ARTIST of the DAY: Cyrus Kabiru

Posted on December 21, 2016December 22, 2016 by R.L. Gibson

"American Darts" by Cyrus Kabiru — *“American Darts” by Cyrus Kabiru*

“My work has everything to do with my dad. First the glasses. Now the bicycle. He raised me well and showed me the future. He wasn’t the kind of parent to give you things. Beyond food, clothes and shelter, the next step was you.” — Cyrus Kabiru

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As the new year creeps closer, I find myself searching for a new frame of mind, a new perspective, a new framework, a new set of eyes, if you will, with which to navigate the world. Today’s AAAD Artist of the Day, Cyrus Kabiru, offers us a reminder that we choose how we frame our future –crafting something new from pieces of our past, new, used or discarded.

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Find a new perspective in the work of AAAD Artist of the Day Cyrus Kabiru!

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ARTIST of the DAY: Mister Finch

Posted on August 29, 2016August 28, 2016 by R.L. Gibson

"toadstool" (textile art) by Mister Finch — *“toadstool” (textile art) by Mister Finch*

“A story sewn in, woven in. Velvet curtains from an old hotel, a threadbare wedding dress and a vintage apron become . . . . Storytelling creatures for people who are also a little lost, found and forgotten.” —Mister Finch

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I find tactile joy in vintage textiles and incorporating them into my life gives me a sense of history, of continuation, that my personal story lacks in some degree. The works of today’s AAAD Artist of the Day, Mister Finch, are gifts of life, experience, labor and joy — of mindfulness. These creatures have a sort of fabricated authenticity, a beautifully crafted reality.

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Find your own creature feature in the work of
today’s AAAD Artist of the Day, Mister Finch!

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ARTIST of the DAY: Evla Vlašičová

Posted on August 15, 2016August 15, 2016 by R.L. Gibson

left to right "Morning on a Lake" & "In a Trap" (linocut) by Evla Vlašičová — *left to right “Morning on a Lake” & “In a Trap” (linocut) by Evla Vlašičová*

“I use only my hands and heart.” —Evla Vlašičová

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Today’s AAAD Artist of the Day, Evla Vlašičová, is a self-taught photographer. But, after a recent house fire, Evla finds herself without a darkroom. I find that creative expression is a bit like a trickle of water in that when it encounters an obstacle, it will always find an alternate path –just as Evla has found the art of the linocut. You won’t find her on social media, but you can watch a great documentary about her creative process here.

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Learn more about the thoughtful technique of
AAAD Artist of the Day, Evla Vlašičová!

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ARTIST of the DAY: Ruth Tabancay

Posted on August 10, 2016August 10, 2016 by R.L. Gibson

"Basalt Causeway" (burnt sugar) by Ruth Tabancay — *“Basalt Causeway” (burnt sugar) by Ruth Tabancay*

Why food? I am asked all of the time. Food & art are connected as inspiration, nourishment & care-giving. Food is ripe with meaning. My developing palate & the evolution of my culinary abilities (and responsibilities), as well as my attitude about the suitability of food, echo my growth through the years as an artist and arts administrator –all marking the passage of time. That’s why.

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“I am attracted to objects that are already
infused with meaning.” — Ruth Tabancay

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The most recent work of today’s AAAD Artist of the Day, Ruth Tabancay, features the installation of burnt sugar forms that slowly melt during their installation. Sugar marking the passage of time, marking the beautiful fluidity, ignoring your impatience or desire to know the destination. Beautiful.

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Be patient. Take your time. Enjoy the work of AAAD Artist of the Day, Ruth Tabancay!

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ARTIST of the DAY: Hank Willis Thomas

Posted on July 25, 2016July 25, 2016 by R.L. Gibson

"I Am A Man" by Hank Willis Thomas — *“I Am A Man” by Hank Willis Thomas*

“This series of paintings was inspired by a 1968 photograph by Ernest Withers of marchers during the Memphis sanitation workers March. Martin Luther King was assassinated while there in support of the March. The men carried signs which read ‘I am a Man’. I found it fascinating that the the phrase I grew up with was ‘I am THE Man’. The collective statement became individualistic in the age of integration. Reflecting on American history I wanted to riff and remix the text, ultimately ending with the revelation ‘I Am. Amen.’ MLK showed us that our greatest gift is our consciousness and it is up to us what we choose to do with it.” —Hank Willis Thomas

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I implore you to listen. Listen. Understand your privilege, whatever it may be. Being defensive doesn’t serve you. Don’t just look at people; SEE them. Love people for their humanity — both strengths & flaws. Respect the space each person needs to work and speak and react to community in which they live. Recognize that people have the right to be who they are, regardless of, and even in spite of, your expectation of them. I am inspired by the work of today’s AAAD Artist of the Day, Hank Willis Thomas. You can change the world. Start with you.

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Explore your truth with AAAD Artist of Day, Hank Willis Thomas!

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ARTIST of the DAY: Anthony Garratt

Posted on July 24, 2016July 24, 2016 by R.L. Gibson

"Container 1" & "Container 2" (oil, acrylic, rust & charcoal on canvas) by painter Anthony Garratt — *“Container 1” & “Container 2” (oil, acrylic, rust & charcoal on canvas) by painter Anthony Garratt*

“The more I paint, the more I realise that we are at the mercy of the landscape and elements . . . In a world where we are obsessed with ownership and control, it is humbling and important that we are reminded to respect the weather, sea, hills and landscape on which we rely.” —Anthony Garratt

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The work of today’s AAAD Artist of the Day, painter Anthony Garratt, from large scale installations to smaller works on paper and canvas, remind us that we are at the mercy of the physical world in which we live. As a resident of the Great Smoky Mountains, I remain mindful of the seemingly random willfulness of nature — both the beauty and the danger.

