Charlotte Art

The June Plaza-Midwood Art Krawl

Andy Ciordia — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 15:27:03 +0000

We went out and lent support Brooke Colby and Justin Abraham at the Krawl. The event was a fantastic success with an outpouring of local people visiting a bevy of local artists. Those who opened their businesses received quite the foot traffic and we hope everyone had as much fun as we did. Visit thekrawl.org for a video montage and view our own little capture.

The Rock’s Arts and Music Festival

Andy Ciordia — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:11:00 +0000

Friend an local artist Jay Thompson was instrumental in helping bring together some regional artists and fantastic music (including Futureman) to Rock Hill. We enjoyed a fantastic afternoon of warmth, cool breezes, food, and friendship.

A Taste of the Event

Presented By

Back Home Entertainment, Bird, LLC, and Arts Council of York County.

Objective Artist Justin Abraham

Andy Ciordia — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:09:19 +0000

We welcomed Justin Abraham to Charlotte Art and really grew from the meeting. Beyond his talent he exudes a mind that is sharp and enjoys a breadth of communication deeply rooted in his watchful nature.

A very humble artist Justin draws his inspiration through every connection of his environment. Inspired by human activity he sees creativity in the wave of a hand, the cadence of a walk, the inputs of personal style and respects that individual uniqueness that we broadcast with each breath.

Justin Abraham Interview

Creative Pillars

While Justin may inference humanity itself as a creative source his influences are just as deep. The light and shadow thoughts of Gustave Doré, Maxfield Perish’s layered color techniques, the fantasy of Boris Vallejo and Louis Royo. He includes a bevy of sources that have inspired.

Ever watchful Justin picks and chooses from the buffet around him and is able to create some very dramatic representations of his worlds. He enjoys a good challenge finding some of his best efforts when bringing dipolar ideas together for clients.

Establishing a Foothold

Justin is very close to an established artist and would like to finish breaking through. He like many artists struggle with the future wanting to create more quality not quantity pieces. Controlling growth so he can stay representational of his work so he can accomplish what he wants in his artistic endeavors. Justin mentions that a smart artist will begin to recognize efficient improvements that allow them to work faster while retaining their qualitative edge.

The Charlotte Community

As always we want to see a vibrant community here in Charlotte and Justin does too. He would like to see more meeting of the minds between our local conservative artists and underground communities. Both are getting good support from their demographics but it would be nice to see the larger corporate investments have more local influences.

Justin gives a lot of his time to the local arts community and has shown at many Charlotte art venues. Upcoming on June 14th he will be at Hair Klaudt for the Plaza-Midwood Krawl.

Reaching Out is Easy

You can visit Justin Abraham on his own site and his local profile here at Charlotte Art. We had a great time interviewing him and hope you can see his work on display soon.

The Charlotte Plaza-Midwood Gallery Krawl

Andy Ciordia — Wed, 14 May 2008 21:54:07 +0000

Saturday, June 14th 2008 from 6pm to 11pm in the Plaza Business District in Charlotte.

Come out and support a collaboration of area Musicians and Artists. There is a event schedule packed with entertainment.

From the Krawl’s Tim Griffin,

Our next event is scheduled for June 14th, check out the website. We are currently looking for more local artist to display their work on a no commission show and sale. We also have an outdoor arts and crafts flea market style area that night that is free to all crafters… just bring a table and set up your wares! We have over 25 bands playing outdoors and over 40 artist already.

This is a grass roots effort and it dedicated to showcasing local arts and artists and to show support of them in this area. We would welcome any help or support from you and your website to help get the word out to the artists in the area that might want to show and sale their work that night. We are expecting over 2500 people that night.

Mail Tim Griffin for registration or more information.

Make plans to come down and enjoy the areas artists, conversation, and culinary arts. As always, work to support our local artists and economy.

Freestore Benefit at Area 15

Andy Ciordia — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 02:58:17 +0000

On Friday, April 4th, 2008, Area 15, it’s community of artists and regional bands held a benefit for the Freestore off of Parkwood. A store that no money transacts but people can bring and take what they need.

Over 200 people turned out to support some aspect of the community on a weather night that was both unpredictable as well as dangerous. The event which ran for nearly five hours brought out an eclectic blend of young adults. They offered new insights into their own generation and had great things to say about the works that were being displayed.

