Frank Flemming 1940-2018

Birmingham artist Frank Fleming passed away yesterday. I was privileged to know him as a neighbor back in the 90. He would walk up and down Saulter Road in his shorts and floppy hat, and give me a wave. In 2010, I spent some time with him,  and he graciously allowed me to photograph his studio, housed in his home. He was a humble, kind and gentle man. He will be sorely missed but his magical creatures located all over this city will always be a reminder of his creative spirit.

Where Artists Create - Donna Sophronia-Sims

Meet my friend, neighbor and talented assemblage artist, Donna Sophronia-Sims. Donna creates what she calls found object robots and assemblage art dolls. Her studio is a small shed in her back yard that is chock full of found objects waiting patiently to become another whimsical creation.

VJ: How would you describe your work?

DSS: My robots, art dolls, and driftwood sculptures are assembled from old, damaged, rusty and recycled objects made of metal, wood, plastic and fabric. I may use the whole object, or modify it and use only fragments. I tinker with the found objects trying out different arrangements, until my intuition tells me it's right, into a complete work of art that reflects my humorous and whimsical goal. Some of my sculptures are attached to a base and some hang on the wall. 

It's fun and challenging to figure out the best way to join all the pieces together. Sometimes it's simple and sometimes complex. My pieces are primarily joined together using nuts, screws, rivets and adhesives. Steel objects are joined together with weld tacks. I use power tools for drilling or dismantling different parts.

Come back tomorrow and meet some of her Cast of Characters!

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 - 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, 

Where Artists Create -Celeste Pfau

I hope you have enjoyed meeting Celeste as much as I did.  She is a multi talented , creative, gentle soul,  and I will enjoy following her artistic journey. I hope you will as well.

What place inspires you ?

"I love going into forests! especially old growth forests! I have had the good fortune to visit a few in my life...  The Red Wood Forests in the Northwest... the Forests in the southern part of South America in Chile where my mother is from!  These Forests have an energy in them that is very powerful and awe inspiring, These forests have trees in them that are much older than anyone alive. This is very special!"

If you could explore another medium, what would that be?

"Basketry. I love 3-dimensional work and I also love natural fiber! I think their is a lot of artistry in the weaving of natural materials! I would learn traditional techniques and then use those techniques to make the images I want to explore."

COMING SOON, painter and children's portrait artist Emily Morgan Brown!

Where Artists Create - Meet the Artist

I spent an afternoon with Celeste Pfau while she worked her magic in the printing studio of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, where she was a student and uses the space when it's available.  It was a fascinating experience,  following her through her botanical print process. I'm sure I overstayed my welcome! Come back tomorrow and have a look around her creative space!

How would you describe your work?

"My work is serious in its playfulness. I use my intuition often to create it. No two pieces are exactly the same, but I do often work in series and explore certain compositions again and again until I get to where I am interested in going.. I do not sit and think and make nothing.. I THINK and embrace the creative process through DOING! Nothing is wasted. I do eventually find ways to use most everything I make even the left over papers I produce when I am creating my prints."

Where Artists Create - Back Porch Shadows

From time to time we will revisit some of our artist's studios. Today we're visiting the back porch of Kevin Irwin's wonderful studio, built in 1880. It's very small, but offers a view of downtown Birmingham. Happy vines have wound their way up to the second floor and promise a green carpet for the table and two chairs. 

Where Artists Create - Cleo, Art Dog

As I've shared, I"ve been photographing artist Kevin Irwin in her studio for many years. No studio visit is complete without a few shots of sweet Cleo. Like the rest of us, Cleo has gotten older and enjoys longer naps on her studio bed. Kevin woke her up for a quick shoot. I love this photo of the two of them together.  I"m including a few more of older photos that I love.

Where Artists Create - The Studio

Now that you have met Kevin Irwin and gotten to know and appreciate her many artistic talents, I suppose you might want to see where all this wonderfulness is created! Kevin's studio is in an charming old building overlooking downtown Birmingham built in 1880. It started as a saloon and rooming house ( house of ill repute?), and later was a soda bottling plant in the 1920s, then a candy company and later the office for Perfection Laundry. The painted BAMCO ( Birmingham Auto and Machine Company) signage on the outside is still visible. Kevin's eclectic but very organized studio takes up the entire second floor while her husband Paul's Irwin Brothers Remodling occupies the ground floor. As a photographer, it's one huge photo op. The exposed brick and original wood floors, along with windows commanding some nice views of Sloss Furnaces and downtown Birmingham make for an eclectic space for Kevin to work and exhibit her art.

