Who are you and what do you do? Susan Hutchinson. I work in wrought iron, also known as blacksmithing. Which is to say I take steel and heat it and hit into a form.
Why do you do what you do? Steel has some glorious properties, like tensile strength and its malleability that allow an artist to create forms that other medium cannot. Blacksmiths also have the coolest tools and the best parties.
Describe your process? I take a piece of steel, heat it to 2000 degrees, and then wrestle it to the ground with a hammer and anvil.
What’s your background? I have a degree in art, but learned most of what I know at Penland School and John C Campbell Folk School.
Do you have any formal training or are you self taught? Blacksmiths are always teaching each other stuff. This week I am in a class at the Folk School with 8 other students. Of the 8 students, 6 have 20 years or more in this field. There is no need to reinvent the wheel, and smithing is a very ancient craft. There is simply too much for anyone to ever learn it all, so we specialize and trade thoughts and processes around.
How long have you been an artist? How did you get started? I've been an professional artist for about 25 years. There is nothing else I ever wanted to do.
How important is geography to your identity as an artist? Geography is important more because so many world class smiths live in WNC, and we like to get together.
Who first influenced you artistically? I don't thing I can say exactly, I have always been drawn to certain shapes and forms. Douglas Wilson from Deere Isle, Maine was my first formal teacher.
What living person do you most admire? The workshop I am attending this week is being led by Daniel Miller, of Waynesville. And I am astonished by the profound thought and care each detail of his work is granted.
What historical figure do you most identify with? Jane Austen
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Teaching classes of beginning adults.
What role does the artist have in society? Blacksmiths have traditionally made the tools for all the other trades. Every village had to have one for survival. Subsequently, many many people feel a connection to seeing a grandfather or great uncle fix or make something when they were growing up. Blacksmithing can connect an alienated society to its past. To have contact with something as visceral and primitive as beating on hot metal does a body good. The results too, are so permanent. In a day and age when computers are obsolete in a month or so, the solidity of a well made steel object, an object that is not only beautiful, but made by its tenacious nature to be handled and used, is a comfort.
Do you have any words of advice for aspiring artists? Prepare yourself for a lot of beans and rice. I wouldn't trade my calling for the world, but it is not easy, and you are not going to get rich, and probably not even comfortable. Be grateful if you get to live indoors.
What is the price range of your work? $5 to $5000 You can visit Susan Hutchensons studio this spring during the Weaverville Art Safari, April 24 - 25.
Who are you and what do you do? I am an artist and I make pictures. I relocated from New Jersey to Weaverville this past July, 2009.
Why do you do what you do? I feel it's what I need to do to keep me sane. I constantly see shapes and things that inspire me. Art, like with every artist, is my way of communicating what I see.
Describe your process? My pictures begin with shapes--breaking up the space of the two dimensional plane on which I work into an interesting composition. Composition being the most important aspect of a picture for me. The subject matter comes from things that fit those spaces, but also are things that are of interest me at that moment. The subject often comes by way of stream of consciousness. I have no theme so I am free to explore wherever the shapes and my mind take me.
What’s your background? I've always been a free spirit and experimenter. Never afraid to try new things and view the world from different perspectives which I feel has contributed to a uniqueness of my expression as an artist.
Do you have any formal training or are you self taught? I received my formal training at the School of Visual Arts ( SVA ) in New York City.
How long have you been an artist? How did you get started? I've been an artist, since as a child, I was first able to draw. My father was an artist and for me it was a way of life.
How important is geography to your identity as an artist? Geography is of no importance to me except that different places have a different feel and I see different things. The pictures still come from my own experience in relating to those things, not where they are.
Who first influenced you artistically? Paul Klee, Picasso, and my father.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Getting this far and being able to devote full time to my art.
What role does the artist have in society? Art has a great role in society. Without the artist, society would be strictly functional and bland.
Do you have any words of advice for aspiring artists? Know yourself. Have a philosophy. Do what you feel, not what you feel people want. And devote time out of each day, even if it's only five minutes, to your art.
What is the price range of your work? $45.00 to $2000.00
You can visit William Asmans studio this spring during the Weaverville Art Safari, April 24 - 25.
Goals, Dreams, and Secrets: 2010 and Beyond
posted: December 9, 2009
In the past few days I have received a couple things that really got me thinking. As thinking is one of my favorite things to do, this makes me really excited and happy.
"The idea is to create a road map for the year ahead – not a rigid daily schedule, but an overall outline of what matters to me and what I hope to achieve in the next year."
"The goal-setting exercise and Annual Review are all about changing things yourself instead of waiting for change to suddenly show up one day."
