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| painting of Alabama by Marla Kenney |
We have some very famous artists from Alabama, who have work exhibited in the Smithsonean Museum in Washington D.C. and in galleries all over the world. From Frank Fleming's sculptures to Gee's Bend quilts, to Robin Wade furniture and Samuel Mockbee's Rural Studio, our Alabama artists have gained much prestige! Also, our self-taught artists are internationally known for their unique brand of visual communication. There's the late Jerry Brown, our 9th generation potter who was one of the few artists who still used a mule to process his clay! Then, we have Don Stewart, the only professional artist I know of who used to be a medical doctor (surgeon, to be exact!). Alabama artists are gaining ground!
I recently went on a search to find local artists (in the hopes of someday inviting them to my classroom!) and found folks all over the state who happen to be making a living doing what they love - creating everything from pottery to vine furniture to leather bags to fine art canvas paintings.
This week, my middle school students are learning about careers in art (and aesthetics!) via genuine Alabama artists: below is a list of over 100 videos I found online. (They are short clips unless otherwise noted.) The majority of these videos feature current artists, but there are a few historical ones. Some of these artists are famous, some are not. This list is meant to be an inspirational one - where students can compare and contrast the artists' creative use of a variety of media, where they can discuss the difference between fine art and craft or the difference between a classically trained artist and a self-taught artist.
This is just a sampling (not a comprehensive list) of many wonderful artists from our state, and I am updating the list as I find great videos. They are in no particular order except for the artists' chosen medium. Please let me know if you find another one to add to the list!
(If you share these with your students, please preview them to be sure of appropriate content/advertisements. I have previewed all videos and none contain inappropriate content unless otherwise noted, but online media sources sometimes have advertisements that are not suitable for the classroom - be careful!)
ARTISTS OF ALABAMA:
PAINTING:
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| photo credit: rickytrioneart.com |
- Ricky Trione's Inspirational Art, Reflections of a Blind Painter, Youtube
- Ricky Trione Fairhope Artist, Youtube
- Artist Ricky Trione of the Bay Rivers Art Guild - Mr. Ricky shows us exactly how to create a painting "blind."
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| photo credit: Dori DeCamillis |
- Dori DeCamillis, painter, author, photographer, gallery owner, Birmingham, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter," Red Dot Gallery, blog, Self Portraits Using Animals As Humans, Exhibit A (book), blurb.com
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| photo credit art net.com |
- Bill Traylor, (1854 - 1949), former slave from Benton, Alabama, "More About the Book, It Jes' happened: When Bill Traylor Started To Draw," Youtube, "Bill Traylor, Chasing Ghosts," film by Jeffrey Wolf, billtraylorchasingghosts.com, Alabama Encyclopedia biography, (artwork in the Smithsonean Museum of American Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, American Folk Art Museum, the High Museum of Art, etc.)
- Mose Tolliver, (1920 - 2006), "Outsider Artists," by Anton Haardt, Youtube, Montgomery County, Alabama Encylopedia biography, (artwork in the Smithsonean Museum of American Art, the Birmingham Museum of Art, the Akron Museum of Art, the American Folk Art Museum, the High Museum, etc.)
Nall
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| photo credit Mobile Bay Magazine |
internationally known painter and mixed media artist who was mentored by Salvador Dali, Fairhope, Alabama
- Monoco interview (in French) - I chose this video clip because Nall can be seen working in his studio along with his beautiful paintings of flowers framed in mosaics, Youtube
- An Aha Moment, Youtube
- artist website biography
- http://www.octaviaartgallery.com/artists/nall
- http://blog.chron.com/enlightenedtravel/2012/12/nall-alabamas-artist-extraordinaire/
- http://folkart.org/mag/charlie-lucas-nall
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| photo credit: beckyguinn.org |
- Becky Guinn, watercolor, Becky Guinn, Vimeo, Artist Loses Hands, Feet, But Not Talent, CBS Evening News, Walking By Faith: Becky Guinn, CBS 19 News, beckyguinn.org
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| photo credit: MMFA |
Gary Chapman, Birmingham
- The Helmet Project
- Gary Chapman; Urban Painter, UAB Dept. of Art and Art History, Youtube
- Interview With the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, (Part II of III, - be careful with Part III - inappropriate for school age), Youtube
- Faculty webpage at the University of Alabama at Birmingham
- website: garychapmanart.com - his work is included in the permanent collections of 10 different museums in the Southeast (do not scroll through these paintings in front of kids - there are a few with inappropriate content)
- Gary Chapman blog
- Steve Lowery, Alabamians You Need To Know, al.com
- Thomas Andrew, Mountain Brook, Alabama, Into the Wild, time lapse painting - arbitrary color elephant on black roofing tar paper, Youtube, Making History, time lapse painting of American Pharoah winning the Triple Crown, Youtube, Surrender, time lapse painting of an angel, Youtube, Treat Art As A Business, how to market your artwork and be a successful artist
- David Nichols, (fine art canvas painter; landscapes and "Thin Folk,"), Birmingham, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Sue Ellen Brown, painter, illustrator, jewelry designer, Youtube, step by step drawings of dragons, Birmingham, Alabama, zoolnart.com
- Ahmad Austin, Youtube channel, Birmingham, Alabama, aaustinart.com
- Dale Kennington, Interview with Montgomery Museum of Fine Art, biography on dalekennington.com, realistic figurative and symbolic paintings, (her work is part of the permanent collection at the Montgomery Museum of Art and she has exhibited in dozens of art museums.)
