Creative framer turns to painting on The Murfreesboro Post

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Creative framer turns to painting

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By: BY ERIN EDGEMON

Bill Brison stands with his snowman watercolors in his shop on Spring St.

Bill Brison never thought picture framing much less painting would be on his life list.

But the charismatic man is a firm believer in never giving up on dreams.

He found his true calling, an outlet for his creative energy, by responding to a classified advertisement seeking someone to learn picture framing nearly 30 years ago. He finally decided to use this training and go into business for himself.

Brison, a certified professional framer, has operated Appleton's Creative Framers for 20 years first on and now just off the Public Square. The business was built on Brison's imaginative and innovative framing skills.

Brison, who has a background in radio, is known for his conservation framing. All his framing is reversible and acid free. If Brison is framing a christening gown, for example, he will stitch the grown onto the matte instead of using glue.

He loves to be challenged by his customers who bring him their treasured mementos and artwork to frame.

Elizabeth Church calls Brison a "creative genius."

She frequents Appleton's for his gourmet coffee, but her family treasures a collage of family photos and Christmas cards Brison arranged and framed.

Brison strives to sell merchandise he loves and that is different from anything else being sold in Murfreesboro. He sells flavored gourmet coffees, candles and fly fishing lures he ties himself.

Besides indulging his creativity, Brison said what he enjoys most about operating his business in interacting with his customers.

"I wouldn't give that up for anything — that is what I need as a person," Brison said.

Brison gives each customer special attention. He practices a level of customer service that is rare nowadays. Brison takes special care to remember (keep notes about) each customer for the next time they come into his shop. He sends out thank you cards no matter how much money they spend.

He even mails his customers birthday cards if he happens to know the date of their birth.

"It is a mom and pop business no doubt," Brison said.

Brison has a self-deprecating nature that puts his customers at ease. He doesn't have any assumptions about his artwork that lines the walls of his warm store.

He started painting snowmen with watercolors on a whim, a way to express his silly sense of humor, and to give to friends as gifts about eight years ago. His series of affordable snowmen paintings have since caught on with customers and during the winter months much of his shop and storefront are filled with the loveable characters.

The snowman paintings allow his customers to purchase original artwork for only $30-$40.
From there, Brison decided to take classes in oil painting and watercolors to hone his skills. Now paintings of flowers, houses and other landscapes adorn the walls of Appleton's.

"I think one day that is all I will do," Brison said of painting.

One of Brison's best friends and customers, Richard Slicker said he is astounded by Brison's artwork.
"Bill is one of the most talented guys that I know," he said. Slicker is impressed not only by Brison's paintings but by his skills at making bamboo fly fishing rods and fly fishing lures.

Brison recently painted a portrait of Slicker's beloved labrador retriever that brought Slicker to tears.

"It blows my mind," Slicker said. "It is amazing."

Erin Edgemon can be reached at 869-0812 and at eedgemon@murfreesboropost.com.

Appleton's Creative Framers
124 N. Spring St.
896-6816
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday-Friday 8:30-11 a.m. and noon-2:30 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Closed Sunday and Monday
Until Christmas Appleton's also will be open Thursday from 6-8 p.m.

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By: Wandawoo on 2/20/08
First let me say, that working with Bill is sort of like having a private personal trainer that you pay handsomely to just think about you and make you beautiful. But, in Bill's case, his prices are so reasonable that I thought he'd actually made a mistake when he framed my last five pieces. And everything he frames turns out beautiful. He is a genius, and he is warm, caring and a sheer joy to work with. He may be a framer -- but in my opinion he is a fine artist with a keen eye for matching the right frame and mat the first time...everytime. Forget that big box framer -- Go see Bill!

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