Textile artist, Gail Bryant, worships through her work

Textile artist worships through her work

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

By Gregg L. Parker

For the Madison Spirit writeone35758@yahoo.com

Gail Bryant creates art with cloth, dye, stitches, paint

Gail Bryant has appreciated cloth and textiles since admiring a piece of hand-woven Irish linen that belonged to her grandmother who immigrated to the United States in 1923. Her textile business is simply called Gail Bryant.

As an artist, Bryant works with textile as a medium. "Work begins with blank white or black cloth," which she alters with dye, discharge, stitch and paint to create two- and three-dimensional pieces.

Her designs work well as home artwork, a hanging for an office or as a unique scarf or wrap. "I also create short runs of exclusive yardage for interior and clothing designers."

Her business started in 2008 at an art show in Hoover. Her marbled, silk scarves were quite popular, nearly a sell-out. "The most amazing God-gift was my entry for competition, 'Garment of Praise - Isaiah 61' that won the cash award for 'Honor of the Show Judge.' " Hesitant to enter, she designed with white organza as "a visual expression of my journey to a love-relationship with God."

To read more of this copyright newspaper article please visit:

http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/madison.ssf?/base/news/124583503175160.xml&coll=1

Bryant is scouting upcoming shows and sites to place her work. She welcomes commissions, collaborates with fellow artists and enjoys working with clients on personal, one-of-a-kind gifts.

Studio hours are by appointment. Call 479-3086. For samples of Bryant's work, visit www.gailbryant.net.

Funky Fridays Art Showing at Artisan's Cove, Hampton Cove, AL

From Michele Lee

Calling all artists. Introducing Funky Fridays, held the second Friday of each month, at the Artisan's Cove Reflectives Art Gallery and Gardens.

Artists are encouraged to bring their art and join in the fun. There will be no fee for this art event! Yes, I said it...NO fee. All that is asked is that the artists make some sort of donation (if they have sold anything) to the charity for that evening! Each Funky Friday will have a different charity represented. Artists will be tucked away throughout the studio and gardens. Along with art, there will be food, snowballs (ice slushies), fresh farm produce, herbs and lots of fun. If you are interested in participating in this event, please contact Marguerite McClintock @ (256)658-2234. She will be assigning spaces on a first come first serve basis. So hurry....time is slipping away for the this event which will be held on Friday July 10th, from 4 -8pm. What a great way to sell your art (or craft) and give a little something back to the community. http://www.artisanscove.com/ We do not discriminate against any age, race, gender, or beliefs but we are founded on Christian principles.

Michele Lee featured on WLRH Friday Noon Show featuring Artists

Morning all,

I will be interviewed today at noon on WLRH radio fm 89.3 Huntsville, AL

I think you might be able to click on the link below to listen. It was a while back when the taping was done, so I am not really sure what was said. But, It sure was fun!

Each Friday at noon they have a different artist. They are all so fun to listen to.

Hope you enjoy!
Michele

http://www.wlrh.org/


Michele Lee
Artist
Madison Al
256-508-7518
TheArtist.Lee5@gmail.com
http://www.micheleleeart.com/
www.ArtisticFinishesStudio.com

Seminar To: Enable disABLED Artists & Writers

Academy Of Internationally Enabled Artists
"Using Talent & Faith to Over Come Disabilities"

Seminar To: Enable disABLED Artists & Writers & those who care!

All Are Welcome to Attend Seminar and Retreat

August 5, 6, & 7

RSVP by July 31, 2009 Contact: Carole Esk’ridge, caroleeskridge3@gmail.com or (256)429-8697

St. Bernard’s Abby, 1600 St. Bernard Drive S.E, Cullman, AL 35055
Retreat Center (256)734-3946 www.stbernardabbey.com

Lecture Series:

How To Write For Newspapers & Magazines
Presented by: Amy Welborn, Published Author, will speak on secrets of writing for Magazines and Newspapers.
Aug. 5, 7:00PM - 9:00PM
$25

How To Write For Book Publications
Presented by: Johnnette Benkovic, Hostess of 2 International TV shows & Author, will explain the art of writing books and having them published.
Aug. 6, 9:00AM - 11:00AM
$25

How To On TV & Radio Productions
Presented by: Johnnette Benkovic, Hostess of 2 International TV shows & Author, will explain the art of TV and Radio productions.
Aug. 6, 1:00PM - 3:00PM
$25

How To Present To An Art Gallery
Presented by: Miriam Fowler, Head Curator of Birmingham Museum of Art, will share the correct way to present to an Art Gallery.
Aug. 7, 9:00AM - 11:00AM
$25

How To Of Understanding The Infrastructure of the Alabama Arts System
Presented by: Miriam Fowler, Head Curator of Birmingham Museum of Art, will help us understand the infrastructure of the
Alabama Arts system in conjunction with Alabama’s leading museums and the Alabama State Council on the Arts.
Aug. 7, 1:00PM - 3:00PM
$25

