Saturday, April 25, 2009

Artist of the Week: Kudos to Keiger

Chariot Dream, oil on panel, 20 x 18"

Charles Keiger is the kind of artist you hope to encounter in this life. He is smart, unassuming, has a life, is compelled to make art -- and he is articulate about the mysteries he creates with oil on canvas or wood. He is also ahead of the curve. He has his own blog that he has just started. Do yourself a favor and check into it. In an economic downturn, his art continues, because it must. He responds to the foibles and realities of our culture in a way only an artist can do. He helps us see what we are seeing. He makes meaning of the daily confusions with the specifics of his art.

For the rest of the story, go straight to his blog at www.charleskeiger.blogspot.com.

We have a few of Charles' paintings in the gallery, and hope to get more soon. We are particularly interested in his quick-sketch studies. There's nothing neater than seeing an artist's mind working out an idea. Here's his take on the state of mind of an artist today: "Painting knows no recession and I am pleased with what's going on in the studio."




posted AB

Friday, April 24, 2009

The Women of Gee's Bend


It was such a great day yesterday that we had to post about it while we are still on the Gee's Bend high. Some of the women of Gee's Bend stopped by the gallery to say hello on their way back from St Louis. They were delightful to have in the gallery and all have the most uplifting spirits. We were privileged to have lunch with them and were even more honored by their impromptu concert. We are hoping that they will join us again very soon and that we will be able to set up a gallery exhibition for them so that more people can be touched by these outstanding women!

To learn more about The Women and Quilts of Gee's Bend check out their website: http://www.quiltsofgeesbend.com/index.shtml



Here are the women of Gee's Bend singing at The Arts Company! What a treat!


Friday, April 17, 2009

This Week's Featured Artist



Jim Hubbman

Jim Hubbman is a photorealist in style working primarily in watercolor on paper. The detailed images he creates are still life tableaux. He begins a painting by uniting odd materials and arranging them to make an engaging, realistic image. As he builds a narrative scene, the artist juxtaposes the original functions of the featured objects with contrasting physical properties of shape, color and mass. His photorealist watercolors have the appearance of a digital image with a surreal twist.

To see more of Jim Hubbman's amazing watercolors and mezzotints click here.

"Tough Lunch" by Jim Hubbman



posted: bd

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

New Work Alert - Insider View

The past few days have been very busy here as we try to get ready for our May opening featuring Fresh Art by new artists as well as new works by gallery artists. All of the work seems to be coming in all at the same time and is creating an energized environment and actually quite a mess around the gallery.

Let's take a look at the stats so far with five artists in the door and three more to go.

Here is what we have so far:

David Benson = 19 works
Carl Plansky = 3 work
s
Kimiko = 21 new works
Curt Ginther = 11 works
Jeff Hand = 5 new works

Grand total on Tuesday at 5:00pm = 59!!!!

In addition to these artists mentioned we are expecting a visit from A
ndy Todd, David Swanagin, and Steven Walker in the next few days to add to the total number of pieces of art that have come in this week. We will keep you up to date on the running tally of works. For the time being here are some images of us processing the new works. Enjoy and feel free to come in, look around, and be the first to see what we have coming up.




Friday, April 10, 2009

In Need of a Read?

Guilty as charged. We are book lovers! But let me tell you these are no ordinary books.


The gallery is currently featuring four books illustrated by Sam Fink. Fink is 92 years old and still going strong, still driving and still signing! He was gracious enough to take some time and sign all of the copies in stock especially for our customers. We currently have four titles that are beautifully illustrated by Fink: The Constitution of the United States of America, The Gettysburg Address, The Book of Exodus, and Give it All, Give it Now: One of the Few Things I Know About Writing, written by Annie Dillard. Each of these books carries its own charm attributed not only to the stunning illustrations and fascinating subjects but also to their over sized form allowing the illustrations to take life on the page. Give it All, Give it Now even features an accordion design prompting extra inspiration. If you are looking for a fun, inspirational, or special gift or even a new book to delight your own senses one of these titles would be perfect. For more information about the books and to read about Sam Fink in his own words click here.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

This Week's Featured Artist


April Street

April Street's
work intersects the animal and human species with painting references to place the viewer somewhere between the abstract and representational, mixing artificial and natural worlds in ways that have become part of the artist's distinctive visual signature.

Her recent paintings are watery and space-like wonderscapes caught in states of advance, recession, and stillness. Precariously balanced by form, and desire, Street creates curiously layered paintings that combine saccharine-like colored stains and symbolic gestures with her own investigative narratives that she sets up, erases, overlaps and retells much like the relaying of an oral history that has been altered through passing.

To see more of April Street's work click here.

"an avalanche of bubbles struck me and popped" by April Street



posted: BD

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

John Baeder in the News

The Arts Company is presenting its third and final John Baeder exhibition; American Roadside Early Photographs. The show opens this Saturday at FirstArtSaturday. Recently we stumbled across this article in the Tennessean and wanted to share it with you. We hope you enjoy reading it and that the article will give you some insight into John Baeder and also his artistic works.

We hope to see you on Saturday for the opening. John will be joining us and will be giving a special exhibition preview starting at 5PM. Don't miss out!
Painter dishes on dining
"Renowned photorealist painter John Baeder, who has an exhibit of photographs at the Arts Company on April 4-24, has seen his share of restaurants. His life's work has been painting America's roadside diners, and when you're talking to a man who has downed countless meals on the go, you can't help but wonder where he likes to eat in Nashville, which he calls a "magical, spiritual wonderland."

Joey's House of Pizza in Brentwood makes the cut, as does Bombay Palace Fine Indian Cuisine on West End and Hayashi Japanese Buffet in Franklin, Martin's BBQ in Nolensville serves a brisket that he says is almost as good as the true Texas article - "close, no cigar"."

William Ayers, The Tennessean
April 1, 2009

To read more click below!
"Painter John Baeder unveils his photo trove"


Also, make sure to visit John Baeder's website to view his paintings at: http://www.johnbaeder.com/