Gallery Row, the one-mile arts district made up of Biltmore Avenue and Broadway Street, just acquired one more creative: Rand Kramer. Now represented by Gallery Mélange, Kramer works with a range of materials, from dry pigments to powdered marble. “My creative process blends controlled intention with spontaneous experimentation,” he tells Asheville Made. “It begins with layering mixed-media materials, then intuitively brushing, scraping, and sanding to reveal textures, unexpected colors, and depth. I often paint over existing layers and then scrape away to expose what lies beneath, allowing both the intentional and the accidental to coexist.” Previously, Kramer owned several businesses, including a digital design and technology agency that was acquired in 2014. “At that point,” he says, “I decided to shift my focus toward rediscovering the joy of making art — a journey that has been both challenging and deeply rewarding.” Mark Bettis, a founding owner of Gallery Mélange, is glad for Kramer’s career change. “We love having Rand at the gallery,” says Bettis. “… his aesthetic in his art is beautiful, and it blends perfectly with our other artists.”
Gallery Mélange, 67 Biltmore Ave., Suite 20, Asheville, 828-782-1110, gallerymelange.com. Hours are Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-5pm.