SSStudio Introduces Our Newest Artist...

...Deb Johnson, of Red Suit Studios!

Deb Johnson resides in Searcy, AR and specializes in hand painting and staining bisque Santas. She has a passion and love for many things: God, Husband, Children, Friends, Photography, and Motorcycle Riding.

“I am truly grateful to have been blessed with the ability to paint. I hope you enjoy the Santas as much as I love creating them!”- Deb Johnson, Artist 

You can keep up with Deb's work through this blog, as well as hers...www.redsuitstudios.blogspot.com!

Please join us in supporting Deb and her work!  Don't forget...the studio is OPEN every Saturday from 10-2 through December 18!  There is nothing like something handmade for Christmas!

SSS Welcomes New Artist, Cheri Peden

Being a “child of the south” I’ve come to love and embrace my southern heritage and the memories it evokes. Growing up in the mountains of rural Arkansas, I spent a lot of time exploring outdoors, enjoying what was wild, organic and available. My earliest attempts at art were a reflection of the natural things and the native Ozark people that surrounded me. Years later when I worked in marketing and advertising, my art took a back seat and was forgotten. I was almost forty when my son was born and we moved to Jackson, Mississippi where I fell in love with southern Acadian architecture and the New Orleans influenced culture of the area. It was different, yet familiar and there were always adventures and interesting characters to meet.

The Sweet Potato Queen festival or the old capitol downtown where Eudora Welty once lived and wrote her collection of stories, were always places that provided colorful backdrops, stimulating and influencing my long forgotten creativity.

As I was always passionate about preserving history and stories of the past, I became inspired to paint on the discarded architectural odds and ends I would find during some of these forays and excursions with my fellow artist friend Dana. It has been so much fun and gives me so much pleasure seeing old stuff get a “new life”.  I hope others can appreciate the value and the simple Southern way it represents.

New Work Available at the Studio...Open this Saturday!

By Mary Ann King

By Sandra Kraft

Come on down and see us at Second Saturday Studio!  We are now OPEN every Saturday from 10-2!  We appreciate your support and hope to see you there!

The Thursday Journal, #2

Today the monthly meeting of my quilting/beading group met at my house in Searcy. We are a small 'closed' group from several different towns in Arkansas. Closed, because that is the maximum number we can possibly seat and provide working space for in each of our homes. They are very nice people and I look forward to seeing them each month. This afternoon, two of them requested a private showing at Second Saturday Studio, and I....perfectly willing to cooperate...took them there.

I took a few photos, thinking you might want to see some of what they saw this afternoon. First you will see my friend, Mary Lou, from Dennard. She is viewing some of the art of photographers, Patrick Reilly and Andy Stringfellow. In photo #2, my friend, Brenda, from Hensley, is admiring the paintings of Terri Milligan. In #3, she is admiring the pottery bowls created by Burt Weinstein. In #4, Mary Lou and Brenda are charmed by the work of Micah Holden...they made special note of the 'encaustic' pieces Micah has done.

A piece from our newest artist, Cheri Peden, of Searcy, is shown in photo #5. I don't know the 'official' terminology describing Cheri's work, but I call it "Primitive Funky." This artwork is very colorful and so much FUN. The one shown here is called "Cock-A-Doodle-Do," an architectural piece as it was, in a previous life, a vintage ceiling tin. There are two additional pieces also on display this weekend.

It was fun showing friends the latest on display in the Studio. If YOU would like to have a private showing for a group of your friends, we can make arrangements to do just that. So, kindly get in touch and we will work out the details. Meantime, we will be open again this Saturday, October 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. I hope to see you there! Pat Eaton

"The Thursday Journal"

Hi there! Yesterday I visited with Micah and Kelly, those two sweet girls at Second Saturday Studio. We had an impromptu meeting at Kelly's house. Amongst the items we discussed was this blog. It is very difficult for Micah or Kelly to find the time to post often, and since I maintain a blog of my own....I offered to post something about the Studio every Thursday night. Being Kelly's mother, and in the Studio often, I can take photos and let you all 'in' on what I find interesting there. Micah and/or Kelly will still contribute their own posts whenever they feel the need, but Thursdays are mine!

Yesterday, I spent a bit of time in the Studio taking photos and trying to get an idea for my first journal entry. It was a beautiful day here, and October is my favorite month, so I decided to photograph some of the artwork depicting Autumn...either in the subject matter, or in coloration. So here is what I found beautiful yesterday:

1. An abstract, in lovely fall colors, created by Kelly Vanhook, "Mad Chaos." Painted in acrylics. I included a closeup as I wanted you to notice all the circular design there.

2. A whimsical little jewel, created by Micah Holden, "Happy Fall Y'All" a 6" x 6" square in watercolor and beeswax. It's a very tactile piece given the layer of beeswax over top...soft and pleasing to the touch...it even smells good!

3. A beautiful autumn scene, in acrylics, painted by my sister-in-law, Sandra Kraft, which she named "Fall Trees." She has a couple of other paintings in the studio that could also be considered as "autumn inspired."

4. I just had to show you this print by Audra Jones, in watercolor.....what a cute Pumpkin! I didn't see the name of it anywhere, but now that I've said "What a Cute Pumpkin!" well, maybe that would do as it's name. What do you think, Audra?

These are just some of the terrific pieces in the Studio now. You might want to consider dropping by to check them out. Normally, we are open every 2nd Saturday of the month, but from now thru December 18th we will be open EVERY Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This Saturday, I will be there, quilting my heart out...so stop by and say hello!

And, next week, expect another entry in the Thursday Journal! Til then, take care, Pat Eaton

"Craving"

What conjours up in your imagination when you think of the word "craving"?

On Saturday, Nov. 13 we are hosting a special theme gallery show.  We want you to find your creative bone (oh YES you do!).  You may be a novice OR a pro; doesn't matter!  Paint, Watercolor, Photography, Scuplture, Fiber Art, etc. in the theme of 'Craving'.
No pressure, this is not a contest.  Please send us an email to let us know you plan to participate along with our team.

SPECS: 
all 2D art: 12"x12" substrate of any type
3D: no larger than 12" high
(Please refrain from using vulgar and/or distasteful images and words)

*E-mail contact entry deadline: Sat. Oct 30 (let us know you plan to participate)

*Submission deadline: Sat. Nov 6 (bring artwork to the studio on this day)

New Work Available at the Studio...Open this Saturday!

"Soho Summer" by Gina Kraft

"Neptune" by Gina Kraft

"Chicago Theater" by Sandra Kraft

"Trio of Fall" by Sandra Kraft

"A Song in the Air" by Patricia Eaton

"She Walks in Beauty" by Patricia Eaton

New work also by Patrick Reilly and Audra Jones!  We hope to see you all there on Saturday!  Thanks for your support!