Georgia’s Krista Grecco mixes the “sweet and sour” memories and moments of life in her ceramic art. Everything from expressive figures and animals to color-happy candy bugs. The artist: A fraternal twin, Grecco was born and raised in Massachusetts. But undergrad school in New York, graduate school at Ohio State, and artist residencies and teaching have…
From the cockpit of her family’s vintage plane, Mary Edna Fraser was awed by aerial views of the Lowcountry waterways and landscapes she saw. The experience inspired the South Carolina artist to recreate the landscapes in batik art and paintings. The studio: Fraser works out of a backyard studio on James Island Creek, just south…
In her one-of-kind botanical compositions, Virginia’s Anne Blackwell Thompson brings the outdoors in. The artist: Born in Greenville, SC., Thompson grew up in Texas. She graduated from Texas A & M, trained in studio art and art history in London and worked as a decorative painter. In 2009, she apprenticed under botanical artist Stuart Thornton…
In her sculptural glass work, North Carolina artist Amber Marshall focuses on fresh colors and forms that seem effortlessly elegant. The artist: Marshall grew up in Collinsville, IL, a small town near St. Louis, and graduated from Illinois State University in 2001 with a degree in art and a specialization in glass. For the next…
Some might say Luis Gonzalez has a plum job. The contemporary Miami artist transforms salvaged hardwoods into oversized sculptures of colorful fruits and vegetables The artist: Gonzalez learned to turn wood when he was 14 years old in his native country, Bogota, Colombia. In 1992, he came to Miami to finish high school and later…
Self-taught jeweler Julie Cohn describes her work as primitive modern, juxtaposing rough with refined. The company: Julie Cohn Design, based in Dallas, started in 2010. It is the name of Cohn’s jewelry collection but also encompasses collaborative projects with other artists, architects and designers. The artist: Cohn grew up in Tulsa and was educated as…
North Carolina’s Louise Gaskill transforms vintage items into what she calls “edged-up” modern lighting designs. The artist & owner: Gaskill grew up in New Bern and graduated with a history degree from Meredith College in Raleigh. After selling software for many years, she hit the refresh button on her career. With no formal training, Gaskill…
Known for her elaborate staging and dramatic lighting, Knoxville artist Denise Stewart-Sanabria paints hyper realistic fruits and sweet baked goods that at first glance look yummy enough to eat. But often, are suffering from age and trauma. Talk about food for thought. The artist: Stewart-Sanabria was born in Massachusetts and received a degree in painting…
Atlanta’s Trecy Bleich never thought about making jewelry until she wandered into a craft store. Now the self-taught designer’s own architectural and sculptural pieces can be found in museum shops and chic boutiques around the country. The artist: Bleich grew up in Summertown, Ga., and graduated from Savannah State University with a marketing degree. In…
Ben Ross has always enjoyed the woods and waterways of the South. So for his wedding 13 years ago, the South Carolina native decided to create a gift that reflected his appreciation of the outdoors. Ross, who grew up using feathers to tie fishing flies, crafted turkey feather bow ties for his groomsmen. The handsome…