Jean Rogers and Doris Smith at Artist Alley This Friday!

Please join us at Artist Alley this Friday, June 3rd, as we welcome two talented North Carolina artists for our First Friday Opening. Doris Smith and Jean Rogers will be with us from 5:00 - 9:00. Their latest creations are absolutely amazing! And the food and fun will flow throughout the evening.

Hope to see you here!

artsee Magazine at Artist Alley

Have you heard about "Artsee Magazine"? It’s dedicated exclusively to The Arts in the Carolinas, and it’s quickly become one of my favorite reads. The writing is engaging, and the photos alone are reason enough to subscribe.

The folks at Artsee have been kind enough to provide us with a supply of magazines for our customers. They’re be available free of charge here at The Alley, and the latest issue just arrived. Please stop soon for your very own copy!

Nichols, Roux, Ed "Moose" Duke, and Springfest in Southern Pines

Please join the artists of Nichols Pottery tomorrow from 11 - 2. They'll be working at the wheel in front of Artist Alley, and they'll also be introducing the tenth and final piece in their "Women of The Bible" series. Also, from 12 - 4, we'll be hosting a book-signing good time with Ashlee Park and Kim Crenshaw as they share their first book, The Fabulous Life of Roux Toulouse. Please join us to hear more about the amazing animals and their adventures.

All of this will be happening amidst the Springfest festivities in Southern Pines. Amazing arts and crafts... fabulous fair food... entertainment on two stages... rides for children of all ages... bicycle races... and more.

Ed "Moose" Duke, one of your favorite Artist Alley Artists will be performing at Springfest this year at 3:00 0n the stage beside The Sunrise Theater. You may remember Ed's uber-creative metal art, and tomorrow you'll have the opportunity to witness his award-winning story telling too.

Ed is a nationally recognized award winning story teller who is a member of The National Association of Storytellers, The North Carolina Association of Storytellers, and The Triad Story Tellers Association. He was also recently chosen to be “The Piedmont’s Best Storyteller”. Ed's built a loyal following in the region, and he promises that he'll entertain with stories fit for the youngest and the oldest in the crowd.

It's Reigning Dogs and Cats...and Fish?!? at Artist Alley Tonight

Tonight's First Friday Opening will celebrate the much loved variety of Dog, Cat... and even Fish Artwork that our North Carolina Artists create. A few visual sneak peak is shown above, and I hope that we'll see you tonight between 5:00 and 9:00!

I could write a lengthy passage about my love of Rachelle Currie's Blue Dog Series, (Yes...I am a collector!) but I couldn't possibly say it any better than she has in the words that follow.

The first blue dog painting came to life around 2000 as part of an assignment for a painting class. The task was to paint a blue or yellow animal using your non-dominate hand, for me that was my left hand as I am naturally right handed. As for the choice of animal, it was simple-“DOGS”. I have always had a great love for the canine. So, the first two paintings in this series, “original dog” and “watermelon dog” were completed more than ten years ago and were done with my left hand. It was probably about two years after that-around 2002 that I began to showcase the series at Artist Alley-blue dogs’ very first venue. Luckily for me they seem to be a hit right from the start and with the success first demonstrated by the “Alley” sales, I have been able to expand to a few more stores in North Carolina as well as, other markets.

As for the method to my madness (aka inspiration)…my creativity manifests itself in all kinds of ways-from abstract paintings to sculpture to carpentry work and I enjoy it all. I love the process involved in having my ideas materialize into two or three dimensional form. So although my formal degree is in painting and drawing my main objective is creative illustration in whatever forms that may take. As for the blue dog series, well….if you have a dog or know a dog you too know that they can always provide material for new ideas. Some of the images I have painted were things that my dogs (or my dog’s friends) actually were caught in the act performing and some were a little coerced-though rest assured that no harm came to the animals while posing for pictures. I also discovered fairly early on that the blue dog paintings often make people smile and I think that, in itself has great value. These are the main reasons I have painted and hopefully will continue to it keep painting the blue dog series for years to come.