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With the sun in your face & the wind at your back, explore the work of
AAAD Artist of the Day painter Anthony Garratt!

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ARTIST of the DAY: Ronan Considine

Posted on July 23, 2016July 23, 2016 by R.L. Gibson

“They change drastically as hard edges become soft lines and muted colors become vibrant.” —Ronan Considine

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Context. Election coverage has reminded me, once again, of how context matters. Today, almost anything can known; however, without context, any statement can be made to mean anything. Are we training people to be mistrusting? Vigilant? Both? The photography of today’s AAAD Artist of the Day, Ronan Considine, employs long exposures to create ethereal, painterly images. I find the Rectilinear series, purposefully devoid of context, make me want to know the context. I want the how. But would the context rob me of the joy of experience alone? Again, context.

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Explore the astounding range of AAAD Artist of the Day,
photographer Ronan Considine!

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ARTIST of the DAY: Phyllis Gorsen

Posted on July 21, 2016 by R.L. Gibson

"Between Heaven and Earth" (acrylic) by Phyllis Gorsen — *“Between Heaven and Earth” (acrylic) by Phyllis Gorsen*

“I focus on how the commonality of
shared patterns connects people” —Phyllis Gorsen
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I quietly seek connections among us. I find solace in subtle cues from the universe that I am not alone. I find the accidental proof, like universal symbols found in pictorial language, give me the strongest feeling that we can find a way to communicate, eventually. Today’s AAAD Artist of the Day, painter Phyllis Gorsen, seeks those same connections through pattern.

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Find yourself in the patterns of AAAD Artist of the Day, painter Phyllis Gorsen!

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ARTIST of the DAY: Anne Blair Brown

Posted on July 20, 2016July 21, 2016 by R.L. Gibson

"Good Habits" (oil) by Anne Blair Brown — *“Good Habits” (oil) by Anne Blair Brown*

“Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth and when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.” –David Bowie

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Art is always an exercise in bravery, in chance, in putting your creativity out to be judged. The payoff in freedom from the fear of failure and growth through experimentation are immeasurable. Today’s AAAD Artist of the Day, Anne Blair Brown, has such a great perspective on art sales, testing technique and being brave. Read more here.

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Explore more work by Artist of the Day, painter Anne Blair Brown!

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ARTIST of the DAY: Hollie Chastain

Posted on July 18, 2016July 18, 2016 by R.L. Gibson

(left to right) Neighborhood 1 and 2, collage, by Hollie Chastain — *(left to right) Neighborhood 1 & 2, collage, by Hollie Chastain*

“I have an affection for a great city. I feel safe in the
neighborhood of man, and enjoy the sweet security
of the streets.” –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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The one thing for which we all seem to long is feeling safe in the ‘neighborhood of man.’ Now, here, it feels like such an unlikely longing. Today’s AAAD Artist of the Day, Hollie Chastain, creates glimpses, tiny microcosms of personality, individuality, of comfort. Welcome home.

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Find a place to BE in the collage work of AAAD Artist of the Day, Hollie Chastain!

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Category: Artist of the Day

Find a new perspective in the work of AAAD Artist of the Day Cyrus Kabiru!

“A story sewn in, woven in. Velvet curtains from an old hotel, a threadbare wedding dress and a vintage apron become . . . . Storytelling creatures for people who are also a little lost, found and forgotten.” —Mister Finch

Find your own creature feature in the work of today’s AAAD Artist of the Day, Mister Finch!

“I use only my hands and heart.” —Evla Vlašičová

Learn more about the thoughtful technique of AAAD Artist of the Day, Evla Vlašičová!

“I am attracted to objects that are already infused with meaning.” — Ruth Tabancay

Be patient. Take your time. Enjoy the work of AAAD Artist of the Day, Ruth Tabancay!

Explore your truth with AAAD Artist of Day, Hank Willis Thomas!

“They change drastically as hard edges become soft lines and muted colors become vibrant.” —Ronan Considine

Explore the astounding range of AAAD Artist of the Day, photographer Ronan Considine!

“I focus on how the commonality of shared patterns connects people” —Phyllis Gorsen ___

Find yourself in the patterns of AAAD Artist of the Day, painter Phyllis Gorsen!

“Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth and when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.” –David Bowie

Explore more work by Artist of the Day, painter Anne Blair Brown!

“I have an affection for a great city. I feel safe in the neighborhood of man, and enjoy the sweet security of the streets.” –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Find your own creature feature in the work of
today’s AAAD Artist of the Day, Mister Finch!

Learn more about the thoughtful technique of
AAAD Artist of the Day, Evla Vlašičová!

“I am attracted to objects that are already
infused with meaning.” — Ruth Tabancay

Explore the astounding range of AAAD Artist of the Day,
photographer Ronan Considine!

“I focus on how the commonality of
shared patterns connects people” —Phyllis Gorsen
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“I have an affection for a great city. I feel safe in the
neighborhood of man, and enjoy the sweet security
of the streets.” –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow