With more than 150 exhibiting artists, the Woolworth Walk gallery and bazaar in Asheville was one of my favorite stops, particularly for the
quantity and variety of work on display and for sale in one vast place.
It was here that I saw the work of Sarah Faulkner and Dawn Dalto, as well as the work of the third and final Asheville Artist I’d like to spotlight here: Yvonne Hegney.
This former Hollywood set designer has turned her talents to crafting
mixed-media sculpture and pottery. I suspect the results are much more
at home in the mountains of Asheville than they would be in Los
Angeles. But don’t take my word for it: Visit the Woolworth Walk online for your own virtual taste of Asheville: You may just find a few favorites to watch.
What artists have you discovered in your own travels?
I have long wanted to visit Asheville, North Carolina, nestled snugly in the Blue Ridge Mountains and reputed home to a truly eclectic and thriving artisan community—and over the holiday weekend, I finally got the chance. When it comes to arts and crafts, Asheville does not disappoint. Galleries line the streets, ranging from more traditional single-artist exhibits with storefronts to more open indoor spaces structured a bit like semi-permanent craft shows. The vibe is relaxed and welcoming, and appropriately, there’s a little something for everyone: from cigar-box fiddles to charming clay pottery, from hand-blown art glass to hand-crafted metal jewelry, from pensive photography to mixed-media works of all kinds, all spanning a wide variety of styles and budgets.
I didn’t have nearly enough time to peruse them all, but as I daydream of my next visit, I’d love to briefly spotlight a few of my favorite exhibited mixed-media artists right here to share a little taste of Asheville vicariously with you.
Today’s featured Asheville artist is Sarah Faulkner. Her “collage paintings” immediately caught my eye, both for her use of encaustic techniques and for her whimsical interpretations of nature. A visit to her Web site revealed she also works in sculpture, wood and metal—though I have to say her paintings are still my favorite of her works. But don’t take my word for it; pay her a visit and judge for yourself. Shown here are Teach Peace (above) and Winter Garden (below).
What are your favorite crafty cities to visit? Leave a comment and let us know!
Somehow, advanced copies of this book arrived at our office
unbeknownst to me. Doesn't everyone here know that I love all books
pertaining to magic and sparkly things--especially when it's in the
vein of personal adornment? Why wasn't I alerted to this sooner? So
while I was visiting Christine yesterday, I casually stole the copy that I spied on her desk (she may
or may not have noticed; I just hope she doesn't want it back).
If you're intrigued like I am with the world of lucky charms and
personal amulets, you will love this book as much as I do. The
photography is beautiful and I love the messy, journal-like style to
the design. From Abracadabra embroidery (did you know that
"abracadabra" is a written amulet?) to the Garland of Happiness to the
Anti-Nightmare Kit, there are many projects in here that extend beyond
jewelry. I love all of the little sidebars that explain things like the
legend of saints, to symbols like the horseshoe, to explanations of
things like the Hand of Fatima.
So, if you feel you're in need of some good luck, check out this book right away.
If you look forward to Mondays about as much as I do, then you’ll welcome this distraction about as much as I did! Mixed-Media Monday offers weekly challenges that not only get your creative juices flowing at the start of each week, but offer opportunities for integrating the online mixed-media community, too. Participants post their responses to the challenges on their own blogs with links back to Mixed-Media Monday, and then post comments with links to their completed challenges on their own sites directly on the Mixed-Media Monday blog (which is otherwise a refreshingly straightforward, no-frills site). The result is lots of inspiration as well as a host of new links to visit while you’re procrastinating the start of the week’s less pleasant tasks. This week’s challenge, to use maps in a mixed-media work, has already drawn 27 comments (meaning 27 completed challenges) just in the 3.5 hours since it was posted this morning!
