DANIEL ISLAND, SC – Sunbrella furniture and awning fabric made by Glen Raven, Inc is used throughout the 2013 Coastal Living Magazine Idea Home on Daniel Island in Charleston, S.C. Product and lifestyle photography by Steve Exum of exumphoto.com.
As many of you know, what’s trending in fashion oftentimes predicts what will be hot in interior design… Take that fact, and Jill’s love for fine quality, unique clothing, and you have an idea where steve mckenzie’s appreciation for high end fashion comes from.
Recently, we hosted a pop up shop for Hampden Clothing, undeniably one of the country’s top boutiques, whose brick-and-mortar location is located on Charleston’s historic King Street. Hampden Clothing owner, Stacy Smallwood, was along for the pop up, and we took the opportunity to pick her brain for all of you!
Spoiler alert – she’s fabulous and has a brilliant mind for fashion and business. We think she’s in the right line of work. 😉 Scroll down and be captivated by Stacy and all she has to share:
Stacy Smallwood
- Which words best describe your aesthetic/style?
Evolving, Experimental, Simple, Confident
- Please share a little about your favorite ensemble with us…
I’m not really attached to outfits – it really depends on my mood. I’m so busy, it’s hard to remember! I travel so much, so I know my go-to pieces, pack them, and know they work.
Rag & Bone Fleet Blazer, available at Hampdon Clothing
Tip – Stacy’s favorite staple item is a good blazer. It nips in at the waist without being a belt.
- What are the sources of your inspiration?
Travel! When traveling, you’re able to see what others are really wearing. In our day to day lives, we see the same people and same looks – this can be conforming.
Hampden Clothing – interior
- Who are three people, alive or dead, you would invite to your dream dinner party?
Rene Brown – Obsessed with her right now! Creativity, and vulnerability. We see so much vulnerability in the dressing room; it gets really raw when women look at themselves in the mirror.
Gwyneth Paltrow – Lifestyle and food.
Chelsea Handler – Have fun!
Miuccia Prada
“What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language.” ~ Miuccia Prada, famed Italian fashion designer (Miu,
Miu, Prada)
- What are some pieces in your wardrobe you can’t live without?
A good bag and good shoes – finish the look!
- Are there any rules you follow when pulling a look together?
It’s all about proportion. If you wear a flowy top, choose a skinny bottom and vice versa.
Don’t limit yourself by age, but be appropriate. Take your cues from your peers and peer media, not your teenagers. If you’re limiting yourself with your wardrobe, where else may you be limiting yourself?!?
- What trends are you seeing?
For fall, underlying Bohemian style. Velvet, burgundy. Cold shoulder and off the shoulder continues. 90’s rocker girl – chokers, plaid, monochromatic. Red. Turtlenecks – in the south find a tissue weight short sleeve option to pair under a sleeveless summer dress and bring it into fall!
- If stranded on a desert island, what’s the one thing you couldn’t live without?
Iced lattes!
- What’s a piece of advice you’d share with someone looking to break into the fashion indistry?
You don’t need a fashion degree – get a business degree! Find a good mentor and polish up your math skills.
THANK YOU to Stacy and Hampden Clothing for gracing our showroom with your pop up shop and for this fun interview – it was such a treat hosting them all here and learning more about Stacy!!
Sidenote – Stacy and Hampden Clothing are part of a select board, which Harper’s Bazaar works with to determine what may be featured in the magazine. Pretty awesome, right?!?
We hope Stacy and her thoughts on fashion have inspired you to reconsider your wardrobe a bit and how it works for you!
As many of you know, what’s trending in fashion oftentimes predicts what will be hot in interior design… Take that fact, and Jill’s love for fine quality, unique clothing, and you have an idea where steve mckenzie’s appreciation for high end fashion comes from.
Recently, we hosted a pop up shop for Hampden Clothing, undeniably one of the country’s top boutiques, whose brick-and-mortar location is located on Charleston’s historic King Street. Hampden Clothing owner, Stacy Smallwood, was along for the pop up, and we took the opportunity to pick her brain for all of you!
