The new facility provides a much needed exhibition space for APSU faculty and alumni in what has rapidly become the focal point of the Arts community in our town. “It’s a way to help our alumni who are out there trying to build their careers,” said Gregg Schlanger, APSU professor of Art. “It gives them a line on their resume and allows us to brag about our program.”

Critiquing the art

Downtown Clarksville is the home to several exceptional Art Galleries, the Customs House Museum, and of course the wonderful Roxy Regional Theatre. Downtown Businesses which prominently showcase the arts include Hodgepodge, ARTifacts, Rogate’s Boutique, Visions Metaphysical Boutique, The Front Page Deli, and Ingredients. Professor Schlanger noted that  their Downtown Art Gallery will become a major contributator “We’re going to add to what’s going on around here.”

A vivid piece of art

The gallery opened with “Whatever,” an exhibition of work by APSU art alumni. Artists featured in this exhibit include Chip Boles, Marc Pewitt, Miranda Herrick, Betsy Wynkoop, Kelly Kerrigan, Ally Reeves, Bill Eilliot, Scotty Peek, Young Kim, Donna Stack, Travis Childers and Melody Shipley. The exhibit runs through Nov. 28.  For those interested in visiting the gallery, it is located at 116 Strawberry Alley. They are open from noon to 4 p.m., on Tuesdays through Saturdays. However, they will be closed on Thanksgiving day.

Also featured at the First Thursday Art walk was Ashley Richardson, John Glass & Ginger Murvey-Beirus at ARTifacts;  Steven M. Walker at Hodgepodge; Heather Bowker, and  Gabriele Wardeiner at Ingredients;  Lyn Jellison at Rogate’s Boutique; Cliff Whitakers at the Downtown Artist Co-op with his new show “Visions of My World;  Charles Bennet at the Peg Harvill Gallery in the Roxy Regional Theatre;  and Amanda Harrison and Afton Chandler  at Visions Metaphysical Boutique.

Clarksville Mayor Johnny Piper enjoying some of Cliff Whittaker's artwork at the D.A.C. Gallery

Photos Gallery

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• ARTifacts, An Art & Antique Emporium
• Hodgepodge, where you gather your home
• Rogate’s Boutique
• Ingredients, for the gourmet in you

All of these businesses are locally owned and offer shoppers the most unique inventories and fare available.

Get a jump on your preparations for your holiday celebrations and join us for this day of festivities!

Visions Metaphysical Boutique will host Deborah Raleigh-Chandler, oils–impressionistic, still life; Afton Chandler, acrylics–modern, impressionistic; Amanda Harrison, acrylics–modern, impressionistic (some new pieces); Linda Cain, handcrafted sterling silver & gemstone jewelry (some new pieces).

Art created by last month's Art Walkers

Hodgepodge will host their first father/daughter show. Tommy Adams and his daughter, Laura, share a love art and creative expression, but have chosen different media for the work. Tommy Adams will show a variety of work in a mixture of mediums, such as oils, watercolor, pen & ink, and charcoal. He prefers landscapes, but has been known to produce an occasional still life or portrait. Laura’s chosen media is photography. Her work is very diverse—from flowers to structural elements of a building or bridges. She works in both color and black & white. She is rarely without her camera and is always ready to capture her view of the world. Both enjoy the study of older buildings and architecture.

Rogate Hadley, owner of Rogate’s Boutique, states she will host Clare Coyle Taylor. Clare, like many artists, works in a variety of media, bringing her own perspective to each work. She has several pieces to show and sell.

Visions Metaphysical Boutique will have an opportunity for public art expression during art walk. They will have two canvases (one for kids, one for adults) available for art walk patrons to compose a collective work of art. While there, you can also have a reading done by a new card reader who does “Spirit Sketches.” Stop in and check-out these unique concepts!

ARTifacts will feature Erin Slauson, a ceramic artist and student at Austin Peay State University. Her work is a unique blend of decorative Raku pieces and functional stoneware bowls. She combines patterns, textures, and geometric-like shapes with organic forms to acheive the design of each carefully constructed handbuilt piece. Her thrown stoneware bowls are completely food-safe and finctional, while all of her Raku work is not. “I intend for them to be sculpture, pieces of art to be viewed and admired. This process renders the bowls unusable for food or liquid, solidifying my intent for them to be sculptures first and a bowl second.”

Downtown Artists Co-op and Dr.William H. Wall, III,D.D.S. present “This Sky, This Gesture”, an exhibit of new photographs by DAC member artist Susan Bryant.

The new work consists of images of skies and hand gestures, exploring the expressive qualities of each, and utilizing several photographic process including tintypes, images from a plastic Holga camera and digital prints.

The opening reception is Thursday, August 6th from 5-8pm at DAC, 96 Franklin St. as part of First Thursday Art Walk. The show will remain up through August 22. DAC is open Wednesdays-Saturdays noon-6pm. and, for this exhibit, by appointment by contacting Susan Bryant at or 647-6171.

The Roxy will continue to host a show by Beverly Parker in their Peg Harvill Gallery. Patrons are also invited to catch the 7 PM performance of RENT. Tom and John have assembled an unparalleled cast of actors who bring this amazing work to life—Vie la Vive Boehm!

Collector’s Pride Antique Mall and Ingredients, both located on Strawberry Alley will be open in support of the Art Walk, as will JuJu’s on Franklin Street.

