Wall Art

I am a painter, graphic designer, writer, photographer in Nashville, Tennessee. I own, operate, art direct, make good things happen for Tinymusicbox Design. I have a wonderful wife, who is also a designer / illustrator / cake-topper maker and I also (somehow) have the two best dogs in the world. Last summer I became a dad to my son, Sebastian Jude. Hopefully you were able to find me without too much hassle, and maybe you even enjoyed a thing or two. I am available at any time to paint something for you, design something cool, or even just to hang out.
— Aaron

Encaustic is an ancient art form using beeswax and resin.  Layers are heated and fused to a hard substrate by a torch or heat gun. The resin in the mixture causes the beeswax to harden and the result is a beautiful texture.

I discovered the encaustic process after watching a local artist’s demonstration. I am fascinated with every aspect of encaustic painting from the prep work, the tools used, the substrate, the process of burning/heating, to the finished product. Using a torch to develop each organic piece is mesmerizing and meditative and I often say it is better than any therapy.

Using dry pigment and oil paints, I add color to the encaustic medium but it also lends itself to incredible texture and the possibilities are limitless. Sculpting tools are used to scrape away and the process will often get pretty physical.  It is probably the only thing I do that makes me forget to eat.

Most of my work is inspired by nature and the colors usually reflect my mood…whether it is a mood I am experiencing or one for which I am searching.  As an artist, I work hard to develop a painting that speaks about the beauty surrounding me.

My art came about when I was searching for ways to connect with my community. When I was struggling to be an empty nester, a good friend suggested that maybe I hadn’t seen my best days yet…It really prompted me to see things differently and also encouraged me to open my eyes and my arms to the community surrounding me. The whole journey for the past 5 years has been more about connecting than painting. I was looking for ways to connect with and embrace others and my “garage studio” became that place.  So far, I have had over 40 people share painting time with me.  That doesn’t sound extraordinary…but it is amazing what you can find out about someone when you are creating together.  I have had father/daughters, empty nesters, college students, out of town guests, visiting artists, gallery owners, lifelong friends, new friends, beekeepers, rappers, landlords, and anyone else that wants to just try their hand at something new and different.  I don’t profess to be an art teacher or a formally trained artist, but sharing what I have learned seems to be enough to start the connection.  I have even dedicated a portion of my website to sharing about these connections in the hopes to inspire others. Maybe they haven’t seen their best days yet?

Pursuitswithpurpose.com

I shoot whatever catches my eye. Color and design are what attract me first, which is why I am drawn to leaves and architecture. Maple leaves are my favorites because of their endless array of colors and their unique shapes. They epitomize autumn for me. Growing up in Charleston, SC introduced me to intriguing architecture. I enjoy creating a sense of nostalgia by capturing natural light on these forms.

Carol Weeks has a B.S. in botany and an M.A. in teaching and has been photographing since 1982. She has worked as a naturalist and is currently employed as a teacher. She prints images from her original slides/digital images and uses only acid-free, archival materials.

Learn More About Carol

Jacquie Leavitt is a self-taught mixed media painter specializing in whimsical art. she grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. after attending the University of Tennessee, she moved to Atlanta where she worked in property management. in June 2010, she discovered mixed media painting. she began exploring different techniques in order to find her own style.

She moved back to Chattanooga in 2011 where she began selling her work at local markets. Jacquie has now branched out to art festivals in the southeast, showing in local galleries and teaching at art retreats around us.

in her work, she uses lots of color and texture. her work usually contains an inspirational quote or two as well. much of her work contains several different materials including collage, acrylic, watercolor, oil pastels, soft pastels, ink, markers, graphite, and charcoal. she often prints her own papers to use in her collage work.

Jacquie stays busy painting and raising her six-year-old daughter, Victoria, who also loves to make art.

Learn more about Jaquie

Sandra Paynter Washburn is a Chattanooga-based artist and art educator. Her work focuses on contemporary acrylic painting, mixed media, jewelry design, and assemblage.

Wendy Bradley’s work reflects the whimsical side of life incorporating bright colors and a unique perspective of everyday life.  She paints primarily with a palette knife which creates layers as well as texture in her work.  Her inspiration comes from family trips to the beach and photographs that she has taken in flower markets, bakeries, and cities she has visited.                           

