Atlanta designer Cat Goolsby creates metal jewelry that looks like soft, free-flowing ribbon and fabric. Artist: Born in Ohio, Goolsby grew up in Lilburn, GA. She earned a BS in psychology with a minor in biology at Georgia State University, where she also took some metalsmithing classes. Though Goolsby pursued what she thought was a more…
In Alabama, chase and repousse’ artist Norman Morgan captures the natural beauty found in the outdoors in his detailed jewelry designs. Artist: Morgan grew up in Tarboro, NC. His art career started as a teenager when classmates discovered that he could draw reasonably good rock stars, and they were willing to pay for them. After…
Georgia-based artist Crystian Hopper uses colored pencils in his photorealistic drawings. Company/studio: Crystian Hopper Art, which started in 2018, is based in Atlanta. The artist has an in-home studio. Artist: Born in Auburn, AL, Hopper grew up in Niceville, FL, where he enjoyed drawing, particularly portraits and superhero sketches, throughout his school years. At the…
Tennessee artist Lisa Norris cuts, layers and arranges paper from vintage sewing patterns to make her fashion-smart collages. Artist: The Chattanooga native grew up watching her father, a self-taught artist, drawing. She often sat for portraits. In high school, a teacher urged her to consider art school. After high school, Norris worked and built her…
Ancient folklore, festivals and customs inspire the masks, outfits and sculptures of Georgia artist Jym Davis. Artist: Grew up in Radford, VA. At Carson-Newman University in Tennessee, Davis studied drawing and painting. In 2003, he earned an MFA in video art from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. He later taught part time at UNC Greensboro…
Atlanta’s Amy Rader is known for using unconventional materials, such as preserved butterflies and crushed glass, in her large, layered paintings. Artist: The Alabama native was obsessed with creating art throughout high school. Because of her interest and talent, Rader was awarded a full scholarship to the Art Institute of Atlanta. After graduating with the…
Using very fine brushes and working under a magnifier, Louisiana’s Christina Goodman creates richly detailed miniature paintings on jewelry and small artworks. Artist: Born in Italy, Goodman grew up in the Washington, DC, area.There she was exposed to a great deal of art, particularly Renaissance paintings at the National Gallery (her parents were lovers of…
Texas designer Charity Ridpath makes sculptural jewelry from clear, single-use plastics as remarkably diverse as bubblewrap and produce bags. Artist: Born in Lubbock, Ridpath grew up in Austin. As a kid, she was crafty, teaching herself embroidery, knitting and basket weaving. At Texas State University, where she earned a BFA in studio arts/metal in 2018,…
North Carolina jewelry artist Jason Janow describes his rustic yet refined designs as “precisely nature.” Artist: Growing up in Amherst, VA, Janow loved the outdoors and took an early interest in jewelry. Later, at age 30, he made a career change and enrolled in Haywood Community College in Clyde, NC, where he earned a degree in…
Tennessee jeweler and artist Brie Flora creates quirky cool pieces that are packed with personality. The artist: Born in Atlanta, but grew up in Wisconsin and then Massachusetts. Flora graduated from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MASSART) in 2015, where she double majored in jewelry/metalsmithing and art education. After graduation, she taught intro/intermediate jewelry workshops…