 Fairy Jar, by Frances Perea One of the unique things about Arts & Ales is demonstrations by local artists. As you sample the dozens of craft beers, listen to the bands, and shop for original art, you can also watch as artists create their work; in some cases, you can even help. On March 9, at Monterey Station in Cowan, TN, you can meet the Fairies of Lullymore. The Fairies of Lullymore are the creation of Winchester artist Frances Perea. Come meet these enchanting fairies from Lullymore, County Kildare, Ireland and find out how they came to live in America. They are currently are boarding at the Artisan Depot Gallery, 204 E. Cumberland Street, Cowan, TN, and are seeking forever homes. Frances will be offering Arts & Ales attendees an opportunity to make fairie artist trading cards as part of the "mob art" activity, with all materials provided. Also, Artisan Depot gallery member Margie Gallagher will be creating a blue tape "mob art" tree and participants who make the artist trading cards will have an opportunity to show them off by pinning them to the “tree.” Margie will also be demonstrating how to make fairy houses from natural materials and Pat Richards will demonstrate how she creates fairy logs.
 This year's Arts & Ales is sure to be a magical event. Don't miss it. Reserve your tickets today. Your good time will make possible the scholarship program of the Franklin County Arts Guild, as well as other arts activities in and around the community. Monterey Station is located at 104 Monterey Street in Cowan, TN, just off the main road (Cumberland Street/41A) that runs through Cowan. Click here for a map.
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 Overcoming Objectives to Promoting Your Work "Build it and they will come" sounds great, doesn't it? Put your artwork in a gallery and boom! Sold! It's a lovely fantasy. If only life were that easy. It's pretty safe to make this generalization: artists hate to do marketing. Here's what we say: "I'd rather be in the studio." Who wouldn't? "I don't have time." Yes, you do. "I am not technically inclined." Not necessary. "Marketing is expensive." It can be, or it doesn't have to be. Let's address each of these impediments to doing marketing. "I'd rather be in the studio." If you're an artist, you probably would rather be in the studio than pretty much anything else. But you have a life. In fact, you probably have another job, because you don't sell enough art to pay all the bills. If you sold more, you might be able to be a full-time artist and, sure enough, that is HARD. But even if you only make enough from your art to pay for a fancy trip every year, or a new car now and again, wouldn't that be great? Selling more art pays for your hobby/supplemental income/art job and, to sell more, you need some marketing. Stuff doesn't sell itself. "I don't have time." Can you carve out 10 minutes a day for marketing your art? 30 minutes? An hour once a week? Maybe the time you spend on Facebook, looking at funny cat videos (guilty here) or reading political rants could be redirected to promoting your art. How much time marketing takes depends on what types of marketing you choose to do, and how labor-intensive each marketing method is. "I'm not technically inclined." Let's face it, much of life takes place in the digital world today, advertising most especially. You don't have to be Bill Gates to do online marketing (social media, a decent website, etc.) but you should have at least a comfortable acquaintance with your computer, tablet, and/or smart phone. With the ability to work a little bit with images (sizing, cropping and so on) and knowing how to upload those images to your website, Facebook, and Instagram, you're already pretty far down the pike (and farther than artists who don't promote themselves). "Marketing is expensive." First ask yourself, what is the cost of not marketing? Lost opportunities are incalculable, but it's a no-brainer that no investment in marketing means fewer sales. There are many ways of marketing that carry no out-of-pocket cost but do cost in terms of time. There are other ways of marketing that cost something; how much you can afford to spend depends on what you can expect to receive in return. We will cover some of the more cost-efficient ways of marketing your artwork in the next installment of this blog. In the meantime, be thinking of how much you want to sell your artwork, and why. Happy (and successful) creating!  Guild member Kim Phillips will be exhibiting her work from March 1 through April 14 at the Guild’s gallery in Cowan. The public is invited to the opening reception on Friday, March 1 at 5:00 pm; refreshments will be served. The theme of the show, “Olio,” refers to the fact that the exhibit includes many objects that are unalike: paintings, graphite, clay, mosaic, pastels, and more. Said Ms. Phillips, “Most professional artists stick to one medium, and for over a dozen years I did only papercut art. But there are so many things that capture my attention and plenty of good teachers to inspire me.” Teachers are, in fact, given special mention in this art show.  