- Jayne Morgan, "Honey Bears," Hoover, Alabama, "Talk of Alabama" interview, jaynemorgan.com
- Lois Wilson, (1905 - 1980), historic and highly trained painter of found objects, Fayette, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter," website biography
- Steven Davis, portrait artist, oil paintings on canvas, Montgomery, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter," stevendavisartworks.com
- Melissa Meeks, Coke Art, , (commercial mural restoration by fine artist Melissa Meeks), Moulton, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Andy Jordan, Spray Paint Artist, (canvas paintings), Birmingham, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter," pigmentpusher.com
- Billy Mack Steele, Watercolor Artist, Gadsen, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Jack Deloney, rural scenes, Dothan, Alabama, Jack Deloney Profile, This Week In Louisiana Agriculture
- John Lonergan, Birmingham, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter," biography
- Marla Hope Kenney, (Facebook), layered paintings, artist website, Hoover, Alabama
- James Knowles, Birmingham, Alabama
- Rik Lazenby, Alabama, lazenbydecorativeart.com, Facebook page
- Travis Abbott, landscapes, Birmingham, Alabama
- Sandy Mann, Youtube video:
"Framing Loose Canvas Art," sandymannart.com
DRAWING:
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| photo credit: dsart.com |
- Don Stewart; artist and author, keynote speaker for the 2015 Visual Arts Achievement Program, Alabama State Council on the Arts, Youtube, dsart.com
Absolutely Alabama Interview
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| photo credit: Brothers Handmade |
- Larry Allen, Absolutely Alabama Interview, Master potter, fine art pottery, Leeds, Alabama, video of classroom visit to HMS, Facebook), featured on HG T.V.'s "That's Clever," makes a sgraffito designed pot from start to finish
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| photo credit: Jerry Brown Pottery |
Jerry Brown, (1942 - 2016), Hamilton, Alabama, Potter and His Mule, "Absolutely Alabama," Jerry Brown Throws A Jug, 9th generation traditional potter from Hamilton, Alabama, Youtube, Short Interview with Jerry Brown, Youtube, "Alabama Craft, Tradition and Innovation," Alabama Public Television; features Jerry Brown (at the 30 minute mark) and various other craftsmen and women (Jerry Brown passed away on March 4, 2016. We are saddened by the loss of this wonderful man and our thoughts and prayers are with his family.)
