Thomas Estevez Design Owners Announce Retirement
After 17 years in Downtown Belleville, “Thomas Estevez Design” owners Jesus and Erin Estevez announced their upcoming retirement.
“We want to have absolute creative freedom, travel and do activities. And (finally) have lunch together,” said Erin, explaining that they haven’t had lunch at the same time in years because someone always had to mind the store.
The couple said they’ve enjoyed the deep connection they’ve had with their clients at their jewelry-and art-store located at 395 Front St. “I’ve had many deep spiritual talks with them. I love their sense of humour,” said Erin of their loyal customers.
Once their property finds new owners, they are planning on moving to a small village somewhere in Ontario, where Jesus will continue to paint, and Erin will continue to attend jewelry shows.
Erin opened her own shop in downtown Ottawa in the late 1980’s. The couple then moved to Spain where they opened three businesses.
“We sold our silver and stone designs all over Spain and in our shops. It was a very intense time,” said Erin. Jesus studied engineering in Spain, but moved to Canada in 1982 to be an artist.
When he was a fine arts student at Ottawa University, he visited the National Gallery of Canada and painted his own version of St. Francis’ portrait by master artist “El Greco” Domenicos Theotokópoulos.
Museum staff liked the way he painted so much that they bought him new paint and brushes and gathered around him as he worked on his own masterpiece.
“It was very close to the original,” Jesus said. The painting became his most treasured artwork.
Jesus said that he finds Belleville to be a very beautiful city. “It has very good infrastructure, and within five minutes, you could be in a grocery store, a hospital, a school or a park.”
“For me personally, (Belleville) gave me a lot of time to develop my art,” Jesus said.
His paintings—which are sold at the store for $200 to $1500—feature Belleville scenery and Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa and Kingston cityscapes.
“Thomas Estevez Design” is open Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will have discounted inventory until the closing date, which will depend on the sale of the property.
