Featured Artist: Amy Crews

"Refuge" Psalm 16:1, by Amy Crews, copyright

"Mary Elizabeth's Pears" by Amy Crews, copyright

"Sepia Bloom" by Amy Crews, copyright

Amy Crews - Artist Statement

(adapted from an interview)

My passion for art? I can’t explain it. There is this need to create whenever possible. I think anyone who has a God given gift be it art, music, writing or some such, can relate. It is therapeutic and, when I am working on something, I find it so engrosses me that it can be hard to “snap out of it” when I stop. I always look forward to long periods of time when I can get to the studio and work.

My inspiration comes in several forms. My family inspires me by supporting me and bringing me so much joy. I have what I call my “inspiration board” in my studio where I put encouraging notes from friends and patrons. I am drawn to architecture, but God’s creation inspires me most of all. Really, it’s mind boggling how awesome nature is. How the birds just know how to build a nest and how each nest is uniquely different. I know that God is not in the flowers I paint, but they are a great reflection of His majesty. That excites me! I am one of those people who see beauty in every little thing.

We asked Amy what her favorite bible verse was and she responded:

My favorite scripture? Hard to decide as it often changes due to circumstances. But today it would be one that is also a prayer for us as artists: “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5

To view more of Amy Crews artwork please visit her website at: www.AmyCrewsGallery.com

Art News from Vicki Garner

"Autumn Explosion" by Vicki Garner, copyright

"Pastoral Refections" by Vicki Garner, copyright

Hey Everyone,

I thought I would share with you some of my recent work and goings on.

Here are two recent paintings I have completed. The Amish farm started off as a plein aire painting which I completed later in my studio. It is titled Pastoral Refections. The other was inspired by a tree in my back yard and some photos of autumn leaves that I saw. It is titled Autumn Explosion.

I have recently completed illustrations for another book which is scheduled for publication at the end of this year. As soon as I have more information, I will share that with you.

Enjoy, Vicki Garner
www.applepandowdy.com

Featured Artist: Wendy Allison

"And He Bade the Storm Be Still" Psalm 107:29, by Wendy Allison, copyright

"Genesis One- And God Said, And there was" acrylic on canvas, by Wendy Allison, copyright

"In the Shelter of His Arms" acrylic and metal on wood, by Wendy Allison, copyright

"the voice of the Lord cries to the City" Micah 6:8 acrylic, ink and metal on wood by Wendy Allison, copyright

“We were created in the image of the Creator, that we might create” Edith Schaeffer

As people look at my art, I am often asked, "Where does your inspiration come from?" As I've pondered that question, several thoughts have come to mind. I am in complete agreement with Edith Schaeffer's biblical theme that as we have a Creator God, who created us in His image, so all we created beings have a need to create. That being said, I was raised in a home surrounded by the work of my Grandfather, Barse Miller, a world-renowned watercolorist. I have come to realize that the influence of his work on mine, while subconscious is real, and a part of God's plan for me. I also have realized that what I am painting evolves from what I do with my days. I spend a good bit of time studying God's word and teaching it weekly to several groups of women in a variety of settings. Out of my study and worship, comes my work, hence the biblical allusion found in most of my titles. I don't go into my studio with an agenda…I go with deadlines I've chosen to place myself under and then begin to "mess" with my materials and "see" what happens. It is just recently that someone pointed out that my work is reflective of my current study of God's word. I think they might be right, for none of us live in a vacuum. Each part of our lives touches the other, and certainly, my art is reflective of the touch of my Creator in my life. I hope as you view it, you will see in it the hand of the One who created me, that I might create.

Fore more information about Wendy Allison please visit her website at:

http://wendyallisondesigns.com

We asked Wendy what her favorite bible verse was and she responded with:

The verse I have written over our kitchen doorway is Jonah 2:8 "those who cling to worthless idols, forfeit the grace that could be theirs". We have it there to nudge our heats to daily consider the broken places we are tempted to run to for comfort and security, rather than into the arms of Jesus, resting in the security of His righteousness (the grace which is mine).

Help Wanted-Part Time At Artisan’s Cove/Reflectives

Help Wanted-Part Time
At
Artisan’s Cove/Reflectives

Are you responsible, organized, cheerful and customer oriented?
Do you have a love for ALL things artful?
Are you willing to work flexible hours?

Job includes the following responsibilities:

1. Inside sales: Help with customer service, taking framing orders.
Keeping the shop clean and orderly.
Getting inventory into computer and tagged.

2. Marketing: Design flyers, sending out email and updating website

3. Coffee shop: sales

4. Outside: Someone who is fairly knowledgeable about plants/herbs.
Loves the outdoors and willing to work on designing an edible landscape.
This person is responsible for implementing team decisions.
Other employees and volunteers will join this person to work on the garden.

If you think this job is made for YOU,
please contact
Marguerite
reflectives@comcast.net

Artisan's Cove

220 Old Highway 431

Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763

www.artisanscove.com

Founded on Christian principles

Artists' Market at Providence Town Square- Vicki Garner

From: vicki garner applepandowdy@hotmail.com

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to let you all know, especially those of you in the Huntsville area, that I will be participating in the Providence Artists' Market this Saturday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. It will be located at the Providence Town Square (next to The Mellow Mushroom) in northwest Huntsville, Alabama. Natasha Nashadka and I will be sharing a booth. Come on out and see us!

Vicki

Vicki Garner

www.applepandowdy.com

"Glamour Brush" Enhanced Portraits by Betty Burchfield

Before Photo

After Oil Painting

Art News from Betty Burchfield:

After seeing the look of approval on this sweet lady's face, I realized that our paint brushes can do the same as Glamour Shots did......Enhance the individual.