Images from the July Art Walk, and DAC events

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Visions Metaphysical Boutique will host Deborah Raleigh-Chandler, oils–impressionistic, still life; Afton Chandler, acrylics–modern, impressionistic; Amanda Harrison, acrylics–modern, impressionistic (some new pieces); Linda Cain, handcrafted sterling silver & gemstone jewelry (some new pieces).

The Roxy Regional Theatre–Clarksville’s Center for Arts and Education, will host the work of Beverly Parker Riggins in the Peg Harvill Gallery. The subject matter includes architecture from historic downtown Clarksville. They are large digital prints from manipulated polaroid transfer images. For the performing arts, enjoy Disney’s Mulan, Jr. playing at 6pm and tickets for the hit musical RENT will be on sale in the lobby.

John Glass, a wood craftsman, is this month’s featured artist at ARTifacts. John has an gift for working with wood and has used his gift to focus on building boxes from paneling he salvaged from his construction job 10 years ago working on the United Methodist Church on Madison Street. John was able to salvage most of the paneling from the church during the reconstruction of the building after the tornado. Now he has many beautiful boxes made from these materials. He has also created planters, boxes with secret compartments and display boxes for flags and other items.

Hodgepodge is featuring Adam Yarbrough. An APSU student and ROTC cadet, Adam explores art in a variety of media. His show at Hodgepodge will feature several figure drawings in pen, ink and charcoal, as well as many other works. Stop by Hodgepodge to meet the artist and enjoy some refreshments.

The Downtown Artist Co-op will host DAC Member artists, Peggy Bonnington’s solo exhibition titled : “Part and Parcel” July 2-Aug. 1 with the Opening Reception, Thursday, July 2, 5-8 pm as part of First Thursday Art Walk. Peggy states, I cannot remember a time I was not drawing or being encouraged to draw and paint. I always loved beautiful images, rich color, lush and interesting texture; and I tried even in early childhood to capture likenesses or create interesting patterns that felt exciting to me.”

Strawberry Alley will have two new businesses to visit: Ingredients and Collector’s Pride Antique Mall. They both plan to participate in future Art Walks, so stop by and give them your encouragement!

Paige King’s Hodgepodge featured the ethereal art by Susan Tomi Cheek. Her pictures, many of them made by using a double exposure, held a haunting sense of the otherworld. One particular picture evoked the image of the tunnel and light that many people claim they see during near death experiences with the soul caught half way between life and death.  Susan has a different perspective on the world, and that allows her to capture images that other artists would find hard to duplicate.

Susan is the official photographer for  the Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts (CECA) events. It was also my distinct pleasure to meet one of her daughters, Cherish.

Susan Tomi Cheek and some of her ethereal art

At ARTifacts which is upstairs from Hodgepodge one exhibitor had just sold out as I arrived, but Gabriele Wardeiner was on hand to show me her exhibit of dragons. I love Asian culture and her dragons were reminiscent of their representation of the dragon. Her signature piece was Reisa’s dragon (Center of image below) which was based off of a friends tattoo. She also has some “one of a kind” postcards. Each one with its own unique touches. Including washers, an old onion bag, the tags from tea bags, pieces of a Roxy program, a rubber tree’s leaf. “I never throw anything away” Gabriele said.

Gabriele Wardeiner and her dragon art at ARTifacts

Kitty Madden and Visions Metaphysical Boutique's owner Linda Cain

At Visions Metaphysical Boutique owner Linda Cain greeted me as I walked through the door. Her business has such a warm energy that people immediately find themselves at ease. Debbie Bugg was there to do readings for the evenings Art Walkers.

The Roxy had already closed up for the evening by time I arrived but several of the people at the walk had told me that they had really enjoyed Disney’s Cinderella Jr performance that evening. The show which is presented by the Roxy School of the Arts Students, plays through June 13th so it is not too late to catch it!

The timeless fairy tale meets the magic of Disney in this adaptation of the treasured animated film. Poor Cinderella is endlessly mistreated by her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, and denied a chance to go to the Royal Ball. With a little help from her mice friends, and a lot of help from her Fairy Godmother, Cinderella goes to the ball, meets the Prince, and falls in love! With a beautiful score including “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” and the classic “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo,” this musical will charm its way into your heart, and remind you that dreams really can come true.

DAC Members Gail Meyer and Cliff Whittaker talk about one of her pieces

At the Downtown Artists’ Co-op I arrived in time to have some personal time with their featured Artist Gail Meyer. “I like to experiment” she said. Her show Serendipity hangs at the DAC until June 27th. Talking about the exhibit she explained it to me, “I sometimes sit in front of a canvas and don’t know what will come out. Serendipity, it’s a happy mistake, I just made lots of happy mistakes.” Painting on the canvas with acrylic paints she finds that the speed acrylics requires vs the slowness of oil paints, enables her to let her creativity flow freely. “It brought out my inner artist. Instead of doing little tiny details and making sure everything is right. I just sort of spiritually started painting from the inside out. Instead of from the outside in.” She has 27 pieces in the show. With soft pastel colors her city scape scenes have a light airy feel to them. My favorites pieces from her show was the Tuscan Vineyard, and her Potters Shed.  She also had a very good Painting of the old Ringgold mill.

Over at the Front Page Deli, they were holding their trivia night to a packed house. But lets save that’s for a future story!

The Front Page Deli's trivia night

The First Thursday Art Walks are always new and unique, and are a great way to experience new art and artists. If you haven’t been before plan on attending the next walk on July 2nd. This is a great opportunity to directly support the local art community by purchasing some of the pieces you see.

