The devil's in the details and so is Chuck!

End-grain cutting board by Chuck Minchew

Don't let Chuck's meticulously designed end-grain* cutting boards fool you; he'll tell you he is NOT a detail guy.  But, in spite of himself, he's managed to get hooked on putting together geometric designs with drop-dead gorgeous woods.

Chuck at the workbench

Chuck cuts the blocks out of a variety of woods, some local - elm, walnut, oak, cherry, maple, and beech.  Made up of different sized blocks, the designs take advantage of the beauty of the wood grain.

End-grain cutting board by Chuck Minchew

Use them for cutting, for serving or just for display.

End-grain cutting board by Chuck Minchew

They are finished with food-safe mineral oil and beeswax, have feet on the underneath and can be wired for hanging.

End-grain cutting board by Chuck Minchew

* End-Grain refers to the grain of the wood one sees at the end of a board (where you can see the evidence of rings). This is as opposed to the 'regular' (face) grain that one normally sees in cutting boards.
Come by and see all of the ArtBrake! artists on June 10 and 11.  You'll be rewarded!

Linda Anderson: Painting from her heart

One thing about Linda Anderson: she feels every bit of what she paints. It could be the cat she saw in the bookstore in Chapel Hill...

Elmo by Linda Anderson

or a scene from a beach trip.

Man and Dog by Linda Anderson

Her inspiration is varied but includes a healthy dose of nostalgia...

Hatheads by Linda Anderson

And her portraits of pets are a treasure.

Murphy by Linda Anderson

Her paintings are a special treat, so...

(title unknown) by Linda Anderson

What's on the easel at Linda's...

come see Linda at her studio with eleven other artists for ArtBrake! on June 10 and 11. For more info, click here.

 

Jim Bridgman: Highlighting the beauty

Wood bowls and table by Jim Bridgman

It makes one want to take a closer look at everything Jim makes.  From his beautiful tables to his bowls and, ohh, the feather jewelry!

Jim learned how to make fishing lures from his father and uses those techniques on feather jewelry.

Jim finds the beauty in each material and makes it even better.

Carving a cane at his grandfather's homestead in Chatham County

Jim came back to Chatham County and converted his grandfather's home into a studio for himself and his wife, Regina. He has his hands in many creative endeavors from canes to wood to jewelry.
Meet Jim and see his beautiful crafts at ArtBrake! on June 10 and 11 at Bluebird Farm Studio.

Louise Hobbs: Spreading her wings

After 25 years helping others to find their creative voice...

Louise Hobbs 2017

Louise has retired.  Now she is having fun making her own art and exercising the creative voice she's cultivated for years.  

Louise Hobbs 2017

Her sculptural pottery can seem not-of-this-era. But it is as contemporary as it is expressive.

Louise Hobbs 2017

She enjoys figural work and also calls on historical forms for her inspiration.

Louise Hobbs 2017

Come see Louise, along with the other eleven ArtBrake! artists on June 10 and 11 in a beautiful indoor/outdoor setting. For more info...

Jeff Clark: Letting the (wood) chips fall where they may

Jeff at his lathe (see what I mean about the chips?)

Jeff Clark turns a little bit of everything. Lamps, bowls...

Lamp by Jeff Clark

Spalted Maple Bowl by Jeff Clark

beautiful kitchen tools...

Serving pieces by Jeff Clark

and gifts (for you or someone else).

Bottle Stoppers by Jeff Clark

Come by ArtBrake! and see what else Jeff has turned out. This year at one location with twelve artists. June 10 and 11.

Dick Seed: He is without catagory

Meet Dick Seed...

in his studio with a friend

This former microbiologist has traded his microscope for knives, woodfiles and paintbrushes.  His irreverent sense of humor and unconventional imagination, as well as his deft hands, have given way to a vast variety of not-too-serious artistic objects. 

The Duckess of Chatham...or maybe one of her offspring

Great for home, office or garden, Dick's creations are sure to entertain.  And some even come with their very own back story. 

See Dick and his (ahem) objets d'art at ArtBrake! on June 10 and 11.  This year there are 12 artists at one indoor/outdoor location: 360 Frosty Meadow Drive in northeast Chatham County (about 7 miles south of Chapel Hill). Click here for more info.

Featured Artist: Darren Powers (aka Johnny Glaze)

Where there's Johnny Glaze, there's danger!

Johnny Glaze (Darren Powers) at work

 There is nothing conventional, and everything smile-inducing, about Darren Powers' creations.

Johnny Glaze creations before firing...

and after firing.

Darren's raku fired ceramics are not to be missed. It's best to see them up close and even better with Darren there to tell you how he does what he does. 

Don't miss seeing him, and eleven other artists, at ArtBrake! 2017. June 10-11 from 10am to 5pm. All at one location: the beautiful studio and grounds of Bluebird Farm. Find more info here.

A Twist on Stained Glass...and other materials

Regina Bridgman 2017

Regina Bridgman has been creating some new pieces using her stained glass techniques but with a different twist. After having to give up her leaded work for health reasons, Regina cleverly began to make stepping stones and indoor/outdoor art pieces (think doorstops, decorative pieces for the garden) with the stained glass that she loves and working with.  Soon came other concrete pieces featuring words, phrases and symbols that are meant to inspire or just bring a smile to someone.

Come see Regina and the eleven other artists at ArtBrake! this June 10 and 11 at the beautiful Bluebird Farm studio and grounds in Chatham County.  See www.ArtBrake.net for more information or look for our postcards in local shops and eateries.

ArtBrake! Let Your Spirit Soar!

"Silver Pheasant Feathers" Earrings by Jim Bridgman

Only 2 weeks to wait !! 

Saturday April 25 & Sunday April 26 
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Experience 
ArtBrake! 
North Chatham 
Frosty Community Artists' Open Studios

"With Wings as Eagles"    Stained Glass by Regina Bridgman

Regina and Jim Bridgman share studio and gallery space in his grandparents’ old farmhouse on Jones Ferry Road. Jim has a feel for nature, the earth, and the woods in this area.  From his love and explorations outside, he brings nature’s beauty into the gallery in the form of walking sticks, rustic furniture, and recycled mixed media assemblage pieces. Early experiences tying fishing flies is interpreted in feather earrings and jewelry. Stained glass artworks by Regina Bridgman draw inspiration from the elements, rhythms, and patterns of nature. 

"Liethgow Street" Photography by Tom Boone

 Ride through the woodsy vistas and scenic beauty of Northeastern Chatham County and discover one of its richest resources - the artists!

With six galleries to visit in close vicinity, there is time to peruse art pieces on display, get inspired, and meet each artist.

Look for ArtBrake! postcards at local shops and eateries, download the map from:

artbrakechathamco.blogspot.com

www.ArtBrake!.net   for driving directions