Wendy began painting at a young age and has always had a love of the creative process.  She enjoys the challenge of finding the right composition and use of color to create a unique piece of art.  She believes each painting is a journey.  The end result might not be clear until it all comes together at the end and sometimes what seems like a mistake can end up being the best part of the painting.

Wendy Bradley’s work has been showcased in the Trinity School’s Spotlight on Art, Wesleyan School’s Artist Market, and Crabapple Arts Festival, as well as in galleries in the Southeast.

The artist, Alan Shuptrine, has extended his reputation from a renowned water glider to an acknowledged watercolorist. Born the son of a nationally recognized painter, Hubert Shuptrine, Alan has established himself as a watercolor artist in his own right. Recognized by publications such as American Artist Magazine, Watercolor Artist Magazine, and Fine Art Connoisseur, Shuptrine garnered additional recognition for Realism when he was asked to participate in the exhibit, ” In The Tradition of Wyeth: Contemporary Watercolor Masters” at the Vero Beach Museum of Art. Alan’s paintings were displayed alongside works by Andrew Wyeth and those of his father’s. Living on Lookout Mountain, TN, Alan has now decided to paint a Collection of thematic watercolors that capture the heart and soul of the Appalachian Mountain heritage. SImilar to McCrumb, Alan is passionate about dramatic light and shadow, and realistic details and his watercolors have won numerous national awards and have been exhibited across the country.

I am originally from Atlanta, but after graduate school (MS clinical psychology, 1986) I moved to the north Georgia mountains where I live with my husband, photographer Daryl Thetford, and our three dogs, Shark, Bella, and Brie.

My art career began in 1993 when I resolved to make some important changes in my life. I left my job as a psychological examiner, quit an eighteen year smoking habit, rekindled a love of painting, and started writing for a local arts and entertainment newspaper. Very quickly I began applying to art shows and submitting essays and columns to literary journals, magazines, and newspapers.

Today I make my living as a full time artist. I sell through galleries, art shows (see show schedule), and do commission work (dog and people portraits). In addition I am a columnist for the Chattanooga Times Free Press newspaper, and my essays have appeared in a variety of magazines and journals including Oxford American, The Sun, Alaska Quarterly Review, Fourth Genre, Third Coast, Skirt Magazine, and other publications (see “The Writing Life”).

—Dana

“First and foremost, my objective is to give the viewer a visceral response of delight, pleasure or comfort. Using both life and imagination, I take as my subjects things in life I love and bring me happiness. Many times I revisit a subject several times and reinterpreting it. My process starts with references in words and drawings to darker feelings and images. Then, I cover them using my palette knife and paint occasionally adding carvings, pastels and glazes. Applying layers over those images, the subject emerges. By the end of the layering, I hope I’ve created a relationship between the subject and the background using the color and texture. In some of the paintings, I’ve symbolically covered all of the references; in others some are still visible. The resulting painting represents the journey from sad to happy, anger to joy, dark to light. ”

Shelly Stephens creates one-of-a-kind wall art.

They are perhaps best known for their nature and travel photography, they are also very active sports photographers. They have published three books, Scenic Chattanooga and Beyond, a guide to natural areas within 75 miles of Chattanooga, 7 editions of their popular instructional book, Notes from the Field, and Gently Touch the Earth, a mixture of some of their favorite images and quotations.

Ann’s preferred medium is oil and she always enjoys experimenting with color. As her work evolves she continues to explore different subject matter while maintaining the perspective that invites viewers into her mind’s eye.

Learn More About Ann Currey

David R. Cartlidge, an expert on the early Christian apocrypha and its impact on art, is the Beeson Professor Emeritus of Religion at Maryville College in Tennessee. He wrote, with Keith Elliott, Art and the Christian Apocrypha (Routledge, 2001).

He is also a talented photographer specializing in images of nature.

