Nancy Rhodes Harper's Artwork Featured at Nashville Gallery

You are invited to "SmallWorks" original art opening reception at Nashville Gallery, Nashville, Tn. December 5 6-9 pm. Featuring a variety of the areas favorite local artists. Ann Cowden - Bill Barnes - Thalia Kahl - Sherrie Levine - Rob Riley - and (Huntsville Artist) Nancy Rhodes Harper. For your holiday shopping pleasure many of the paintings will be offered unframed perfect for stocking stuffers, hostess gifts and a wonderful way to help a young person beging their own original art collection. The evening show and reception is part of the east Nashville Art Crawl. Thanks for supporting the arts! www.nashvillegallery.net

Nashville Gallery

218 South 11th Street

Nashville, Tn. 37200

615-227-6092

December 5 - 6-9 pm Show runs through January

To find out more about Nancy Rhodes Harper please visit her blog at: http://nrhodesharper.blogspot.com/

Modern Blacksmiths

Iron men give new twist to a time-honored trade

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

By Erica Jacobson

For the Limestone Spirit ericalejacobson@gmail.com

Modern blacksmiths show how it's done; need a candlestick?

As a boy growing up in Lawrence County, Tenn., Bill Richardson and his brother played in the blacksmith shop on their family's farm. The shop was the realm of his father and uncles and was where they turned when a fix for a various piece of farm machinery had to be made.

Richardson's creations weren't nearly so complicated. Instead, he and his brother spent hours pounding out crude tools to present to their father.

"Of course, he'd brag on those screwdrivers," he said. "And then he'd throw them away as soon as we walked away."

For most of his career as an NASA engineer, Richardson's attention was on the stars. His retirement, however, has reunited him with those crude iron bars of his childhood. Now the Athens man and a growing number of others spend hours in front of forges pulling glowing orange metal from smoking piles of bituminous coal before turning to a nearby anvil.

There, they pound, pull, twist and punch metal into knives, candlesticks, fireplace pokers and even their own sets of tools to continue what for some is a trade and for others a hobby.

TO READ MORE OF THIS COPYRIGHT ARTICLE GO TO: 

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/limestone.ssf?/base/news/125914415791130.xml&coll=1

Wood Worker, David Wilson, finds creative niche with hobby

Worker finds creative niche with hobby

By Scott R. Seeley

September 22, 2009, 5:06PM

Woodcarving proves
relaxing, satisfying

By KELLEY LANE-SIVLEY
Staff writer
kelleylanesivley@att.net

David Wilson had been looking for a creative outlet for many years. He had tried different hobbies, but nothing stuck. Four years ago, however, he found his art form inside a chunk of wood. He’s been carving ever since.

“I had a friend that was a carver. He gave me a tool catalogue and told me to order a few things. He said he would teach me a few things in a week or so. But then he took a job as a tour bus driver,” Wilson, a property administrator in the Garrison’s Directorate of Logistics maintenance division, said. “It was three years before I saw him again. So, I got a few books and kept practicing. Other carvers have helped me and showed me things along the way.”
After four years, Wilson said he is still a beginner. His carving is still a learning process of trial and error.

“I make toys, animals and people,” he said, laughing. “I also make some firewood, too.”

It is a process he has come to love. He has set up a small shop at his home, where he spends hours in the relaxing pursuit of taking tool to wood. He has found that he most enjoys crafting caricatures and faces.

“I can’t even draw a stick figure, but I can take a piece of wood and make something,” he said. “It’s relaxing and satisfying at the same time.”

He also likes creating castles out of driftwood, Cyprus knees, cottonwood and basswood. The softer nature of his preferred woods allows for greater detail, but can also create great frustration.

“Cottonwood can flake. You find bad spots or hard spots in the driftwood,” he said. “If you take too much off, it’s gone. But if I mess up, I can just turn it into something different.”

Safety is an issue for a hobby that involves using razor-sharp tools to slice into wood. Wilson said it is a lesson he only had to learn once.

