"Rooting the Oak City since 1788."
1st Friday Artist & Events
February 2014 Artist - Nancy East
Nancy East is a Raleigh native who studied Art Education at Meredith College. She is currently an elementary art teacher in the Wake County School System. When she's not teaching, Nancy enjoys creating art that's centered around the theme of life. Her inspiration includes anything from food, to animals, to scenes from her childhood. Nancy's stylized paintings and ink drawings portray a unique whimsy through bright, bold and invigorating colors and lines. Her website is coming soon. Please contact us for more information about her work.
Nancy's art will be on display throughout the remainder of February.
Artist Archive
January 2014 Artist - Blaine Willis
Inspired by Einstein’s theory of light and color, Willis's method is to apply extremely thin layers of primary color tones to create the illusion of all the colors in the spectrum. This method also creates multiple fields of depth not typically found in acrylic abstracts, making most of his paintings responsive to anaglyph 3-D glasses. Blaine Willis has been painting since early childhood and his recent works are figurative acrylics that focus on the emotive power of color. He is committed to using art as a way to give back to the community, whether through supporting charitable events, organizing festivals, or participating in public art projects. He is also available for commissioned works and murals.
Blaine's art will be on display throughout the remainder of January.
Blaine Willis Art
December Artist - Elena Caron
Elena is a self-taught artist that is constantly seeking out new mediums and techniques to express her faith, life, dreams, and past. She grew up in Ukraine, where she would have been in an orphanage if not for her grandparents raising her. She learned English from her grandfather while she helped him tend to plants. Later, through university, she worked as a florist and later as an English teacher. She came to the USA for graduate school, receiving a Masters in Early Childhood Education. Soon after, she met her husband, an artist too, who inspired her to begin painting. She never stopped. She's been working full-time as an artist for five years, exploring acrylics, watercolors, inks, fabrics, wax, and anything she can get her hands on. Art helps express her thoughts, feelings, and what she finds beautiful in this world. She currently lives and works in Raleigh, NC where she enjoys the beautiful seasons, the fantastic art culture of the city, and spending her free time with her husband and their three girls.
November Artist - Jennifer Miller
Jennifer's art is sensual and sexual! Encompassing all of the beauty women behold, her paintings are as symbolic as they are sexy. Using color and curves, she creates romantic portrayls of soft feminism with bold statements. They proudly embody a confidence that she thinks all women secretly posses. Since her exhibit in July was so popular, she's back and armed with some brand new pieces! Come see her classy portryal of women's beauty during the month of November. Her website is coming soon. Check out her etsy page for additional work.
October Artist - Elijah Ott
In an effort to shut out the world and forget about what's going on around him, Elijah Ott paint's quickly, using only spray paint and whatever tools and objects he has lying around. The result of his haste is brillant and raw - a harmonic combination of color and light that often depicts the sun, moon, an ocean, or a skyline. Elijah's unique technique produces art that suggests peace among chaos. Come celebrate him as our October artist on Friday, Oct. 4th from 7-10pm.
His website is coming soon!
September 2013 Artist - Brian Matzke
Brian grew up in Pinehurst, NC and went to school in Wilmington, NC before moving to Brooklyn, NY. He has recently returned to the place of his youth with a strong sense of family and community and a passion for art and old school hip hop and skateboard culture. His message is simple. He is for the people and seeks to make art fun and affordable for everyone. Jovially referring to himself as a “smart-ist” he has a care free and laid back approach to life yet remains always thoughtful and calculated. Doing everything freehand, he references many aspects of pop culture and attempts to employ “two-layers” of meaning to each piece. Brian is now proudly displaying his work at Paper Rock Scissors Gallery in beautiful downtown Southern Pines, NC as well as in Wilmington, NC and New Orleans, LA.
Brian Matzke Art
August Artist - Rachel Bailey
Rachel's art is an expression of who she is and how she sees the world. Her inspiration comes from events in her life and the world around her. No matter how she feels going through life, there is always an element in her paintings that shows the emotions in play at that time. To her, that is art.
She is a self taught artist, originally from Jacksonville, North Carolina. As a graduate of Johnson & Wales University with a degree in Culinary Arts, she recently relocated to Holly Springs, NC and has continued to pursue her passion for expression through art.
Her website is coming soon!
July Artist - Jennifer Miller
Jennifer's art is sensual and sexual! Encompassing all of the beauty women behold, her paintings are as symbolic as they are sexy. Using color and curves, she creates romantic portrayls of soft feminism with bold statements. They proudly embody a confidence that she thinks all women secretly posses. Come see her classy portryal of women's beauty during the month of July. Her website is coming soon. Check out her etsy page for additional work.
June Artist - Andrea Highsmith
Andrea may have lived in the 1920's in a past life! Her art and technique is a vintage and timeless nod to a glamorous time. Come experience this Art Deco stye and Andrea's unique vision. From vintage pencil renderings to whimsical paintings, her art is beautifully eclectic and reminiscent of times past.
Andrea Highsmith Art
May Artist - Amanda Dicken
In light of Spring and warm weather, we welcome our May artist, Amanda Dicken. Her vibrant colors and whimsical style evoke all of the things May and Spring boast. Amanda's resume includes various commissioned pieces like custom wall murals and a book mobile for the Wake County Public Library. It also includes her impressive art education and art teaching endeavors. We hope you'll peruse her website, below, and come experience her art firsthand at our First Friday celebration on May 3rd.
Amanda Dicken's Art
April Artists - A collection from A Small Miracle, Inc. students
In honor of Autism Awareness Month, we're featuring the work of some very special artists from the A Small Miracle day program. This program is designed to improve the lives of those individuals with intellectual disabilities by providing support, services, education, and compassion, while assisting them in building and maintaining happy, fulfilling, and productive lives.