Each year on Christmas Eve, my Mother and I talk at length about the year past and what we hope for the future. It's become our holiday tradition. The annual review Chris outlines is an analytical focused exercise similar to me and mom's Christmas Eve chat. As I consider what I want, and how I want to get there, I see a great value in grounding these ideas on the page. So, I committing to mapping my plan for 2010 and beyond in writing, and documenting it here on my website.
The second thing I received was The Secret on CD. I was visiting a dear friend of mine, playwright Waylon Wood, talking about life. He handed me the box of CD's and said, "give this a listen." Being a child of new age hippie parents, initially I sort of rolled my eyes. I'd actually already been given the book by my mother over a year ago. My approach to life typically leans towards pragmatic realism, so I think I read the first chapter and put it on the shelf. As it was on CD this time, it's been very easy to listen to the text while I work.
What I've taken from these things, is that having a clear vision of what you want, makes it possible to have what you want. And there are a lot of things that I want, believe you me, I will have them.
"Success comes from within, not from without" - Emerson
The River District Artists invited photographers of all skill levels to participate in a photography contest during the November Studio Stroll.
And the winners are... First Place: Indie "Danielle" Harris for "Gloves and Glass", taken at Robert Gardener's Studio C Second Place: Bruce Metcalf, Portrait of Kyle Carpenter, of Clay Space, at his potters wheel Third Place: Karl Hinterkopf, "Alicia Chatham's Studio"
Each winner was asked to comment on what inspired them come to the studio stroll and participate as a photographer.
Indie "Danielle" Harris for "Gloves and Glass", taken at Robert Gardener's Studio C
Being new to the area, the River Arts District Studio Stroll was the perfect opportunity for an artist like myself to meet and mingle with other local artists, to see the artists' tools and work spaces, and get an idea of how the artists work. My dad just happened to be in town during the weekend of the stroll and I thought it would be a great way for us to share the day in one of my favorite areas of Asheville. With our cameras slung over our shoulders, we enjoyed a perfect afternoon just photographing and chatting with some RAD folks. The openness of the studios allowed us to walk right in, meet the artists and watch them create in the comfort of their own spaces. It was a beautiful and memorable day for both of us... and we can't wait for the next stroll!
I hope that the photo contest continues and grows. It was great to see some fellow photographers out and about, getting some great shots of the artists... and I loved seeing all of the photos posted in the Flickr group!
Indie "Danielle" Harris, Rutherfordton, NC
Kyle Carpenter, of Clay Space, at his potters wheel
Asheville and Western North Carolina have a rich heritage with arts and crafts. I’ve always been fascinated by the work of local artists and attend studio open houses and festivals regularly. I enjoy meeting the artists and talking with them about their techniques, styles, and methods. I always carry my camera when I explore events such as the River Arts District Studio Stroll. My love of photography is an extension of my creative vision and I enjoy capturing images of craftsmen at work. Bruce Metcalf, Fairview, NC
River district studios inspire me to share my talent. I'm also an artist. My talent is creating a picture. I can't draw or paint, but you can give me any kind of camera, disposable, film or digital, and I can take a picture that will make you happy, sad, laugh, breath taking,and amaze. My greatest pleasure is sharing my pictures with other people.
Karl Hinterkopf, Weaverville, NC
The public is invited to visit the River Arts District seven days a week. Experience Asheville's warehouse-art-district along the French Broad River, where you can tour working artists' studios, have lunch at a quaint cafe, or just sample craft beer and watch the trains go by. For more information on the River Arts District, and to see a daily schedule of open studios, visit www.riverartsdistrict.com.
Photo Contest at Studio Stroll
posted: November 17, 2009
So we threw together a little photo contest that took place during the recent River District Studio Stroll, November 14th-15th, 10am-6pm. The contest was open to all... Judges will select first, second, and third place winners. The first place winning photographer will receive $100, second and third place each receive $50.
Not many submissions as of this posting, but we'll see... the deadline to post pictures is November 20th. If you got some good shots at the Stroll, put them up on the flickr group and you just might win a big fat hundred dollar bill.
I just returned from NYC. I went to as many museums as possible and walked for miles everyday. I made a little gallery of pictures and mementos from the trip. You can see it here.
Jonas Gerard Fine Art, in the River Arts District, will perform live painting sessions during the bi-annual Studio Stroll on November 14th and 15th, starting at 2 p.m. each day. These spontaneous painting performances have become a signature of the artist here in Asheville, NC. His intense level of gestural energy and theatrical style of painting is an experience and an event.
The Weaverville Art Safari
posted: November 2, 2009
Cuff Bracelet, recycled door kick plate, raised and forged with dimond and 18k gold, Q Evon
On November 7th-8th, 10am-6pm, the artists of the Weaverville Art Safari invite you to visit the town of Weaverville and the surrounding rural areas. Weaverville, located just a few minutes north of Asheville in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offers visitors a unique small-town atmosphere with several street side cafes and eateries to compliment the many galleries and studios.