What is the inspiration for your work?  "My heart.  What hurts me and what heals me.  What inspires me and what makes me rage.  But what is most important is what makes me laugh and inspires me to appreciate the joy and humour in life.  HOPE,  always. " 

Where Artitsts Create - Working With Clay

It's really hard to say what artist Kevin Irwin is "known for". If I had to narrow it down, I'd probably say her whimsical ceramic sculptures. Whether it's a sleeping dragon, an alligator with Noah's ark on his back or those rascally squirrels that terrorized the Wiregrass Museum of Art in Dothan, Kevin's menagerie is loved and collected by many adoring followers. Of course she can't leave it at that. Nope. She crafts lovely plates, planters, and even the tiniest of clay beads to add to her amazing jewelry. You'll have to wait for that.

How would you describe your work?  "My story in clay.  A love note to myself,  A healing potion for myself and those that have my work.  A love note to all that share my journey .  It is a language that some can understand."

Where Artists Create - Meet Kevin Irwin

Meet my multi talented friend Kevin Irwin. We have been neighbors and friends for about l8 years. I've photographed her in her creative space many times and will share a few older photos along with the ones I captured yesterday.

To say Kevin is multi talented is a bit of an understatement. In this one studio she creates whimsical ceramic sculptures, pottery, glass beads, tin and glass jewelry, watercolors and mixes of those mediums.  She's an entire series alone!

Come back tomorrow as we continue this creative journey!

What is the inspiration for your work?  My heart.  What hurts me and what heals me.  What inspires me and what makes me rage.  But what is most important is what makes me laugh and inspires me to appreciate the joy and humour in life.  HOPE,  always.  

Where Artists Create - The Webb Fam

Sarah Soule Webb is not only a very talented artist, but she's also a nutritionist, church and community volunteer, and a guitar playing wife and mom to James 4, and Paul 2. Here she is with husband Andy and the boys.

Art dog Betsy, is the family lab, named after Sarah's best friend.

James sings along using makeshift microphone with Mom accompanying on the guitar. Good times on the Webb front porch.

James' fabulous abstract is featured in the studio.

Where Artists Create - The Studio

Where Artists Create is a new photo series featuring Birmingham area artists in their creative spaces. 

Today we return to the studio of Sarah Soule Webb. 

Tell me about your creative space: "My studio is an old sleeping porch on the back of our 100 year old home. It has amazing light and I can make a mess and leave it! "

Bamboo on 2nd

Yesterday we visited The Collins Bar on 2nd Avenue North, today we cross the street and have a look at my talented friend Sarah Soule Webb's terrific octopus now hanging at Bamboo on 2nd. Bamboo features not just sushi but Asian fusion dishes.  I am hearing rave reviews for this place.

Guitar Man

This combo was entertaining guests at the Arthur Price opening exhibit at Gallery 1930 in English Village.

Sunday Church Series - St. Paul's Cathedral

This lovely original art by my Birmingham artist friend Sarah Soule Webb, has been donated for auction to benefit Community Kitchens,  but this is just one of many beautiful cathedrals she has painted. 

Evening With Arthur Price

Thursday evening I attended the opening of Arthur Price's newest work at the newly renovated Gallery 1930, in English Village. Art and his wife Caren are friends and I think he is one of the finest artist I know. If you are in the Birmingham area, don't miss this beautiful exhibit.

Meet the Artist - Amy Saab

Last Friday night, my church Independent Presbyterian Church attended the Shabbat service at Temple Emanu-El, and afterwards, hosted a reception for their congregation. Twice in our 100 years they opened their church to us, at our beginning and again in the 90's when we had a devastating fire. This centennial celebration for IPC would not have been complete without our sharing our gratitude with our Jewish friends. In honor of our 100 years, Amy Saab was commissioned by her church to paint this lovely view of our sanctuary. Amy also contributed her extraordinary artwork for their Book of Prayer. Our congregation will treasure this painting and the spirit in which it was given. Please visit  her website. She shares her visit to our church in such a beautiful way. Two religions, one wonderful friendship over so many years. 

City Sunset

My talented artist friend Kevin Irwin's studio looks north towards downtown Birmingham. I liked the reflection of her studio in the window.

Today I again join James' Weekend Reflections right HERE. 

Chloe and Her Human

My talented friend and artist Kevin Irwin, will laugh when she reads my title today. Chloe is her constant companion and comes to the studio every day. Let's just say Chloe has several cushy beds and an abundance of toys to keep her happy while Kevin creates fabulous art all over the place!