Jun. 4—CARTER City — Artist Julie Rhea Lewis enjoys the independence of creativity in her dwelling studio. She also enjoys sharing that independence with pupils in her Curly Hen Studio on her property.
The 52-calendar year-previous artist experiments in a assortment of media — from portray, drawing, acrylics, mixed media and monoprinting — but she has a particular really like for art journaling.
“When you think of artwork that you place on a wall — other individuals see it — which means it is up for judgment,” she explained. “I consider people ‘get’ art in diverse approaches. They see it and it invokes a experience. Some men and women seem at artwork and they appear to see if it seems reasonable and they judge it versus a ability to replicate correctly. Art journaling is in a e book that does not have to be demonstrated to the world unless of course you want to, so it is all yummy art just for your own eyes and soul. I usually imagine the youngsters discover the most from doing the job in their journals.”
Which is not to say you can not share your journal. Lewis claimed journals support kids continue to keep monitor of their creations.
She explained by middle college, kids react properly to prompts — recommendations of what to function on, these kinds of as make an product that’s blue or round.
“As an adult, prompts continue to work, and it is a place to get the job done out procedures and make messes and issues that in some cases transform into charming parts of operate,” she claimed. “Probably you did not know you would like to use peach and eco-friendly until finally you wiped your brush off in your journal and noticed the two side by aspect. I believe adults learn the most about them selves when doing the job in their journals.”
Lewis doesn’t think about herself a trainer of art as significantly as a participant.
“Ahead of COVID, I supplied a single-hour classes to young ones and teenagers five situations a week just after my total-time occupation. Some of our classes emphasis on artists, sometimes methods, occasionally I permit them perform in journals which looks like absolutely free art time to them. Every couple of months I did a canvas party which permitted them to follow along in the action-by-step system,” she explained, adding she hopes to return to courses soon.
The lessons for young children are significant, she stated.
“My lessons are also nonjudgmental. I am not creating the finest artists. Every single artist ought to do that by practicing their skills. I just try to assist them specific them selves and throw some artwork principles in at the exact time,” Lewis mentioned. “Some of these young ones are improved competent artists than me. I just supplied a position to play with interesting art materials.”
Lewis enjoys a variety of media, like journaling. She has deep roots in art.
“My paternal grandmother was a great artist. My maternal grandmother was a seamstress coming up with and creating clothing. I have just one son who does photography, a single who does costume work for experienced ballets, a daughter who does digital artwork, a stepson who does woodwork, and my partner can establish anything at all from structures to autos,” she said. “I just consider to ‘keep up.'”
As an only baby, Lewis expended a good deal of time drawing and painting.
“I adore it when I see close friends who notify me they keep in mind coming to our condominium and looking at my walls crammed with artwork I had made,” she said.
Her artwork took a back again seat to existence right after higher university, when she commenced a loved ones despite the fact that she did some sewing, she claimed she didn’t have time to paint.
Later, though doing work for Grayson RECC, she gained a diploma from The Artwork Institute in graphic style and design. Functioning in combined media rekindled her fascination.
“I beloved every assignment from art background to coloration theory. I just needed additional of it in my everyday living,” she stated.
It worked.
“I begun posting things I had painted on line and experienced a neighborhood mom request me if I would paint with her young daughter,” Lewis claimed. Her portray get-togethers grew by term of mouth till her spouse renovated a position for the artwork-based get-togethers, now recognised as Curly Chicken Studio.
“I wanted to have a team of people today to discuss with about the basic joys of colour and art building,” Lewis said. “So I prayed for a although for God to give me some friends that I could share with. And He did — and they were about 6 decades old.”
Lewis sells primary, prints and greeting cards at her husband’s keep, J.F. Lewis & Co. Home furniture Shop, and at Horton Bros. and Brown Compounding Pharmacy in Grayson. She also requires commissions and displays and sells her art at the Grayson Gallery and Artwork Heart. She also has intended posters for the gallery. She mentioned she hopes to do a journal course for grown ups.
(606) 326-2661 — [email protected]
For much more data, visit the Curly Bird Studio Facebook. See Julie Rhea Lewis’ get the job done at julieart.studio.
