Featured Artist–Charlotte Nelms

Charlotte Nelms was born and reared in Oregon yet, as military spouse has lived and continued her art studies all over the North American and European continents. She received her Associate of Arts Degree from City Colleges of Chicago, Europe. Recently, returned from Germany she has chosen to settle in Clarksville and is excited about the art opportunities in the area.

She has always been interested in art, even from an early age. “I can’t remember a time when I did not do some form of art. My dad, as a trimmerman for Boise Cascade Paper Mill, brought us kids all the paper we could use. I would sit for hours and make paper doll clothes, pictures or paper crafts glued together with flour and water paste.

As a child, I was always on the floor in the middle of some kind of artsy mess.”

Charlotte has worked in various mediums including graphite, oil, watercolor and pastel. One artist that influenced her to explore oil and pastel painting was the American Impressionist, Mary Cassatt.

Cassatt’s style and themes of children and the joys of childhood appear in Charlotte’s portrait work. Water is also a theme reoccurring frequently in her love of pastel and watercolor landscape. Whether it is placid or rushing, reflective or totally abstract, it inspires her. “When I am painting water I am painting reflected light because water has no color of its own. It has its own life by reflecting the life around it.”

The past thirty years, have brought Charlotte numerous awards and prizes for her work in Canada, California, Germany and Texas.

Come downtown to see Charlotte’s work!

This one is my personal favorite….although the Goose at the top – she just brought in – LOVE that too.  This one just….moves me!

See you downtown!

I’m Back – Let’s Catch Up! Gail Meyer, Featured Artist

I am sorry I have been out of contact for so long!  But instead of excuses, let’s get back to business! I promise to have a post a day until I have everyone caught up!

Let’s start with Gail Meyer – this months featured artist.  Gail was nice enough to bring in a bunch of new pieces to share with us – and within a few hours of hanging one of the large pieces – it sold!   Go Gail!!  And go to Carole the new owner of this piece.  I didn’t even get a photo of it- but trust me, amazingly beautiful and completely different then anything Gail has ever brought in.  Loved it!

 

Love this piece.  Gail was saying the other day that she likes to not do detailed faces on her non-commissioned art – she wants the viewer of the art to imagine who they want in the piece.  Love the rain running off the painting.  Don’t forget that we do have layaway – so if you are able to put larger pieces like this on layaway for Christmas!

 

I have been enjoying Gail’s coffee cup paintings for some time now.  But with the cold crisp air we are enjoying in the mornings – doesn’t this cup of tea just call your name?  Perfect for a breakfast nook.

I am loving these birds.  Please save me from myself!  This amazing piece is only $55! 

These daisies are just wonderful.  Table top or hang it up – love it!

This painting of a downtown is so wonderful – what do you see in this one? 

Growing up my parents had a cabin in the mountains of West Virginia.  We spent alot of our vacations at that cabin – and I have some amazing memories of that place.  I miss it very much and wish I could share it with my kids now.  For what ever reason, this painting reminds me of that cabin.  My Dad just said, “Don’t know why, it looks nothing like it!” but it totally does.  Maybe just the feel of it, the hominess.  Not sure- but I love it.

Love the coloring on this one!  Makes me want to head downtown!

And more of her mini paintings – perfect gifts for whatever!

Hope you enjoyed this update!  I promise more tomorrow!

See you downtown - K

February Featured Vendors

Peggy Bonnington, Featured Artist

Peggy Bonnington is a featured artist this month at ARTifacts - but in addition to her whimiscal artwork - she has loads of antiques for incredible prices - all worth a gander anytime you have a few minutes to sort through her eclectic collections.

Before this month's First Thursday ArtWalk, Peggy brought in a stack - of new artwork that she has drawn up for us. THey are all in plastic sleeves without frames - and ALL incredibly priced! They range from $5-$25. I have picked out my collection (she even named one for me cuz she knows how I love her trees!) so now you come in and pick one out for a friend or family member. And of course, pick some out for yourself!

Aigilean Designs - Featured Artist for August

Aigilean Designs, by Erin Slauson, is our featured artist for August. I really enjoy Erin's pieces - I love the raw look and feel of the raku pieces. Do you know what Raku is? I didn't either until Erin moved into ARTifacts. She explained it to me.

Here is a lesson for you! Taken from www.wisegeek.com:
"Raku pottery is created with a specific ceramic firing process that uses both fire and smoke to create unique patterns and designs. With raku pottery, the piece is first bisque fired. Then, it is glazed and undergoes a raku firing process. The raku firing process requires a special raku kiln that is fueled by propane and reaches temperatures of about 1800°F (about 982°C).
In order to complete the firing process, the raku pottery must remain in the kiln for approximately 30 minutes. The raku pottery is then removed from the kiln using specially designed raku tongs. While the raku pottery piece is still hot and glowing, it is placed inside a metal can full of combustible materials. The heat emitted from the raku pottery causes these materials to catch on fire. "



You can imagine the amount of work involved in getting this kind of pottery art mastered. I just love Erin's results!

She also features her wheel thrown and handbuilt works in both the raku and stoneware.

She offers all these items and more:
Nonfunctional bowls, food safe bowls, cups, vases, mugs, sculpture and masks.

These photos don't do her work justice. Come in and see for yourself!

Cheers!

Featured Vendor - Elisabeth Klein

Elisabeth Klein of "Jesus Freak Fashions" is our featured ARTisian for March. Really enjoyed her winter stuff, and I know many of you gave away her scarves for Xmas gifts. Now it is time to get something special for yourself! Elisabeth is working hard on new stuff for the spring and summer - I am very excited about seeing what she comes up with next!

Here is a glimpse of some of the projects she is working on right now: more baby items; table runner; doilies; light afghans; doll blankets; headbands and handbags.

My favorite thing in her booth right now is this darling little hat for babies. It is still just too chilly to take our little ones outside without something on their little noggins. Elisabeth has some great light weight hats in her booth that would be perfect for the chilly breeze still in the spring time air.

Just look at the sweet detailing of the little rose on there! The white hat has a pink flower. Both just darling. And she will customize the size for you no problem. We had a mom in here Tuesday the other day that needed a different size, and Elisabeth is all over making it for her. Let Elisabeth help make a special something for you or just purchase right out of her booth. I can't wait to see what she comes up with for headbands, it is almost the season to get the hair of my neck!

And don't forget to come see "All Quiet on the Western Front" at the Roxy. Tonight is "pay what you can" night.

Cheers!