Spoiler alert – she’s fabulous and has a brilliant mind for fashion and business. We think she’s in the right line of work. 😉 Scroll down and be captivated by Stacy and all she has to share:
Stacy Smallwood
- Which words best describe your aesthetic/style?
Evolving, Experimental, Simple, Confident
- Please share a little about your favorite ensemble with us…
I’m not really attached to outfits – it really depends on my mood. I’m so busy, it’s hard to remember! I travel so much, so I know my go-to pieces, pack them, and know they work.
Tip – Stacy’s favorite staple item is a good blazer. It nips in at the waist without being a belt.
- What are the sources of your inspiration?
Travel! When traveling, you’re able to see what others are really wearing. In our day to day lives, we see the same people and same looks – this can be conforming.
- Who are three people, alive or dead, you would invite to your dream dinner party?
Rene Brown – Obsessed with her right now! Creativity, and vulnerability. We see so much vulnerability in the dressing room; it gets really raw when women look at themselves in the mirror.
Gwyneth Paltrow – Lifestyle and food.
Chelsea Handler – Have fun!
“What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language.” ~ Miuccia Prada, famed Italian fashion designer (Miu,
Miu, Prada)
- What are some pieces in your wardrobe you can’t live without?
A good bag and good shoes – finish the look!
- Are there any rules you follow when pulling a look together?
It’s all about proportion. If you wear a flowy top, choose a skinny bottom and vice versa.
Don’t limit yourself by age, but be appropriate. Take your cues from your peers and peer media, not your teenagers. If you’re limiting yourself with your wardrobe, where else may you be limiting yourself?!?
- What trends are you seeing?
For fall, underlying Bohemian style. Velvet, burgundy. Cold shoulder and off the shoulder continues. 90’s rocker girl – chokers, plaid, monochromatic. Red. Turtlenecks – in the south find a tissue weight short sleeve option to pair under a sleeveless summer dress and bring it into fall!
- If stranded on a desert island, what’s the one thing you couldn’t live without?
Iced lattes!
- What’s a piece of advice you’d share with someone looking to break into the fashion indistry?
You don’t need a fashion degree – get a business degree! Find a good mentor and polish up your math skills.
THANK YOU to Stacy and Hampden Clothing for gracing our showroom with your pop up shop and for this fun interview – it was such a treat hosting them all here and learning more about Stacy!!
Sidenote – Stacy and Hampden Clothing are part of a select board, which Harper’s Bazaar works with to determine what may be featured in the magazine. Pretty awesome, right?!?
We hope Stacy and her thoughts on fashion have inspired you to reconsider your wardrobe a bit and how it works for you!
Earlier this week, we hosted a great two-day seminar with local designers here at the steve mckenzie’s showroom and some fantastic folks from Sherwin Williams, who taught us all about the impact color has on cultures. It was an eye-opening and vibrant course, for sure, and we’re so happy to have been a part of it!
We began with the exploration of diverse cultures and how these cultures perceive color – giving us better insight into how to better serve these potential clients.
We then learned to identify the historical color significance of color families, which was seriously interesting! To look back and see how colors trended throughout history and how they worked together. It really opens our eyes to how we view and use color today!
Finally, we learned how cultural similarities and disparities worked among color families, keeping in mind our goal, which is to make better educated choices related to color selection. Thinking about color on a global scale and how it impacts the world we inhabit and how we can use color to better our world was refreshing way to consider colors and cultures.
We hope to host more of these seminars in the future, so if you’re interested in learning more – and earning some ASID GA CEU credits – please reach out to our team and we’ll be happy to fill you in on what’s coming up!
If you’ve ever visited the steve mckenzie’s showroom in Atlanta’s West Midtown neighborhood, you know we’re surrounded by some pretty fantastic neighbors. This includes our neighbor right next door, Verde Home. You may remember the many posts where you’ve we’ve made mention of them. We’re obvious fans. Plus, Steve has designed a line of rugs with Verde Home, which was such an honor!
Naturally, we turned to our friend, Kent Schneider, of Verde Home, when looking to share information on selecting an ideal rug for a space. He was so kind to answer our many questions and we thought we’d share them with you in this post all about how to choose an area rug.
