Today we’d like to introduce you to Emerald Lockhart And Barbra Steinhurst.
Hi Emerald Lockhart and Barbra Steinhurst, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Emerald:
Colours was established in 2009 and started its journey on 3rd street in historical downtown Hillsboro. I started working part-time with the founding owner in 2011, while attending full-time at Portland State University toward a major in Art Practices and minor in Graphic Design. In 2017, I helped move the local art supply shop to Main street, in the center of old town. I was eager and lucky to learn alongside the founding owner, getting hands-on experience as he taught me his custom framing methods, the ins and outs of running the business, and discovering more about the fine arts and framing industry.
When I took on ownership in January of 2019, I didn’t truly know what the future would hold for me. It was a new adventure, a leap of faith, and needless to say, a huge learning curve! Over the past 7 years of ownership, I have become a mother, grown my family, and grown myself as an individual. I have been humbled by various life challenges, both personal and in business. A few years after starting my family, I felt it was time for me to move on to something new and be home more with my young children. Once I’d made the decision, there was a time where the future of Colours was unknown and may have needed to come to an end within our town. Thankfully, someone new came out of the woodwork, interested in this business’ history, its place in the community, and curious to carry it further. We are now working together through the transition process, as new ownership is underway!
I was raised in Hillsboro, and its “small town” feel will always have a special place in my heart. It is only time for new life—both for myself and my young family, along with Colours and its future-owner Barbra Steinhurst (Barbie). I’m so happy to pass the future of Colours on to Barbie. I know it is in strong hands moving forward, with an eager-to-learn and truly motivated individual building upon it. I look forward to sharing with her all the things I’ve learned, eager to continue to serve through my custom framing services for some time, and embark on the new lessons I will learn as I transfer my knowledge and methods to someone new. It thrills me to know that this artists’ meeting place gets to remain in Hillsboro.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Emerald:
It started off smooth as I became owner, but I’ve encountered my fair share of obstacles.
Business at Colours had gained a strong momentum when I became owner in 2019, with each year healthier than the last. I’m sure you can imagine what came next in February of 2020, and the toll the lock down took on so many other business owners. That was a very big challenge to navigate, and my business was still recovering, years later. So was the industry. Everything shifted, from the lack of accessibility to products from distributors, a hold on inventory orders, a stop in manufacturing, not to mention the unknown future and health concerns of the pandemic around the world. Even once the shut down was lifted, many people weren’t ready or able to purchase our products or services at that time. Everyone was doing their best to stay afloat. All the while, I had financial responsibilities and overhead costs. It was important to me to find a way forward and to communicate with my customers during that time.
It was wonderful to see an outreach of support from locals in my community, including customers, my landlord, and someone who helped me to arrange a program that created income for me and my business, that also supported youth experiencing homelessness in our city. We made something truly special and heartwarming during a time of unease and uncertainty.
There were many ups and downs along the way since then, including changes in what was trending in the industry, how people were buying (and creating), and the trends in our own work and income flow throughout each year. The months that we used to expect to be the busiest, suddenly weren’t showing promise anymore. The next year, the used-to-be slower months began to pick up. It was difficult to foresee, predict, or plan for the future.
Then I had a child! I had put a system in place at that time so that my business would be supported while I was on leave. Although, many things shifted, and it got even more complicated to operate once I had my second child. I’m sure as any other working mother understands, it’s not easy to construct a work-life-balance or to coordinate and afford childcare. They say it takes a village to raise a child, but it takes much more than that to have a full work load at home and in business. I suppose nothing can really prepare you for that. Those are the years I’ve learned the most: about time management, priorities, boundaries, and values.
I continued to take things as they came, keeping everything I knew how to do best the same. Meaning, remaining connected to my clients and customers. I’ve found solutions to problems I never knew I could or would need to, and I am grateful to have received so much loving support by those who have believed in me.
We’ve been impressed with Colours Art Supplies & Custom Framing, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Emerald:
Colours is a meeting place for creators, empowering others to discover their creativity and achieve their desires in custom framing. Our shop has a variety of fine artist supplies stocked with intention: good quality materials to allow for more possibilities, for all ages, levels, uses and purposes. Over the years, our customers have shared the products that have inspired them. They’ve developed personal relationships with certain products or mediums, and know why they like or dislike utilizing something specific. That feedback helps us to keep what’s on our shelves relevant, and shapes the products that are brought in and kept in stock.
I am most proud of and confident in the way we interact with our customers, with honesty, consistency, compassion, and a fun-loving spirit. I’ve discovered that things don’t always have to be so serious all the time, even within a professional and successful business. It’s worthwhile to create fun along the way. It is important to us to understand what our customers really need or are hoping to achieve. We guide them based on that information. If we don’t have the answer, we become a team to find a solution or an end result with our customer feeling heard, understood, and cared for.
In framing, I work closely with my clients as we build a relationship and respect for one another. We work in tandem to create a solution to a problem or desired visual outcome. I believe color psychology and the combination of colors and textures really make a difference in how the finished frame will make my clients feel when they take it home and every time they look at it. Every frame that I have worked on is a unique visual expression where I get to utilize my artistic abilities and intuition, to get a feel for what kind of results my clients are looking for. I take them along the journey with me. By asking intentional questions and having them look at the best options for their framing project, they walk away learning more about how those colors speak to their subconscious, why those dimensions or proportions feel more balanced, what types of materials are most suited for their specific project, and I’ve witnessed that they often come away learning a little more about themselves in the process. This is the unique spin that I’ve been able to bring to this specific service, business, and industry, and plan to teach as I train others, so that it can continue on with new ownership.
