THE ART IS IN!

"Pronghorns" by Sue Taylor White

The art is in and it is ready to hang. We hope that you will come see it for yourself. "Small Works of Great Art" will be open to the public on September 27 - October 8, 2010. The Preview Party will be Friday evening, September 24th.

Field With a Walnut Tree

"Field With a Walnut Tree"

5 x 7 oil

by Timothy Vaught

Alabama Artist Timothy Vaught of Montgomery had this beautiful landscape selected for the First Annual "Small Works of Great Art" Invitational Art Exhibition and Sale. Please visit our website at www.TheHomewoodArtShow.org to see more works selected for the wonderful event.

Submission Deadline has Past

The entry deadline for the First Annual "Small Works of Great Art" Invitational Art Exhibition and Sale has come and gone. We're now in the process of selecting the art that will be displayed. We recieved a 126 artwork entries for our first event and we are extremely pleased with the support shown by Alabama's finest... artists! Thank you so much now comes the difficult task of selecting the top works of small art!

Alabama Artist Spotlight

"Ease Your Mind" by Vicki Denaburg

"Ease Your Mind" by Vicki Denaburg is a 40 x 40 inch acrylic painting. Vicki is one of Alabama's top artist. You can find more of her work online at www.VickiDenaburg.com. Her work can also be found locally at Art Alley in Homewood or in Nashville, TN at Local Color Gallery.

Alabama Artist Spotlight

"The Resort" by Vickie Denaburg

Birmingham Artist Vicki Denaburg is another one of Alabama’s wonderful artist and is also a wonderful person. You can find out more about Vicki and her work on her website at http://www.vickidenaburg.com/. Her work can also be found locally at Art Alley in Homewood or in Nashville, TN at Local Color Gallery.

Alabama Artist Spotlight

One of the top non-representational artist in the State Jennifer is best known for her Angel paintings. Here is one of her newer works that is a "Great Work of Small Art"! To learn more about Jennifer's work please visit her online at http://www.jenniferharwellart.com/. Her work is also available at her gallery located in downtown Birmingham at the Regions Harbert Plaza.

Collector's Corner

Collector's Corner - Art Collecting Tip - Read art magazines. Here are a few suggestions - American Art Collector, Art in America and Soutwest Art Magazine.

"Small Works of Great Art"

We visited "Art in the Gardens" this weekend held at the Aldridge Botanical Gardens and met several artists. I was very impressed with their work and most had expressed their interest and plans for entering our exhibition. We hope to see them and look forward to bringing their beautiful art to you the collector!

2010 Torch Run

The Alabama Law Enforcement Torch Run (ALETR) is over for 2010 and we would like to thank all that participated. We would also like to congratulate all of our Olympians! You are all true Gold Medalist!

Alabama Artist Spotlight

"Evening Reflections"
by Timothy Vaught

Art by Alabama Artist Timothy Vaught of Montgomery, Alabama.
You can find Timothy's work at Stonehenge Galler in Montgomery or you may contact Timothy at (334) 262-9316.

Collector's Corner

Do not collect art as an investment unless you treat it as an investment. You wouldn't buy stocks or real estate without doing your homework, so treat investment grade art the same way. Consult an expert that can advise you on what is investment grade art.

www.BrillFineArtServices.com

Alabama Artist Spotlight

"Stand in a Field of Daisies"

by Timothy Vaught

Another great work by Alabama Artist Timothy Vaught of Montgomery, Alabama.

You can find Timothy's work at Stonehenge Gallery in Montgomery or you may contact Timothy at (334) 262-9316.

Exhibition Update - May 2010

First, I want to thank Mayor Scott Mcbrayer, the Homewood City Council, John Christopher, Sarah Brill, Daniel Moore, our Alabama Artist and our facebook friends. As you know we are a new exhibtion and the only way we can make this possible is with your support!

So please invite your friends to join us on facebook and visit us in September.

In our first month:

• We have contacted over 200 of Alabama's finest artists, launched our website, facebook fanpage and blog.
• Our website has revceived over 3000 hits in its first month and as you see, we now have 120 friends on our facebook page!
• We have featured 5 artists on our Alabama Artists Spotlight, featured our first Alabama Artist Case File and Sarah Brill has posted her first few Collector's Corner - Art Collecting Tips.
• The Homewood City Council gave us approval to use the Terazzo Lobby Area of the Homewood City Hall for our exhibition.
• We have posted call for artists state wide and nationally known Artist Daniel A. Moore has graciously volunteered his valuable time to be our first guest judge!