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You should also visit the Roxy’s Peg Harvill Gallery and view the paintings of Betty Liles.  Enjoy wine tasting via the generosity of Horace Heggie from Pal’s Package Store, and stay for the 6pm performance of CINDERELLA Jr. The show runs approximately an hour, so you will still have time to visit the other galleries and businesses participating in the Art Walk.

The Downtown Artist Co-op is holding a reception tonight from 5p.m. till 7p.m. for the “Serendipity” Works by Gail Meyer show which is running from June 4th. – June 27th.

“Natural Selections“, a show of recent artwork by Brad Reagan and Rachel Hall Kirk, opens this Thursday at the Downtown Artists Co-op on Franklin Street.

Brad Reagan:
“My paintings and sculpture explore a layering of multiple visual languages ranging from rusted metal to googley-eyes, and motifs ranging from floral wall-paper to masks. Through these eclectic mixtures, I want to use these cultural influences to build and invent an aesthetic that speaks to my experience growing up in the south while addressing themes such as the domestic space as well as psychological and biological desire.”

Rachel Hall Kirk:
“These abstract drawings are based on insect patterns, from the objects they create such as hives, nests, and webs, to the patterns of marks found on and inside their bodies. I want the viewer to get close enough to the pieces to see the intricate detail of marks, the precision of the lines, and the vivid colors of the ink and acrylic paint. Much like a look at a wasp’s nest or spider’s web, close inspection of these drawings reveals objects that could only be created through a tedious, labored process.”

Jennifer Snyder will be the featured artist at Hodgepodge, 125 Franklin Street.  Jennifer states, “My subject matter originates from nature.  I have always been interested in insects and birds.  Butterflies, in particular, are a passion of mine.   Butterflies have been a recurring theme in my artwork for at least fifteen years.  There is something about the fragility of something that is so beautiful that really appeals to me.  So, for this collection I focused on the idea of things that flutter or fly.”

Rogate’s Boutique will feature Bing Verbist.  Big has been a Clarksville resident since 1968. He studied art a APSU for five years. Bing has been owner and primary operator of Sign Art since 1981. He just recently completed 8 paintings described as “color stamping”, four of which will be displayed at Rogate’s this month.

ARTifacts has two art vendors to feature in the month of May.  First is Anne Kelle Designs: Ann Kelle Designs was debuted in 2006 when self-taught graphic artist, Kelle Boyd, took a little step of faith in a new field and launched a line of note cards at the National Stationery Show. Her fresh and bright designs immediately caught the attention of the industry.  A week following the debut, her designs were being presented to Target, but these days Kelle is especially excited about her new line, which can be found exclusively at ARTifacts.

Also featured at ARTifacts, Happy Trails: Of herself, Lesa McDonald, who says “I’m not an artist I just enjoy sewing and crafting.  My mom and grandmother taught me to sew when I was 7.  They made most of my clothes when I was very young then when I was in middle school/high school, I made my stuff.  I also hand embroidery but don’t have time anymore so now am on to machine embroidery.  I love the Old West style clothing, way of life and Roy Rogers.  I don’t like good-byes so I always wish everyone, Happy Trails.  ”

Visions Metaphysical  Boutique  will host Deborah Raleigh-Chandler who works in oils; Afton Chandler, who prefers acrylics; Amanda Harrison, who also works with acrylics; and, Samantha Stephens, whose media is acrylics.  Linda also has a nice selection of hand-crafted jewelry.

This is no ordinary crafting class-this is a festival that will fuel your appetite for creative expression.  Hodgepodge and ARTifacts are bringing you some of the area’s most inspiring instructors, and they are going to share their talent with you.  The day will be filled with glitter, ephemera, wire cutters, and glue.  These classes will teach you things you can take home and then use for your own hobbies, gift making, and even money making ventures.  You will learn the art of jewelry making, collage, and so much more.

The “Extravaganza!” will be held at 124 Strawberry Alley.  There will be 16 classes, offered in four, 2-hour sessions, to choose from throughout the day.  Pre-registration is required, so visit our website for more information and registration.  www.hodgepodge-home.com

Tell your husband he is on kid patrol or line-up a sitter-this is an event you will not want to miss!  Grab your girlfriends and join us in Historic Downtown Clarksville for the first ever, “How Do They Do That?  Extravaganza!

The US Bank and the APSU Department of Art will be hosting the 2009 Open Exhibition for all artists from Montgomery County and surrounding areas.  The reception will be at the DAC Gallery from 5-8 p.m. on April 2nd in conjunction with the First Thursday Artwalk.

The Open Exhibition is an opportunity for all artists over 18 years of age to exhibit and sell their work and help raise money for college art scholarships.  To date thirteen art majors at APSU have received the US Bank Scholarship.  We would like to thank you for your support and encourage your participation in the 2009 Exhibition.
ARTifacts’ featured fine artist is Gail Meyer.  Gail is exploring different styles at the moment and happiest with a paint brush in hand and an expanse of white canvas in front of her. Although, landscapes, still life and figurative art are her main interest, and truly enjoys painting abstracts for a change of pace. Strive for creativity, style and innovation through the use of color, texture and layering.

The featured antique booth is First In, Last Out antiques.