Hands On Demonstrations
Presented by: Miriam Fowler, Head Curator of Birmingham Museum of Art, will work with the Artists to give hands on demonstrations & directions.
Aug. 6, 9:00AM - 11:00AM & 1:00PM - 3:00PM and
Aug. 7, 11:15AM - 12:00PM - wrap up of art projects
Free bonus with Lecture Sessions

For All 5 Lecture Sessions $100

All Are Welcome to Attend Seminar and Retreat
$300 Covers full lecture series, room and board at a real Benedictine Monastery. www.stbernardabbey.com Space limited. RSVP by August 1, 2009

Scholarships Available to Seminar
This includes: full lecture series, room and board, travel gas and art supplies.
To qualify you must:
Be an artist or writer
Have a mental disability
Be a member of the Visionary Guild for Mentally Ill Artists
Be 18 years or older
Scholarships given by the AL State Dept. of Mental Health

If you would like to sponsor a scholarship for those with disabilities a gift of $300 is greatly appreciated. This covers: full lecture series, room and board, travel gas and art supplies. Donations must be received by July 30, 2009.

For More Information Please Contact:
Carole Esk’ridge, Foundress of the Visionary Guild for Mentally Ill Artists, caroleeskridge3@gmail.com or (256)429-8697

Ascribing Artist Link added: Peter Grant

By Peter Grant, copyright

The Ascribing Artists blog would like to welcome artist, Peter Grant! We have added his website to our artist links. Please check out his artwork at: www.petergrantfineart.com.

Peter also has an art blog, Peter Grant Fine Art, where he posts his art news and new creations. Peter is an avid equestrian and sailor. This passion is expressed in his paintings.

Peter's artwork is featured at the Huntsville Art League. His exhibit, titled "Renewed Spirit" will be on display June 1st -June 30th. Peter invites everyone to his reception June 18th, 6-8. The exhibit is in celebration of his new repaired heart after emergency surgery. The RENEWED SPIRIT exhibit promises to be a wonderful evening.

Huntsville Art League
3005 L & N Dr.
Huntsville, AL 35801
256-534-3860
mail@huntsvilleartleague.org
www.HuntsvilleArtLeague.org

During the heart surgery process and recovery, Peter notes on his art blog, that he held fast to the Lord's words in ISAIAH 41:10

Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you: For I Am your God. I will strengthen you, Surely, I will help you.
Surely I will uphold you with Righteous Right Hand.

TEA for Academy of International Enabled Artists

The ARTS of HUNTSVILLE 2009

TEA in honor of Magnificent Individuals in the Arts To celebrate the forming of the Academy of Internationally Enabled Artists" It is Using Talent & Faith to Overcome disABILITY" The Academy is dedicated to the use of Painting, Singing, Writing, Acting, Dancing... to help career minded Artists who are disAbled.

A TEA is being served at St. Mary's Church of the Visitation Parish Center at 220 Lincoln St. NE, Huntsville, AL from 1:30 till 3:00 pm, on August 5, 2009, a Wednesday.

We are honoring five outstanding women in the Arts: Johnnette Benkovic who is the Hostess of two international TV shows "Living His Life Abundantly " and "Women of Grace.". Miriam Fowler is Curator of Education at the Birmingham Museum of Art, Emerita. A young active Poet is Carey Link. Helen J. Vaughn is an Artist of remarkable accomplishments and has been elected as Chairperson of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. Amy Welborn is an Author.

If you plan to come please RSVP by July 21, 2009 please contact the hostess Carole Esk'ridge at caroleeskridge3@gmail.com. She suggest Business Attire. Donations for the TEA are APPRECIATED!!!

Our GOAL is not to compete with other educational institutions in the academics but to embrace the disabled Artists with HOW TO KNOWLEDGE of their Art so that they can compete in the Arts. THE BEST TRAINING IS TO LEARN FROM THOSE WHO HAVE ACHIEVED SUCCESS IN THEIR ART.

For more information please contact Carole Esk'ridge at caroleeskridge3@gmail.com

Art On The Square - Children's Art Camp

Art On the Square

On June 9,2009, AOTS, sponsored a children's visual art camp for students in grades 1-6.
AOTS also will host an art auction on August 8 at Carole Foret's Fine art gallery that celebrates art and artists. AOTS offers an art festival on September 12, that supports the arts and allows artists to sell their fine creations on the Courthouse grounds. During this September festival, AOTS provides over 20 mini art camps that allow children to freely express their creativity.
Art On The Square does all of this and more with a community of dedicated volunteers like Gail Bergeron, Professor of Art at Athens State University, who helped teach art at this summer art camp sponsored by Art On The Square. Ms.Bergeron is helping Jeremiah, a student from the local Boys and Girls Club, who received a scholarship from AOTS to attend. Each child who participated in this camp, took two completed projects home. 37 children participated.
Art On The Square will hold a film camp on June 27,2009 for grades 7-12. They are also working on a film festival for Fall 2009.
For more information about Art On The Square, you can see their website at www.aots-athens.com.

