Celebrating North Carolina Artists Part 1 of many

We represent so many talented North Carolina artists it is hard to know where to start!

We are going to introduce you to five artists at a time. As you will see we represent a wide range of styles and mediums!

Justine

Justine creates whimsical work using white earthenware. Each piece is hand sculpted, fired, glazed with under glazes then fired again. Her subject matter runs from Prayer Angels, Mermaids and Crabs to Nativities just to scratch the surface. Here's a link to more of her work.

                                                                   Vicki Grant

I'll have to say we have a real affinity for clay, probably because we are potters ourselves. Vicki Grant works with porcelain, to which she adds found objects, the color is added with water soluble oil paints. Vicki throws, does hand-building, and tile making. Visit her page on our website to see more by clicking here.

 

Holden McCurry

North Carolina ceramicist Holden McCurry began making clay prayer towers and shrines after a trip to Mexico a decade ago. He was inspired by the colorful and creative forms found in the local artwork and architecture.

The inside of each tower holds a piece of paper on which you can write a message or prayer, giving each piece your own special meaning. Check them all out on our website.

Dan Nelson and Mike Rooney

The top painting is by Dan Nelson. It is quite a sight to watch Dan paint. He loves to paint really big, with both hands, as talking to the audience. Working in acrylics and oils, his paintings always have a lot of atmosphere. Dan sometimes comes to New Bern and conducts workshops for us. To get on our list for an upcoming workshop send us a note by commenting at the bottom of this post, include your email address (we will not post your email address I promise!)
To see more of his work click here.

The bottom painting is by our friend Mike Rooney. Mike has spent the past few years traveling from the Florida Keys to Cape Cod, painting and teaching workshops. We always love the light in his oil paintings. Mike prefers to work on a small scale. The majority of his paintings run 8 x 10 to 11 x 14 (image size). The subject matter is close to our hearts, our beautiful downtown and coastal scenes.
More of Mikes paintings.

Watch in the weeks ahead for posts about more of our North Carolina artists!

New potter for us Hamilton Williams

We are always looking for new artists and we are pleased to have met Hamilton Williams. We love his work and he is a pleasure to work with.

Hamilton began working in clay at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro under the guidance of Japanese potter, Setsuya Kotani. After graduating with a BFA in Design in 1994, he moved to western North Carolina and set up his studio.

The desire to create came early in his life. Growing up, watched PBS shows such as 'This Old House' and 'Victory Garden' on Saturday afternoons. One show that captured his imagination was 'The Woodwright's Shop.' Watching the host, Roy Underhill, seemingly wander out of a city to a secluded forest workshop where he would render a tree into a table, chair, or lathe in the course of a half hour show demonstrated to him that fostering the creative spirit is a good thing and that one does not have to follow the herd. As time went on it was the medium of clay that called to Hamilton the strongest, and once he got my hands dirty he was seduced by its malleability and potential.

As an artist and craftsman, Hamilton is most concerned about the quality of his work, both the quality of design and the quality of workmanship. All of his work leans toward the functional, with decorative qualities that do not interfere with function. Even pieces that are intended as decorative are usually still utilitarian.

Stop in and check his work out!

Welcome Hamilton!

Lesley Mckeown Jewelry now at Carolina Creations

All pieces are hand-fabricated by Lesley in her studio.

Her Artifacts Collection consists of original designs hand drawn on bronze, copper and German silver, then etched. Construction is either soldered or cold connected (riveted). The pieces are then hand finished to give a soft antique look.

Leslie's father created studio art jewelry during the modern jewelry art movement of the 1960's and Lesley uses his jewelry bench today.

Her mother is an nationally recognized sculptor and jeweler. It was this nurturing environment that enabled her to recognize her intuitive abilities and eventually express those creative proclivities and develop the skills to be a successful professional artist. Acquiring basic metal smithing skills as
an apprentice with a southwestern silversmith she became smitten with the silver and the sculptural possibilities of metal.