“I have cut myself, but it’s been a long time,” he said. “I wear a Kevlar glove and a thumb guard on my knife hand in case it slips. The idea is to carve to the wood and not the carver.”

Wilson recently has taken his projects out of the shop and into the community. He has been working with the Artists Responding to Students group in Guntersville to teach kids about woodcarving. His next visit with them is planned for spring.

“I give them bars of ivory soap and a popsicle stick tool so that they can carve something,” he said. “The soap is great because it forces them to go slow and be careful. If they go too fast or too hard it crumbles.”

He has been attending carving shows in the area for quite some time, but has only ventured to enter his own work in a show this summer. Wilson entered a competition at Redstone’s Arts & Crafts Center and took home three ribbons in the wood category – two honorable mentions and a second-place finish.

“I lost to a 7-foot-tall burled walnut grandfather clock,” he said. “You can’t compete with that.”

He looks forward to the 27th annual Mid South Woodcarving Show and Competition scheduled Nov. 8-9 at the Huntsville Roundhouse Depot. Wilson plans to have a display of his own there and be a part of the competition.

“It’s a huge show,” he said. “There is a large carving community out there.”

Wilson has been working at the Garrison for close to 22 years. When he does a little traveling, he has put together a portable woodcarving bench so he can take his hobby with him — unless, of course, he has to fly. A bag of strange knives wouldn’t make it through security.

“I only take my tools when I’m driving,” Wilson said, laughing. “I don’t even try at the airport.”

HAL - Please support Art in the Tennessee Valley

From: Walt Schumacher waltshoe@comcast.net

Date: November 22, 2009

What is Collector's Draw?

Each year, the Huntsville Art League has a major fundraising event called Collector's Draw. This has been a Huntsville tradition for over 20 years.

The kickoff is in October, when HAL does a "Call for Art" to area artists. Artists donate works of art valued at $150-$300 or more. Starting on Thanksgiving, tickets are sold to the community for $125. Many people make it a tradition to buy tickets as Christmas gifts for friends and family.

HAL continues to collect artwork (usually well over 100 pieces) through the end of the year, and begins to put it up for display in January. In January HAL hosts a great Reception for the ticket holders, which gives them the opportunity to spend time with the art, and do "rankings".

Then early in February, HAL moves all the art to the Von Braun Center, for "The Draw". This event draws over 200 ticket holders and their guests, and is "MC'd" by Steve Johnson of WHNT. One by one, Steve picks tickets at random. The first ticket holder chosen has their pick from all the art. The second person picked gets their choice from the remaining art, etc.

Amazingly, due to the wide variation in taste, most people go home with one of their top 3 picks! This is a fun event that brings patrons back year after year.

Works by Maria Howard Weeden donated to local library

Weeden works come home

Friday, November 13, 2009

By Jon Busdeker

Times Arts Writer jon.busdeker@htimes.com

Watercolor portrait of former slave included in book

Four original paintings by Maria Howard Weeden, including her earliest known watercolor of a former slave, have made it back to Huntsville.

On Thursday, Nashville lawyer Henry Walker donated the rare collection of Weeden works to the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library. The paintings, tied together by a silver ribbon, are part of a poem book called "The Master of the Sheep Fold."

"We are thrilled to have this book back in Huntsville," the library's archivist Ranee Pruitt said. "When I saw this original for the first time, I was breathless."

Walker inherited the book from his father, Hugh Walker, a longtime editor at The Tennessean newspaper who wrote several articles about Weeden and collected her works.

TO READ MORE OF THIS COPYRIGHT ARTICLE PLEASE VISIT:

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/local.ssf?/base/news/125810738930520.xml&coll=1

Former art teacher Martha Huie donates nearly 200 works

Author's wife donates books to Snead State

Saturday, November 14, 2009

By David Brewer

Times Staff Writer david.brewer@htimes.com

Former art teacher Martha Huie gives nearly 200 works

BOAZ - The wife of the late William Bradford Huie, author of "The Execution of Private Slovik," "Three Lives for Mississippi" and numerous other works, has donated almost 200 books to Snead State Community College in Boaz.

