JUST ADD COLOR
Whether she works on canvas, wood or metal, color is an essential element for self-taught artist Michelle Y. Williams.
The artist: A Houston native, Williams started creating art in 1996 on her kitchen table in Boise, Idaho. For the past eight years, she has lived and worked out of her studio in a renovated 7,000-square-foot building in the heart of Houston.
The goods: Original works of art on canvas, wood and metal. Also some sculpture on occasion.
What's popular: The "cut" series, developed in 2001. The small works, which feature mostly abstract subject matter on metal, float between two layers of Plexiglas and utilize bronze hardware. The core size is 15 inches by 15 inches ($750), though any size can be done. Typically, a minimum of three pieces are purchased.
Other favorites: Works on canvas ($3,000 to $10,000). Larger pieces in the 5-feet-by-5-feet range or bigger are common sizes for works on canvas, which are often created for dealers and collectors.
Where to buy: MichelleyWilliams.com. Williams is also represented by Pryor Fine Art (pryorfineart.com) in Atlanta and the Atrium Art Gallery (atriumartgallery.com) in Charleston, S.C.
LIGHT FANTASTIC
In Savannah, Kalin Asenov designs lighting that is equal parts practical and artistic, traditional and contemporary.
The artist: Originally from Bulgaria, Asenov moved to Boston in 2011 to pursue a career in law. After a few years of practice, he decided to pursue his passion in the creative arts. After graduating in 2013 from Savannah College of Art and Design with a master's degree in furniture design, Asenov opened his studio in Savannah, where he designs lighting, including chandeliers, pendants and sconces.
What's popular: The AXIS collection ($800 to $6,000) of lighting, which follows principles of Art Deco and uses stained glass and gold leaf in new and non-traditional ways.
Other favorites: Sculptural table lamps from his first collection, Genesis ($1,400 to $3,300).
Fun (or unusual) request: Creating a custom installation for Daniel Lismore's exhibit during Art Basel in Miami in 2016. The request was to take "Sceptre" light, a piece from his AXIS collection, and enlarge it three times so it would be appropriate for a public venue.
Big break: Right after graduating from SCAD, Asenov landed his first showroom representation at Jean De Merry, a prestigious decorative arts gallery with several U.S. locations.
Claim to fame: Features in Elle Decor and The Wall Street Journal.
Where to buy: kalinasenov.com. In Atlanta, at Martin Nash (martinnash.com), a showroom in the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center, 351 Peachtree Hills Ave.
ARTIST UPDATE
In March 2016, Southern Made featured the work of Ethan Lillemoe. Known for white ceramic vessels, the award-winning Georgia artist has some new pieces that will add some wow to your wall.
The new work: Three-dimensional metal wall sculpture ($950 and up to $10,000 for custom pieces). Bold and modern, the sculpture is welded by hand and accented with clay pieces in abstract shapes and a variety of colors.
Change it up: All of the attached pieces can be flipped over, rotated, and swapped out for others, allowing for almost endless customization. Most of the attached pieces are made of clay, but he has also made them out of metal and custom-tinted resin for clients. Lillemoe also created an easy wall-mounting system for the sculpture. Most installations require only two screws.
What's next: Building a new studio outside Clarkesville.
Where to buy: leiretidstudios.com. Also at the Trinity School's annual Artist Market (Jan. 29-Feb. 3), which will feature original art by 350 artists in categories such as contemporary, folk, sculpture, pottery and jewelry. Free parking and admission. Visit spotlightonart.com
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