ARTifacts’ featured artisan is Bob Williams is a furniture maker known for his shaker style wood furniture and custom work. His daughter, Jillian Romano, is a local photographer and multimedia artist, will be featuring her scenes from Venice in Bob’s booth, t oo.”

Rhonda Taylor is scheduled to exhibit her photographic art at Rogate’s Boutique.  Ms Taylor’s work is a combination of landscape scenes and nostalgic images in both color and black and white.  A unique feature of Taylor’s work is the large size of some of the photographs she produces and the beautiful tones and color saturation she coaxes from the medium.  Her work will be on exhibit through the entire month of April.

The Roxy Regional Theatre’s Art Walk / Wine Tasting will feature the work of Terri Jordan in the theatre’s Peg Harvill Gallery.  Pieces from Brad Reagan’s 3-Dimensional Design art class at Austin Peay State University will be on display onstage as part of the CATS set.  And, on the sidewalks surrounding the theatre, teams will be recreating various fine art classics in chalk.

And, as always, wine will be available in the lobby, where you may purchase tickets to the upcoming musical phenomenon CATS, opening April 10.

HodgePodge will host Chad Spann and Andy Casali of Tattoo Techniques.  These talented artists take their work beyond the flesh and tattoo ink.  Stop by Hodgepodge to check-out the work of these talented men.

Visions Metaphysical  Boutique  will host Deborah Raleigh-Chandler who works in oils; Afton Chandler, who prefers acrylics; Amanda Harrison, who also works with acrylics; and, Samantha Stephens, whose media is acrylics.  Linda also has a nice selection of hand-crafted jewelry.

ARTISTS wanted!  If you’re and artists and want to share your talents with Clarksville, we encourage you to visit the Downtown Clarksville Association web site, www.historicdowntownclarksville.org, and register.

Hodgepodge will host its first mother/daughter team of artists:  Sophia Eisenbart, a 16 year-old high school student, has been drawing and painting for five years. Her art is influenced by Dan Hiller. Elizabeth Valdez is a self taught contemporary painter who loves to try different mediums,including photography. She is originally from the Caribbean, but has lived here over 20 years.  Her art reflects some of her experience and travels around the county.During the ArtWalk, Betty’s Antiques will be open and will offer 15% off on all purchases over $100.oo dollars.

Visions Metaphysical Boutique will host Deborah Raleigh-Chandler, who works in oils (landscapes, impressionistic), and artists Afton Chandler and Amanda Harrison, with work in acrylics (modern, Les Fauves).

The Roxy Regional Theatre will host local artist Charles Bennett and his new show in the Peg Harvill Gallery. Wine and cheese will be available as well as tickets for the hit musical comedy ALTAR BOYZ.

ARTifacts, an arts & antiques emporium, will host Becca Droge, of Droge Designs – Jewelry, as well as the textile design team of Maria McClure, Linda Bridges and Amy Richardt.

Becca works with a variety of materials, including semi-precious stones, pearls, swarovski crystals, glass and clay beads, both base and precious metals, wire, and whatever else strikes my fancy. She strives to create jewelry that is artistic while still being extremely wearable.

Maria, Linda and Amy have teamed-up to bring you beautifully artistic fabric designs, such as handbags and quilts.  Their creations are functional works of art!

Rogate’s Boutique will be open and featuring the works of Judy Lewis.

ARTifacts is a new business addition on the recently renamed and renovated Strawberry Alley; the entrance is at 124 Strawberry Alley near the new fountain—above Hodgepodge.  ARTifacts features artists’ work and antique dealers from the local area. As owner of Hodgepodge, Paige had become aware of the lack of venues for artists to display and sell their work.  Most work full-time and cannot operate a studio/gallery.  The same is true of those with the urge to share their creative antiquing finds and decorating ideas with others.  Paige and her sister, Kendall Welsh, Manager, view ARTifacts as the perfect marriage of creative people and a retail venue for their wares.  In this classic, urban environment, the vendors can highlight their art and antiques, as well as design and decorating ideas.

Paige’s commitment to Historic Downtown Clarksville and her desire to see the area storefronts filled with retail and dining venues prompted the plans for this business.  The opening of ARTifacts will add another level of excitement to the Historic Downtown shopping experience, complimenting the expanding businesses in the area.

ARTifacts will be hosting their first Holiday Open House Saturday, December 20th from 10am to 6pm.

The first  reason, and by far the stronger reason, not to go downtown is the abyssimal lack of handicapped parking, Designated handicapped parking.

Let me preface with the statement that I am a huge fan of old-fashioned Main Street shopping. User friendly Main Street shopping. Shops such as Hodgepodge, streets such as Franklin Street,  are a “breath of life” for someone like me, used to and loving huge unique Main Streets with a marvelous diversity of shops,  manageable, accessible parking and park benches galore. I love small locally owned businesses. I avoid malls as if they dispensed bubonic plague.

When Strawberry Alley opened recently, I was dismayed to see a single handicapped parking space. Once I walked (hobbled, actually) from where we had to park, I spent the entire ceremony glued to a chair. The only handicapped parking slot I could see was cordoned off for this street festival occasion (thank you, Clarksville, on behalf of all its handicapped residents). If there were more designated spaces further up toward North Second Street,  I could not see them and was unable to walk that far to check. There are none on Franklin Street, which is where most of my favored  shops, DAC and the Roxy are. There are a few handicapped slots on the river side of City Hall.  Any event held on Franklin Street or Strawberry Alley that blocks off the street automatically blocks off access to many of the disabled.