I live and have raised my family in Franklin, Tennessee. In 1988 I received a Master of Architecture degree from Georgia Tech. After getting my fill of historic preservation and designing custom homes, I felt it was time to make a change. I knew it had to be something creative!
One night, I had a unique conversation with my daughters teenage babysitter at a time in her life when she was trying her best to figure herself out. The conversation was all about what it was she truly believed in.
Inspired by that conversation and the innate desire to inspire my own three daughters, I trademarked the i.b.liev’n… logo and began creating credos on small canvases. The art, I feel, is in the creative wording as much as in the colorfully covered layered paper canvases. Collectively, my ‘Credos’ touch an array of human emotions…from funny to hopeful and from encouragement to self-confidence. Their purpose is to be fun and inspiring!
I hope they make you smile…
I believe in and love what I do!
–April Stewart

We’re a diverse group of people, artists, activists, healers, tinkerers. We talk, we laugh, we eat great food & drink great wine, sometimes we disagree (passionately) & sometimes we agree (equally passionately) & it’s all part of the same gift of being alive together. Our wish is that other people experience this amazing world we live in as a world of imagination & possibility & healing. We believe our stories do that. (& that’s not just StoryPeople stories, but all our stories…) We believe (fiercely) in the power of stories, not because they’re our stories, but because it is valuable & right to protect the precious connections between people.

That’s who we are. We forget at times (isn’t it amazing how life sneaks up & steals your memory of who you want to be?), but mainly, we remember. It’s a future we’re creating together, every day, with each other & with each one of you. (Hopefully, you’re in a warmer place than we are…)

More About Story People

Tres Taylor was a biochemist for over 20 years. After visiting RA Miller in 1998, a Georgia folk artist, Tres believes a “paintbrush fell from the sky”. He paints about spiritual seeking, about love, Divine Love, peace, and joy. His subjects are usually monks, couples, and houses, but always the subjects are symbols of love. Tres’ medium is usually house paints and acrylics on roofing paper with putty, which enables him to draw freely, carving strong black lines.

Taylor has exhibited in Japan, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Louisiana, Florida, and Pennsylvania. He resides in Birmingham, Alabama with his wife and two stepchildren.

321 Pottery is handmade, food safe and lead free. We make our own clay and glazes from scratch. Our pottery is high-fire stoneware that is fired to a minimum temperature of 2300 degrees, which is ideal for general household uses.

All 321 Pottery pieces are microwave and dishwasher safe. While it is tough and will last a lifetime, be smart about what you expect of it. Do not use harsh scrub pads to clean your pottery as they may scratch the surface. Pottery does not like sudden temperature changes; thermal shock can cause pottery to crack or break. Never use stoneware on a stovetop or open flame. Our pottery is oven safe, but always place pottery into a cold oven, then bring up to temperature.

Dock 6 Pottery is a ceramics studio & gallery, specializing in distinctive handmade pottery, located in the Longfellow neighborhood of Minneapolis.

Pottery is meant to be enjoyed—both on a visual and tactile level. It should catch your eye on a table and should feel satisfying when you pick it up. I want my pottery to be the piece you return to over and over again and enjoy more and more each time you use it.

Liz Kinder's delicate bowls and vases are always surprising customers with their sassy, amusing descriptive cards, which we include with purchase.

Her career as a ceramicist began quite accidentally while selling her bicycle to chef, Joseph Manzare, who after seeing her pieces displayed in her home, promptly orders serving pottery and a large vase for his restaurant in San Francisco.

Since then, Liz has been inundated with orders for her ultra savvy and very un-IKEA pottery. Her colors are unlike anyone we currently carry. She now lives with husband, Tim, children, her kiln and a Siamese cat in Philadelphia. Where she says she is, "Becoming one of those boring people who talks about IKEA kitchen options, drywall, plumbing, utilities, mortgages, and the benefits of radiant heat." Kinder has a BA in Fine Arts from Amherst College in Amherst, MA and a Masters from the Ceramics and Glass department at the Royal Albert Hall in London

It is my desire for my pottery to be an extension of myself. When one first looks at my work, I am less concerned about the “WOW” factor, but rather compelled to seek the quieter, more reflective “whoa” factor that comes with truly observing my work.

There is a simplicity about my forms, yet they might not always be simple. I like to play with the duality of things. I hope one notices the movement expressed through the gentle lines and curves and transcendent qualities that defies time.

I believe that my commitment to exceptional, refined forms and honed throwing techniques and my layered glazes separates my work from others. It is my hope that when handling my pieces one can even sense a quality about them that just feels different. Ergonomics, functionality, beauty, integrity, and playfulness are things factor in when I create. I work very intentionally, intuitively and contemplatively and feel that the kind of energy I put into my pottery matters.

Many of my pieces are rooted in rich a history which stylistically and philosophically connects with Mid-Century Modern artists. In my glazes, I have selected a peaceful and more neutral pallet. They are layered (sometime up to 7 layers of glaze) and have depth - within individual pieces and within the whole collection. While not demanding attention, the simple beauty found in my work won’t compete with other pieces within your pottery collection; rather they might prove to be foundational or complementary.