Promoting the arts in Franklin County and beyond is a primary mission of the Franklin County Arts Guild. Ms. Phillips, as the Guild’s workshop coordinator, is aware of the influence teachers can have on artists. “For example,” said Ms. Phillips, “skills learned in one medium can be helpful in others. What I learned about composition and color in papercutting apply very well in mosaics and even in Zentangle.” She continued, "I hope every artist in the Guild who can teach a creative skill will sign up to do that. Helping others develop their artistic talents is one of the most satisfying things an artist can do."  Ms. Phillips, a Nashville native, moved to the Cowan area about three years ago. "What was so surprising to me," she said, "is how many artists live and work in this area. While our arts guild may be small compared to some, it's mighty. We have shows for students, members and the community at large, we give a scholarship each year, we offer classes, and we get together to do art every Wednesday. We are all volunteers, and you won't find a more dedicated bunch of people." The Artisan Depot is located at 204 Cumberland Street East in Cowan, Tennessee. More information is available at www.franklincoarts.org
 On Saturday, March 2, the Artisan Depot in Cowan will host Huntsville pastel artist Jodi Nuttall for a landscape workshop. The class, which runs from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, will cover various techniques with different pastels, with a choice of landscape scenes for reference. The cost for the workshop is $35 plus materials fee(s). For more information and to register, click here.  A native Huntsvillian, Jodi shares studio space with her artist husband, David Nuttall, at Lowe Mill. In 1979, she was encouraged by a professional artist teaching a painting class at the University of Alabama at Huntsville to get a degree in fine art and paint for a living. Instead, she decided to work and just paint on the side. Painting was always there in the back of her mind and, after nineteen years at a local company, she quit to paint full time. Jodi's current passion is painting landscapes and still lifes with soft pastels on “Pastelbord.” She also dabbles with abstracts and takes commissions. The immediacy velvety texture of the soft pastels, along with the directness of moving the pigment around with her fingers, are what she likes most. An oil painter for several years, she got tired of mixing paint and mediums to get the desired colors and consistency. To see more of her work, click here. Class size for the Pastel Landscapes workshop is limited to 10 people, and pre-registration is required. The Artisan Depot is the gallery and gift shop of the Franklin County Arts Guild and is located at 204 Cumberland Street E in Cowan, Tennessee. Questions? Email workshop coordinator Kim Phillips at franklincoarts@gmail.com with "Workshop Question" in the subject line.
 On Saturday, February 9, textile artist and educator Christi Teasley will lead participants in a print-making workshop at the Artisan Depot in Cowan, Tennessee. The workshop, Stamp It!, runs from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Participants will discover how to carve blocks of linoleum and use those--and other materials--to create one-of-a-kind artwork. Images will be printed on items including tea towels, notecards, and other substrates. Please visit www.franklincoarts.org/workshops to register; pre-registration is required.  From her studio in Monteagle, Tennessee, Christi's practice centers on crafting works of cloth and paper, utilizing new and traditional processes of natural dyeing, printing, mark-making, stitching and constructing. Dish towels, valentines, tuffets, and large works for walls share her time, attention, and space. Christi discovered her love of repeated patterns and printing fabric as a high-school student at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School (SAS) and honed her study of textile dyeing, printing, surface design, and construction at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). Christi received a BFA from RISD and later returned to earn a MA in Art Education. She taught studio art and directed SAS Gallery and Visiting Artist Program at St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School. She now continues to work on the leadership team for Shakerag Workshops, a top-notch series of studio workshops for adults which are held on the SAS campus each June. The Artisan Depot is the gallery and gift shop of the Franklin County Arts Guild and is located at 204 Cumberland Street E in Cowan, Tennessee. Questions? Email workshop coordinator Kim Phillips at franklincoarts@gmail.com with "Workshop Question" in the subject line.
