BY ANDREW DAVIS
PICTURED Candy and She.Art items. Photos by Andrew Davis
One's mood cannot help but brighten upon entering She.Art chicago ( which, despite its name, is actually in Oak Park ) . Vibrant paintings, intriguing sculptures, and shimmering accessories—all celebrating the essence of women—greet customers.
Windy City Times recently visited the store ( which opened June 1 ) and spoke with effusive owner Candy Johnson, whose personality is in step with the art that surrounds her. The confident Johnson describes herself as 'multitalented' and is a self-described 'writer, artist, metalsmith ... you name it.' She spent some time talking about everything from the support of her partner to why men are so important ( for business ) .
Windy City Times: Even though the store is called She.Art, it's not exclusively for women, right?
Candy Johnson: My God, are you kidding? Men are certainly welcome! I was thinking there would be more men buying than women; there are more male collectors than female. I don't want it to be a women's store. I want it to be for ...
WCT: Everyone.
CJ: Yes. I carry items from eras past and present. The collection is so eclectic that I'm hoping that people will come in looking for one [ type of art ] and find something that he or she likes.
WCT: How do you go about collecting pieces?
CJ: A lot of different ways—I go to flea markets, rummage sales, garage sales, auctions, estate sales. Sometimes I go find sales on back roads, even.
I still collect every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I make a list of [ destinations ] and I start at 8 o'clock; that's why I won't open until 11 a.m.
WCT: What's been the best deal you've gotten?
CJ: All my freebies. [ Smiles. ] Once, I went to see some friends in North Hollywood and saw this table with these great legs. I jumped in this blue dumpster, took off the tabletop, threw [ the legs ] in my bag and left my clothes in L.A. I loved them so much. I call them the Three Graces. I consider myself a professional treasure hunter.
WCT: What types of art do you collect?
CJ: I collect all different types of art. [ Note: The Web site states that the store sells figurines, stained glass, carvings, paintings, photographs, prints, metal, photos, folk art and sculptures. ] I want the store to represent my personality and how diverse I am. I'm not a person who is stale. I constantly move and go on new adventures. I was born like that. When I was a kid, I collected keys.
Actually, I met Mercedes [ Corona, her partner ] about 10 years ago. She was collecting nude female art, so we both started collecting those. We were going to open a store and call it Eclectic Nudes, but because we felt that Oak Park is a residential area that we thought we'd broaden it to [ something that incorporated ] eclectic women's art.
WCT: How'd you come up with the name?
CJ: Well, we were having breakfast in Andersonville one day. I wanted a name that was really simple. We came up with 'her art,' but when we saw 'She.Art,' that was it.
WCT: You can't help but notice that 'heart' is a big part of the name ...
CJ: [ Excited. ] I know—right? We put the period there because I kept seeing 'S-Heart.'
WCT: I like that it's there. Having 'heart' there reflects the passion you have for art.
CJ: Exactly. I like the way it looks because, even though the period is there, you can still see the heart in it.
WCT: Let's talk a bit about local artists.
CJ: Every month we'll showcase a different local artist. He or she will get a front window display and two walls in the back. [ The store is divided into a front area that sells various collectibles and a back room that houses paintings. ] We're strictly looking for local artists—with 'local' meaning Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan. I've actually received entries from New York and Paris. We also have ongoing featured artists; they have 90-day contracts.
WCT: You also showcase male artists.
CJ: Yes. We have one coming up in September. It's not about the artist; it's about the art. The art, however, has to center around women.
WCT: What's the price range for items?
CJ: Cards are two dollars and the most expensive painting is about $850.
WCT: I see where you offer unique discounts ...
CJ: I do! It's going to change each month. For example, it may be that if you wear pink in the store or tell me a joke, you get 10 percent off. I want people to look at the Web site [ www.sheartchicago.com ] each month and find out what the next [ offer ] will be.
WCT: Can people bring in items to sell?
CJ: Absolutely. We accept consignment pieces and I have contracts ready. I'm accepting pieces of furniture and all women-related art, of course. With artists, I work at a very low commission rate. I'm not here to make money off of them but to help them [ establish ] a following.
WCT: How hard is it to part with some of these items? Don't you fall in love with some of them?
CJ: Yes, I really do. Like everything else, things have to evolve and change. I figure that, once I sell an item, I can find something to replace it. The hardest thing, though, is pricing an item.
WCT: Is there any other thing you wish to say about She.Art?
CJ: It's not like a store where you walk and browse around, you know? I want people to come in, sit down, have a bottle of water and just absorb. I want [ shopping here ] to be a fun experience. Also, it will hopefully inspire people to buy new and different things.
Also, Mercedes is the best. I couldn't have done this without her. She's been so supportive of my venture. She stands by everything I do. No matter what I do, she always right there saying, 'Go for it.'
She.Art chicago is located at 223 S. Blvd., Oak Park; the phone is ( 708 ) 763-0155. The store is open from 11-8, Tuesdays through Saturdays.