Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Congratulations Susan Drake: 2012 AGTA Spectrum Award Winner

The winners of the 2012 AGTA Spectrum Awards contest were just announced this week! Spectrum Art & Jewelry designer Susan Drake won in the category of business/day wear for platinum innovation!

About the AGTA Spectrum Awards:

"The AGTA Spectrum Awards™ is considered the most respected and prestigious creative award for the design industry. Launched in 1984, the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ honors, recognizes and promotes designers whose work utilizes natural colored gemstones and cultured pearls in finished fine jewelry design. It has become the benchmark for jewelry designers striving to gain recognition for their work. It is a true contest of workmanship, creativity and innovation. Winners set the standards of excellence for our entire industry. The Spectrum Awards competition has launched trends, increased visibility for designer jewelry, and inspired great innovation in use of color and materials. The Spectrum Awards is considered the finest jewelry and gemstone competition in the world. The judging panel changes each year and consists of experts from different disciplines within the jewelry industry. Each piece is examined by hand with an eye for craftsmanship and quality of the materials used."

Susan Drake's winning design in the category of
business/day wear for platinum innovation:




To learn more about the American Trade Gem Association and The Spectrum Awards visit the AGTA website

-Taylor

Recycled Art

Tripp Gregson, a Spectrum gallery artist and resident of
Greensboro, NC has found an interesting way
to recycle old road signs and license plates.

Recently we had a customer that had several old license plates from different states they had lived in. They really wanted to do something special with them. Having seen Tripp's work here at Spectrum they asked if something could be done with their personal plates. They weren't exactly sure what they wanted at first so we worked with Tripp to decide what the best options for their particular license plates would be.


Here is the finished product:



They are so fun and personal!

If you have any old license plates laying around that you have been wondering what to do with this is a creative option that makes for a great gift!

-Taylor

Monday, October 24, 2011

55 Chevy

"55 Chevy", Acrylic on Canvas, $595

"When Star asked me to demo in September, I sorted through some recent photos and planned to paint a landscape or still life. I had just returned from a family reunion in Pennsylvania and had snapped a picture of my cousin Ray's 56 Chevy as I was leaving town. He's had it over 35 years and keeps it in perfect, original condition. When we hear it rumbling up the road, we know that Ray has arrived."

"Susan Drake talked me into painting it for the demo because it would be fun and it really was! I saw purples and lavender in the shiny blue hood and even magenta reflections in the gleaming chrome bumpers and wheels. Sometimes, the creativity just flows and the painting just 'paints itself'. This was one of those times. It's that spontaneity that gives a loose and fresh feeling. I'm looking forward to painting other classic cars!"

-Ann Hair

If you or someone you know has a classic car Ann will do a commissioned painting of your car!

Contact Spectrum Art & Jewelry for more information.

910-256-2323 or info@SpectrumArtAndJewelry.com

See more work by Ann Hair

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Spectrum Art & Jewelry presents: Mike Rooney – Loose & Colorful Plein Air Workshop







October 12-13, 2011, Spectrum Art & Jewelry sponsored our first ever painting workshop. It was an incredible experience for all who participated! After months of planning, advertising, back and forth emails…we were all set to start our learning experience with Mike Rooney.

A North Carolina painter, with a love of plein air style painting focusing on coastal images, Mike proved himself to be an exceptionally skilled teacher. I knew Mike could talk a good game, but I was so impressed with the ease, clarity and great sense of humor he used in sharing his immense knowledge of painting techniques.

The skill level in our workshop was varied and Mike addressed the majority of his lessons to the beginners. But don’t be fooled into thinking it would be boring for the more advanced. Everything Mike talked about was informative and for some of us, things we had never heard expressed in that particular way. Lots of “ AH HA” moments for everyone!






This workshop was considered a #101 class and Mike has expressed interest in teaching a #201 class next fall for us. I’m ready, how about you? (contact me at nancy@spectrumartandjewelry if you are interested)


Paint on,

Nancy Noel May

I would like to share a few reviews written by our workshop artists.

"First of all, thank you and Spectrum for putting the workshop together and starting off with such a wonderful artist and teacher. It was something I should have had years ago to start me off on the right path. You're right about the many valuable things we learned from values, single and dual vanishing points, scale, then taking it outside and putting it all together to come up with a painting. It was very hard for me, as such a beginner, but it was exactly what I needed. Everything fell in to place and now I have to practice, practice, practice." (MW)

"As a novice, I would give the experience an excellent review... it was a great presentation by Mike and the location and all were outstanding. I hope that Spectrum will try other workshops...I got a lot out of the class, hope to get to paint more and not embarrass myself. Thank U" (MD)

"Mike Rooney is a dynamic instructor, dedicated to imparting his knowledge and skill. He generously shared his love of painting with clarity, patience and a sense of humor. Mike was very effective at teaching a variety of skill levels in the class. What a wonderful way to begin my first painting class! I left the workshop with new painting skills and a new way to see color, light and shadow!" (KG)

"I would like a DVD to follow up the information taught!!! It was the single best workshop I have taken in 30 years and gave me the tools I need to become a better painter. These are the rules of art and color and creation! Thank you for your insight and your gift to teach! And thank you Nancy for seeing the need and bringing Mike to the table!" (RB)


See Paintings by Mike Rooney

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Mike Rooney Blogpost by Encore Magazine

Mike Rooney, "Seaside Dwelling"


Check out this is a wonderful blog that Encore did about the Mike Rooney workshop:

http://www.encorepub.com/encorecafe/?p=3370

Although the workshop is over it has great information about Mike and Plein Air painting. Also keep in mind we will have more workshops with Mike Rooney in the future!

See work by Mike Rooney

-Taylor

Sweet Tooth

Cherry Cheesecake

Gallery artist and associate, Jane Faudree, has been cooking up some delectable new work. For those of you who haven't seen her new series of tasty treats get ready, they will tempt your taste buds. Luckily you can enjoy their deliciousness without the calories!

Chocolate Delirium

When I asked Jane what inspired her to paint this new series I was intrigued by her response.

Jane said, "When I was small my mother used to bake a cake almost every week, especially on Saturdays. Not only would she baked sumptuous cakes, but she would decorate them beautifully. My sister and I were always sure to have a masterpiece for our birthdays. My sister, Jewelle, was born on the fourth of July and mother went wild with red, white and blue decorations. She was amazing with all types of desserts. So in honor of my special mother, I have started a series of dessert paintings including decorated cakes. The first cake painting is in honor of us girls over 39, aptly titled "Thirty nine and Holding"."

Thirty-nine and Holding

These sweet paintings are all 6x6 inches; perfect for a grouping on a kitchen back-splash!

See more work by Jane Faudree

-Taylor