So it's been an extremely busy month and we are only beginning. We have plans of making this one of the top, fine art exhibitions in the Southeast and that can only happen if we have the support of our Alabama Artists and our patrons.

So once again, thanks for a great first month!
Kevin Webster, Exhibition Director

Alabama Artist Spotlight

"May Sky" by Timothy Vaught

Alabama Artist Spotlight - Timothy Vaught of Montgomery, Alabama - I met Timothy this year at Alabama Art Supply then saw his work in the Energen Corporation's Annual Alabama Art Competition. I feel that he is one of Alabama's finest landscape artist and I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future. He is represented by Stonehenge Art Gallery in Montgomery and they are currently featuring his work in a solo exhibition. For more information please visit www.StonehengeGallery.com.

Alabama Artist Spotlight

"Turkey" by Taylor White

Taylor White's wildlife art has won numerous awards that include winning the wildlife category in the prestigious Energen Corporation's Annual Art Competition.

Collector's Corner

Buy what you love. Styles may come and go, but personal taste is more consistent.

Sarah Brill - www.BrillFineArtServices.com

Alabama Artist Spotlight

"Iris" by Taylor White

Here is another one of Taylor's amazing paintings. "Iris" was the winner of the AT&T Alabama Purchase Award for Best of Ornamental Art in the 2010 Alabama Wildlife Federation's Annual Flora and Fauna Art Show. For more information about Taylor or her work please visit her website at www.TaylorWhiteGallery.com .

Alabama Artist Spotlight

"Pink Lilly" by Taylor White

Originally from Tuscaloosa County, Taylor is an award winning artist whos works have been published in numerous magazines including Sporting Classic and Southeastern Art Showcase. She currently has works in private and corporate collections throughout the United States and Canada. To see more of Taylor's art please visit her website at http://www.taylorwhitegallery.com/ .

Collector's Corner

Do your research. Once you find what you are drawn to, learn about it, become an expert on what you love. - Sarah Brill - http://www.brillfineartservices.com/

Alabama Artist Case File

Alabama Artists Case File 001 - Cews, Amy - AmyCrewsGallery.com

Q. What artists have influenced you?

A. Too many to list. I love the loose and effortless brushwork of Sargent, the subject matter of Mary Cassatt, and the raw emotion of Harry Paul Ally (my college Art Professor). I’ve been blessed to work with some incredibly gifted people.

Q. Has your style or approach changed since you first began showing your art?

A. I think all artists dabble in many subjects and styles initially until they find a particular subject or approach that feels most comfortable for them, and then it becomes recognizable. I used to do more landscapes and will likely return to that subject in time. I also paint much larger than I initially did. Part of that is confidence and part of it is a silly attempt of mine to loosen up. I do enjoy larger paintings. I wish I had the space to paint even bigger!

Q. What are you working on now?

A. Commissions and building inventory for the Fall show season.

Q. What is your next big goal?

A. I have a few ideas that seem to swim inside my soul until I have an opportunity to try and develop them. I don’t know when I will be able to tackle these “challenges”. But the anticipation is half the fun. It keeps me moving forward. I would also love to take some more intense courses, in figure painting more specifically, but I have not had the opportunity to do so yet.

Alabama Artist Case File

Alabama Artist Case File 001 - Crews, Amy - AmyCrewGallery.com

Q. When did you first realize you wanted to become an artist?

A. I actually sold small drawings door to door in our neighborhood when I was 4. Throughout school, teachers would encourage me to pursue art giving me plenty of space to display. When I was 15 or 16, I was amazed when a kind man, Dr. Herd, saw a color pencil drawing I had done of a father and daughter on a beach and was determined to purchase it. I had no idea what to charge so he came up with a solution. He presented me with the finest set of colored pencils he could find in exchange for the drawing which he hung in his office. Each time I saw him thereafter; he would bring it up and ask me what I was doing with my talent and insist that I don’t neglect it. I don’t know where he is now, but I would love to tell him what an impact his encouragement made on my life.

