That's a wrap!

What a great ArtBrake! weekend it was.  Thank you to all who came and enjoyed the weekend with us.  And thanks to those who told others about us.  We do appreciate it.

The weather was perfect (at least in the shade), the art was plentiful and the people made the day.  Now, for a little down time ;).

Fiddlin' Al plays clay like a fiddle

Cups by Al McCanless

 Al McCanless, aka Fiddlin' Al due to his formidable stringed instrument playing, does much more than fiddle with clay. He is a master of glazes and forms.  

Vase by Al McCanless

Come out to ArtBrake! this weekend, June 10 an 11, and see what Al has fired up.  Need a map?  Or more information?  More photos and information on each of the artists are also on this website (see tabs above).

Vase by Al McCanless

Art for every budget at ArtBrake!

Glass by Regina Bridgman, Vase by Al McCanless, Shaving set by Jon Clark, Wet felted wall hanging by Christie Minchew

ArtBrake! has not only a variety of artists but a variety of prices, too.  We welcome lookers, too (and that's free!). There is something for everyone.

See our Map and Info page for, well, map and info. 

Walk down the garden path...

Murphy and Mabel have already enjoyed the art at Linda's studio

...to Linda's studio. It reveals just a bit of her artistic talent.  Come take a short walk to see the beautiful art inside, and all around, Linda Anderson's studio.  

ArtBrake! is this weekend (yea!) at Bluebird Farm Studio, 360 Frosty Meadow Drive, 27312.

Hang on to your jaw!

Prepare to be amazed by Carol Kroll's handcrafted sculptures.

"Ancient Cultures" by Carol Kroll

Just when you think one of these is darned impressive, you take a closer look.

"Dreamtime" by Carol Kroll

The details are astounding. Carol's sense of design and her mastery of her materials... 

"Demeter" by Carol Kroll

combine to make these unique pieces 'new' every time one looks at them.

"Marshland" Lamp by Carol Kroll

These beautiful pieces and more of Carol's and 11 other artists' will be on sale at ArtBrake! this weekend from 10am to 5pm both days. For map and info, click here.  

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.

2017 ArtBrake! - Twelve Artists in One Location

Spalted Maple Bowl by Jeff Clark

2017 ArtBrake! is coming!  We're doing things a little differently this year in hopes that we'll have the weather in our favor.  So this year, ArtBrake! will be June 10 and 11.

We are also going to make it easy on those who want to see all of our artists but have a hard time getting to every stop.  This year we will all be at Linda Anderson's beautiful Bluebird Farm Studio.  Twelve artists (including Jeff and Jon Clark - new this year) will be in one location.

So start thinking about all the places and people in your life that need art.  There will be wood, jewelry, paintings, mobiles, garden art, sculpture, folk art, pottery...there will be a lot!

Looking forward to seeing your there!

Meet the Artist: Al McCanless

It's fun to see how the ArtBrake! artists are inspiring each other.  Here's a video of Al's pottery inspired by Carol Kroll.

Meet the Artist: Christie Minchew

Christie explains some of the inspiration behind her art and gives a quick demo...

(thanks to Al McCanless for putting this together)

Meet the Artist: Carol Kroll

Carol's gourds really defy description.  Here's what I mean...

(Thanks to Al McCanless for putting these together)

Al McCanless Banjo... "Wow! That's Incredible! ..."

is the immediate response people have when they first see 
Al's absolutely extraordinary masterpieces!
Come out to experience the touch, feel, and sound of Al's unique artwork
on the ArtBrake! Saturday and Sunday, April 25 and 26!

Keep an eye out for previews of his exquisite pottery on this blog, too.

Save the Date!

This year, we will have 6 stops and 11 artists. The artists will be:

Linda Anderson: Painting and Sculpture

Tom Boone: Wood turning/furniture and Photography
Regina Bridgman: Stained Glass
Jim Bridgman: Wood and found object jewelry

Kim Hawks: Photography

Louise Hobbs: Clay Sculpture

Al McCanless: Pottery and Banjos

Carol Kroll: Three-dimensional Mixed Media

Christie Minchew: Two- and three-dimensional Mixed Media and fiber

Chuck Minchew: Wood furniture and end-grain cutting boards

Dick Seed: Wood and Metal Murals and Whimsical Sculptures 

Plan on joining us!  More about this year's ArtBrake! coming soon...

Thank You!

© Christie Minchew 2014

 Thank You to everyone who came to ArtBrake! and made it such a fun and successful weekend.  The travelled-farthest award went to an Arizonian. It was great having friends and family stop by and wonderful to meet new folks who were here for the first time.  We really appreciate it.

© Christie Minchew 2014

Whew!  Now to kick back for a few days :).