I asked Dr. Phil if he wanted me to redo the painting I did of him and Robin and give him some black curly hair. He laughed and said he would love that. Therefore, I am going to start advertising my "Glamour Brush".

(to see Betty Burchfield's painted portrait of Dr. Phil and wife Robin see 2/2008 art blog post:

http://huntsvilleartblog.blogspot.com/2008/02/robin-mcgraw-gives-thumbs-up-to.html)

"GLAMOUR SHOTS" put make up on, restyled hair and retouched wrinkles for their subjects... SO... why can't our paint brushes do the same!

This beautiful young lady worked with me on some changes on her Oil Painting of herself from this photo .. We did the following:

* Removed dark shadows under the eyes

* Added eyelashes

* Changed highlights in the eyes

* Softened beauty mark

* Brightened teeth

* Changed lip color to match with dress.

* Brought hair down on side of face in order to thin the neck and face.

* Softened wrinkles in neck, chin line and smile lines.

* Removed the deep line under the neck line.

* Added shadow under the chin to enhance neck.

* Cropped photo to make subject appear slimmer.

* Added an exciting background.

The painting still looks like Latonya but enhances some of her features. She was overjoyed when she saw the painting.

I have found that most people (especially ladies) like to see a photo of themselves that flatter them selves so why not have an oil painting that does the same.

See how our magic paint brushes can make subtle enhancements! I work from photographs and special requests are my specialty.

God gives each of a talent and what we do with it is our gift to Him. Making people happy is my way of giving back to Him.

Artist, Betty Burchfield aka Little Reb

Please sign my guest book at:
http://www.littlereb.com
(porcelain dolls)

Please sign my guest book at:
http://treasuredreflections.net
(Oil Paintings

http://www.porcelaindollmakers.com/
(to view porcelain dollmakers)

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you.....:
Jesus Christ and the American Soldier
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

Ascribing Artist Angela True chosen as Featured Artist for Cancer Awareness

From Ascribing Artist Michele Lee:

One of our local artists, Angela True, was featured in yesterday's issue of the Huntsville Times. The issue was entitle Think Pink and dedicated to Breast Cancer Awareness.

Angela was chosen out of several artists who submitted entries. She is quoted on her blog about the painting as follows:

"Recently, I got an opportunity to visit with my sister. She is quite a remarkable woman and I wanted to paint a picture to celebrate her. This painting depicts Mind, Body and Soul. The little jack is about her childlike playfulness, that's the "Mind" part. The "Body" is represented by the pink ribbon, yes, she is a breast cancer survivor. And lastly the purple Irises, her favorite flower. This is her "Soul". Purple is a royal, regal color and she is royalty to me."

If you would like to see more of Angela's paintings, you can go to her blog entitled Pick My Brains Art http://pickmybrainsart.blogspot.com/

What is the Academy of Internationally Enabled Artists?

From local artist and art advocate, Carole Esk'ridge: (and founder of the Academy of Internationally Enabled Artists)

What is the Academy of Internationally Enabled Artists?

An Academy inspired by the American Academy in Rome. It will not be focused on the academic status. It will be guided by talent and devotion of the Student to an art form(s) as a career. It will be a place to live and learn the Art forms the Student loves from dancing, to writing, to singing, to acting, to painting and beyond.

Who would qualify for entrance to the Academy?

The disabled who are physically, mentally and / or financially challenged, who are art career minded, who are hard workers, who passionately love creating, who have a body of work in an art form, who will listen to their teachers / mentors and work at learning and create a body of work while at a seminar or living at the Academy.

The Academy will be a place where?

Those who can't do certain normal functions can live in hope, surrounded by a loving atmosphere, with healthy food and a clean environment. The whole person: mind, body, soul and personality will be cared for with love and desire to understand the needs of each Artist.

Our GOAL:

Is not to compete with other education 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. This must be done with disabilities taken into consideration from Savant to Folk Artists and those in between. If an individual has a disability they would be welcomed warmly. In the spirit that Mother Teresa of Calcutta greeted her beloved ones she cared for with reverence of the Christ within them. Such loving is our quest!

A REQUEST TO ALL READERS:

If you would like to support the Academy of Internationally Enabled Artists please send donations made out to "Visionary Guild Grant Fund" Treasurer, Ann Denbo at 2304 Brookside Drive, Decatur, AL 35601.

Contact Carole Esk'ridge about her efforts and find out how you can be involved at caroleeskridge3@gmail.com or singskt@knology.net

A little bit about Carole Esk'ridge:

Ms. Eskridge is the visionary of the formation of the Academy of Internationally Enabled Artists. She founded the Visionary Guild for Mentally Ill Artists in 1991. She received a US Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition.

Ms. Esk'ridge's artwork is in the Birmingham Museum of Art collection. She has exhibited three times in jury art shows at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. Her work can be found in the archives of the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

Ms. Esk'ridge is presently working on a large painting and a historic Pro-life novel.

Esk'ridge is the Mother of two adult daughters and will soon be the grandmother of two. She is 62 years old. She is a Catholic.

Carole Esk'ridge is donating 100% of the sale of her paintings to The Academy of International Enabled Artists. To view Carole's artwork please visit: www.caroleeskridge.com

For more info about The Academy of Internationally Enables Artists or Carole Esk'ridges artwork please contact her at: (256) 429–8697 or caroleeskridge3@gmail.com

Read the Huntsville Times Article about The Academy of Internationally Enables Artists at: http://www.al.com/news/huntsvilletimes/local.ssf?/base/news/125335178062050.xml&coll=1