I am currently working on three more paintings to add to the collection and hopefully they will be completed within the next few months. I have to insert here that I had a hard time at the beginning of this year with motivation as one of my main sources of inspiration, my little 17 year old “red dog” jas, grew too old to be by my side any longer. My heart was broken as she was the most faithful, beautiful, loving companion that one could ever wish for. Now as time passes, it is getting easier to think of her most days without overwhelming sadness and just smile and I believe that when I am painting blue dog, she is still here and a little bit of her spirit continues to go into each image in the form of love….

Take 25! This Friday We'll Celebrate the Third Annual Carolina Mixed Media Kit Challenge Opening at Artist Alley

Please Join Us for Breakfast at Artist Alley this Thursday, Friday and Saturday!

Final Call for Springfest 2011

The Southern Pines Business Assocation has issued a final call for Springfest 2011 on April 30th. If you're interested in participating... food vendors, non-profits, member businesses and artists may obtain an application by emailing spbainfo@southernpines.biz or by calling (910) 315-6508.

Hope to see you there!

Please Join Us For Our First Friday Opening with Nichols Pottery!

Tonight we'll be celebrating the work of Nichols Pottery at our First Friday Opening. I'm looking forward to this event with great anticipation, and I hope to see you there!

If you're not able to attend, please check out the lovely little article in today's issue of The Pilot, and be sure to visit soon for the best selection. :-)

An Update Concerning Ken's Recovery

Greetings! I'm sorry to have been so absent for so long. Ken is now well on the road to recovery from his heart attack, and I just placed a more complete description of the same on my personal blog. If you'd like read more, please click on the photo below...

Thank you so much for your thoughts, prayers, and kindness during this time! I've just begun to respond to the messages that accumulated in my absence, and I really appreciate your patience with me. :-)

Later today, I plan to provide you with a more complete post concerning the March happenings at Artist Alley. For now, please mark your calendar for our First Friday Opening this week. The Artists of Nichols Pottery will be featured, and I'm sure that this will be one to remember!

Please Join Us for "Art To Wear" on First Friday February 4th!

Where does the time go?!?!?

Where does the time go?!?!?! Periodically I ask myself this question, and I'm never seem to be pleased with my answers. This is one of those times. :-)

Soooo... instead of over analyzing this perplexing question...or trying to give you the play-by-play on all that's been happening in my world... I'm going to try to begin again right here, right now.

Thank you for bearing with me during my quiet time, and I'm really looking forward to catching up with all that I've missed in your world too!

Join Us for a Holiday Extravaganza at Artist Alley!

I seem to be asking the same question, in one form or another , a lot lately... "Where has the time gone!?!?!? :-)

Please join us tonight at Artist Alley tonight from 5:00 - 9:00 for our final First Friday Opening of the year. A "Holiday Extravaganza" awaits, as does the largest selection of North Carolina Artwork that Artist Alley has ever seen. Your favorite artists have added to their offerings for the holidays, and a variety of artists who are new to us have also decked our halls with the results of their boundless creativity. Read more about this event in today's issue of The Pilot, or online at their website. Be sure to shop early for the best selections!

Hot spiced cider awaits, and does an evening that's sure to warm your heart. I hope to see you soon!

Join Ann Flaherty and Donna Hyland at Artist Alley for The Southern Pines Holiday Open House

Tomorrow, Southern Pines will officially welcome The Season with our annual Holiday Open House and Tree Lighting Ceremony. This event is big-time fun for everyone involved! Get a jump on your holiday shopping in the quaint and varied shops in and around our Historic Downtown... listen for the harmonies of strolling carolers... or whisper a wish to Santa in the park near The Train Station. The choices are all yours!

At Artist Alley, North Carolina Artists, Ann Flaherty and Donna Hyland, will be ready and waiting for you from 10:00 - 5:30. Our halls...and our walls...and our shelves...and our windows... will decked with a smorgasbord of North Carolina Artsy Goodness, and I can say with great confidence that we have something for even the most particular recipients on your gift list!

As time allows, Ann plans to demonstrate her craft, and she and Donna will happily discuss their work with you throughout the day's festivities. A fresh batch of Mom's Pizzelles waits too!

