Shaped by his Alabama roots, Atlanta-based photographer Jerry Siegel uses his camera to tell stories of the ever-changing South through its landscapes, culture and people. Artist: Born and raised in Selma, Siegel attended the University of South Alabama in Mobile and later graduated from the Art Institute of Atlanta. He worked for five years with…
Drawn to the fingerprint as a symbol of identity and a clue to a unique existence, Alabama’s Marie Dutka Brix explores the marks we leave behind in her abstract typewriter ribbon collages and paintings. Artist: Born in Merced, CA, she grew up in Aurora, IL. Brix earned her BFA, with a minor in French, from…
Using a combination of digital painting and photo manipulation techniques, Birmingham native Beth Conklin creates work she describes as recycled dreamscapes. Artist: The Alabama native was born and raised in Birmingham. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in mechanical engineering and worked as an environmental engineer for ExxonMobil for 13 years. Conklin…
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…
Alabama native Rushton Waltchack uses alcohol inks in her abstract flower paintings and butterfly collages. Artist: Waltchack was born and grew up in Birmingham. She graduated from Auburn University with a degree in mass communications and spent a year in China before returning home. Company/studio: Rushton Art is based in Birmingham. The self-taught artist, who…
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…
Alabama sculptor Maralyn Wilson finds clay a medium full of magic, possibilities – and stories. Artist: Born in Birmingham, Wilson studied art at the University of Georgia with painter Lamar Dodd. She graduated with a BFA from Sophie Newcomb College in New Orleans, where she studied with painter and sculptor Ida Kohlmeyer, the renowned Louisiana…
In her abstract ceramic, metal and plaster sculptures, Birmingham-based artist Emily Meisler is inspired by natural elements. The artist: Meisler grew up in Birmingham, and graduated from the College of Charleston in 2015 with degrees in psychology and studio art with a concentration in sculpture. After graduation, she took a year off before grad school and…
The ecosystems of Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico influence the abstract, pastel-colored works of Alabama painter and mixed-media artist Elisabeth Hays. The artist: Born in Alexander City, AL, Hays grew up in Fairhope and still lives there with her husband and two children. After college at Auburn University, where she studied fine arts, she…
As a former flight attendant, Birmingham’s Kay Vinson frequently flew to Japan and other parts of Asia. Her years of travel, and interest in Eastern culture, influence her abstract paintings. The artist: Though her family moved frequently when she was a child, Vinson considers Birmingham home. After high school, she attended University of Alabama, but…