. Most likely on a cassette player.* And John Franciscus decided to move here and share his talent with an appreciative city. He arrived here via Vancouver where he was honing his skills. 

Professionally, his journey began in the Netherlands at The Royal Silverworks with his apprenticeship
at the age of 15. ​He learned the basics and he practiced. And practiced some more. 
But it's not "practice makes perfect." It's "perfect practice makes perfect!"
John is naturally gifted as an artist. But giftedness alone is not enough without the lifetime investment of time
to master his art and craft. 
​And anyone who owns a piece engraved by John knows that the technique is invisible. 

Though classical in style, the fluidity of his work just gets richer with time.
Technique is so ingrained as to be automatic. There is a directness of his vision to his hands.
But this is something beyond hand-eye coordination. It is hand-eye-heart coordination.
​It is this quality that makes each piece a virtuosic performance. Quite literally a performance piece.

We will fête John and long time creative collaborator Lainey Papageorge Thursday October 19th from 4:30-7:30.
This is an event you won't want to miss! 
So mark your calendars and please join us in raising a glass to 35 Years in Atlanta and to creative collaborations!

Photo by Vera Mackyntoich