Featured Artist: Amy McMullen

"Little Grasshopper" by Amy McMullen, copyright
"His Water Drops" by Amy McMullen, copyright
"Eye Candy" by Amy McMullen, copyright

Artist Bio

Hi! My name is Amy McMullen and I am a Freelance Photographer. I was born December 27th, 1975 in the beautiful state of Alabama, raised in a small town called Harvest. I graduated Sparkman High School at the tender age of 18. I soon became a millitary wife and young mother at the age of 19 while stationed at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, where I lived untill I was 28 years of age. I have always had a camera in hand and my love of photography has always been in my heart. I returned to my sweet home Alabama where my husband of 10 years passed away. My life was changed forever. I have remarried and we have added a beautful third daughter to our family. Where dose photography come in do you ask? After my third child was born, blood clots were to be found in my head, I was to remain in the hospital for three weeks, part of my stay, I was in a "deep sleep " for a week. I almost had a stoke the night I was brought in, to say the least, it was all very scary. After 7 months of treatment, I have recovered and no more blood clots! After such a scare, I have turned my love of taking pictures into my passion... it is a gift that God has given me. I have never had a class, nor have I read about or studied how to edit my work. I have great respect for those who have, I just know, this is my passion, and always has been. I am available for photo shoots. Please visit my website for examples of my Photo Art.

Contact info: loves2smile2008@aol.com or (256) 830-6942
Website: www.amysphotoart.blogspot.com

Featured Artist: TK Selleck

"Dew Kissed" by TK Selleck, copyright

If I ever doubt that God loves me—all I have to do is look at nature. His beauty and love is shown in everyday things. This rose covered in dewdrops is outside my back door.
Man, with all our abilities, could never hope to achieve such greatness.

"Majestic Monarch" by TK Selleck, copyright

The butterfly does nothing to enhance its’ beauty—it is just itself. The butterfly does what God made it to do…be a butterfly. Yet when we look at it, we can see God’s glory.
When we are who God made us to be—we hope to reflect His glory.

"Sanctuary" by TK Selleck, copyright

When I first saw this sight, I felt a wave of peace wash over me. As I looked at the trees near the end of the water’s path, the morning light was pouring through the archway. The thought struck me that here was God’s natural sanctuary—a place to let your mind rest—a place where your soul could fill with peace—a place to feel God’s love. It’s moments like these that are forever ingrained on my soul.

TK Selleck

Artist Bio

"I want my work to reflect God's Majesty. There are so many things around us that we bypass in our hurried lives. We wonder where God is, when He's really been there the whole time. He sends a butterfly our way and we swat at it—it's a nuisance. We see raindrops on rose petals and wonder if we've packed our umbrella. We drive thru a beautiful mountain pass and wonder how much longer until we arrive.

How many times had I, in my hectic life, missed the beauty God had created? I began to make a point to notice them more. Now, I want to capture these endless, fascinating things so others can see God's majesty."

T K Selleck Photography: Revealing God's Majesty Thru Photography. Scriptures added to amazing landscapes, delicate flowers, and intricate butterfly scenes make TK Selleck's photos stand out as an intimate combination of the spiritual and visual. TK specializes in landscape and nature photography.

Please visit TK's website at: www.tkselleck.com
Please visit TK's blog at tkselleck.blogspot.com
You can reach TK at: tk@tkselleck.com

Featured Artist: Ann Hamilton

"Enchanted Gardens I" by Ann Hamilton, copyright
"American Eagle Flying Over the Grand Canyon" by Ann Hamilton, copyright
"Morning Awakening" by Ann Hamilton, copyright

