Some Dreams Do Best With a “Base Layer of Chaos”
byKevin Andrew has lived most of his 36 years on this planet as a self-described “good capitalist boy.” After high school, he ignored his…
Asheville
Grounded in Experience, Expecting to Fly
by“When I was a kid in Illinois, on my way home on my bicycle after school, the tornado sirens went off,” recalls multimedia artist…
Star Chef Spins Back to Fine Art
byHe may be most widely known for his James Beard-nominated barbecue and fried chicken, but Chef Elliott Moss’ skills extend far beyond the kitchen,…
The Steadier the Hand, the Tastier the Wine
byAfter a long career as a project manager for GE, artist Jerry Spencer wanted to live closer to the natural world, so he moved…
Mixed-Metal Alchemist Did What They Said Couldn’t Be Done
byYou have to be flexible when you work with metal. So says Julie Louise Merrill, who has been forging, fusing, pounding, soldering, and even…
Wired into the Waking Daydream
byJosh Brooke Coté of rural Bakersville is a self-taught sculptor who cites Beatrix Potter stories and Alice in Wonderland as major influences, adding, “I’m…
Fly in the Ointment and Other Game Changers
byAsheville artist Michelle Hamilton admits that “facing a blank canvas used to scare the life out of me.” But those days faded into oblivion…
New Day, New Muse
byGallery models a fresh dynamic in the River Arts District “Pearl [Renken] thought up the name ‘Modern Muse’ out of the blue one day,”…
Left Brain, Right Brain, Whole Package
byJeff Snell, who creates works in vibrant mixed media, accurately describes his pieces as “windows into volatile spaces.” He will often begin by just…
Painting a Life of Next Levels
byWhen watercolorist Claire Simpson Jones first committed to renting a studio in the River Arts District and painting full time, she had no plan…