- Charles Smith, Mobile, Alabama, Alabama Public Television Documentary; Craft & Innovation, Part II, (at the 18 minute mark), artist website
- Maya Blume-Cantrell, fine art sculptural pottery, Vimeo interview with Alabama News Center, time lapse video of Maya decorating a mug (Facebook), resident artist at the Coastal Arts Center, Orange Beach, Alabama, mayaearth.com, Facebook page
- Tena Payne, Interview with Alabama Inc., Leeds, Alabama, production art pottery, Youtube, (Earthborn Studios), Absolutely Alabama Interview, Earthborn Pottery
- Susan Gordan, decorative pottery and jewelry, Birmingham, Alabama, "Talk of Alabama" interview, Facebook page
- Susan Bowman, interview on Youtube
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| photo credit; Absolutely Alabama |
- Chad Nelson, Ug Chug Mugs, Nelson Studio, (functional clay wares), Berlin, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Ann Webb, Magnolia Springs, Alabama, Youtube, webbpottery.com
- Joel Shaw, Birmingham Metro Magazine
- Valinda Miracle, Miracle Pottery, Valley Head, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Bobby Gaither, folk art pottery, Remlap, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter," Facebook page
- Jamie Ankenbrandt, Prodigal Pottery, (Christian ministry - King's Home), Chelsea, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
SCULPTURE:
- Vulcan, largest cast iron statue, Birmingham, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Lonnie Holley, (found object sculpture) Birmingham, Alabama, Youtube, "The Year of Alabama Arts, Clip 4," & New York Times Magazine article, Lonnie Holley, The Insider's Outsider
- Charlie Lucas, Elmore County, An Introduction, Montgomery Museum of Fine Art, (first part of three), Alabama Encyclopedia biography
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| photo credit: Smithsonean Museum of American Art |
- Frank Fleming, Montgomery Museum of Fine Art Interview, ceramic and bronze sculpture, (second part of three), Encyclopedia of Alabama biography
- Scott Bennett, ceramic sculpture, Birmingham, Alabama, Red Dot Gallery, The Magazine of Metro Birmingham Living
- Dale Lewis, art furniture sculptor (wood), Blount County, featured in Soul's Journey, The Creative Process, Youtube
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| photo credit nelsongriceart.com |
- Nelson Grice, clay and bronze, nelsongriceart.com, Hoover, Alabama
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| photo credit: artlovesport.com |
- Bruce Larsen, internationally known fine art sculptor and special effects artist, Fairhope, article from al.com, Interview for artlovesport.com, artist website, biography
- Steve Davis, Sunheart Metalworks, Kentuck Artist Colony, Northport, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Ronald Godwin, metal sculptor, Brundidge, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Calvin Macon, The Art of Wood and Stone, Huffman, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter," calvinemacon.com
- Ira Chaffin, carousel horses by professional sculptor, Birmingham, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
MIXED MEDIA, ASSEMBLAGE, & COLLAGE:
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| photo credit: Smithsonean American Art Museum |
- Thornton Dial, Artist Profile, (1928- 2016), Bessemer, Alabama, Youtube, Mr. Dial Has Something To Say, (1 hour - recommended for middle and high school) Alabama Public Television Documentary (one use of a mild expletive half-way through the video), Alabama Lost a True, Southern Genius This Week, article by Gail Andrews, "Numerous museums hold Dial’s work in their collections, including the Whitney Museum and the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C., and the Harvard Art Museums in Cambridge, Massachusetts." Art News
- Doug Baulos, mixed media, sculpture, drawing, book arts, artist website, biography at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, "Artist, poet, assistant professor at The University of Alabama at Birmingham;collections Museum of Modern Art (NYC), The J. Paul Getty Museum (LA), The Birmingham Museum of Art (BHM); exhibitions: New Orleans Contemporary Arts Center (NOLA), Central Booking (NYC), Alabama Civil Rights Museum (Bham), Susan Hensel Gallery (MPLS)," the Foundation Gallery (New Orleans)
- Becky Morgan, collage artist, Dothan, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
GLASS:
- Cal Breed, Ft. Payne, Alabama
- Kerry Parks, Hot Glass Shop, Coastal Art Center, Orange Beach, Alabama, Youtube, Facebook page
- Stained Glass Artist, Huntsville, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Karen Reed, Earthstar Glass, Huntsville, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Jinger Glasgow, Jinger's Stained Glass, Pleasant Grove, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
ARCHITECTURE:
- Samuel Mockbee, Rural Studio, Andrew Freear, dir., (Auburn University), "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter," Rural Studio: Love Stories, Youtube, Encyclopedia of Alabama biography
- Dean Mosher & Craig Sheldon, Mosher Castle, Fairhope, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- The Florentine, architecture, 1926, Birmingham, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
PHOTOGRAPHY
- Charles Lee Moore: (1931-2010), "I Fight With My Camera," (30 minutes), (recommended for middle and high school), Civil Rights Photographer from Hackleburg, Alabama, Encyclopedia Britannica biography
- Butch Oglesby, "Talk of Alabama" Interview, Birmingham, Alabama, bluemoonstudios.net
- Pamela Willison Spurlock, Creation Calls Nature Photography, Cedar Bluff, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter" (This artist is originally from Canada and speaks of falling in love with Alabama)
