| For more information about this article or gallery, please call the gallery phone number listed in the last line of the article, "For more info..." |
July Issue 2005
Fish or Cut Bait Gallery on Edisto Island, SC, Features Exhibition of Works of Divas
A new exhibit featuring six diverse artists
will begin on July 2, 2005 September 6, at Fish or Cut Bait Gallery
on Edisto Island, SC. The fanciful, Diva Ornamentation,
show will have artists whose works include paintings, clay creations,
jewelry, purses and writing eclectic creations with the
common element being that they celebrate the courage, spirit and
often outrageous natures of women. The exhibit which continues
through Sept. 6, 2005, will include works by Bill Davis, Cathie
Murdaugh, Jenny Thompson, Lucy Hollingsworth Walker, Ruth Bayard,
Nora Floyd and Lucie Eggleston.
Bill Davis
Bill Davis is a self-taught painter who exemplifies
the notion of whimsy. His "Diva" series is his best
known work and can be found throughout the state of South Carolina
and beyond. Davis began painting as a hobby in 1988, and says
he entered his first show in 1989 as a result of his friends'
encouragement and prodding.
"I have always enjoyed making others smile and was usually
the 'class clown' throughout my years in school," says Davis.
"Now that I'm out in the real world and working, I paint
to ease the bad days and bring a touch of joy to the lives of
others."
Davis works at the South Carolina Department of Mental Health
as coordinator for the Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity program,
and says he has never been so presumptuous as to consider himself
an artist. "I'm just a fellow who happens to paint,"
Davis says.
Artist Cathie Murdaugh believes her clay divas reflect the uniqueness
that can be found in every woman. She began creating them as gifts
for her friends who have molded her life, filled her with memories
and for those who have lost their battle with disease and have
left her some of their courage.
"I have tried to express my admiration for women who face
the threat of disease and still carry on with their work as mother,
wife, lover, friend and confidant," Murdaugh says. "I
celebrate their courage, resilience and their love of life that
make them our role models. Like women, each of my divas is completely
original."
Theodosia Jewelry is all about ornamentation for wonderful women.
Designer/owner Jenny Thompson and her mother, Lucy Hollingsworth
Walker, collaborate to create readily identifiable works of art
with a timeless quality to celebrate and enhance the unique aspects
of each woman.
"We try to use color and unusual elements in our work to
create classic pieces that have a real sense of style," says
Walker. "Women are such wonderful and interesting creatures
and we try to design our jewelry so that it reflects these qualities."
Theodosia Jewelry is considered one of Charleston, SC's premiere
jewelry companies, and the work is readily identifiable. The artists
use an array of precious and semiprecious stones, freshwater pearls,
gold, silver and vintage findings to create their works of art.
Another aspect of Diva Ornamentation is represented in
the work of Ruth Bayard and Nora Floyd who create original evening
bags. Both of them are self-described military brats who were
constantly moving around during their childhoods. This nomadic
existence has instilled in them a deep desire to connect with
the concepts of time and place.
"We try to give women a way to retain treasures from the
past," says Floyd. "We are drawn to vintage clothing,
fabric and jewelry and are constantly looking for ways to incorporate
these elements into our creations."
Their style is eclectic and unusual, growing out of an antique
business they shared. Their work currently focuses on small clutches
and bags, ones whose scale and embellishment make an individual
statement.
"The final element in the new exhibit is one that brings
it all together," says Brailsford Foster, owner of the gallery.
"We get so excited when someone comes into the gallery and
starts looking at Lucie Eggleston's book, Family Originals.
It sparks such wonderful conversations and gives women especially
so many ideas of ways to share the gift of stories with loved
ones."
"We all have stories in us, but we often just don't know
how to express them," says Eggleston. "That's the purpose
of this book. It's also a way to bring families and friends together
to share their memories. It is so gratifying to me when I see
our ideas and suggestions create a spark of excitement in someone
else. We need to hold on to these memories and pass them on to
the next generation."
Eggleston will be conducting an Edistory Workshop on July 6, 2005,
from 9:30 until 11:30am at Fish or Cut Bait Gallery. Admission
to the workshop will be the purchase of the book, Family Originals,
which sells for $24.95. Registration is limited to the first 16
people who sign up by calling the gallery at 843/869-2511.
For further information check our SC Commercial Gallery listings,
call the gallery at 843/869-2511, e-mail at (fishorcutbaitgal@bellsouth.net)
or (www.fishorcutbait.com).
Carolina Arts is published monthly by Shoestring Publishing Company, a subsidiary of PSMG, Inc. Copyright© 2004 by PSMG, Inc., which published Charleston Arts from July 1987 - Dec. 1994 and South Carolina Arts from Jan. 1995 - Dec. 1996. It also publishes Carolina Arts Online, Copyright© 2004 by PSMG, Inc. All rights reserved by PSMG, Inc. or by the authors of articles. Reproduction or use without written permission is strictly prohibited. Carolina Arts is available throughout North & South Carolina.