As the owners of Crimson Gallery, located in the Troy Shirt Factory, they helped organize and have participated in the numerous open houses at that venue, bringing in thousands of art lovers to the space. And as owners of Flores Flores, Inc., a graphic design firm, they’ve had commissions from Saratoga County Arts County, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and other high profile community organizations.  Frankie recently completed the official poster for the 2003 Saratoga First Night Celebration, and volunteered his time to assist the advertising efforts of the Adirondack Theatre Festival.  Lisa sits on the Hyde Art Collection’s Volunteer Committee and the Gala Committee.

Lisa and Frankie met in New Orleans on vacation when he signed his 1996 jazz poster for her and have now been married for six years. Both have energy and enthusiasm to spare.  Lisa Cirelli-Flores is a former teacher with a passion for history and the study of primitive cultures.  Her preferred medium is pastel, but she also uses clay, acrylic, tin and wood in a folk art style.  Her work is reminiscent of Native Africans, Australian aborigines, and Native Americans.  She is also known for her unique Americana art that uses the American flag as inspiration.

Frankie Flores is a graduate of the Art Institute of Houston, Texas and is a graphic designer and artist.  He is the recipient of more than thirty professional awards and is well-known for his Mardi Gras originals poster series, which he began in 1990.  Prices for the originals range from $16,000 to $25,000.  Frankie Flores works in airbrush, acrylic, gouache, oils, watercolor, silkscreen, wood, pencil, metal and stone.  Last year’s exhibition, Horses, Saratoga Style, featured two of his painted horses—a Mardi Gras pony and the New York Racing Authority’s horse.

Lisa and Frankie also collaborate on projects utilizing Lisa’s folk art style and Frankie’s traditional fine art techniques.  They also make birdhouses out of re-cycled materials and tin/metal art.

They are currently preparing for the rest of this year’s shows in New York and Vermont, making plans to return to New Orleans in 2004 to unveil their newest Mardi Gras art, and preparing for the February 2004 ArtExpo in New York City. For further information about their art and graphic design work, visit their websites www.crimsongallery.com and www.floresfloresinc.com.  Also visit their current show, Landscapes and Beyond, on view at Crandall Public Library until September 12.