Today we’d like to introduce you to Elida Capps.
Hi Elida, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
Thank you for having me. My name is Elida Capps, I am the sole owner of Canyon Creek Art & Frame, but I am also a painter, illustrator, and musician in my free time.
My story begins in West Texas where I was born and raised. I’ve held an interest in the visual arts from a young age. Growing up, my medium of choice was oil paints. Being a “starving artist” required me to become self-sufficient in building my own frames to exhibit in art shows and galleries. This sparked my interest in picture framing, which eventually led me to find mentorship under master DFW framer Jerry Cornelius. Jerry opened CCA in 1995 with his wife, Barbara. The amount of knowledge and care he put into his work was exactly what I was searching for. I feel very fortunate for the opportunity to learn from the best, and at the same time, I feel confident that this line of work has always been my calling. Being an artist myself, I value the art as much as I value the Frame. In 2021, I bought the business from Jerry and Barbara when they chose to retire.
For those who don’t know us yet, Canyon Creek Art is a custom picture frame/print studio in Richardson, Texas with an emphasis on preservation framing and fine art giclée printing. Giclee (or archival) prints are printed with high-quality inks and materials that will withstand the test of time. Perfect for art reproductions and also this year’s family portraits. We are able to take a photo from your phone, print, and frame, all in one place!
What I am most passionate about in this career, other than meeting wonderful artists and constantly being around artwork, is the history that walks through our doors. When an old land deed from 1802 comes through, it is my responsibility to not alter the relic in any way, but to frame it in a visually pleasing design that will preserve it so it can be enjoyed for decades to come. We are fortunate to have some of the world’s best conservators here in Dallas, and I have the privilege to work closely with them to help preserve timeless treasures. History was my second favorite subject in school, so to be able to play my part in preserving it is the cherry on top.
Our clientele list spans professional artists, conservators, galleries, museums, institutions, corporations, personal collectors, and our neighbors just down the street.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Customer-facing, the transition was a breeze. Since I had been the shop manager for years, our seasoned clients knew and trusted me and were happy and welcoming to the change. However, behind the scenes, the transition to business owner from technician was no easy feat, but that is the fun part of running a business. There’s always something new to learn!
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about Canyon Creek Art & Frame?
We’ve expanded! This year we added 1200 sq feet to the frame shop for our fast-growing printing department! More room for more and BIGGER artwork! We have doubled our space and updated our equipment. And It’s not just the printing side of things that has been impacted with growth, We also added new equipment in the framing side with over 100 new frame samples. Bringing in new inspired moulding lines from Italy, New York, and Santa Fe. And a new fancy mat cutting machine, the Valiani Nexus, for introducing cutting-edge designs!
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck? I guess you could call it luck, but I feel fortunate is a better word for it. I was very fortunate to meet Jerry and Barbara Cornelius. Working for them didn’t just help me grow as a picture framer but also as a human being. Canyon Creek Art was a business built with honesty, integrity, and quality craftsmanship, all while being in a relaxed and comfortable setting. He was the expert in our industry, but he was also the neighbor and the friend. I carry this lesson closest to my heart as I continue to grow Canyon Creek Art. I am always thankful for the happenstance of me walking through those front doors at a time when Jerry was looking for someone to bestow his knowledge upon.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.canyoncreekart.com
- Instagram: canyoncreekart
- Facebook: Facebook.com/canyoncreekart
image by photographer Stacy Poterson
Photography by Stephanie Gerhart
image taken by Oleg Alexeev
Elida standing with artist Jon Flaming and his Giclee print of “Lone Rider”
Photo of Elida standing with artist Bryan Peterson with his printed artwork
Image Credits
Stephanie Gerhart
Stacy Poterson
Oleg Alexeev