Artist, Ann Hamilton

In the early part of my adult life I was blessed with being able to use my gift of writing to become editor of a small community newspaper. It was not until my husband died in 1981 that I enrolled in college and began the study of art. My plans were to become a school teacher in order to be able to spend more time with my young son, who was nine years old at the time of his father’s death. Instead, once I took my first art course I was captivated.
As a result of this I spent the next four years taking all of the art courses I could at Northeast Alabama Junior College, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, and finally, getting my degree at Athens State University. This experience was the beginning of my pursuit of seeing and expressing my self through art. This journey has immeasurably enhanced my life, and I hope the lives of others around me, especially the individuals who have taken my art classes and workshops. It has been them and others artists that have most inspired me to continue to seek the meaning of art, as well as to continue to grow as an artist.
I have become an experimentalist, both as an artist and as a teacher. My students say they have learned for more in seeing me work than they ever could have from my more traditional lessons. They learn not to be afraid; that it is alright to make mistakes, and that these mistakes may become their best paintings. Watching them grow as artists is as rewarding to me as developing as an artist myself. Landscapes are my favorite art subject. My memory and my imagination provide the reference material for most of these kinds of paintings. I begin them by deciding where the light will come from and what colors to use. Often, I establish the beginnings of a path as a focal point of the painting. After I have gone this far, I usually step away from the painting and begin a different process; that of attempting to see it separately from myself. Following this, I paint freely until I feel my imagination is exhausted. Then, the tough part starts - bringing the painting together with harmony until it feels complete. Four years of studying art while working on a degree gave me the techniques and skills that I needed to become a professional artist. Continuing lessons and attending workshops further helped me to gain confidence in myself and my work. I have taken numerous workshops. I now show in local shows, exhibitions, and galleries. This year (2009), I have decided to open The Art for Art Lovers Retreat in my 1890’s Victorian Home, I envision welcoming artists from far and wide to the experiences that this lovely home and my large art studio have played into the development of my self as an artist. The URL for the Retreat Web Site is: http://artforartlovers.net

ArtforArtLovers - 450 Elm St NW, Fort Payne, Al 35967-Phone: (256) 845 3398; Email: artforartlovers@artforartlovers.net

Ann Hamilton
ann_hamilton@bellsouth.net
website:www.artforartlovers.net
blog:www.artforartlovers.net/blog/

Featured Artist: Mary Margaret Holmes

"September Rush" by Mary Margaret Holmes, copyright

"Redemption" by Mary Margaret Holmes, copyright

"Handel's Heart" by Mary Margaret Holmes, copyright

"Let it be" by Mary Margaret Holmes, copyright

Mary Margaret Holmes- Artist Bio

There are moments in every person's life that inspires an artist to create. Whether it's something as simple as a tree blowing in the wind or as wonderfully complex as the birth of a child, all these defining moments, good and bad, inspire.

I am an oil and acrylic artist from McCarley, MS now based in Tuscumbia, AL. I am a self-taught artist concentrating on abstract, landscape, wildlife, and Christian subject matter among others. I began painting at a young age under the supervision of my grandmother, also a landscape artist. My artwork illustrates a variety of vibrant colors using traditional themes with a contemporary twist. I do not limit myself to a particular style or theme but paint what God puts on my heart.

I am also the designer of a unique line of handmade jewelry, called Eddie-Alice Jewelry, which is featured at Coldwater Books in Tuscumbia, AL. Eddie –Alice Jewelry is centered around colorful mussel shells gathered from the banks of our beautiful Tennessee River. I continue to expand my creative horizons through exploring Alabama’s natural beauty and using God-given resources and talent to do so.

I am a wife of 4 years to her amazing husband and a mother to the sweetest 1 year old a mother could ask for. The are truly my greatest inspiration.

I am currently dedicating 100% of the profits from her artwork to a dear friend battling leukemia, so please take a moment to check out my website and read my blog for more information on my friend Troy. Please pray for him and his family.

May God bless you and yours with health, happiness, and a heart to help others by using your amazing talents.

Website: www.cedarhouseart.com
Blog: www.cedarhouseart.blogspot.com
E-mail: mmholmespharmd@yahoo.com