This week’s Southern Made favorites include striking ceramic faces, jewelry with a modern edge and bright art on tar paper. Get an up-close look at the art and meet the artists at the upcoming Atlanta Dogwood Festival.
Face to face
In high school, Atlanta native Kimmy Cantrell’s clay work wowed his art teacher. Despite his early interest in art, Cantrell pursued the practical over his passion. He studied business administration and went to work in distribution management. Years later, Cantrell returned to clay and has worked as an artist since 1994. In his College Park studio, Cantrell creates fresh takes on three recurring themes: faces, nudes and fragmented still-life subjects, such as melons, fish and flowers. The largely self-taught artist also tells stories in his vibrantly colored, asymmetrical pieces. He manipulates the shape and position of the eyes in his signature faces to express emotion, and draws on childhood memories, such as fishing or gardening with his grandmother, in his still-life works. His “Ceramic and Metal Mask” (pictured) is $4,500. It measures 36 inches by 13 inches. See more of Cantrell’s sculpture and framed work at www.kimart.com or visit Booth 103.
Nature-inspired jewelry
Elaine Rader is a natural-born artist. Her father, Paul Rader, was a painter and professional illustrator. She began her artistic training in dance, attending Juilliard and dancing with the New York City Ballet. She took a break to work in corporate banking. It wasn’t long before she returned to the arts. Since 1994, Rader has been a full-time jewelry designer and maker. Her distinctive pieces are individually fashioned and forged by hand. The Blue Ridge artist uses sterling silver and 22 karat gold as an accent in each sculptural piece. The stones in her work range from a variety of fossil materials to precious and semi-precious stones. Boulder opals and pearls are favorites. The opal ring (pictured) is $675. Rader’s unique pieces also include earrings ($125 and up) and pendants/necklaces ($325 and up). Learn more about Rader at http://elaineraderjewelry.com or visit Booth 141.
Reverence on roofing paper
After a visit with Georgia folk artist R.A. Miller in 1998, Tres Taylor decided to switch careers. A biochemist for 12 years, Taylor turned to painting to tell stories. In his Birmingham studio, the self-taught artist uses house paint, acrylics and wood putty on tar paper (or roofing felt) to create his favorite subjects, which include monks, couples and houses. But all of Taylor’s colorful subjects (or stories) are symbols of love. Take the “Bicycle Monk,” one of Taylor’s signature pieces. It is the story of a monk who loves life -- like Taylor. The piece is $3,800 and measures 58 inches by 58 inches framed. Visit www.trestaylor.com or find him at Booth 247.
75th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival. April 15, 16 and 17. Friday, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Artist market closes at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Free. Piedmont Park (10th Street between Monroe Drive and Piedmont Avenue), Atlanta. Information, parking and directions: www.dogwood.org.
Share your favorite finds
Do you have favorite finds from around the South that you give as gifts, buy for your home or rave about to friends? If so, please share them with us. Send your suggestion to: ljerkins@bellsouth.net. In the subject line, write Southern Made. Include your name and contact number.