I have always wanted to encourage people of all ages, abilities, and walks of life to create. It is a joy to share the love of art and creating in such a rich and diverse area. The surroundings, energy, and happenings in old town Hillsboro is connected to our business, and is something unique for people to come explore and be a part of. It’s always been my hope for this business to grow. It’s been able to grow strong roots within the community through events and collaborative projects. I’ve also wanted to keep the source of this business very intimate, so that it touches others’ lives, connecting with others in a cozy, loyal kind of way. The smallest interactions in a day can impact someone in a grand way. Those are the things that make in-person, reliable service and care so important. I believe the joy, positivity, and inspiration that comes to life inside our little art shop is contagious, in the best way.
Barbra:
I am excited to uncover Colours’ role as a community hub and gathering space for Washington County Artists, with the strong tradition of local values and customer service as the foundation. Through our history of classes, supplies, and framing services (our three revenue pillars), my predecessors have built a solid reputation for supporting so much of the artistic cycle. I have dreams that will expand the role of Colours as a space where artists can find encouragement all along the way, from inspiration to distribution.
I want to build on the strong foundations I’m inheriting. Let’s use the flexible front space of the store for celebrations, conversation circles, smaller classes, creating-in-community, and so much more. Let’s fill the classroom space with art-making, technique refinement, and even the non-art skills that support artists’ dreams. Let’s celebrate our vibrant local artist community with book launches, locally-sourced supplies, and featured artist programs. Together, let’s support community art classes, teachers, and programs that build and inspire the next generations of artists.
As a local Hillsboro resident myself, I (Barbra, the new owner) am heavily invested in community and mutual support. I’ll be constantly on the lookout for ways to build both Colours and the Washington County artist community side-by-side and hand-in-hand. Watch for exciting new things, the continuation of our quality and customer service focus, and the return of some old beloveds as well.
What matters most to you?
Emerald:
I chose to continue as owner of Colours in 2019 because I love surrounding myself with creative materials and other creative minds. Art and creation hold value for me, and I enjoy sharing in that. I never envisioned myself owning my own retail business. I don’t want to say I “followed my passion”—It’s more that I followed my curiosity. I’ve been interested in creating and reimagining things from a very young age. Studying art and philosophy in school allowed me to delve into why things are the way they are, and has influenced how I’ve done business over the years. Many of our customers who have gotten to know me and this business’ place in the community have developed a respect for and a relationship with our place of business. They see and have experienced the value in warm, friendly staff and help.
The joy I see in others is what makes what I do at Colours so rewarding. I work well with others, and I feel that having genuine and lasting relationships with people is important. It really matters to me to have touched someone’s life in a positive or strengthening way. Recognizing that I’ve helped, inspired, or supported someone in some small way is the ‘why’ behind my work.
In every interaction I’ve had at Colours, I’ve tried to challenge people’s perception of art, or what they believe art is… I do this because it can shift their perspective about what creating means to them or alter their inner voice in a positive way. From my experiences moving through the world, I have discovered that everyone is a creator, in some way that is unique to them. There are so many inviting materials and tools just waiting for someone to discover and create something new.
Creating art can be a form of expression. Anyone can choose to express themselves by creating, no matter their experience level or art form. It can also simply be a way to explore! It invites them to put a piece of themselves out into the world, to appreciate the journey, the lessons learned, and the way it pushes them to be in the moment—but most importantly, getting them into a playful state of mind. It’s healing. I believe the creative process itself makes you more of an artist than the finished pieces of work you may create. That is something that’s been important for me to share with others.
I think creation is behind all humanity. No matter what each of us do, profess in, are good at, or not good at for that matter, we are all creators. Whatever we make, or however we choose to utilize that creativity, is what I find most meaningful. So, it’s important to stay curious, allowing space for creativity to flow. I always aim to remain true to my authentic self, offer compassion and make connections where I can. I have a strong appreciation for the beauty in witnessing others do what they do best.
As my perspective has grown and evolved throughout life, my sense of purpose has also. What matters to me most at this time, is being as present as I possibly can in the most fundamental years in my children’s lives. It’s also extremely meaningful to me to have the life of Colours continue on in a new, adventurous way, and for it to remain a haven for creatives in downtown Hillsboro.
Barbra:
With respect to the business, community is absolutely central to my vision. I picture Colours as a place where artists meet and mingle with other artists, sustain inspiration and enthusiasm, and learn new techniques. Where we inspire emerging art-making and encourage playful creation.
That said, I also believe there is a way to build and encourage this community while still supporting a livable wage and healthful working conditions. Indeed, that kind of fiscal sustainability is critical to maintaining the community and support I envision for the space in the long term. On the heels of its predecessor Art Envy, Colours has existed for 17 years. We want it to continue as a community pillar and in service to the visual arts throughout the County for decades more.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.coloursart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coloursartsupplies/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coloursartsupplies/