Whether you are having a lovely dinner party for 12, or snuggling up on the couch eating in front of the TV, it is my hope you find the casual elegance of my pottery line will enrich your soulful moments and connections.

Sam Hitchman Ceramics is a full time, handmade ceramics studio with almost 20 years of experience, focusing on creating utilitarian wares which blend elements of fine design with functional craft. Following Sam’s graduation from Miami University, Oxford, OH, he worked in a few different clay based positions around the Cincinnati area. With the guidance of Lawrence Kearns, a full-time potter of over 10 years, Sam was able to launch his own business and in January of 2013, Sam Hitchman Ceramics was founded. Since Sam Hitchman Ceramics inception, he has participated in over 100 juried fine art and craft shows throughout the east coast and is represented by fine craft galleries in the Midwest

Samhceramics.com

Unique and functional pottery pieces created by Susan from Front Porch Pottery here in Chattanooga.

Alex Marshall’s ceramics can be described as beautifully functional sculpture. Many have referred to her work as organic — an elegant mixture of art and chance. But she takes a highly skilled and deliberate approach to her art.

"I wanted to design a line which maintains the intent and authenticity of the individually handcrafted piece," says Alex. "Each piece retains its own integrity, seen in the slight asymmetry, while remaining a clean modern form." When stacked, her plates resemble layers of rock or the gentle lines of a palm frond. This paradox of strength and grace is exactly the juxtaposition with which she feels comfortable. Her signature glazes are layered in naturally composed earthy colors and texture.

Born in East Tennessee, surrounded by the beauty of nature and the incredible influence of grandmothers who were "makers of things", I developed an acute appreciation of art and nature. I have learned from and been influenced by several teachers, now and past, who have taken time to share and get excited along with me. Having worked in various mediums, making pots is a very special love. My pottery is wheel-thrown and handbuilt from stoneware and porcelain clays. I love fish and birds and perching them on top of my pots. I never fail to get a rush from modeling a carolina wren from Carolina clay. Working in clay is a passion that gives me satisfaction in an abundance of ways and continually teaches me.
I also make various other items: purses, totes and jewelry from recycled wool and leather clothing.
I live and work at my home studio in Chattanooga, TN where I balance an assortment of work and interests that make a full life.

We know choosing can be difficult, so we’ve put together groups of items we know work well together and support one another in a retail sales environment. Platters and bowls that can be interchanged always work well for those who enjoy entertaining. Bowl sets are especially welcome as wedding gifts. A few of the most popular colors are Red, Opal, and Sage green.

Lorraine Oerth says she always knew she was an artist. But it was being a studio potter that combined her love of sculpting, printmaking, painting, and designing. "I am fortunate to work with my family. Paula and Karl Oerth. We have an awesome team of skilled assistants who support the studio's atelier style workshop. We are so grateful that people like what we make. Were it not for our customers, we wouldn't be able to have all of this fun working with clay. Thank you so much." We are the Originators of the now-famous Giving Hearts & Giving Bowls — customers like that each is made one at a time. We offer hundreds of heartfelt words. Each comes with a story card. Also, a handprinted cotton bag sourced in the USA

lorraineoerth.com

My name is John Minkler and I've been making pottery for about thirteen years. All of my own work is made on the potter's wheel, but many shapes are altered or cut to create ovals, rectangles and squares. I enjoy the challenge of making objects that are not round yet still reflect the use of the wheel. Once the shapes are created great care is taken in adding handles, lids and spouts. I feel that these details are extremely important to the quality of the finished piece.

I find the objects that we use everyday are sometimes taken for granted, so it is a focus of mine to make pottery that is as visually interesting as it is practiced in use. In this spirit, I've created functional ware that brings life to an otherwise ordinary situation. So eat, drink and enjoy!

As owner and artistic director of the Terrafirma studio, Ellen’s creative focus is to design and produce high quality, functional works of art for the table and home using a unique, original process. Patterns are created by painting through textiles and lace using liquid porcelain to produce a distinctive “one of a kind” result. The base of warm, natural stoneware juxtaposed with vibrantly colored and patterned porcelain surfaces achieves the casual yet sophisticated look that has become her signature in both dinnerware and accessories.