Meet participating artists and preview their work on Friday, November, 6th at the Reems Creek Golf Course clubhouse from 7-9pm. This ticketed event includes a lively silent auction, door prizes, a cash bar and snacks. Tickets available at the door for only $10.
This Fall, the Weaverville Art Safari is thinking 'green'. Many of the artists and craftspeople of the Safari who call Western North Carolina home choose to live and work here because they are inspired by the beauty of the world renowned landscape. In reverence of this environment, they choose to reuse, renew, recycle, and conserve. They encourage you to get on the green bandwagon too, by carpooling. Get a map online, or find one at the info booth on Main Street during the event, and share the adventure of the Safari.
When asked what makes their work 'green', this is what some of the Safari artists told us:
Q Evon is a leader in the handcrafted jewelry world. Her new collection, named “D.I.G,” is built on the concept that jewelry doesn’t have to be made from materials unethically and harmfully extracted from the earth. For Q, making socially responsible jewelry is not just the “in” thing to do, it has been the foundation of her work for a decade.
"As far as 'green' goes." Diane English of the Great Cosmic Happy-Ass Card Co. reports, "My new prints are printed on recycled stock that has been approved by the Forest Stewardship Council and is printed locally at a Rainforest Alliance Certified Printer."
Alicia and Beatriz Kelemen of K4 Glassart use reclaimed travertine, granite, slate and marble in creating their mirrors, art for the wall mosaics, sculptures, and Menorahs. "We go to stone, marble, and granite suppliers and ask for the material that they can't use. They usually give us the scraps that are piling up on the floor. "We are selective in choosing the pieces that will fit our work," says Alicia. "It's worth the effort when we find a beautiful stone that inspires a new design."
Phil Atwood uses at least 50% - 60% recycled and used materials, and sometimes more, in making his metal birdhouses. "In fact my biggest source for supplies are thrift shops," says Phil. He shares his recycling philosophy with buyers who love to find out his work is made of recycled materials.
The Weaverville Art Safari was founded nine years ago with the goal of drawing attention to the artisans & craft workers of Weaverville and surrounding areas. Over the years the event has drawn thousands of visitors from the southeastern United States and beyond. For more information and for a complete list of participating artists please visit www.weavervilleartsafari.com.
River Arts District Studio Stroll
posted: October 21, 2009
The River Arts District's bi-annual Studio Stroll is November 14th-15th, 10am-6pm. During the Stroll more than one hundred and thirty studios in twelve distinctive historic buildings are open to the public within a one-mile by half-mile area. The district also offers visitors a variety options for dining and a brewery/tasting room. Throughout the weekend, Asheville Historic Trolly Tours provide a free shuttle service between buildings. The Trolly Tour begins and ends at the Chamber of Commerce on Montford Avenue, and makes a 30-minute loop through the district.
This art scene's new found fame is a dynamic renaissance and resurgence of community that has taken place over the past twenty years. Images of America, Asheville's River Arts District, by Rob and Henry Neufeld, is a text that explores predominate themes in the history of the district. In the introduction Neufeld says, "One book is too short to convey the excitement of the arts community because there is a story at every stop. At extreme ends of the district , for instance are many wonders. To the south in Riverview Station (the former tannery), modest masters focus on their crafts in large, unglamorous spaces as if they are members of medieval guilds."
In the past couple years the district has received a good deal of national attention, including mentions in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Los Angeles Times. The River Arts District has also been featured on 20/20 (ABC), and NC Weekend (PBS).
The Miami Herald called it "hip, artsy, and exciting with a wrong-side-of-the-tracks feel about it." The Richmond Times found the district to be "A gritty accumulation of converted warehouses. Behind the nondescript brick facades, you can watch art in the making. The dozens of painters, sculptors, potters and glass makers here seem to enjoy sharing their work almost as much as creating it." Wells Tower, writing for the New York Times described the area as "an assemblage of attractively distressed, previously forsaken structures from Asheville's bygone industrial age; now they are mostly lofts and studios in various states of rehabilitation."
It's not just the charm of gritty old buildings that warrants so much attention. The artists whose studios are located in this hip, artsy, "wrong-side-of-the-tracks" district, have earned a reputation for being modest masters and worthy of attention in their own right. The list of qualified, recognized, artists who work in the River Arts District is long and impressive. It's perhaps as long as the list of emerging talent, who still keep a day job to pay studio rents.
Head down to the River Arts District, November 14th-15th, 10am-6pm and to discover who's behind those brick facades, making art, making news, and making history. Full color maps with directions and a list of participating artists are available now at the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, The Asheville Area Arts Council, River District studios and galleries, and other locations around town. Read more about River Artist District and the upcoming Studio Stroll online at www.riverartsdistrict.com.
