Meet Mandy Johnson

An old box of postcards is what got painter, Mandy Johnson, started on her art career. Growing up in the tiny town of Scotland Neck, NC, the local school offered no art classes. However, Mandy’s parents saw the value of art education and saw to it that all five of their children took art lessons from a local artist. A collection of fine art postcards provided inspiration for the children to copy, while learning to oil paint.

It wasn’t until Mandy’s first art history course in college that she began to recognize the famous paintings from those old postcards. Mandy’s parent’s home was filled with copies of Gauguin, Monet and Van Gogh, although nobody knew it at the time. They were just pretty pictures.

While educated in the classics and with years of realistic figure drawing, Mandy now expresses her rebellious side. “I like to break the rules” says Mandy. “Exaggeration and distortion and bold, simple color give my figures attitude.” Her paintings have familiar themes of work and food and dance stemming from her early life growing up on farm.

“Now I find inspiration whenever I go out, take a walk or ride my bike. Everything I see can be interpreted as shape, form and color to create a story.”

Click here to view Mandy's latest paintings!

Meet Designer, Star Sosa

I never expected to make my career in art and jewelry. I was always artistic but have no formal training. That probably affected my creative approach because I started out free from preconceptions about what could be done. I’ve been designing fashion and fine jewelry since 1987 which I sold through craft shows and galleries across the country.

In that time I’ve gained the technical knowledge to ensure that my designs are feasible to create and delightful to wear. I’m a firm believer in combining the aesthetic with the practical. Jewelry, as wearable art, should be well crafted, comfortable and durable as well as beautiful and stylish. The biggest lesson I’ve learned in my career is to partner with talented craftspeople. My talent lies in conceiving ideas, drawing and communicating with people. I could always find highly skilled technicians to bring my drawings to life.

For the past ten years I worked with a jeweler based out of Rocky Mount. However, it was clear that I needed more time than he could give me. Therefore, I made plans to bring a jeweler right into the gallery. The new gallery included an on-site workshop. Shortly after opening in the new location, Michael Chapman walked in the door. A gold and platinum smith with over 40 years experience, he was looking for an outlet for his jewelry creations. I offered him a job and have never regretted my decision. Now I can offer complete jewelry services pairing my design skills with Michael’s experience and technical know-how.

Most of all, it’s working with people that makes custom jewelry design so rewarding. The look on someone’s face when they see the seemingly miraculous transformation of a sketch and raw materials into the final result is priceless. People mark important events in their lives with jewelry and I treasure being a part of that.

"My custom design experience with Spectrum Gallery was unbelievable. They make you feel so comfortable, take your ideas and put it on paper right before your eyes. Star and Michael are not happy until you are happy. It’s all worth the wait. I have already referred my friends to Spectrum. I love you Spectrum Gallery, Star, Michael, and all the girls involved with my project. Thank you, Thank you." Susan Shugart

Click Here to see Star's portfolio of custom jewelry designs

Glass Artist Raises Money to Preserve American Wetlands

New Orleans glassblower, Mark Rosenbaum, has created these gorgeous new vases entitled "Reeds and Rushes". The vivid colors and graceful details evoke the blowing grasses of our coastal wetlands.



South Louisiana and the other gulf coast states have been experiencing a dramatic decline in these vital ecosystems due to a variety of environmental impacts, not the least of which was Katrina.



A portion of the proceeds of these vases will be contributed to the Voices of the Wetlands for the purpose of perserving this valuable resourse.



We have the green/amber version of Reeds and Rushes currently here in the gallery. Stop by to see. Other colors available by special order. Click here to see art glass by Mark.

Anne Boysen - Celebrate Life!

Anne Boysen

returns to

Spectrum

Art & Jewelry

for a special event

Friday, October 10th

6 - 8pm

Open House and Wine Tasting

Philadelphia artist, Anne Boysen, returns to Spectrum Art & Jewelry for her first solo exhibition since her diagnosis with ovarian cancer more than two years ago. This show is meant as a celebration of her excellent progress in her recovery from this major challenge. Anne’s artwork has been described as “exuberant”, “vibrant”, and “outrageous”. It clearly reflects her love of life, nature and the world of vivid color. A singer and musician, as well as an artist, Anne has been known to dance with her paintings as she creates them in her spacious home studio, the movement and rhythm evident in her abstracted floral interpretations.

Spectrum Art & Jewelry has been proud to represent Anne for more than eight years. She was the feature artist at the grand re-opening of the gallery in its Forum location in 2000 and has been a regular contributor since then. This past March, Spectrum hosted a fund raiser for the artist and was delighted at the response from local artists and collectors alike. Through a party, art sale and auction they were able to raise $3,000 to help with Anne’s medical bills. At that time, she was not well enough to work.

Now, dramatically improved, Anne is recovered enough to be able to plan this trip to Wilmington to share her artworks once again with her devoted fans. Star Sosa, owner of Spectrum Art & Jewelry, is thrilled at the opportunity to celebrate the life and works of this talented painter and great friend.

Click here to view her artworks!