FIBER ARTS:
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| blog author with a few of the ladies of Gee's Bend, February 2016 |
Quiltmakers of Gee's Bend, Alabama, Youtube (historical information at the Encyclopedia of Alabama)
- Quiltmakers of Gee's Bend Sing in Decatur, video by Noel King, courtesy of Beth Young, Facebook
- Quiltmakers of Gee's Bend, (1 hour), Alabama Public Television Documentary
- Robin Wade Furniture, robinwadefurniture.com, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter," Florence, Alabama, other videos about Robin Wade: Logdog Sassafras Wade, Youtube, Design From Destruction, Youtube
- Andrew McCall, The Vineman, (vine furniture, etc.), Letohatchee, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Wayne Bridges, Wolf Ugly, (furniture, knives, piano key boxes), Northport, Alabama ... this is one of my favorite segments - my students enjoy any Nick Saban reference! "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Randy, Keith, and Dylan Cochran, Lookout Mountain Rockers, Ft. Payne, Alabama (woodstudio.com), "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
WEAPONS:
LEATHER CRAFT:
- Jordan Knives, Chip Jordan, (handmade knives), Theodore, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Smith Knives, Lacy Smith, Alabama Damascus Steel, Jacksonville, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- The Flint Knapper, Gerald Hoyle, New London, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Chatham Creel (jewelry), Walton Creel (gunshot art), Birmingham, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- The Rifleman, Nathan Hunt, Calera, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Biscuit Leather, Becky Stayner, (handmade leather bags), Homewood, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Gaskin Harnesses, Kevin Gaskin, (handmade leather horse harnesses), Haleyville, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
WOOD CRAFT:
- Bud Rogers, Ornament Carver, lathe, Gulf Coast, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Santa Jack York, cane carver, Anniston, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Randy Long, chest craftsman, Fruithurst, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter," Facebook page
- Corey Worden, chainsaw carving, "Beneath the Bark", Titus, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter," Facebook page
- Jim Hughes, Wood Craft and Turnings, Coker, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Don Phillips, Tallapoosa River Crafts, (turned bowls, knife handles, game calls), Delta, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Peco Forsman, museum quality models of buildings, Silverhill, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Peggy and Howard Mayo, Gourds, (decorative carved gourds), Calhoun County, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Organic Vessels, Missy Miles (art gourds), Vernon Williams (turned bowls), Hamilton, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Lexi Fitch, Reclaimed, various items made with barn wood, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Board Artist, Michael Garber, various items made out of old pallets, Florence, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
CULINARY ARTS:
ETC.:- Cake Effect, Komeh Ottison, Homewood, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Ana Kelly, Food Stylist, Gallant, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Concrete Botanicals, Laura Cutchin, (decorative concrete leaves), Eufala, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Sneaker Head, Charlotte and Robin Cummings, Shoe Collection (new and historic shoes, includes Forest Gump's shoes), Hanceville, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- The Doll Maker, Jackie Stevens, Cook Springs, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- George's Broom Closet, George Jones, Florence, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- The Car Man (Antique Collection), Cotton Alexander, Boaz, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Susan Turner, Former elementary teacher paints floorcloths and furniture, New Market, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Laurie Banes, American flag artist, pastel, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Billy Hoffman & Al Eastridge, Earth's Treasures, rock jewelry, Opelika, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
- Wes Baker, antique book binder, Anniston, Alabama, "Absolutely Alabama With Fred Hunter"
*For a more complete listing of influential/historical artists, designers, and architects from Alabama, check out the "Encyclopedia of Alabama, Arts and Literature."
Another resource for current working artists in Alabama is on the Alabama Art Supply webpage: Alabama Artists.
Below is a list of important Alabama artists that I am still researching for good videos:
- Chris Clark, Birmingham, Alabama, Southern Visionary Art, Exhibition; Celebrate Life, the Birmingham Museum of Art
- Jimmy Lee Suddoth, Fayette, Alabama, New York Times biography
article by Mrs. Anna Nichols
4 comments:
SANDY MANN Winner of one of the two Marshall County Foundation for Fine Arts awards 4-16-2016, the pc that won "eternal walk" will be a permenant pc at the Guntersville musuem ran by Julie Patton. Sandy is a resident artist at Artist on the Bluff in Hoover which is ran by Linda Williams.
I just added you to the list - thank you for your comment! I enjoyed seeing your lovely paintings on your website and I found one Youtube video featuring Sandy Mann. Do you have any online interviews I could add?
My current website is www.dougbaulos.com
Thank you! I just changed the link.
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