Having lived for years in a community where parking was at a premium, where “pay and display” was used in oversized parking lots behind the shops and “destinations,” I am all too familiar with the half-a-block or block-long walks to the machine that dispenses a little paper ticket, walking back to put it on your dashboard, and then walking back to the store you wanted to visit. It is aggravating, especially if all you want to do is drop a dime in the meter and dash (well, I don’t dash, but you get the idea) into a store and out again in a hurry.  “Pay and display” is a deal breaker. A mobile  human can do the walking. The minority of disabled or often partially impaired folks not only can’t do the walking, they have few if any dedicated parking slots to work with. Before I applied for and received my new placard, I hadn’t shopped downtown in months, couldn’t walk there from the existing bus station.

While anyone with a disability placard or license plate can park anywhere without worrying about parking tickets, finding a spot to park, much less a handicapped spot, near the shops in downtown Clarksville, is an exercise in futility. Not having a specific handicapped slot on Franklin Street is ludicrous. For someone with a disability, the absence of designated handicapped parking combined with congested downtown parking is a good reason to take their shopping and business dollars elsewhere. For me, that would not  be the mall, but maybe shops in Cadiz, Kentucky, or Paris, Tennessee (a nice road trip and they have a real, old fashioned shoe store that measures and fits your shoes to you).

As a person battling against periodic severe and often mobility-impairing back pain, neuropathy and respiratory issues, I spent much of the past 10 years resisting the urge to seek that disability placard, stubbornly determined to “deal with it.”  I gave in this summer, sort of: I am now the possessor of a bright red temporary card, good for six months. The “six months” is the result of my perpetual guarded optimism. I don’t always use it; it’s use depends on the quality of my day; on some days I can’t walk 50 feet, can’t walk through a grocery store, can’t even stand up to do my dishes in a single shot. People  who see me don’t think I “look” sick, and I work at not showing it; sometimes though, the limp and the hobbling walk are self evident, as is the periodic wincing or involuntary moan from pain.

I hope to feel better, be stronger sooner rather than later. I want to shop on Franklin Street for the holidays.  But in the absence of a designated place to park on Franklin Street, and rarely an empty parking slot to slip into, my options are limited.  My last Roxy excursion involved a plan to be dropped off and and retrieved by a kind friend who made two circuitous trips from his house to mine to downtown to do that so that I could see a show.

By the time my new placard expires in winter, I hope to be much better. I don’t want to have to renew it.  But for now, I, nor anyone with such physical limitations, couldn’t do that little bit of additional walking required to get to downtown from existing handicapped spots.

As part of the push to make downtown both desirable and accessible, the city has to add more than sloping, handicapped curb cuts; designated handicapped parking spaces are critical to that downtown access.

In "King of Spades" (17 X 23, 2008), Lewis’s most recent work embodies her aesthetics and ideals as an artist that anyone can have their portrait done, and shows her flare for detail while capturing the innermost essence of her subject, a trait she shares with regional portrait artist, Billy Price Carroll. Featured here is Ryle.

Though Monet said, “My life is useless,” artist Judy Lewis disagrees with this statement, though she can see how Monet may have felt this way. “It is a tough life to live struggling to make a living as an artist because you feel such desire and passion. If you look at art history, many artists lacked the customer base to feel appreciated during their lives,” according to Lewis, a native Clarksvillian.

Lewis, a devoted mother, has one daughter, Keegan, from a previous marriage and has lived in Clarksville for the majority of her life. In addition, Lewis has done work in Texas, and recently returned from Gettysburg, PA.  Lewis has been steadily producing art work sometime after, Art Cantu, a Christian minister from south Texas, witnessed to her, and sparked a hope in her that she could achieve her dreams. At this point in her career,  Lewis has done over 300 exhibit-worthy pieces, and continues to produce more art every day, not counting numerous drawings.

Of late, Lewis has delved into painting oils and acrylics with a style and color technique as unique and original as her drawings. The painting, Phoenix Rising on Angel’s Wings, captures the colors of a young girl and her gallant horse, Angel, as they properly go riding across a verdant field. Her vivid brush strokes in Christmas Carriages on Franklin Street capture the light and color of night lights downtown during a Christmas extravaganza.

Starting out, Lewis did drawings, and Christian poster art, and was always drawing more. Ms. Lewis got five commissions for her work from having her art work in a downtown window in Schumer’s. The client later told her, “You’re the best kept secret in this town.” As we sit in a local restaurant, Lewis unveils her life as a regional artist in the following interview.

At what point did you first realize you were an artist?

“I always thought I was since I was a kid—first grade—all I wanted to do when I was a kid was color. My friend would get mad at me and say, ‘all you ever do is color.’”

“But it goes earlier than that. In my grandmother’s Bible there were real, detailed paintings in between each book of the Bible, and woodcuts in the appendixes. I was around four or five at the time. I remember while I was redrawing them, the thought came to me–maybe I want to be an artist? At that moment something inside me said that I wanted to be an artist. Growing up, I got in trouble in school a lot for drawing in class.”

Could you tell us some more about your work?

“I mostly do portraiture. I do love to do portraits of people. Norman Rockwell was a storyteller, but feel that I can capture a feeling like the innocence of childhood. Say I had twenty studies of a child’s portrait but there was only one that captured my heart. That’s when I know it’s going to be a good portrait, and my goal is to pay tribute to that person the best I possibly can.”

