The Arts Company gets "Red Hot" for this year's Artrageous!

The Arts Company will be spicing things up for this year's Artrageous! With Artrageous 22's theme of "Sweet Imagination," (think Willy Wonka...only wilder, flashier, and trendier) every gallery was given the opportunity to create their own theme inspired by candy, confection, desserts, etc. As quite a candy-lover myself, I decided on one of my favorite candies of all time...RED HOTS!!!

The Arts Company is honored to be a part of this important fundraiser for Nashville Cares, and has been a part of this event for over 10 years! With food provided by Arnold Myint's, Cha Chah resaurant, The Arts Company's own specialty drink, the "Red Hot" provided by Artrageous sponsor Absolut Vodka, new work by several gallery artists, our "Avant-Garage" Lounge/Gallery with red sofa, red hanging lanterns, and much more, you can expect The Arts Company to truly be "red hot" the night of November 14.

You don't want to miss this amazing night of food, fun...and most importantly "red hot" art!

Purchase your tickets now at www.artrageous.org.

New Bob Schatz book: Nashville Architectural Treasures

Many of our artists are doing exciting new things! Bob Schatz, one of the October Showcase Artists (along with Charles Keiger), is publishing a new book entitled: By Design: Nashville's Architectural Treasures. The book includes many historic and contemporary Nashville treasures such as The Hermitage Hotel, Cheekwood, Fisk University, the Belle Meade Theater, and much more. Visit our website for additional information!

Announcing The Arts Company Press

The Arts Company and Anne Brown

Announce the Formation of Publishing Arm

The Arts Company Press

Launch of Publishing Company Debuts with

“Brother Mel: A Lifetime of Making Art” in October 2009

Nashville, TN – The Arts Company and Anne Brown announce the expansion of their full-service art business with the launch of The Arts Company Press. Established to expand the market for selected high-end art books, The Arts Company Press and writer Anne Brown will offer a series of art publications on a variety of artists, art initiatives and events. All of the books will feature fresh, original, and contemporary artwork in photography, painting, and sculpture, by artists from emerging to legendary. The Arts Company Press will launch with the October 2009 publication of Brother Mel: A Lifetime of Making Art.

About Publisher/ Writer Anne Brown

Anne Brown has been an innovative and influential arts leader in middle Tennessee for more than 35 years. She has led numerous artistic efforts to make the arts a more prominent part of public life in Nashville, including leadership positions in city and state arts commissions, initiating various citywide arts festivals and arts institutions, and owning a premier art gallery. In addition, she held teaching positions at Fisk University, Belmont University, and Vanderbilt University. In 2002, she developed and wrote the book, The Art of Doug Williams: Salvation and Beauty. She holds a master of art degree in English and history from East Texas State University and a Ph.D. in comparative literature from the University of Arkansas, with additional fellowships and graduate study at Rice University and New York University. Dr. Brown resides in Nashville, Tennessee, where she owns and manages The Arts Company and The Arts Company Press.

About Brother Mel: A Lifetime of Making Art

The first part of Brother Mel: A Lifetime of Making Art addresses his life from his family, his spiritual commitment as a Marianist brother in a Catholic community, his distinguished artistic education, his decades of travel, his influences, the development of his studio, and his commitment to making art 6 days a week, 52 weeks a year, since the 1960s. The second part of the book is a portfolio of selected images from the thousands of works of art he has produced over a 50-year period. The images are presented in various sections of his special interests and productivity—from his early days of glass, chapels, frescoes, and icons to sculpture, paintings, handmade paper—and his recent work since 2000, which showcases how Brother Mel has experimented sculpturally with all kinds of ordinary materials, including rusted tools, wagon wheels, bicycles and M&M shapes, as well as with large bold abstract watercolors, and other pieces that defy description.

Contact The Arts Company at 615-254-2040 to pre-order your copy of this new book.

Artist of the Week: Rod Daniel

Rod Daniel, a Nashville native and graduate of Vanderbilt University, has returned to Nashville following his 25 years as a successful Hollywood director. Following his time in Vietnam as an army lieutenant, he began as a television advertising producer and commercial director in Nashville, then Atlanta, and then Chicago. His Hollywood career began in 1978 when he joined WKRP in Cincinnati as a director. From there, the list of Hollywood credits is long, with television shows from Newhart to Magnum P.I. to Everybody Loves Raymond to The Mary Tyler Moore Show. His theatrical releases include Beethoven’s Second and Teen Wolf, as well as many other episodes for television and additional theatrical film credits. He is a member of the Directors Guild of America and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.

He has been actively engaged in developing his fine art photography portfolio over the last fifteen years, combining his motorcycle travels with photography on the road.

To see more of Rod Daniel's photography click here.

The Art of Flowers: Nicole Katano

“The ultimate point,” Katano says, “isn’t to tell people what to see or think. It is to make them feel.”

Nicole Katano's stunning diptychs memorize any whose eyes fall upon them. They are honest pieces of work seamlessly combining two everyday objects to create a harmonious image. Subject matter ranges from flowers to buildings and hits on everything in between capturing not only seasons and intense color but also emotion. These emotions are what draw people to her work.

