Using an intricate random weave process, Raleigh’s Anne Storie Willson works with reed and other natural materials to create sculptural weavings of dresses, nests and pods. Artist: Born on a coastal sound near Wilmington, NC, Willson grew up and lived in Greensboro for many years. She earned three BA’s: communications, museum studies and art history…
In South Carolina, self-taught sculptor Nadia Stieglitz says her abstract ceramic forms explore the intersection of art and nature, using themes of femininity, topography, dance and spatial philosophy. Artist: Born in France and raised in the Alps, Stieglitz has degrees in economics, languages and marketing. She lived and worked in Paris, then London for five…
Nashville textile artist Emily Brown uses leather to craft her modern, puzzle-like wall art. Artist: Born in Birmingham, AL, but grew up mainly in Chicago, IL. At age 13, Brown began working with leather textiles and crafted her first leather handbag. In high school, she participated in fashion classes and competitions. Despite an interest in art,…
On his 12-acre property in South Carolina, Kent Ambler finds endless inspiration for his nature-based woodcuts. Artist: Born in northwest Indiana about 25 miles outside of Chicago. As a kid, Ambler moved around a lot (seven times between first and twelfth grade), mostly in northwest Indiana. At Ball State University (IN), he was introduced to printmaking…
Charleston-based painter Alice Colin aims to express emotions and thoughts through colors and patterns. Artist: Born and raised in Bordeaux, France, Colin left in her early 20’s to study, live and work in several other cities/countries, including Rome, London, Barcelona and New Delhi. Along the way, she earned a master’s degree in psychology and another…
To create his graphic, textured works, Alabama artist Woody Patterson uses unexpected items, including upcycled materials, computer and electronic parts and pieces of metal. Artist: Born in Montgomery, AL, Patterson grew up in the greater Birmingham area. At Birmingham-Southern College, he double majored in fine art and business. After graduation, Patterson continued his art training at…
New Orleans collage artist Demond Matsuo explores the mythic heroes and symbols of many cultures in his mixed-media works. Artist: Matsuo was born in Morgan City, LA, and grew up in nearby Patterson, reading, playing video games and training in the martial arts. At Louisiana State University (LSU), Matsuo started in political science but wanted to…
Tennessee artist Jan Burleson says the making of collages plays a double role as a meditative practice and as a study for her jazzy and vibrant paintings. Artist: Burleson spent her early life in Johnson City, nestled near the hills of Upper East Tennessee. Long before completing her BFA in painting and drawing at the…
Georgia sculptor Jeff Mead turns salvaged wood into shapely textured works. Artist: The Georgia native grew up in Acworth. At age 18, Mead moved to a small town in northern Massachusetts to work in the tree care business with family. In pursuit of other passions, he packed up and headed to the north woods of Wisconsin…
As a Georgia artist and a storyteller, Kirsten Stingle hopes her expressive hand-built porcelain figures encourage viewers to be curious, understanding and open to other points of view. Artist: Born in Washington D.C., Stingle grew up primarily in Northern Virginia. She earned a BFA in theater at Ohio University and a master’s degree in public…