"Portrait of Abraham Lincoln" ( 17 X 23, 2006) by Judy Lewis was done in Gettysburg, PA., site of Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address, during his dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery.

One of my favorite pieces that you’ve done is the portrait of Abraham Lincoln. Is that the case with this historical piece too?

“Yes, I wanted to portray Abraham Lincoln as best I can. I loved going to the Smithsonian and seeing the presidential portraits, but Lincoln was the first one I wanted to draw. Also, because I was in Gettysburg, it was right to do him and I’m glad I did.”

What about doing portraits of historical figures and celebrities?

“I’d like to do Joan of Arc’s portrait! I’d also like to do Wilma Rudolph, Frank Sutton, Sgt. Carter from Gomer Pyle, [because] he’s from Clarksville—anyone from Clarksville who was well known, or celebrities.”

Why Joan of Arc?

“Because she’s an interesting character in history. You don’t see a lot of portraits of great women, since it’s been a men’s world.”

Which five artists would you like to be stranded with on a deserted island? You know—the art world’s version of Lost?

“Van Gogh, Renoir, Norman Rockwell, da Vinci, and Michelangelo. I’ve read a lot of van Gogh—his life was depressing but interesting. Other artists I like are Sargent. Rockwell is number one for me. The art world didn’t consider him [because] he was more of an illustrator but an illustrator is still an artist. And I like Norman Rockwell’s portraiture. He did Eisenhower’s portrait and Nixon’s portrait—they were in the Smithsonian. Norman Rockwell is a major influence.”

Have you found it difficult having a realistic drawing style in a contemporary art world?

“No, I just do what I do and I’m not concerned with what the art world says about a particular style. You don’t see hordes of people going to see movies they don’t understand—they go to movies that touch their hearts—I think art is so loved. That’s why Norman Rockwell is so beloved—he did work people could understand. To me, art is art if it shows emotion—I think that’s good art—great art. I like Jackson Pollock—his work was well balanced and beautiful. Georges Seurat’s pointillism—I love it. In fact, when I was a kid when I saw A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte— I said, ‘I love it!’ There’s something about umbrellas—the parasols and it was brilliant outdoor lighting.”

How do any of these people influence your work and why?

“Renoir—Luncheon of the Boating Party—influenced me because I like his romantic themes, his impressionism, his boating party, and people with feeling. I think I want to achieve something like Renoir, except in a Norman Rockwell fashion. [Laughs] I also have been influenced by Chuck Close’s big portraits—he’s a contemporary influence, and Daniel Green.”

Is creativity innate? What are your beliefs on this?

“I think we’re all born with it, because we’re made in God’s image and he’s the creator. I think we all like to draw when we’re kids—I don’t know any kid that doesn’t like to draw, but when they grow up—adult—they think it’s stupid. I think we can create far beyond what we think we can actually create. We don’t realize the depth of our own creativity—we’re limited by how much we think we can create. A lot of times I felt like Don Quixote chasing rainbows and windmills and [thinking] it’s not going to happen, or is this really real? Chasing something after the wind— it was right after that Art ministered to me in Texas and I became a Christian that my art took off. He asked me, ‘What do you want to do in your life?’ ‘To be an artist,’ I said. Something sparked. He gave me a glimmer—just a glimmer of hope that with God all things are possible and it was all I needed to start drawing again. If you live your whole life without being an artist when you’re supposed to be, you’re going to regret it. Ten years ago I thought I’ll be better than I am today and it gave me hope.”

Where do you see yourself then in ten years from now?

“I’ll be better ten years down the road than I am now. I like to challenge myself.”

Training

“I’m self-taught. We’re all self-taught in a way. Even with someone training you—you have to compose the piece and do the work yourself. I read a lot of books and practiced hard. I drew a lot. I have 300 final pieces. But that doesn’t account for every practice drawing by any stretch. If you count them, oh, who knows? It’s very difficult to draw for pleasure and try to sell [it] versus doing commissions since I’m used to doing commissions. Although, I think they’re marketable, I do some pieces for me.”

What are the best and worst parts of being a full time working artist?

“The best part is being your own boss, and doing what you’re free to do, and you’re happy. The worst part is if I’m able to survive or not. I hate the term starving artist. I feel like it’s the only profession where people expect them to be starving—you don’t hear of a homebuilder being a starving homebuilder, or a doctor, [etc.]. Donating work is great—if you have pieces lying around—I’ve given to auctions in the past. I also feel it’s the only profession where people expect you to do work for free—people don’t realize that talent is work that you need to be paid for.”

“Early on, when I saw it as a hobby, I kept practicing, and practicing thinking one day I’d be good enough and in those times I would often give work away. In the past. I’ve had to do work on weekends as a single mom, and when I was working other forty-hour-a-week-jobs. The myth of the starving artist is so strong, and it needs to be broken. Getting people to pay what you need is difficult because of the starving artist myth. It’s not cool to be a starving artist these days–you have to be able to make a decent living, even though you love fulfilling your passion but now I have to look at it as a business.”

"Working Hands" ( 16 X 19.375, 1995) displays Lewis’s knowledge of art history in doing work after Albrect Dürer and Dürer’s influence on her life and work.

Tell me why Working Hands is one of the most beloved pieces you’ve done?

Ms. Lewis shows me a picture after Albrect Dürer of his Praying Hands, that she has entitled, Working hands and tells me how Dürer’s story inspired her to draw this piece and to write his story over the art. “Albrect Dürer had an older friend –another struggling artist who roomed with him.”