We are proud to feature the creativity of these students, as we help educate our patrons about autism. The money from each masterpiece sold will go directly to the talented artist who created it!
A Small Miracle, Inc.
March 2013 Artist - Blaine Willis
Inspired by Einstein’s theory of light and color, Willis's method is to apply extremely thin layers of primary color tones to create the illusion of all the colors in the spectrum. This method also creates multiple fields of depth not typically found in acrylic abstracts, making most of his paintings responsive to anaglyph 3-D glasses. Blaine Willis has been painting since early childhood and his recent works are figurative acrylics that focus on the emotive power of color. He is committed to using art as a way to give back to the community, whether through supporting charitable events, organizing festivals, or participating in public art projects. He is also available for commissioned works and murals.
Blaine's art will be on display throughout the remainder of March.
Blaine Willis Art
February 2013 Artist - Jennifer Ambrose
Call it whimsical, fun, or just plain quirky, Jennifer's art emits a playful attitude that often includes: offbeat animals, characters, children's pieces, feet & flowers, remade fairy tales, and pinups. Born in Buffalo, NY, Jennifer is a self taught artist that paints like a girl with her head in the clouds. Her inspiration comes from everywhere but her only goal is to make viewers smile.
Her art will be on display for the month of February with a special "Meet the Artist" party Friday, February 1st from 7-10pm as a part of downtown Raleigh's "First Friday Art Tour." Visit her website below for more information.
Jennifer Ambrose Art
January 2013 Artist - Chip Haver
Chip Haver is a local artist and has always let art influence his life. He has over twenty years experience in the construction and design industry, as he turns "now into wow." Among other hobbies, art has become chip's most prized passion. Through his art, Chip has been able to express himself in new and innovative ways. Chip creates his art based on the different things that influence him in his life, such as nature and daily emotions.
His art will be on display for the month of January with a special "Meet the Artist" party Friday, January 4th from 7:30-9pm as a part of downtown Raleigh's "First Friday Art Tour."
Chip Haver Art
December 2012 Artist - Marwen El Hicheri
Mawen was born in Tunisia (North Africa) in February 1967, where he lived until the age of sixteen, then moved to Paris, France to finish high school and to attend the renown architecture school, Beaux Arts. It's this cultural background that has given him his greatest inspiration. He paints for color and content and loves the conflict between rushes of vibrant color and bold, start lines. He has always been fascinated by humanity, the erotic and sensual nature of life, the religious and spiritual side of human beings, tragedies, and the urge to carry on. All of these themes are reflective in his work. It is sometimes spontaneous and sometimes planned, but always symbolic and gives viewers a freedom of imagination and interpretation. His work is exhibited in Tunisia, USA, France, Morocco, Japan, Italy, and England.
Marwen El Hicheri Art
November 2012 Artist - Paula Renee Burke
Paula Renee is a visual artist living and working in Raleigh North Carolina. Her B.F.A. in Fine Art and Design was received from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Subsequent to that she worked for Laura Mercier Cosmetics as a Makeup Artist and Beauty Consultant. She was privileged to have assisted in national makeup events with Laura Mericer (personal makeup artist to Sarah Jessica Parker) and Barbie Laurino (Celebrity Makeup Artist & TLC's "How do I look"). Paula has been commissioned for various projects such as murals, paintings, bridal makeup and more. Paula's work has been displayed in several Raleigh art galleries and has worked on creative projects with Extreme Home Makeovers' Director of Photography.
Paula's work will be displayed throughout the remainder of the month. Visit her website below for more information.
Paula Renee Art
October 2012 Artist - Miriam Ximil
Miriam Ximil was born in Puebla, Mexico in 1987. Her parents emigrated to Queens, New York the following year of 1988. Growing up in Queens played a pivotal role to discovering the world of art. One day at the age of 5 she tried to emulate a mural she had seen on the way to school on her mothers wall using crayons.
Using mostly mixed media (acrylics, Ink, pencil, color pencils, watercolors, spray paint and photography) Miriam draws out elaborate illustrations based on dreams, science, film, music and social taboos.
Visit Miriam's website for more information.
Miriam Ximil Art
September 2012 Artist - Kevin Peddicord
Originally a native of Columbia, MD, Kevin moved to North Carolina in 1991. He began as a designer/art director/pre-press manager at a Triangle-area printing company. In January 2001, he started started his own graphic design company, The Vision Vault, Inc. A commercial illustrator since 1980, Kevin has worked primarily in the sports entertainment field (Carolina Hurricanes, Durham Bulls, Baltimore Orioles, NASL, NASCAR, WCW, etc.) as well as the retail snack food and beverage business. He started oil painting in the summer of 2004 and participated in a number of shows at various galleries in Raleigh and Wilmington. His primary work is figurative painting in oils and acrylics, as well as watercolor and pen and ink drawings. Currently, Kevin lives in Raleigh with his wife, Nanette and two children, Ian and Dane.
Visit Kevin's website for more information.
Kevin Peddicord Art
August 2012 Artist - Jamie Lynn Moore
"Creating my own art is essential for me. I mainly focus my efforts on painting and collaging, yet I enjoy other mediums as well. Nothing is more soothing than feeling a brush spread smooth acrylic paint across the surface of a rough canvas or reconstructing meaning through a patchwork of prefabricated images, colors and textures. My artwork is my escape. It is my world. It is the one aspect of life that I have complete and utter control of, therefore I construct imagery that is appealing to my eyes and meaningful to me, with the hope that others may connect to it as well."
Visit Jamie's website for more information.