A former art instructor at the college, Martha Huie recently presented her collection of art reference books from her personal art library.

Snead State President Robert Exley said the college appreciates her gift, which will benefit mainly art students.

"She is truly someone who truly cares about (the college) and its success," he said.

Huie, who taught art at Snead in the 1970s, presented her collection to Exley and other school officials this week at the college's Learning Resource Center as they stood before an exhibit about her husband.

TO READ MORE OF THIS COPYRIGHT ARTICLE GO TO: 

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/local.ssf?/base/news/1258193733247140.xml&coll=1  

20 Must-Visit Art Museums You’ve Never Heard Of

Engineer, Adrienne Carlson sent the art blog an interesting article she posted on her blog entitled “20 Must-Visit Art Museums You’ve Never Heard Of” at http://toponlineengineeringdegree.com/?page_id=73

Check it out!

Interview with J. Leko Furniture Maker on WLRH, 89.3 FM Public Radio

11/11/09 Update: Radio interview 1 of part 2 available on MP3 at: http://files.me.com/j.leko/7jcwfp.mp3

11/14/09 Update: Radio interview 2 of part 2 available on MP3 at: http://files.me.com/j.leko/dyoxki.mp3

-------------------------------------------------------

Previously posted on the Huntsville Art Blog 11/3/09

Art News from J. Leko

I thought that I would alert you to some upcoming events. During the next two Fridays, I will be interviewed by Beth Norwood, host of "Among Friends" on WLRH, 89.3 FM Public Radio. "Among Friends" focuses mainly on promoting the arts in our area, and I will be talking with her about my new custom furniture business, J. Leko Furniture Maker, LLC. Her show begins at noon, with the interviews usually played sometime within the first 30 minutes. When we taped these interviews in late August there were several problems including a power outage, so it should be interesting to hear how they turned out!

WHEN: Noon to 12:30 P.M. 6 & 13 November 2009

WHERE: WLRH, 89.3 FM Public Radio

Thank you for your support.

Regards,

J.

J. Leko

Furniture Maker, LLC

(256) 714-0742

http://www.jleko.com

Don't Let This Happen to You for Your Own Reception!

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you promoted yourself well and completely screwed up the date of your art reception? Well Dustin Timbrook knows, and his last video will show all you artists out there exactly what would happen...

Picturesque Promo #9 from Happenin Records on Vimeo.

Help prevent cruelty to Betty by coming out and enjoying Dustin's art reception this Saturday at Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment.

On a serious note, Dustin's take on self promotion shows artists that current digital grass roots approaches to promotion can net you a lot of attention. He has almost completely paid for his reception based on pre-sales of prints of his works, and already has about 200 rsvp'd attendance through online social networking tools like facebook, blogsites like this one, myspace, vimeo, networking through personal/public/private websites, etc...

Making use of free or next to free online tools is an amazingly effective way to cut your promotional budget and still get advertising. And of course, the more interesting you can make it, the better... but you don't have to shamelessly exploit puppies to do it... though it helps.

Thanks and hope to see you there!

David

Wanted: "ARTISTIC" BOOKKEEPER for art division

Huntsville Times Want Ad 11/08 Unique opporutunity for "ARTISTIC" BOOKKEEPER   Starting salary $500/wk. Plus incentive & Bonus program. For assistance in the development of a marketing & graphic art division for a local CPA firm. Send resume & sample drawing (one) of your Artistic talents to:  PFO, Inc. PO Box 4102 Huntsville, AL 35815

Reflectives Frame & Art Gallery Featured in Local Magazine

Marguerite McClintock, owner of Artisans Cove's Reflectives Frame & Art Gallery, was recently featured in the Huntsville Time's magazine, Growing Up. The article was written by freelance writer, LeAnne Letize and titled: Forever-Worthy Photos, The "Why Didn't I Think of That?" Guide to Creating and Preserving Family Memories.