Keeping things entertaining during band intermissions Mark Livengood gave us a view of his works through a “circle time” of stories. These weren’t what you were raised on and Mark takes advantage of that through skewed tales of his own.

All in all it was a great night. When painters, sketchers, photographers, sculptors, musicians and more get together fantastic things are bound to transpire. After talking with Carlos at Area 15 there will be more shows and we’re going to work with him to help make it even more friendly and able to hold even more artists next time.

Pop Illustrator Alex Lee

Andy Ciordia — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:06:03 +0000

Within a world of squiggles, an artist rides the balancing angles of a piece of lead. What is coaxed out of a seemingly random beginning is a curious, sometimes laughable evolution. Illustrator and painter Alex Lee recently invited us to talk.

Fresh out of Winthrop’s higher education Alex has a mind like a full toy box. An array of ideas, illusions, and stories are bubbling inside. He channels it all into delightful orchestrations.

An Interview with Alex Lee

A mixed media presentation of Alex and some of his work. (5:23)

Artistic Creativity

Alex works his days as a contractor to the school system and gives drawing lessons to after school children. His fondness of children’s works is evident when you study the characters he creates. Inspired by Japanese pop culture, most notably artist Yoshitomo Nara’s work, you can feel the juxtaposition of child-like imagery combined with adult concepts.

Affordable Art

Artistically Alex enjoys working illustration into many mediums. He currently finds himself creating a multitude of small graphite based themes on recyclable materials. He is humble and almost a little shy about his arts availability. His real aim is to keep his work enjoyable and lively while staying very approachable to those who do not always buy art.

Like many artists Alex has a big heart and wants to help bridge the gulf that has formed between people and creativity. If he could let everyone have something that makes them smile or wonder that he has made I think it would sate him very well.

Talented Evolution

Expect to see Alex Lee’s work evolve as his keen eye picks up on life’s many odd idiosyncratic behaviors. What he turns that into is anyones guess but I look forward to finding out and seeing for myself.

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Upcoming Event March 20th at Prevue Lounge

Andy Ciordia — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 02:21:34 +0000

I’m working an interview schedule here which is great to meet many new faces and stories. I hope you enjoyed getting to meet Brooke. We’ve got more to come!

While interviewing Justin Abraham he told us of his upcoming showing at Prevue Lounge March 20th, 2008.

If you are a forward thinker, RSVP with Will over at Prevue, info@thevintageconnect.com

Metropolitan Mixer at Meetup,
Upcoming Event.

Abstract Figurative Watercolor Artist Brooke Colby

Andy Ciordia — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 19:13:02 +0000

Brooke Colby, a woman full of passion and interest gave us her time for Charlotte Art's first interview. Brooke finds herself at a crossroad of medium talents that let her build beautiful watercolor paintings blending transfers and drawings often in a female figurative abstraction.

Interviews, Interviews, Interviews

Andy Ciordia — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 19:27:07 +0000

Local area artists are lining up to talk their craft with Andy Ciordia and Charlotte Art. Everyone is very excited to share what they love.

In the upcoming weeks we will be hearing from Brooke Colby, Alex Lee, Jay Thompson, Austin Alston, and more.

If you would like to be heard from, share your work, let others know how to get in touch with you. Sign up to the Artist newsletter and the subsequent Interview list.

This is about supporting our local area arts and we need you to be a part of it.

We also have a Charlotte Art Facebook Group you can feel free to join, start a conversation, connection, and more.

Beginning Steps

Andy Ciordia — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 04:45:32 +0000

We want to offer everyone who comes here some opportunity.

Opportunity for an artist to get his or her face out there.

Opportunity for the public to learn something new or see something creative.

Opportunity for a buyer to find someone who can help them make that…thing..they’ve been looking for.

(You know that thing.. we all know that thing.. now maybe you can find someone to bring that thing to life.)

I still have some work to setup the buyers list but it’s coming. Today was spent getting the framework for the centerpiece of our exploration, the Artist.

If you are an artist and committed to making it, please see our page just for You.

If you are anything else, supporter, friend, explorer, dabbler, we encourage you to sign up to our Newsletter. You will be updated with site updates and happenings around town. Future features will include limited purchase opportunities and give-aways.

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