This photo was taken by my son while in the Grand Canyon.

This is my Monday morning in the office!

Our Artwork featured on the cover of Sunshine Artist Magazine, June 2003	Our artwork featured on the cover of Cultural Quarterly Magazine, December 2003
Our story in Sunshine Artist Magazine, June 2003	Page 2 of article.

The Courier-Journal

Oct. 4, 2002

The lure of St. James

Commerce, not sentiment, draws native back for art show

By DIANE HEILENMAN •

dheilenman@courier-journal.com

Mike and Patty Albin mix photographs and painting to create their artwork, such as this effort, entitled "Linville Rocks."

The St. James Court Art Show is a Louisville tradition that always draws a big crowd the first weekend in October. No one in the crowd is likely to be more nostalgic about being there than photographer Mike Albin of Sunrise, Fla.

A native of Louisville, he left Kentucky in 1981 on the day he graduated from Eastern Kentucky University in law enforcement. Albin said he had his trailer packed before graduation -- but not because he didn't want to come home. "I knew if I ever came back to Louisville for a day, I'd never move to Florida," he recalled.

After 20 years in Florida, Albin is no longer worried about the lure of Kentucky. He is coming home so his Albin Arts can show its combination painting-photographs, which he does in collaboration with his wife, Patty, a Florida native. They'll be set up in the Belgravia Court section.

"I had never done anything professional as a photographer until after I met Patty. She had never done anything professional as a painter until we met," he said. Shortly after they met five years ago, Patty was looking at some of his underwater photography, he said, and remarked, "You've got some great photographs, but your framing needs help."

A framer for 11 years, she started fiddling with painting a small extension of a sea turtle photo onto the wood frame. "I said, 'That's really cool. You've got to do another one.' By the time she finished the second one, I said, 'You know, I think we could sell those.' "

The Albins did their first art fair in 1998. "We have since quit our jobs," said Albin. He never made it into law enforcement but was a disc jockey and owned a carpet cleaning company.

Their works are photographic scenes, mostly nature images, with one-of-a-kind imaginary extensions of the scene painted onto the frames. Sizes range from 8-by-10s to a 5-by-6-foot shot of the Grand Canyon.

Prices are $350 to $6,500, and they take special orders.

Albin said the decision to come home for St. James was not an emotional one.

"My sister still lives in Louisville, and she keeps saying, 'There's a big show in Louisville; you ought to come try it.' We never ever take recommendations on shows from people who go to shows, and that includes my sister. You . . . find out from other artists what sells and what doesn't sell," he said.

"We've talked to a number of other artists who say St. James is their best show of the year."

•

The St. James Court Art Show, featuring booths with 650 artists, is today through Sunday on St. James and Belgravia courts and the surrounding blocks of Magnolia Avenue and Third and Fourth streets in Old Louisville. It is operated by five neighborhood groups.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and tomorrow; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Concessions are available. No pets allowed.

Parking is limited to special lots at designated sites, including Manual High School behind 120 W. Lee St.; Noe Middle School at 121 W. Lee St.; Youth Performing Arts School at 1517 S. Second St.; Bethlehem United Church of Christ at 1400 S. Sixth St.; and Cochran Elementary School at the intersection of Sixth and Gaulbert streets. For a map of parking sites and other information, visit www.stjamescourtartshow.com.

PARC and TARC to St. James

Octoberfest is just 1-1/2 miles down Fourth Street from the St. James Court Art Show. To help with the parking crunch at St. James, organizers from both events have worked out an arrangement with the city's PARC garages and TARC.

For a flat rate of $5 each day, you can park at one of four downtown garages -- the Galleria, the Seelbach Hilton Hotel, the Camberley Brown Hotel and the Fifth Street garage -- and ride a shuttle bus to and from the art show during show hours (10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and tomorrow; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday). You can stay parked while you enjoy Octoberfest (you'll still need to pay the $5 festival admission fee).

The Second Street Neighborhood Association, meanwhile, has arranged for art show and Octoberfest parking at Jefferson Community College. Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today and tomorrow and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. The cost is $10 before 5 p.m. and $5 after. Vans will shuttle patrons to and from the show. Enter the lot through the gate on First Street, just north of Broadway.

Over the years our pieces have gotten larger and much more detailed. Because of this the number of pieces that Patty can paint has become fewer and fewer. On average she is now able to complete only two pieces per week. We need to have inventory, (pieces to hang in the booth at art shows), and she needs to complete orders taken at shows and off the website. The demand for our work continues to grow faster than Patty can physically paint them. When we first started doing art shows in 1998 we typically went to shows with between 100-110 pieces of finished framed pieces. Over the last few years that number keeps dwindling down and today our inventory of finished framed pieces at art shows is typically between 30 and 40. As demand continues to grow the value of our pieces will increase even more. We do not have prints or giclee's of our work. Every frame is an original painting done one at a time, all by Patty. We are very lucky to have a large number of people from all over the world that have become collectors of our original artwork. One collector has acquired nine of our pieces for his home and there are numerous clients that own five or six. If you are considering adding one of our pieces to your collection please look around the website and pick out something beautiful for your home. We know you will be glad you did.

Everyone that comes into our lives has an effect on it. There are positive lessons to be learned from everyone we cross paths with. Patty and I have had such a positive influence on each others lives. It’s amazing what can happen when two loving, nurturing and encouraging people get together and positively influence each other to grow and express themselves. Our artwork is a result of that positive energy and encouragement. I know this sounds corny but Patty and I feel like our whole lives have been leading up to meeting each other, preparing each of us to appreciate and love each other.

Our artwork has positively effected many lives. People that hang our work in their homes tell us how wonderful it makes them feel, how they love spending time outdoors and connecting with nature and how our story of love and encouragement has inspired them to new relationships, inner peaceful feelings and greater heights. People that can sense positive energy tell us they were literally drawn to our booth while walking down the street at an art show. Our artwork is an extension of us and the positive energy we put forth. Patty and I want to thank you for helping to support our dream! You are doing a good thing by supporting the arts. Without people like you that buy from artists, art shows and the visual arts would be in serious trouble. Thank you! Patty and I both believe in strong customer support and in giving back to the community. Patty and I volunteer our time and financially support several charities and worthwhile organizations. Your supporting us, helps us to support them. OUR CHARITIES

We are very lucky that we have not had to change our art to make a living at it. What you see on this website is what my eye is drawn to, what I love to take photos of and what Patty enjoys painting. Luckily for us, that's what you love to put in your home! Thank you again! We really do enjoy making our living as full-time artists and appreciate very much that you spend your hard earned money on our work. We will work hard to make sure you are as happy with your pieces you purchase from us long after the sale has been completed. See what people are saying about us after the sale was made TESTIMONIALS If you have any questions please call us toll free at 1-877-512-3333 or on my cell at 954-258-2869. Thanks and have a great day.

Photo by Tiffany M. in Miami

She took this photo of her dad at the Coconut Grove Art Show in Miami

THE FAMILY

Mike with kids, Marc and Tristan Photo by Patty Mike and son Marc on a night dive Photo by Dr. Barry Galison	Patty and daughter Lindsay Mike and son Marc in Grand Canyon
Patty in New Orleans 2006	Mike and Patty in New Orleans 2006

Albin Arts

6260 N.W 19th Street, Sunrise, Fl 33313

TEL: (954)731-7731

albinarts@comcast.net

Toll Free 1-877-512-3333