The hard copy of the Huntsville Times' Growing Up magazine is available at local churches, schools or at the Times' office.

To read it on line go to:

http://shophuntsville.al.com/SS/Page.aspx?secid=72589&pagenum=14&sstarg=&facing=false

To learn more about Reflectives Frame & Art Gallery please visit:

Reflectives Frame and Art Gallery

Artisan's Cove

220 Old Highway 431

Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763

www.reflectivesframe.com

(256) 539-1665 or reflectives@comcast.net

Students Unveil Newest Public Art at EarlyWorks Children's Museum

Randolph School students unveil new bench at EarlyWorks Children's Museum

By Jon Busdeker

November 02, 2009

HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Early Works Children's Museum is home to Huntsville's newest piece of public art. 

This afternoon, eight students from Mary Jones' art class at Randolph School unveiled a new bench at the downtown museum. Decorated with hand-painted ceramic tiles, the bench features 88 colorful pictures of the sun. 

"The kids were so very enthusiastic," teacher Jones said about the project. "We were just so grateful to EarlyWorks."

The bench is part of The Bench Project, a student outreach program developed earlier this year in conjunction with the Alabama Clay Conference. 

To read more of this copyright article please visit Jon Busdeker's blog at: 

http://blog.al.com/thebus/2009/11/randolph_school_students_unvei.html

EarlyWorks Children's Museum's Public Art Added

Bench Project brings smiles

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

By Jon Busdeker

Times Arts Writer jon.busdeker@htimes.com

'Enthusiastic' group at Randolph creates piece for museum

EarlyWorks Children's Museum is home to Huntsville's newest piece of public art.

On Monday afternoon, eight students from Mary Jones' art class at Randolph School unveiled a new bench at the downtown museum. Decorated with hand-painted ceramic tiles, the bench features 88 colorful pictures of the sun.

"The kids were so very enthusiastic," Jones said about the project. "We were just so grateful to EarlyWorks."

To read more of this copyright article please visit: http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/local.ssf?/base/news/12572433669840.xml&coll=1

To read more posts on the Huntsville Art Blog about the BENCH PROJECT please visit: http://huntsvilleartblog.blogspot.com/search?q=Bench+project

The Bench Project, by elementary school students, promotes Public Art. Check out the website at: http://www.benchproject.org/

The Bench Project is an ongoing program of the Alabama Craft Council. For information about bench sponsorship or school participation, contact Jennie Couch at 256-489-0334 or jencouch@gmail.com.

Huntsville Museum of Art role in Community

Huntsville Museum of Art expansion project raises questions about institution's role in community

By Jon Busdeker

November 01, 2009

s

The Huntsville Museum of Art broke ground on it's 18,000 square foot expansion on Thursday.

HUNTSVILLE, AL - Maybe Tabatha Jarmulowicz expects too much of the Huntsville Museum of Art. Or maybe it's a matter of taste. But the 28-year-old art student, who is a member of the museum and even had her wedding there, often finds herself disappointed by the choice of exhibitions. 

"Everything is totally expected," said Jarmulowicz , a student at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. "The work is very, very, very traditional."

On Thursday, the museum broke ground on an expansion that both critics and supporters agree has the potential to redefine the museum's role.

To read more of this copyright article please visit arts writer Jon Busdeker's blog at: http://blog.al.com/thebus/2009/11/huntsville_museum_of_art_expan.html

Featured Artist: Pamela Watters

"Monet's Garden" by Pamela Watters, copyright

"Auvers, France" by Pamela Watters, copyright

"In My Dreams" by Pamela Watters, copyright

"Sunrise Mentone" by Pamela Watters, copyright

Pamela Watters

In my artwork I use the medium of pastel in a painterly fashion. I embraced the medium for its ease of handling and brilliance of color as well as for its portability in working on location. My objective is to create bold & dynamic art with gestured energy. I love the pure colors, the immediacy, and the feeling that the pastel stick is an extension of my fingers. Practically any effect that can be achieved with any other medium can be accomplished with pastel. In pastels I have the best of all possible worlds; speed, directness of execution, permanence and vivid color.