“Albrect Dürer did these praying hands in a woodcut as a tribute to his roommate’s hands. Albrect Dürer’s older roommate spent his life scrubbing floors in a restaurant to support Dürer and got a job until Dürer made enough money to support them both with his woodcuts that finally sold years later. Dürer told his roommate he could go do his art now, but both his hands were so shot—his roommate couldn’t hold a paint brush anymore due to the pain. One night Dürer saw his roommate praying when he came home, and Dürer said he’d paint those hands to show that toil and work for others—the sacrifice his roommate made for him. God honored Albrect Dürer and the man who toiled for him.”

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?

“Be committed to the piece. Give yourself time and patience, and try not to get discouraged. Just keep doing it, because you’re going to be further reaching your goal just pressing on. It takes a lifetime and you can’t do it with just a few pieces. When you get forty or fifty pieces in a room—that’s when you can tell an artist’s quality and workman style. And seeing your work in a collection—seeing my work in a collection gave me, for the first time, an appreciation of my work. Usually, you’re just so focused on one piece. It’s the feeling and emotion that’s there in the room. Get to that point, and feel [it].”

What are your hobbies or life outside of art?

“There’s nothing much outside of art, spirituality, and God. But, I like to read about quantum physics—atoms popping in and out—where do they go when they pop out, and pop back in? If you break matter down, you’ve got nothing—where does matter start? It all comes down to spirituality. I think there’s a spiritual lesson in everything. God is literally in the details.”

Of her early works, Lewis said that Jaime and Baby Lucy was one of her first portraits. Dormitory Window was one of Lewis’s first pieces drawn at APSU of two college students looking out a Sevier Hall window. In 1984-85 she had the prints shrink-wrapped and placed in the APSU bookstore. Local street scenes that Lewis has vividly rendered include Owen’s Barber Shop, The Roxy, Ely Feed Co. and Uneeda Biscuits.

"Portrait of Alexis" (17 X 17, 1996) shows a young girl and her pet dog sitting on the steps as she enjoys reading her book.

A volunteer, Lewis is a member of the Downtown Artist’s Co-op, which helps promote the arts in the community. Of her current exhibit at Hodgepodge, Lewis said, “Paige King has been very, very helpful in helping me show my work since I’ve returned to Clarksville.” Lewis has portraits in homes that range from factory workers’ homes to mansions of high stature, and covers a vast client range and all income levels. Subject matter in Lewis’s works ranges from pets, animals, children, people, and famous figures to street scenes, and landscapes.

When asked about her portrait and art work commissions, Lewis said, “I want people to understand I can do a portrait of anyone—as individual in character as the subjects themselves. By that I mean not just a stately business man or woman, but portraits of teenagers, or young adults. Portraits always last forever, and the older they get, the better. Photographs fade and the clothes seem dated by time. Unlike photographs, portraits have a timeless presence and they get handed down from one generation after another. People have hunted me down to do portraits. I can try to meet anybody’s price range.”

If inquiring about a commission, call Judy Lewis for an appointment at (717)-357-7526 to visit her at her studio on Excel Rd., off Madison St. Lewis is open to inquiries for a wide variety of other subjects in various media.

After speaking with Ms. Lewis, I felt like I was just beginning to scratch the surface of a deep pool. Judy Lewis’s current work can be seen in Rogate’s Boutique and in her two person show with Reisa Peters at Hodgepodge through the 3^rd of September. Lewis will also have a booth at the Frolic on Franklin Street event in downtown Clarksville on September 20th.

Current Exhibits:

Rogate’s Boutique

Phone : (931) 645-3526

115 Franklin St
Clarksville, TN 37040

Hodgepodge

Phone : (931) 647-0444

Upstairs Gallery; Thru Sept. 3^rd

125 Franklin St
Clarksville, TN 37040

]]> http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/08/28/through-the-looking-glass%e2%80%94an-introduction-into-the-world-of-artist-judy-lewis/feed/ 0 http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/08/06/artwalk-and-wine-offers-a-refreshing-break-as-the-summer-heat-settles-in/ http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2008/08/06/artwalk-and-wine-offers-a-refreshing-break-as-the-summer-heat-settles-in/#comments Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:00:36 +0000 News Staff http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/?p=7136

First Thursday Art Walk and Wine, hosted by the local businesses in the downtown area,will be held Thursday, August 5 from 5-8 p.m. Businesses stay open late, many host artists and have refreshments.

The Downtown Artists Co-op will host an art talk featuring Betty Liles and Nada Fuqua regarding their Retreat from the Heat show, now hanging at the Downtown Artists Cooperative. They will discuss techniques and inspiration for their paintings and style. Refreshments will be provided. Art talk is from 6 – 8 PM.

Jim Hancock’s photography exhibit is hanging at The Front Page Deli.

Judy Lewis will have her work hanging in Rogate’s Boutique. Judy is an extremely talented artist who recently returned to Clarksville. While she busily restores an older home, she makes time for her commission works of portraits and other studies.
Hodgepodge will continue to host Reisa Peters, with a smattering of Judy Lewis in the Garden Gallery. You’ll also find the amazing jewelry creations of Madge Patton. Madge is no stranger to Clarksville, having participated in several Rivers & Spires events. She started her artistic career in oils, moved to stained glass, and made a turn toward jewelry. She creates what is known at wrapped jewelry. She states, “My next passion turned to lapidary, taking the rough (gem stone rocks) slicing them, and cutting out a design, grinding and polishing into beautiful cabochons that I could wrap, or silversmith.”