Featured Artist: Rich Kurzweil

Photo by Rich Kurzweil, copyright

Photo by Rich Kurzweil, copyright

Photo by Rich Kurzweil, copyright

Photo by Rich Kurzweil, copyright

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

My name is Rich Kurzweil. I live with my wife and son in Northeast Alabama. Photography is a hobby of mine that has brought me closer to the LORD. I'm in total AWE of His miracle of creation. Every photograph I take is of His creation. I'm in complete amazement of the amount of detail he puts into flowers. Detail that is easily overlooked. When I take a closeup of a flower and I discover the detial He chose to put into something so tiny it amazes me.

I do not have a website that showcases my photograhy...I do however have a video I would like to share:

www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=6744fe7f0d1480f2797d

My photography is for sale if interested email me at richrkjr@yahoo.com
Visit my personal website at www.angelfire.com/ct3/4him/index.html

Praise Jesus everyday for only He is Worthly of Praise. He died for your sin on the cross at Calvary

Featured Artist: Angela True

"Son Worship" by Angela True, copyright

"Into the Light" by Angela True, copyright

"Amazing Grace" by Angela True, copyright

Each month, the Ascribing Artists blog posts "Featured Artists" who glorify the Lord with their life and their artwork. We believe such testimonies will strengthen and encourage other artists to glorify and worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This is the goal and ministry of Ascribing Artists. This month, we would like to introduce, Angela True.

Higher Powered

By Angela True

My story begins in 1996 where I found myself spiritually bankrupt and emotionally shattered. I had hit a kind of bottom. I got in with a group of folks who led me to God. I was filled with new life and reborn of the spirit. I walked hand in hand with this Higher Power for about 5 years when God said “We’re going higher”. I didn’t know it but life was going to get a little more challenging. I was struck with extreme mood swings and no medication in the doctor’s arsenal seemed to work to level me out. It was then that I heard my God speak to my soul about art expression. And it was through painting that God led me to higher ground. He was teaching me to be responsible for my own moods and their repercussions on others. Self discipline was the message. So, about 9 years ago I put my first canvas up on the easel. Whenever I was distraught or my moods seemed to be dangerously high or low My Higher Power would gently remind me to paint, this was one of the main things that evened out my extreme mood swings.

These first paintings I called, “Soul Paintings”. They were signed in the lower right corner with only a thumb print as it was not only just me that painted these soul expressions, but God too, and to sign it with only my name seemed presumptuous. The very first painting I did is called Amazing Grace, soul 1. I would go on to complete somewhere around 14 soul paintings before I would put the brush down for another 6 years. My God went on to teach me many more things that I would need to know and continues on even now. I am a work in progress. I have begun painting again these last couple of years and, yes, I do now sign them with my name. Not because I do them without God but because people who view that paintings want to know who the art came through, by whose hand they were painted. I will share with you a few of those early “Soul Paintings”. There is Son Worship, soul 9, which came to me as a vision. Into the Light, soul 8, this painting is representative of my initial spiritual struggle to come into the presence of God. And Amazing Grace, soul 1, this painting is the expression of the pure joy that my soul feels because of God’s unmerited Grace and favor.

These paintings and the ones that have followed can be viewed on my blog, www.pickmybrainsart.blogspot.com

email: pickmybrainsart@yahoo.com

We asked Angie what her favorite Bible verse is and she noted:
I have always gotten great relief from following this suggestion in Mathew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Also as a call to God Psalm 46:10, Be still and know that I am God.

Featured Artist: Christa Smith

"Tulips" by Christa Smith, copyright
"Rose Garden" by Christa Smith, copyright
"Coffee Time" by Christa Smith, copyright

Your Word is a Lamp to my Feet and a Light for my Path. Ps 119:105

JUNE FEATURED ARTIST CHRISTA SMITH

A little bit about me!

My name is Christa Smith. I was born in Pirmasens, Germany.

As a child, I always liked to draw, paint and decorate. My Mom sold my paintings at her little store. Later, I became a department store window and interior decorator, putting to use my talents in creating and designing.

After marrying an American and moving to the USA to raise a family, I was able to use my creative skills in other fields of employment, working mainly during school hours.

Since I've been blessed with grandchildren, I have had the wonderful pleasure of painting wall murals in their bedrooms. This experience has lead to other opportunities to paint murals in commercial spaces, such as, a doctor's office, church, and day spa. Besides painting murals I like to paint on canvas too.

Now in my retirement age, I find more time to develop my painting skills to a higher level. As I observe the shadows and light affects on what I see, it inspires me to transfer the impression to canvas or paper using vivid colors. I like to paint with acrylics and watercolor.

In the past I had tried some portraits in pencil and would like to explore that field in the future as well.

God gave me the talent to paint and I want to use it to bring Him glory and thanks for His grace and blessings on me and my family. I find peace and solitude in God's creation of nature all around me.

Christa Smith, 7003 Greystone Ln., Cross Roads, Al. 35763
Cell: (719) 339-0965 Home: (256) 539-1241 christas_creations@msn.com