Although Steve Heine never practiced traditional architecture, the Kentucky native thinks of his modern, multi-layered artwork as architecture on a small scale. Artist: One of nine kids and the second-born of identical twins, Heine grew up in a loud, raucous house in Louisville. He later graduated from the University of Kentucky’s College of Architecture in…
Tennessee-based sculptor Kyle Cottier combines traditional textile and woodworking techniques in his mindful practice. Artist: Born and grew up in Louisville, KY. In a high school magnet program, Cottier began spending a lot of time in the art annex. Often, he was in in the darkroom developing film, or in the printmaking lab preparing silkscreens…
Douglas Miller’s drawings and paintings of wildlife may appear unfinished. But that is exactly the Kentucky artist’s style and intention. Artist: Born and grew up in a family of teachers in Evansville, IN, until he moved to Florida to attend Ringling College of Art for two years. In 2001, after a stint in Seattle, Miller…
Stephen Dorsett makes sculptures of miniature landscapes from consumer waste. Then photographs them. The Kentucky native describes his work as a meditation on consumerism and the environment. Artist: Dorsett was born and grew up in Louisville, KY. He graduated in 1999 with a BA in studio art, with a focus on drawing, painting and sculpture,…
Self-taught Kentucky artist Hanna Wright uses bold lines and bright colors to convey emotions in her abstract faces and figures. Artist: The rural Kentucky native was adopted at the age of four and moved from Barbourville to Keavy, where she grew up. She graduated from the University of the Cumberlands in 2015 with degrees in special…
A self-described landscape sculptor, Kentucky’s James Wade is inspired by a sense of place. Company/studio: Hammermark Studio, which started in 2002, is located near Lexington on the artist’s family farm. Artist: Born in Columbus, IN, Wade moved as a teenager to Lexington, KY. He studied art at the University of Kentucky, where he earned a…
Self-taught Kentucky woodturner Chad Eames tries to highlight the natural features of the wood – knots, voids and bark inclusions — while still maintaining a modern feel with his designs. Company/studio: Chad Eames WoodWorks started in 2008 and is based in Lexington. Eames’ workshop is in his garage. Artist: Born in Royal Oak, MI, and…
Kentucky-based artist Crystal Gregory sees herself as a builder, often pairing construction materials with handmade textiles in her contemporary work. The artist: Gregory grew up in Huntington Beach, CA, and earned a BFA from the University of Oregon and an MFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Gregory lived and worked in…
Self-taught artist Jennifer Zurick uses the flexible inner bark of black willow trees to create her elegant woven vessels. The artist: Zurick was born in Lexington and grew up in the rural Bluegrass area of Kentucky. Based in Berea, she has been professionally producing willow bark baskets since 1980. The goods: Finely woven, textile-like vessels…
Lindsay Oesterritter’s simple stoneware pieces are made for everyday use, but they feel and look like something special. The artist: A Louisville native, Oesterritter studied ceramics at the University of Louisville and Utah State University, where she earned a master’s degree in fine arts. The company: Lindsay Oesterritter Ceramics started in Manassas, Va., in 2015.…