Q. What medium do you prefer to work with?

A. Oil

Q. What do you like to use as you subject matter?

A. I tend to focus on the simple things and paint still life arrangements I create in my studio or from photographs. Typically nature is my subject matter.

Alabama Artist Case File

ALABAMA ARTIST CASE FILE NUMBER 001

Name: Crews, Amy

Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia

Website: AmyCrewsGallery.com

Artist has seen at the following locations: Wickwire Folk Art and Fine Art in Hendersonville, NC and Bennett Gallery in Nashville, TN

BOLO for artist at: "Art on the Lake" - Children's Harbor on Lake Martin - May 29, 2010 and "The Bluff Park Art Show" - Hoover, AL - Oct 2, 2010

Artist Bio:

For award winning artist Amy Crews it’s personal. Not always comfortable in the spotlight that sometimes shines her way, she is instead rewarded by the individuals who tell her they understand the message or are touched by the emotion in her paintings. Often times it is scripture, found objects in nature, or a memory that inspire her.

Amy’s medium of choice is oil. She creates depth by working in thin layers and has been praised for her skill with pure and vivid color. She also enjoys the challenge of working with a limited and more monochromatic palette. Whether it is in bold color or earth tones the result is the same: a contemporary realism that has been said to “elevate a common object to an elegant presentation”.

Amy works from her own photography or from still-life arrangements in her home studio. Originally from Atlanta, Amy now resides in Birmingham, Alabama with her husband Matt and their two children. Her work has been sold nationally in the pages of Southern Living At HOME, included in the 2006 HGTV Dream Home, and honored many awards including honorable mention “People’s Choice” award in the Oil Painters of America Eastern Regional exhibit.

Alabama Artist Spotlight

"November Hillside" (Studio Version) 20 x 24

by Bart Walker

This is the completed studio painting of Bart's 8 x 10 plein air study in our previous post. A beautiful work of art. You can see more of Bart's work on his website at http://www.bartwalker.com/ or you can find his work at Loretta Goodwin Gallery in Birmingham.

Alabama Artist Spotlight

"November Hillside Study" by Bart Walker

Alabama born Artist Bart Walker is an award winning artist who now lives in Idaho. His plein air paintings and studies capture the beautiful landscapes of our great nation. In his studio, he uses these studies to complete beautiful works of art that are a must see. To find out more about Bart and his art work please visit his website at http://www.bartwalker.com/. You can also find Bart’s art at the Loretta Goodwin Gallery in Birmingham.

Collector's Corner

Visit your local art galleries or art museums and find a style of art or particular artist that you like. Then speak with the gallery or museum staff. They will provide you with a wealth of information.

"Spring Slips In" by Perry Austin

Collector's Corner

Buy a work of art that you like, one that moves you or reminds you of a moment in your life. Buy a work of art that you will enjoy for years to come.

"Country Road" by Perry Austin

Alabama Artist Spotlight

"Sloss Furnace" by Dirk Walker

Alabama Artist Spotlight

"The Rain Finally Stopped" by Dirk Walker

As you know, we are a new, "Small Art Exhibition" with BIG dreams. So, until we select our first year’s artists, we will spotlight Alabama Artists that we find in our search for the finest established and emerging artists in the State. And this is task that I'm truly enjoying!

I have compiled a list of over 200 artists so far and I look forward to finding many more.

In this week’s search I came across the work of Dirk Walker, a native of Vestavia Hills, Alabama. His work is a must see. He has won numerous awards and is represented by these Fine Art Galleries: Loretta Goodwin Gallery in Birmingham, AL, Anne Irwin Fine Art in Atlanta, GA, and Elder Gallery in Charlotte, NC. You can find out more about Dirk and his art by visiting his website @ http://www.dirkwalkerfineart.com/.

Kevin Webster

Exhibition Director

Welcome to the "Small Works of Great Art" Blog!

The "Small Works of Great Art" blog will feature a post called "Alabama Artist's Case File" which will be a weekly profile about Alabama's finest Artists and their work.

Our blog will also feature a post called "Collector's Corner". This post will have valuable information about beginning or enhancing your own art collection and will feature notes from seasoned art collectors and our own fine art consultant.

We hope that you will visit us often and we hope that you enjoy this blog.

Kevin Webster
Exhibition Director