Hodgepodge will host Madge for only one evening, so you need to need to get down here on Thursday.

The Roxy is currently hosting a show by Gail Meyers. Gail has several works related to downtown Clarksville, which are always big sellers. There will also be a performance of All Shook Up—call ahead for tickets because this show has been a regular sell-out.

We’re encouraging artists to contact Paige King (paige@hodgepodge-home.com) or Cliff Whitaker () to discuss displaying their work during our Art Walk events.

According to a new U.S. Census report, the Clarksville TN-KY Metropolitan Statistical Area is now the 10th-fastest growing MSA in the nation. Even though the national news may be depressing, our local economy is in good shape. Jimmy Settle, business editor for The Leaf Chronicle, says of the recent slow down in the residential market, “It’s a temporary condition, and should be perceived as more of a correction in the market, than a troubling decline. The truth is, the economy in northern Middle Tennessee is currently one of the nation’s best.”

The other truth is the residents in Clarksville are doing more than their share when it comes to helping the economic growth for surrounding cities and counties. The numbers are quite staggering! (More on those numbers later . . .)

The entire nation is feeling the pain at the gas pump. Gas prices are at an all time high and climbing higher. We’re all thinking about how to save gas, which will then make more money available for the necessary expenses and the extras; extras like dining out, shopping for clothes and home goods, entertainment, and more. Where will we be dropping those shopping and dining dollars?

Statistically, a great many of you will head to Nashville. You “think Nashville” for those extras. You head to the malls, the specialty shops, theatres, restaurants and even grocery stores! The fact is that every time you spend $100 in Nashville, you give that city $2.25 to use for their infrastructure, schools system, and other municipal expenses. (That’s the portion of their sales tax directly designated for Nashville.) $2.25 doesn’t sound like much, but we all know how little numbers quickly add up to big ones. Do you think Clarksville could use that $2.25? Do you think we could use better roads, sidewalks, schools, sewer lines?

Tennessee’s economic stability is reliant on sales tax. Without a state income tax, Tennessee depends on sales and property taxes for revenue needed to run the government engines. Other states, such a Florida, don’t have a state income tax either, but they’ve got a huge tourism industry. That’s why your local government is so concerned about “putting Clarksville on the map.” Tourist dollars are wonderful—they spend money, they return to their homes and their sales tax stays here.

Now back to the numbers. Are you aware we’re losing $40,297,000 in furniture, home furnishings, electronic and appliance sales? We’re losing $15,052,000 in restaurant sales. And, this one blows my mind, $72,285,000 in grocery sales! How do you get the ice cream home?

Now, as a local business owner, this all probably appears to be self-serving and to that I respond, “You’re darn straight!” I want you to shop at Hodgepodge, but I also want you to find unique clothing at Rogate’s Boutique and Posh; decorate your home with La Dolce Vita; eat a home cooked meal at Lovin’ Spoonful Café and get your caffeine fix at Blondie’s; feed your artistic interests at The Roxy Regional Theatre and The Customs House Museum; Seasons (the museum gift shop) has the most unique inventory of gift items in Clarksville. Okay enough of the gratuitous downtown plug, but you were expecting it. There are numerous independent retailers, restaurants and services, as well as the chains, right here in Clarksville.

There are more benefits to shopping local than the sales taxes. When you shop local businesses, especially independent retailers, they will do the same—their business does well, they hire local residents; many buy supplies and inventory locally; they pay their property taxes; they sponsor little league teams; they shop locally (they don’t have time to go anywhere else!). Without getting too far off topic, there are other benefits to shopping independent retailers, such as: personal service, unique inventory, and the sense of community. You’re greeted, more often than not, by the owner—they know your name, your likes, what you gave your wife for Christmas and what she’d like for her birthday. If there’s something you can only find in Nashville, why not ask your local business to start carrying it. I can guarantee you, they will at least look into it.

There are other trickle-down benefits to shopping local. One example, again it’ll be downtown (sorry, it’s what I know)—you shop at the local shops and eat at the restaurants, their business continues and grows, more people come and even want to live nearby, more residents means more tax dollars and a dense population demographic which many chains look for when deciding where to build. So if you want Wild Oats (or whichever grocery store your leaving Clarksville for), show them you’ll support it. You can write them, but they ultimately look at the local numbers. Further, we’ve become a big box store community—you know the one—that statistic discourages new retailers and grocers. If you want local options—shop the existing ones more frequently. You’ll be glad you did.

If you have to go to Nashville, at least buy your gas here.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Editors Note: Author Paige Thomas King is the owner of Hodgepodge, a downtown shop catering to specialty items and antiques (and wonderfully unique greeting cards). She is a 43 year-old Army wife and mother of three who has had the opportunity to live her dream of becoming a boutique owner. We have been residents of the Dog Hill Historic District of Clarksville for six years. King opened her business in November, 2004 and it has grown from 1,000- to 3,000 sq. ft. during that time—including the purchase of the building she currently occupies and the recent acquisition of the former Neblett’s Framing Outlet. She has been active with the business and property owner’s committee of the DDP—aka the Downtown Clarksville Association—since its inception three years ago. She is “passionate about the revitalization of the downtown area and look forward to a time when all of the store fronts are filled with retailers and restaurants; including those currently occupied by lawyers—they can move the second floor!”