Though primarily self- taught, Lesley has attended several classes and acquired various techniques through private and master class instruction.

Her techniques include fabrication, hollow form, shell form, anit-clastic and synclastic raising, mokume gane, keumboo, etching, roller printing, sand casting and a variety of texture and coloration techniques. An abiding interest in Geology is a the core of many of Lesley's creations, the unique and unusual cabochons are a signature of her work.

Continually exploring new methods of manipulating metal, Lesley also works in steel and has been commissioned for several architectural projects.

In her spare time she is an avid organic gardener, painter, environmental advocate and cook.

She a board member of a local non-profit organization involved with educating her community about
genetically modified foods.

To read more about each piece go to our website by clicking here.

 

Funky fish sculptures by Stephen Palmer

In our last post we showed Stephens fused glass. Which brings us to his fish.

There are variations, from wall to desktop. Many begin with old crutches or boxes and then filled with found objects, wired, and named.

Taking a close look at the fish is like a trip down memory lane. Old game pieces, vintage tins and tools are certain to trigger fond memories of days gone by. "Ah that old screwdriver reminds me of working alongside my grandfather on my first tree house."

A great piece for the man cave!

 

 

Stop in and check them out!

New artist at Carolina Creations Fused glass by Stephen Palmer

Stephen was born in Berkeley, California and raised  by a poet and a painter. It was in his blood to become an artist. One of his earliest memories is his mother painting by the ocean, using their car as an easel. His family moved across the country as his dad, a librarian, went from one college to

  another. Illinois, Ohio and finally Michigan.
 
Along the way Stephen earned his BA, MA and Ed.D. and met his wife, Raenette. Together they established their studio where they happily spend their days creating art.

Pottery, batik, photography, and glass are Stephens passion, but most of his adult life he's worked in glass. Then two years ago Stephen branched off into mixed media sculpture. His fish begin with vintage crutches, paddles or boxes and are filled with found objects. Then they are wired and named.

These are on their way and will show up in another blog post!

For more information and pricing click here

Sally Anger paintings acheive interesting effects with interference colors

Coastal Carolina paintings at Carolina Creations by Sally Anger depict the beauty of our area. 

Artists Statement

The beauty that surrounds me everyday motivates me to paint. I realize that I fall in line behind a long tradition of painters who have been likewise compelled. From the blues and golds of Vincent's wheat fields to the soft elegance of Georgia's blooms, I am in good company. As the poet Rumi mused:

“Let the beauty you love be what you do. There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the earth.”

Sally Anger grew up in the coastal town of Beaufort North Carolina after moving there at the age of nine. She has loved art all her life, and attended workshops and painted for many years. In 2002 she took the plunge and left a career as a nutritionist to pursue art full time.

She obtained her associate's degree in fine arts from the local community college and then studied for several semesters at a local university's art school before heading off on her own. She continues to explore new ways to express herself through art by experimentation, life drawing classes, critiques with other artists and workshops.

 

For more details visit our website by clicking here.

These three paintings are done with interference colors

What is an Interference Color?
An Interference color is laminated mica pigment that "flip-flops" from a main color to a weak complimentary one. The phenomenon is similar to naturally occurring light interferences such as gas or oil on water, or a butterfly wing. The position of the viewer and the direction of the light source create interesting visuals. In direct light, the main color, such as Interference Gold shines beautifully, but with indirect light, a translucent blue color appears.

Janet Dixon Red White and Blue

Janet Dixon will be our featured artist for July and August. The opening of her show "Red, White, and Blue" will be during the July ArtWalk, July 12, 5-8 pm. Stop in and meet the artist!

In 1990 Janet began experimenting with watercolors. She took a course at the Center for Creative Arts in Yorklyn, DE and has been painting nearly every day since. She now teaches art herself and has been doing so for a large part of her career."I have been working on this show for over a year and did not realize it! When asked to be the featured artist in Carolina Creations for the months of July and August I knew I wanted to do a show but I wasn’t sure what I would do. When Carolina Creations requested a title for the show I chose “Red, White, and Blue”. Considering the works would hang in July, I felt that was an appropriate title. I also felt it would give me some wiggle room to come up with work that would include those colors.

