NAME YOUR PRICE {happens every Wednesday}
Today I'm mixing it up a bit! I'm offering 4 different fashion drawings from a 2016 series called Just Blousing and you can Name Your Price on one or more.
They are 8x10" mixed media, and if you're in Knoxville, I'll also throw in the white matte and frame.
It's easy to win!
1. Visit withbearhands.com/NYP
2. Read all the details.
3. Fill out and submit the form by Sunday, June 4 at midnight EST.
4. Best offer will claim some original art!
Patrick Sullivan's paint pen and acrylic on reclaimed wood
For the past several years, I've been making artwork for the centerpieces at Knox Heritage's annual fundraiser, The Scruffy City Soiree. It's been really fun to showcase my artwork made from reclaimed wood this way since it's directly inspired by historic preservation, and Knox Heritage raises money through this event to help save historic buildings. It's a lovely marriage.
Mary Boyce Temple House
In past years, I've painted mason jars on slate and wood to display. This year, I showcased my prints of mason jars on wood but also added a new element: historic Knoxville buildings cut out of and painted on reclaimed wood.
Primed Wood Buildings
I used wood from The Salvage Room. It made sense to use reclaimed wood from historic buildings, but it proved to be a bit of a challenge. With these pieces, before I even touch a paint brush, cleaning, sanding, and cutting the wood is a laborious task. And while the thickest wood used (reclaimed stair treads) looks so great, it is definitely hard to cut with a small hand-held jigsaw.
Through this process, I've learned a lot about woodworking. I've gotten tips here and there from people, but I've basically been teaching myself. I'd love to invest in some really good tools in the future for projects like this, but for now, I'm using what I have. Not using the most efficient tools can put a damper on things, but I'm sure I'm building character with the added challenge. Perhaps.
The drawing begins
Once I cut the buildings, I add wood filler to those that need it and then prime the wood. My plan was to use carbon copy paper to trace the buildings on to the wood because I had to make so many in such a short time, but I had trouble getting the image to transfer so I ended up drawing several free hand.
If you haven't gathered it by now, I came up against many unexpected obstacles while making these. I learned a valuable lesson from these buildings: When creating anything new, I need time to hit obstacles. Lots of time. Procrastination is my enemy!
Applying paint
Each building uses a combination of paint pens and acrylic, so they are like little drawings and paintings in one. They are made to sit on a table, shelf, or mantel so there isn't a bracket on the back for hanging. I added information cards to the backs of them to give some current details about the buildings. I chose seven buildings to create and made two of each. They were all chosen based on their significance to historic preservation and Knox Heritage over the past year.
I painted Patrick Sullivan's (Old City), 18th Street IGA (Fort Sanders), Pryor Brown Garage (downtown), Westwood (new KH HQ), White Lily (Old City), Mary Boyce Temple House (downtown), and the McClung Warehouse (downtown).
The finished product. 18th Street IGA
The first set of buildings made their debut at The Scruffy City Soiree on September 27 at The Standard on Jackson Avenue. Those attending the event could purchase them at the end of the night and partial proceeds went to Knox Heritage.
White Lily Building at The Scruffy City Soiree
In the end, I wasn't able to finish all of the buildings before the event, so I'm currently creating the rest now. Ones leftover from the event are available at Nostalgia on McCalla. Feel free to contact me if you're interested in one!
The Scruffy City Soiree about to come to a close.
I currently have artwork on display at Coffee & Chocolate. Below are details and photos of the work. I hope you can find the time to see it this month!
Photo by Matthew Higginbotham
Models and Buildings
Drawings by Beth Meadows
at Coffee & Chocolate, December 2013
327 Union Ave SW, Knoxville, TN 37902
All work is priced upon request. Please contact beth@bethmeadows.com
Patrick Sullivan's (on black) paint pen and acrylic on acetate, lace and fabric, recycled frame
Artist Statement:
I have a strong interest in things that are beautifully crafted and designed to stand the test of time. I also listen to pop music and buy things that are made to be thrown away year to year.
My subject matter is historic Knoxville buildings and models from fashion magazines. The frames used for the models are recycled and the windows have been salvaged from historic buildings in Knoxville.
As I make these drawings with previously discarded materials, I think about their original creator, the time and thought they put into what they made.
Historic Knoxville Buildings paint pen and acrylic on acetate, lace and fabric, framed in salvaged windows and recycled frames. Photo by Matthew Higginbotham.
I wonder: If the flippant consumer determines the value of things, won't even the most well-designed objects be subject to the landfill?
I like to imagine that one day I might walk into a thrift store and see one of my paintings hanging on a wall. What one might regard as a debilitating thought has pushed me to make better work. Better work that does not become too precious to me as the maker.
Two Models ink, marker, and colored pencil on paper, recycled frames
Bio:
Beth moved from her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee to Knoxville where she graduated from the UT with a BFA in Studio Art in 2007. She currently manages The Salvage Room for the non-profit Knox Heritage, receiving and selling historic building materials. She is also the Director and an artist of 17th Street Studios, a work space for artists near downtown Knoxville.
Models in recycled frames. Photo by Matthew Higginbotham.
My art show began today at Old City Java in Knoxville, and it's a little bit different.
I've been showing artwork in Knoxville for over 10 years. As a way to say thank you to the city (and anyone else) who has encouraged me along the way, I present:
I will take the best price for these pieces, so don't be shy and make me an offer by emailing me at beth@bethmeadows.com. You may make an offer up to noon on Thursday, October 31.
$5, $10, $50, $1,000,0... anything!
And if you LOVE a piece and have to have it, ask me for the buy It now price, and it can be yours!
Your support and encouragement mean SO much to me! Thank you!!
If you'd like to see the titles, materials, and sizes for each of these pieces, go here.
Old City Java // 109 S Central Street // Knoxville, TN 37901
Last week I was busy making drawings for a Knox Heritage fundraiser called the Scruffy City Soiree. Last year, I painted mason jars on slate tiles for their table's centerpieces. This year, I drew historic Knoxville buildings, and they were really fun to make.
Most are about 4 x 6", drawn on two sides of a piece of acetate and layered on top of fabric. Then they are placed in vintage frames.
There is a bumper sticker I've seen that reads "Historic Preservation is the Ultimate Recycling." These drawings of historic homes and buildings are made using mostly recycled materials- the frames, acetate, and fabric are from thrift stores or have been given to me. It's one of my favorite things to do with art- take discarded items and make them something precious again.
I hope one day I'll be able to do the same with a beautiful old building. That could be the ultimate work of art.
At this moment, I haven't listed any of the remaining drawings from the event online to sell, but if you are interested in purchasing one, please contact me. Through the end of October, partial proceeds will benefit Knox Heritage. They will be hanging at Old City Java beginning Wednesday, October 2, but please contact me if you'd like to see them before then.
I'd also be very interested to make new ones with the building, house, and fabric of your choice, just let me know!