Recently, The Arts Compnay has had the opportunity to frame some newer works by Nicole Katano. With each having its own story to tell, viewers are able to have an emotional, immeidate and non-verbal interaction with the work.

We hope you enjoy the works below and feel free to come in at anytime to see more of Nicole Katano's work!

Morsel

Botanical Gate

Happy 4th of July from The Arts Company

From everyone here at The Arts Company we would like to wish you a very happy and safe 4th of July!

We hope you enjoy your holiday weekend!

Happy 4th of July from Brother Mel!

Happy 4th of July from Norris Hall!

Happy 4th of July from Bob McGill!

Art After Hours: The Art of Flags

Shhhh...Art After Hours.

Sounds like a sneak peek if we have ever heard of one.

So here's the scoop:
Art After Hours is Nashville's 1st monthly, CITY-WIDE art crawl. Participating galleries will be opened late (After Hours) from 5-8 PM on the first Thursday of each month so gallery patrons can stop in after work and see what is new (this is the sneak peek part). Most galleries will also be featuring guest speakers, artist demonstrations, gallery artists will be in attendance, and light refreshments will be served. This special event is being facilitated by the Nashville Association of Art Dealers (NAAD) and a complete listing of participating galleries can be found on their website: www.nashvilleartdealers.net.

During Art After Hours on July 2, The Arts Company will be presenting "The Art of Flags" to celebrate the Fourth of July. This exhibition will feature commissioned works by Jorge Arrieta, Brother Mel, Norris Hall, Myles Maillie, and Bob McGill. Some of our featured artists will be with us that evening and Bob McGill will be giving an artist demonstration throughout the night.


In the spirit of sneak peeks we are offering a sneak peek challenge. Here is what you have to do:

1. Look at the images below and match the flag sections to the correct artist (if you click on the image it will appear in a larger format)

2. Print out the images with your answers written on the sheet

3. Bring your print out with you, complete with answers to Art After Hours on July 2 between 5 - 8 PM

4. If all your answers are correct you will receive a 10% off coupon for The Arts Company

Limit one per customer

Artist of the Week: Aggie Zed

We recently received a new shipment of Aggie Zed sculptures in the mail. Two boxes full! It was like Christmas, we love getting any new artwork in but two boxes filled to the brim with small porcelain people and creatures is a real treat, especially since we had no idea who we would find in the boxes. It turns out that within an hour: 19 people, 5 elephants, 5 fish, 5 cats, and 4 bull trophies appeared and created a small army on our table. These fascinating sculptures seem to intrigue all audiences who can't help but stare into their small little eyes and marvel at their ever so delicate fingers. Even the animals are mystifying due to their mid-action poses. Aggie Zed sculpts with the intention of presenting art with humor and poignancy both of which are achieved through her fist sized figures.

If you are an Aggie Zed lover or are just hearing about her for the first time please stop in to take a look. You will be delighted with what you see and will more than likely be able to relate to one of these small figures as they all have a personality all their own.

Box one FULL of petite sculptures

The first out of the box, elephants on parade

Brian proudly displaying what he just unwrapped

Our new sculpture army!

The aftermath - two empty boxes and lots of packing material.

Music Fever Has Hit

Even though Nashville is always Music City this week during the CMT Music Festival and Awards Nashville is truly a place that will eat, breathe, and sleep music. Thousands of people flood the city to hear their favorite musicians and to take part in the annual event. In addition to the CMT Music Festival, not far from Nashville in Manchester, TN, Bonnaroo is held featuring musical artists for four days. These two events would be any music lover's dream.

Even if you are not able to come to Music City to participate in all of the festivities here are some pieces of art from our gallery artists that will help you feel like you are here! Just turn up your stereo and scroll.

If you are in town we would love to see you! Stop by on your way to a concert and see what music related works we have and who knows who you may run into!

The Stage - Kimiko

The Best Days of My Life - Bob McGill

Mose Vinson - Bill Steber

Beatles - Lamar Sorrento

Painted Steel Guitar - Brother Mel

A Lonesome Song - Charles Keiger

Artist of the Week: Nashville, Saturday, July 20, 1946

On this one afternoon and evening, photojournalist Edward Clark, Nashville native, recorded the familiar weekly ritual of the Grand Ole Opry at The Ryman Auditorium. People arriving by truck, bus, and car from North Carolina to California; standing in line, hanging out backstage, on stage, and in the standing room only audience, and autograph seeking at the stage door. These photographs combine many legends - The Ryman, The Opry, many revered country music artists, whose careers were already at high tide in the 1940s - and Clark himself.

Clark had already recorded, or would soon record in LIFE Magazine, many of the images by which we remember the 20th century. Clark literally captured moments in time when the country music fans of fifty years ago lined up and the stars revved up for an evening at the Opry at The Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville.

Ed Clark's Opry series contains over 100 images. The photographs were neither printed nor published at the time. The negatives were tucked away in obscurity until 1994 when a chance discovery led to the development of a collectors' portfolio of selected images. Photographs from Clark's personal collection, including the entire Opry series, can be seen at The Arts Company so come in and visit!