All my work includes those colors of some degree or another. But I felt I owed the viewers who were coming for “Red, White, and Blue” something more obviously red, white, and blue. To incorporate the title into the show I have painted each of the original full pallet paintings in paintings which are literally done in red, white, and blue. 

The idea of showing these works of art together creates an atmosphere for the viewer to explore the work a little further. The full pallet pieces can be studied for the full spectrum of their colors. Then the viewer can explore the same subject in a limited pallet of red, white, and blue for a little more intrigue. 

Creating works of art is a big part of what I believe I was created to do. It was very exciting for me and a challenge to create this body of work. I hope you enjoy the intrigue and playfulness of all the works shown in “Red, White, and Blue."

Janet loves the freedom and challenge of watercolor and the process of discovery that takes place when the paint itself takes on a life of its own. This creative process is a natural outgrowth of her faith which gives her the inspiration and direction to accomplish the beauty found in her work. She paints flowers in nature, old barns, houses and other old buildings which have become a part of the natural landscape. 

Janet has exhibited in numerous art shows, mostly in the Delaware, Philadelphia and North Carolina areas. She has been commissioned by local and out-of-state collectors and her work is part of many corporate and private collections. 

She was selected out of 11,000 artists across the United States as a finalist in “The Artist” Magazine’s 1997 art competition. Janet, also, was one of ten finalists in the “International Artist’s Magazine” 2002 art competition. She has taught private art lessons out of her studio since 1993.

In 2005, Janet became a signature member of the Watercolor Society of North Carolina, and was published in the book How Did You Paint That?: 100 Ways to Paint People and Figures.

Janet is a native of Greensboro and currently lives in New Bern.

Meet the artist, Friday, July 12, 2013, 5-8 pm.

Seven Days of Recycled Art at Carolina Creations

This week on our Facebook page I posted seven different artists that create art from recycled materials.

Day 1
Jay Jewelry - Light weight, recycled aluminum jewelry, contemporary designs, made in North Carolina. What a great use for your aluminum cans!  As each piece is handmade, sizes will vary slightly. Recycled beer and soda cans!  See more!

Day 2
Keith Lewis Jewelry - Keith's earrings are super lightweight. Made from recycled water bottles. To purchase.




Day 3
Computer Clocks - See more. hese clocks are handcrafted using computer technology, much of it surplus or old components.  Each clock offers a whimsical view of our rapidly changing technology, preserving it as functional art rather than landfill. 

Scratches and imperfections are inherent to the recycled and scrap nature of the materials; they have been incorporated into the overall design of each clock.  No two are ever exactly alike!


Day 4 Yardbirds - Decorative and functional animal sculptures made from recycled metal. These unique and whimsical creatures for the garden and home are full of personality! If left outside, these hand-crafted art pieces will rust to a beautiful natural finish.

Day 5  Windchimes -

Colorful glass wind chimes, made from recycled glass bottles that are cut and fused in a kiln. The circles come from the center part of a wine bottle. Each chime is hung on a kiln dried maple top with woven fishing line used to hang the circles. 8'' x 18'' x 1'', due to the recycled nature each is slightly different but will be these colors! See more.

 

Day 6

Rewind Candles - Hand poured soy candles in recycled wine bottles. Made in the Carolinas. Several young men were working at a restaurant and were disturbed by how many bottles went to the landfill every day. They started taking them home, cutting them, and making candles they then sold in the restaurant. Everyone that saw them wanted them! After much encouragement they started selling to other shops, and now to Carolina Creations.

Day 7 Socks - The ultimate in recycling - start with fabric made from scraps left over from tshirt manufacturing, spin it into yarn, knit the socks, use the leftovers for hats, scarves, use those leftovers for rag rugs, then stuffing pillows - waste, zero. Made from North Carolina cotton