Woodblock printer Kent Ambler need not amble far for inspiration. Living on 12 acres on Paris Mountain near Greenville, South Carolina, his surroundings afford plenty of fodder. “My three dogs, two cats, my wife Peggy, the lake, the woods, birds, flowering trees, neighbors’ goats, the list goes on and on,” Ambler writes on his website. “My work usually starts with an observation or a quick sketch. The images that I sketch then become a leaping point for the exploration of aesthetic qualities.” This August, Ambler will present new work at American Folk Art and Framing in downtown Asheville during Against the Grain. The exhibition pairs Ambler’s rich and sometimes brooding woodcuts with art by Doug Frati, a Maine native who creates intricate carvings from wood salvaged from barns, attics, and neighbors’ wood piles. According to the gallery, “The two men have quite a bit in common besides their chosen substrate of wood. Both have built truly beautiful lives for themselves, in which they pursue their artistic passions surrounded by lush forests full of wildlife and draw inspiration from the natural scenes around them.” The show runs through Wednesday, Aug. 28.
Against the Grain: August 7-28; Opening Reception: Friday, August 9, 5-8pm
American Folk Art and Framing / 64 Biltmore Ave., Asheville