Brother Mel Book Update: Only One More Week

With only one more week until Brother Mel is here for FirstArtSaturday you can feel the energy lifting in the gallery. His new works are being hung downstairs and should be up by this weekend. The works are a great mix of paintings in both acrylic and watercolor and of sculpture- rust works and some painted metal. In addition to these exciting and fresh works, we will be previewing the Brother Mel book in its full form on our Apple TV that will be positioned amongst the art. It will be a perfect combination of artist, art, and books that evening. Here is another page from the Brother Mel book to check out! Enjoy and come visit us on June 6 from 6-9PM!

Brother Mel Book Update

With only two more weeks until the big Brother Mel opening things are starting to change around the gallery. We are pulling all of Brother Mel's artwork out of the inventory room and mapping out where it will hang. In addition to the physical work many hours have been put into the Brother Mel book also being previewed the night of the opening. The book is looking great and taking on a form true to Brother Mel. As promised here is another page to pre-preview.

We hope you enjoy!

Can't wait to see everyone at the opening, June 6, 6-9 PM.

WHAT’S BROTHER MEL UP TO THIS YEAR?

Many of you are familiar with Brother Mel and his work and love him just as much as we do here at The Arts Company. Even if you are not in the know about Brother Mel he will not take long to win over your heart. In two weeks, Brother Mel will be here for our FirstArtSaturday opening  ( June 6, 6-9 PM) as he makes his 11th annual pilgrimage to Nashville, TN. This year Brother Mel will celebrate his 81st birthday, including over 60 years of being a Marianist brother in a Catholic Community and over 50 years as a full-time artist. 

In addition to presenting his annual exhibition, The Arts Company is in the process of publishing a book about Brother Mel's lifetime of making art.  The book follows Brother Mel from his early years and continues through his joining the Marianist community, his education, his travel, and the prolific body of artwork he has produced over the last 50 years.  The 200-page book will be previewed in June and available in early fall.  It is filled with images of the diverse styles and mediums he has employed in his work that numbers over 10,000 documented pieces.  It also details the story of his life and work heretofore available, offing insight into a most unusual artist.

Below is a page from the Brother Mel book for your viewing pleasure. Please enjoy and we will make sure to post additional pages in the weeks that lead up to Brother Mel's arrival here in Nashville.  

Click here for a larger view

Artist of the Week: The less-traveled path

Star and Tibia, platinum/palladium print, 4 x 5"

From Polaroid Film to X-Ray Negatives To Platinum Prints

The less-traveled path

Don Dudenbostel is one of the rare breed of photographers who uses an x-ray machine with Polaroid film, and then prints the resulting negatives as platinum prints. Add to that the fact that Polaroid 55 film is no longer available, nor is the traditional paper for making platinum prints. He has definitely chosen the less-traveled path.

In the best of times, platinum printing is a complex mix of art and science, never mind that the platinum solution costs $2,000 an ounce. This kind of photography combined with this kind of printing is a true mix of art and science, the dual basis of photography. Most of the components he uses are virtually extinct. But those who love the beauty of platinum printing will know that his efforts are worth it for the resulting prints. They are rare and luminous in the depth of black and white color they yield.

The exquisite 5” x 7” prints he has produced in editions of 25 have just about reached their end point. A couple of years ago, he stockpiled film and paper. The supplies are running out. He has printed some of the images in larger sizes through the archival digital process, and they, too, are gorgeous prints, but for platinum aficionados, they are not the same.

Don Dudenbostel, a Knoxville-based photographer, is an award-winning photographer who has documented Appalachian culture over a 40-45 year period. There will be a traveling museum show of that work beginning in January 2010. Meanwhile, The Arts Company has some of his small exquisite platinum prints. His subjects are typically flowers, shells, instruments and other objects. He presents them all as equally elegant.

To see more of Don Dudenbostel's work click here.

posted: AB

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

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!

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

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 works
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 Andy 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.

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.

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

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/

Makin' it Fresh

Hey Art Lovers!

For those of you who know The Arts Company well, and for those who don't, welcome to The Arts Company Blog. The Arts Company has and will forever be based on the principles of fresh, original, contemporary and affordable. In an effort to stay fresh we have broken into the cyber world with quite some thunder, the blog being the "frame on our painting". Here at The Arts Company we realize the importance of the internet along with the power of virtual communities. Not only are we interested in getting the word out about our exhibitions and happenings but we are more interested in becoming part of a conversation between galleries, artists, art lovers, museums, and anyone interested. Everyone here at The Arts Company will be contributing to the blog and we ask that you do the same through your comments that can be added under any post. As stated before we cannot promise what you will find on here but be assured it will always be interesting, thoughtful, and quirky. We will also try to throw in surprises along the way like insider looks into the gallery and maybe even a few competitions with prizes! The blog will not take the place of the actual gallery experience but hopefully it will hold you over until you can come visit us again. We hope you enjoy reading and will come visit us soon.