The Color Purple

A community garden in Avondale

Where Artists Create - Emily's Gallery

To view all of Emily's amazing large scale charcoal and egg tempura botanicals on Belgian linen, please visit her website below.

Emily Morgan Brown

I will be teaching From Snapshots to Creative Photographs at Vestavia Hills UMC's Conservatory of the Arts tis fall starting Thursday, Sept. 7- Oct. 5. To register, email Ellen Bryant at coa@vhumc.org. This class is designed for amateur photographers who want to improve their photographs. Working knowledge of your camera is required and any camera type from point and shoots to DSLR. Message me with any questions. Please share! Thank you.

Where Artists Create - The Technique

Emily Morgan Brown's charcoal and egg tempura botanical paintings on Belgian linen panels are breathtaking. I asked if she used acrylic paint and was amazed to learn that she used egg tempera which she makes herself using the dried flowers that serve as her inspiration in the paint. 

VJ: What is the inspiration for your work?

EMB: The idea for my work on linen stems from the ancient technique of grisaille (grayscale) painting. During the late Middle Ages and into the Renaissance as sculpture became increasingly popular, artists were commissioned to paint large frescos and panels to mimic the look of relief sculpture. 

I'm also really inspired by texture and movement, which is how I chose the linen and decided to let it hang loose on the wall like a tapestry. In an effort to be true to my subject matter, letting the flower move with the air feels more natural to me than trapping it in a frame or stretching it stiffly over bars. 

And of course, there's something inherently inspiring in using a technique and medium from the Old Masters 700+ years later. 

Where Artists Create - The Studio

 Today, we visit Emily's studio. It reminds me of a playhouse and inside this cute little place, located the Brown's backyard, Emily creates her wonderful portraits and exquisite botanicals. Let's have a look.

VJ: Tell me about your creative space.

EMB:I work out of the studio that my husband built for me in our backyard. I have this perfect little room with great light and I get to watch my girls play outside with a babysitter. The best of both worlds as a working mother!

VJ: What place inspires you ?

EMB: I have to say my studio. I definitely get inspired by beautiful places and nature, but I try not to get too caught up in the feelings or rely too much on inspiration in order to produce work. I fully believe in what Picasso said, "inspiration exists, but it has to find you at work." My best work and ideas pop out while I'm in my studio at 3 am after I feel like nothing else will come. 

Where Artists Create - Meet Emily Morgan Brown

Emily Morgan Brown is a multi talented artist who has made a name for herself with her beautiful graphite children's portraits. Lately, she's off in a fabulous new direction, and I was lucky enough to visit her in her studio a few weeks ago. Join me this week when we will visit Emily's creative space and see her exquisite creations.

VJ: What place inspires you?

EMB: "I have to say my studio. I definitely get inspired by beautiful places and nature, but I try not to get too caught up in the feelings or rely too much on inspiration in order to produce work. I fully believe in what Picasso said, "inspiration exists, but it has to find you at work." My best work and ideas pop out while I'm in my studio at 3 am after I feel like nothing else will come. "

VJ: Creatively, what would you like to explore?

EMB:  I would love to create large scale murals. Studying something as small as a flower over such a large scale is really fun for me.

Follow Emily on Instagram @emilymorganbrown, 

Have a Great Weekend!

From the horse's mouth

Blackjack Stables 

2420 Burns Lane

Irondale, Al 35210

I Love My Job

I am so blessed to spend my days doing what I love. Yesterday I visited the UAB Women and Infant's Center to photograph two very special boys. These little guys have made incredible progress, and we're hoping they will go home in just a few weeks. Meanwhile, Mom and Dad spend a lot of time with them.

"To love what you do and feel that it matters how could anything be more fun!" Katherine Graham.

Birmingham Rouge - Japanese Bridge

Shot this through the very cool Bamboo Forest at the Japanese Gardens. 

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Birmingham Rouge - Dr. Pepper!

I thought I'd continue the Birmingham Rouge theme as I'm doing the same on my Paris Through My Lens blog this week. Today, we return to Blackjack Stables and Farms. LOVE this old Dr. Pepper drink cooler. Fun Fact: Dr. Pepper originated in 1885 in Plano, Texas but Birmingham also had a Dr. Pepper Syrup Co.  Every Saturday, the Pepper Place Market is held in the parking lots around that historic building.

Birmingham Rouge - Relax!

 I love Blackjack Farms and these great red chairs. Have a seat and enjoy the view.

Through The Screen Door

"Shut the screen door, you'll let the flies in!"

I heard that a million times growing up in the South. This is a view from Lake Martin, just south of Birmingham. Families all over are getting in their last beach/lake trips in before schools start next week. Too soon!

Birmingham Rouge - Feeling Cranky??

If you are my age, you knew immediately what this is. For the younger set, it's a hand crank ice crusher. My grandmother had one and always crushed the ice for our Cokes ( Coca Colas from a bottle). For memorabilia and much more, shop What's on Second that has relocated to First Avenue. You can't make that up. Who's on First? You know the rest.