Terrafirma products are made entirely by hand and kiln-fired to extremely high temperatures, giving each piece its own personality and great durability. Slight variations in color, texture and surface blushing are the natural and desired result of the hand building and high-firing process and assure each piece of its individuality.

​​Each collectible, copyrighted design is signed and dated. All Terrafirma pieces are food safe and dishwasher safe.

Care for your Terrafirma pieces as you would any fine china.

 I'm a potter who loves to make things and likes to share them. I'll even leave things on beaches, in parks, gardens, and rest stops for people to find. I like to think of my work as my story. Each piece of art that I make is a feeling, a thought, or a small moment in my life that is screaming to get out. I love that I make things that are uniquely my own. In a time where anything you desire can be delivered to your doorstep with a click of a button, I love that I'm able to create things that require time to make. Tobe a maker in a world run by machines is incredibly gratifying. My work is my story. My work is me. 

Thank you for your interest in Allan Ditton Pottery. Each piece is made of high-fired stoneware that is food-safe. Because each piece is designed and made by hand, no two will look identical. The matte textured terra cotta colored glaze found on the rims and tops of all our pieces are water-tight and food-safe. These pieces are safe for the dishwasher and oven, provided you place them in a cool oven and heat them up to cooking temperature along with the food. Mugs and bowls are microwavable safe. Bowls are available in either flower or grass patterns. All other pieces are available in either wavy or vertical patterns.

Artist/Potter Tony Holman, his wife Debbie, and their daughter Maggie, own and operate Holman Pottery. Tony and Debbie opened Holman Pottery in 1989. In July 1998 the Holman's purchased an 1890 Victorian home (now commercial property) to house their studio and gallery.

The shapes of Tony’s vessels are functional but can simply be decorative. He covers a wide range of colors and pattern through brushwork and sponged-on design. Close attention is paid to the finished touches of this pottery including the way the handles are attached and Tony’s unique way of completing the lids and rims. Because Holman Pottery is hand crafted, no two are exactly alike. Therefore the variations of color, texture and shape lend to the artistic nature of this pottery and should by no means be considered defective.

Mark Issenberg creates fine ash-glazed stoneware and is an award-winning potter. His functional and decorative pieces are widely exhibited throughout the South and East.

Mark is a long term member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, whose mission is to discover, preserve and promote knowledge and appreciation of traditional and contemporary crafts of the Appalachian region. He is a member of Potters Council dedicated to meet the needs of studio potters and ceramic artists by providing forums for knowledge exchange and professional enhancement.

I make wheel-thrown, wood-fired functional pottery. Each piece is made by hand—a lot of the work is altered or assembled off the wheel. My work is a collaboration between me, the clay, and the fire. I work with the clay’s inherent qualities to make objects that are complimented through the wood firing. Processes in nature such as wind, gravity, and erosion inspire my work. Each pot is organic and loose in form while bold and defined in structure. Wood firing is an intensive process, physically demanding but worth the work. Wood fired pots demand attention and respect. They have unique characteristics that make each pot one of a kind.

Skyros Designs is delighted to offer you a simply exquisite collection of tabletop and decorative accessories from Portugal. Portugal is a country where the ceramic industry continues to strive to manufacture some of the finest ceramics in the world. The skilled artisans take extreme pride in their work and go to great lengths to assure we are offering our customers the highest quality products available. The warm friendly and gracious Portuguese are delighted to share their beautiful country, culture and rich heritage, lifestyle and traditions, all reflected through Skyros Designs products.

VIETRI preserves the celebration of handmade, heritage-inspired collections that support the history and craft of Italian artisans.

We work with some of the top clay and glaze manufacturers in the world who create exceptionally durable clays and high quality glazes. And, we are able to maintain their earthly balance of color, design, strength, and art. We are truly the work of many hands – from the clay to the molder, to the sculptor, to the painter, to the glazer, to the packer, to the shipper, to the salesperson, to the retailer, to you. No mass market. No mass production by metal machinery. Just materials from the earth, worked on by many hands, with a dedication to quality and beauty.

We find the attention to detail of our Italian artisans unmatched, the passion and pride unprecedented and felt in every piece. Our experience with this extraordinary talent began with a handcrafted ceramic dinnerware collection in 1983, and through the years we have created additional products in order to style the entire table, home, and garden. Although we have expanded upon the products we offer, everything we create is always inspired by Italy.