Fa la la la la!

Sisters Grace Artist Alley with Paintings and Pillows for The Holidays

You'll find Donna Hyland at Artist Alley today until at least 5:30. She and her sister Pat create the most beautiful paintings and painted pillows. I was lucky enough to have a sneak peak at her latest creations, and you're going to love them!

Today marks the beginning of our holiday hours. Through Christmas, we'll be open from 10:00 - 5:30, Monday through Saturday, and from 12:00 - 4:00 on Sundays. If these times aren't convenient for you, please let us know, and we'll do whatever we can to accommodate your schedule.

Be safe; shop local; and avoid the dreaded "big box" this holiday season! :-)

By Popular Request... Patti O'Day's One-of-a-Kind Handbags and Accessories

A larger-than-ever-selection of Patti O'Day's exquisitely detailed handbags and accessories will be available at Artist Alley until Monday, November 8th. After Patti's trunk show in October, numerous customers requested additional access to her functional artwork, and we're delighted to oblige!

In addition to her signature Lipzips and other handbags, you'll find tote bags, seasonal creations, and three piece travel sets in a variety of patterns. Patti's creations would be perfect for holiday gift giving or as a special treat for yourself. Be sure to shop early for the best selection!

New North Carolina Pottery Has Arrived!!!

It was like Christmas at Artist Alley this afternoon, as I just finished unpacking the most delightful shipment of North Carolina Pottery from Suzanne Rehbock of Flying Pig Pottery!

I've been a fan of Suzanne's work since the day that I met her. I describe her pottery as being functional and artistic. Today she explained to me that she's been calling it "Functional Contemporary". In either case, it's textural, creative, and her glazes are unlike any that I've ever seen. Several pieces are already calling my name. I'd promise to show restraint; but I've never been very good at it! Be sure to visit early for the best selection!

All of Suzanne's pieces are dishwasher, microwave, and oven safe. And my pottery trivia for the day...when baking with your pottery pieces, you should place the filled dish in a cool oven. Then allow it to come to temperature with the oven. Placing pottery into a preheated oven can cause stress, and nobody needs extra stress in their life! :-)

Please join us tonight from 5:00 - 9:00 as we join forces for an opening with The Carolina Mixed Media Art Guild to raise funds in the fight against breast cancer.

We've added an artsy twist to the Lee Denim Days initiative for this event. Yes, you can still purchase a Lee Denim Pocket for the low low donation amount of $5. And, if you upgrade your donation amount to one of at least $10, you'll also be able to select an original work of art in remembrance of your contribution and this event. Woo Hoo! Original artwork...for a great price...to benefit a worthy cause....plus food, drink, and sparkling conversation with some of the regions most talented mixed media artists. Does it get any better than this?!?!?

I hope to see you tonight at Artist Alley!

Meet Carol Butler!

The lovely Carol Butler will be working at Artist Alley tomorrow from 11:00 - 5:00. If you're in the area, please stop for a visit with her! Carol and her daughter, Cassie, joined us at Artist Alley last month, and they've quickly become part of our family. They were each also award-winners at last month's Moore County Arts Council Fine Art Show at The Campbell House. Talk about talent running in the family!

This is one of Carol's most recent paintings. You'll find it in our front window as the perfect tribute to the end of summer and beginning of yet another season in Southern Pines.

Speaking of Beads...This You Have To See For Yourself!

"Tiny Shiny Beads" is the name of her company, and when you see the artistic endeavors of Rita Dixon-Kent, you'll understand why! Rita makes the most amazing Peyote Stitch jewelry, and her attention to detail produces exquisite results.

Peyote is a Native American Art Form, and while Rita herself is not of Native American descent, her efforts pay homage to their traditions. Departing from more traditional designs, Rita has also recently unveiled a line of custom bracelets that include the words and colors of your choice. These are especially appropriate for your team and college allegiances. Whether you support UNC, State, Duke, or another Alma Mater, Rita will create just the piece for you!

Rita will be demonstrating her craft at Artist Alley from 12:00 - 4:00 tomorrow, and I promise that it will be worth a visit!