 The Franklin County Arts Guild has invited local schools to display the work of their art classes at its Artisan Depot gallery in Cowan. The first show of 2019 showcases work by students at North Middle School. The show goes up January 10 and there is an opening reception for the public on Friday, January 11 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. The students are from the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade classes of teacher Emily May-Ragland, and the show will be on display through January 27. Other 2019 student shows at the Artisan Depot include:
The Artisan Depot, as part of its mission to promote the arts in Franklin County and the surrounding area, also hosts both Community Shows and Member Shows throughout the year. The first Member Show shares an opening with the North Middle student show on January 11 at 5:00 pm; the public is invited. For more information on Community Shows and Member Shows is at www.franklincoarts.org/shows; the first Member Show is a joint show with Mary Ann Morrison and Betsy Coyne Rung. The Franklin County Arts Guild is an organization of local artists and supportive members who are interested in promoting fine arts and crafts in Franklin County and the surrounding area in Tennessee. Its gallery, the Artisan Depot, is located on Cumberland Street in Cowan, Tennessee.
 The Artisan Depot has announced four art classes scheduled for January 2019. On January 5, painter Bradley Wilson will lead a workshop, “Acrylic Painting for Everyone.” While the workshop is appropriate for beginners, experienced painters will find inspiration and enjoyment in the class. Durinda Cheek, noted watercolorist, will lead a day-long “Watercolor Bootcamp” to teach basic watercolor techniques. The workshop will be lively and filled with information, and participants will do their own paintings in the last part of the class. In preparation for Valentines Day, Nashville collage artist Pam Larson will be leading class geared for fun and creative exploration in “My Crazy Valentine.” Participants will discover a looser, more whimsical style of working. This workshop includes a bonus envelope-making portion. January 22 is the next in a series of “Paint & Sip” events with Carolyn Evey of Mountain Painting Parties. Easels, acrylic paints, and 11 x 14 canvases are included with the registration fee. Participants may bring their favorite wine or beer; water and iced tea will be available. The gallery will also provide light snacks. Pre-registration is required for all workshops at the Artisan Depot. Online registration is available at www.franklincoarts.org/workshop-details and people age 14 and up may participate (except for Paint & Sip events, for which participants must be age 21 or older.) The Artisan Depot is the gallery and gift shop of the Franklin County Arts Guild and is located at 204 Cumberland Street E in Cowan, Tennessee. Questions? Call workshop coordinator Kim Phillips at 615-829-0772.
 Bradley Wilson, who recently taught an abstract painting workshop at the Artisan Depot, is returning to teach two sessions of "Acrylic Painting for Everyone." Both sessions take place on the same day, January 5, 2018. The first session will be from 9:00 am to noon, and the second session will be from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Participants can sign up for either session or both.  The two sessions of painting with acrylics will be geared for beginners, but experienced painters will also enjoy learning with Wilson. He received degrees in painting from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (BFA, 1994) and the University of Mississippi (MFA, 1997). His paintings, drawings, and sculptures are in many private and corporate collections across the United States and Europe. His teaching style is energetic and positive, giving participants experience with the tools and the flexibility to express their own visions. Pre-registration for the sessions is required; click here to register. The class fee for each session is $55, payable at registration. The materials fee of $15 per session is payable at the workhop. The Artisan Depot is the gallery and gift shop of the Franklin County Arts Guild and is located at 204 Cumberland Street E in Cowan, Tennessee. Questions? Call workshop coordinator Kim Phillips at 615-829-0772.
 The next "Paint & Sip" night at The Artisan Depot in Cowan is Tuesday, December 11, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. The event will be led by artist Carolyn Evey, who is locally well-known for her popular Mountain Painting Parties in Tracy City. Everyone from beginning painters to professional artists are invited to participate; pre-registration is required. Participants will paint a lovely winter mountain scene; easels, acrylic paints, and 11 x 14 canvases are included with the $30 registration fee; click here to register. Participants may bring their favorite wine or beer; water and iced tea will be available. The gallery will also provide light snacks.  Carolyn Evey has taught elementary art in the public school system and for homeschool tutorials. For more than 15 years, she has created original home portraits in pen and ink for realtors and clients in the Nashville/Brentwood area. Since moving in 2017 to Monteagle Mountain, she began instructing Mountain Painting Parties on a regular basis, in and around Tracy City. She says, "It is a privilege to be involved in the community, encouraging creativity and providing artistic inspiration for participants, even those who may have never before held a paintbrush to canvas!" The Artisan Depot is the gallery and gift shop of the Franklin County Arts Guild and is located at 204 Cumberland Street E in Cowan, Tennessee. Questions? Call workshop coordinator Kim Phillips at 615-829-0772.