Growing up in the shadow of Lookout Mountain, early on I developed a love of the natural world, endlessly sketching the countryside serving as an endless source of inspiration. Landscapes reflect my love of the lush surroundings found in the Southeast.

Last year I was fortunate to spend some time in Paris and the outlying villages.

Some of these works are a celebration of the visual delights I experienced there.

Whether the subject matter is figurative, still life or landscape, I attempt to capture excitement in my work by combining techniques of the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists with outrageous colors of the Fauves. My goal is to project a feeling of shimmering light, movement and explosive colors within each painting that can capture the imagination of the viewer.

After spending several years in New York and the Atlanta area, I now live in Huntsville and Mentone, AL. I'm thrilled to be back home!

My work can be see at Artistic Images in Huntsville. www.ArtisticImagesGallery.com

For more info about Pamela, please visit her website at: http://PamelaArt.com/

Featured Artist: Jennie McBride Goshorn

"Cafe Window" by Jennie McBride Goshorn, copyright

"Honeycomb Road" by Jennie McBride Goshorn, copyright

"Morning News" by Jennie McBride Goshorn, copyright

Jennie McBride Goshorn

Jennie has been interested in the Arts throughout her life. As a young student, she attended the Layton School of Art in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Further studies at the University of Wisconsin followed. She spent a number of years as the executive director of the Mountain Valley Arts Council in Marshall County, Alabama, and many more before that as a volunteer and office manager. She enjoys watercolors and pastels as well as playing music and writing.

Jennie uses no standard subject matter, but likes to express light and expressive color in whatever she chooses to depict in her work. Currently, her favorite media are watercolor and pastels, though she does work in acrylic, charcoal and other media from time to time.

Jennie is an award winning artist and her artwork is displayed in private and public collections. She is also available to do work on a commission basis for customers who have specific ideas.

Jennie and her husband, Jim teach art and sculpture in their studios at their home in Honeycomb located just north of Guntersville, AL. They also travel together to shows and galleries.

Jim is also a featured artist on the Huntsville Art Blog. For more info please visit:

http://huntsvilleartblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/featured-artist-jim-goshorn.html

For more information about Jennie and Jim Goshorn, visit their web

site at www.HoneycombArt.com or e-mail them through their website or call 256-571-3075

Jennie and Jim Goshorn

Featured Artist: Jim Goshorn

"Chicago" by Jim Goshorn, copyright

"No Running" by Jim Goshorn, copyright

"Lined Up" by Jim Goshorn, copyright

Jim Goshorn

Jim Goshorn has been interested in all of the arts from a very early age. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, he attended Auburn University in Alabama where he pursued a degree in Fine Art. Later, at Rhodes University, in Memphis, he studied sculpture under Lawrence Anthony and painting under Dolph Smith. Although Jim always kept a hand in creative pursuits, he didn’t begin full-time work in the arts and sculpting until 2002 after his two daughters were grown.

The figures of elongated women that make up a large portion of Jim’s work are derived from the women he remembers in childhood including his mother, aunts and their friends. Other subject matter includes birds, wildlife and fantasy figures. The sculp

tures are all one of a kind, cut and shaped from sheet steel with bronze, brass and other accents.

Jim is an award winning artist and his artwork is displayed in private and public collections. He is also available to do work on a commission basis for customers who have specific ideas.

Jim and his wife, Jennie teach sculpture and art in their studios at their home in Honeycomb located just north of Guntersville, AL. They also travel together to shows and galleries.

Jennie is also a featured artist on the Huntsville Art Blog. To view her info please visit:

http://huntsvilleartblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/featured-artist-jennie-mcbride-goshorn.html

For more information about Jim and Jennie Goshorn, visit their website at www.HoneycombArt.com or e-mail them through their website or call 256-571-3075.

Jennie and Jim Goshorn