 On December 1, the Artisan Depot in Cowan will host Lynn Driver, noted mosaic artist, to lead a mosaic jewelry workshop. Participants will create abstract mosaic pendants, perfect for gift-giving this holiday season. The workshop begins at 1:00 pm and goes to 3:00 pm. Registration is online at www.franklincoarts.org/workshop-details and pre-registration is required.  Drawing influence from both nature and imagination, Driver creates sculptural mosaics out of stained and recycled glass, repurposed broken dinnerware, smalti, millefiori, filato, and found objects. Her work is a familiar and exciting feature of the Middle Tennessee landscape: visitors to the Peabody College campus will recognize her whimsical and welcoming Black Cat, part of Vanderbilt University’s permanent collection. Another of her cats and a pug grace the Monroe J. Carell Children’s Hospital. Driver participated in the gilding of Athena in the Centennial Park Parthenon, and her pieces have been exhibited at Cheekwood Botanical Hall, and at Watkins College of Art, Design & Film. She was awarded a Master Artist/Apprentice Program Grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission in 2012. Most recently, she led the rehabilitation of Dragon Park in Nashville.  The Artisan Depot is the gallery and gift shop of the Franklin County Arts Guild and is located at 204 Cumberland Street E in Cowan, Tennessee. Questions? Call workshop coordinator Kim Phillips at 615-829-0772.
 December 8 and 9, artists and fine craft artisans in Monteagle and Sewanee, Tennessee open their studios to the public. Over 25 artists in the area will be offering their work in a wide range of mediums from painting, pottery and sculpture to textiles, paper art, mixed media, glass, jewelry, book arts and more. In addition, several galleries are participating in the tour: The Gallery at Monteagle in the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly; Locals in Sewanee; and St. Anderews-Sewanee Art Gallery. There will also be artists displaying their work at Clara's point and the American Legion Hall, both at Sewanee. Works by artists from the Franklin County Arts Guild will be offered at the Pippa Browne Studio in Sewanee. Times for the tour are: Saturday, December 8 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday, December 9 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. To download a copy of the tour map, click here. Printed maps are available at Artisan Depot in Cowan and at local galleries. The annual Monteagle-Sewanee Studio Tour is sponsored by the South Chapter of Tennessee Craft. The Franklin County Arts Guild is an organization of local artists and supportive members who are interested in promoting fine arts and crafts in Franklin County and the surrounding area in Tennessee. Its gallery, the Artisan Depot, is located on Cumberland Street in Cowan, Tennessee.
 The Artisan Depot in Cowan is beginning a series of paint-and-sip nights in the gallery. The first two sessions are Tuesday, November 13 and Tuesday, December 11; both are from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. The workshops will be led by artist Carolyn Evey, who is locally well-known for her popular Mountain Painting Parties in Tracy City. Everyone from beginning painters to professional artists are invited to participate; pre-registration is required. At the November 13 event, participants will paint trees in their fall colors; easels, acrylic paints, and 11 x 14 canvases are included with the $30 registration fee; click here to register. Participants may bring their favorite wine or beer; water and iced tea will be available. The gallery will also provide light snacks.  Carolyn Evey has taught elementary art in the public school system and for homeschool tutorials. For more than 15 years, she has created original home portraits in pen and ink for realtors and clients in the Nashville/Brentwood area. Since moving in 2017 to Monteagle Mountain, she began instructing Mountain Painting Parties on a regular basis, in and around Tracy City. She says, "It is a privilege to be involved in the community, encouraging creativity and providing artistic inspiration for participants, even those who may have never before held a paintbrush to canvas!" The Artisan Depot is the gallery and gift shop of the Franklin County Arts Guild and is located at 204 Cumberland Street E in Cowan, Tennessee. Questions? Call workshop coordinator Kim Phillips at 615-829-0772.
 After overhearing, "I really need a basic drawing class," many times, the Artisan Depot's workshop coordinator, Kim Phillips, decided to teach a class in basic drawing skills. She says, "I have been drawing since I could hold a pencil, and have taken many drawing classes, but you can really never take too many. Drawing is a skill that gets rusty if you don't practice it all the time." The Basic Drawing workshop takes place at the Artisan Depot on Sunday, October 28 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. All materials are provided, and participants leave with a still life and several sketches, as well as the course workbook. Pre-registration is required by October 27; click here to register.  Kim Phillips is a working artist and member of the gallery at the Artisan Depot. She works in papercutting, painting, and mixed media. She is originally from Nashville. The Artisan Depot is the gallery of the Franklin County Arts Guild and is located at 204 Cumberland Street East in Cowan, Tennessee. It is open each week from noon to 5:00 pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays and 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays. Click here for more information and please like our Facebook page. For information about workshops, contact Workshop Coordinator, Kim Phillips, at 615-829-0772.
 Flag books are a unique and creative way to bind books for gift-giving or simply to preserve memories. The Artisan Depot in Cowan, TN is hosting a workshop, led by Margie Gallagher, on Sunday, November 4 to teach participants the fun and easy art of making flag books. The workshop, which takes place from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, will walk participants through:
All materials are provided for the workshop, which has a Christmas theme, but participants are encouraged to bring any flat paper objects they would like to make into a flag book (photographs, greeting cards, etc.). Old Christmas cards will be particularly useful. Participants will leave with at least one book. Pre-registration before the day of the workshop is required. Class size is limited to 8 people, so it is suggested to register right away by clicking here.  After a career as a biologist and professor, Margie Gallagher has found joy in creating art. Among her materials and techniques are watercolor, drawing, book-making, mixed media and more. She looks forward to sharing the flag-book-making technique with you. The Artisan Depot is the gallery of the Franklin County Arts Guild and is located at 204 Cumberland Street East in Cowan, Tennessee. It is open each week from noon to 5:00 pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays and 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays. Click here for more information and please like our Facebook page. For information about workshops, contact Workshop Coordinator, Kim Phillips, at 615-829-0772.
 Have you always wanted to do abstract painting but didn't know where to start? Now you can find out in a workshop with artist Bradley Tyler Wilson on Saturday, October 27 at the Artisan Depot in Cowan, Tennessee. Participants will explore the creative possibilities of shape, color, texture and composition. The instructor will demonstrate a variety of methods and techniques for starting and developing an abstract work, then participants will create their own paintings. A critique session will conclude the workshop, which runs from 9:00 to noon. All materials provided; participants take home what they make. Beginners are welcome, and experienced painters will challenge themselves, too. How to Register: The class fee is $55, payable when you register here. There is a materials fee of $15 payable at the class. Class size is limited to 8 participants, so early registration is encouraged. Pre-registration before the day of the class is required. This class is suitable for ages 16 and up. See more of Bradley's work here.  Bradley Tyler Wilson was born in Chattanooga in 1970. He received degrees in painting from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (BFA, 1994) and the University of Mississippi (MFA, 1997). His paintings, drawings, and sculptures are in many private and corporate collections across the United States and Europe. Bradley is represented by the In-Town Gallery in Chattanooga and York & Friends in Nashville. He lives with his wife, cat, and 11 dogs near Chattanooga. The Artisan Depot is the gallery of the Franklin County Arts Guild and is located at 204 Cumberland Street East in Cowan, Tennessee. It is open each week from noon to 5:00 pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays and 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays. Click here for more information and please like our Facebook page. For information about workshops, contact Workshop Coordinator, Kim Phillips, at 615-829-0772.
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