After all, rugs are one of the primary elements of a space we’re asked most about and unfortunately, it’s easy, even with good intentions and tastes to not get it right. We hope this post helps you in your area rug selection. And please know, our design team here at steve mckenzie’s is always available to aid in your search and selection!
steve mckenzie’s: How do you know where to shop for a rug?
Kent Schneider: I would suggest looking for a specialized rug dealer or a store that sells rugs as a category rather than just as an accessory. By this I mean if you go into a home furniture store that has rugs on the floor but has no area to display and browse rug options…chances are they are just using them to make the furniture they are selling look good and they may not know as much about them. There are many exceptions to this, but in my experience I think it is a good rule of thumb.
sm’s: What should you know about your space when shopping for a rug?
KS: Most important would be the size of the room. That seems obvious but you would be surprised how many customers really have no idea how big the room is. 9 out of 10 times when customers estimate the size the do so on the small side. Rugs out of context often look very big. When you shop for one you may see an 8×10 in a stack and think it is a very large rug and perfect for a living room that actually needs a 10×14.
sm’s: Which rug materials work best in certain spaces?
KS: Right now, I would say Wool is still the fiber of choice for all indoor applications. It has great resilience, luster, and cleans well. Most of the synthetics on the market will always compare themselves to wool.
For outdoor applications, you will see a variety of fibers used. Rugs that get full exposed are generally made from some sort of woven plastic and can be very cheap (because they tend to last only a few seasons). Polyester is a good choice for covered out door areas as it handles moisture well. Most recently, we have seen solution-dyed acrylic fiber, like those used in Sunbrella fabrics start to make their way into the floor covering industry. At present, the piled rugs made from these are pricey, but I expect that will come down and these will become a good indoor/outdoor option.
sm’s: How do you determine the right size rug for your space?
KS: There is no hard and fast rule about how to size the rug for your room. In my experience, the larger the rug you can fit in a room, the larger the room will feel. Rugs tend to ground the room and define the boundaries of conversation groups. Undersized rugs can make a room feel cramped and can get lost under furniture.
You should also consider natural traffic patterns and doorways when laying out a room. When in doubt we always like to draw a room out to scale to see how a rug will fit. But if you need a quick method to visualize it we suggest marking the area off on your floor with some masking tape.
sm’s: What questions should one ask when shopping for a rug?
KS: Not all rugs are created equal and this will often be reflected in the price. Here are some different terms you’ll hear, which will help you determine what type of rug will work for you and your budget…
- Handmade or Machine made – with very few exceptions the machine-made rug should be cheaper than the hand made. That doesn’t always mean better because rugs come in many different knot densities. However, when comparing two rugs of similar content and density, the handmade rug would most often be more expensive and would generally be considered the better rug.
- Hand knotted, hand tufted or hand loomed – Handmade rugs can be made using Hand Knotting, Hand Tufting or Hand Looming. Hand knotting is the most time consuming and would considered the best. Hand tufting has many qualities and often gets a bad reputation for the goods on the low end of the spectrum that are coarsely tufted and use a bad backing. Fine hand tufted pieces can often achieve the look of a hand knotted rug at much less cost. The main drawback with tufting is the backing. Each tuft of wool is fastened into the foundation using glue. Overtime, this glue will break down (cheaper glues will break down quicker), and the tufts will release. Hand looming is a process of weaving a rug that bear similarities to fabric weaving. The rugs are often very simple in pattern and can be woven very quickly. They generally priced about the same as fine, hand tufted products.
- Density and Content– How fine is the knotting, tufting, or looming of the rug and what is it made of? Finer rugs take longer and generally cost more, as do rugs made or wool or wool and silk rather than synthetics.
sm’s: What else should you consider purchasing when buying a rug?
KS: We always recommend a good rug pad. Aside from preventing the rug from slipping, it also provides sound dampening and helps ease the wear of a rug. In spaces where children and/or pets may be present, we also suggest having your rug sealed.
sm’s: What’s the best way to keep a rug looking its best?
KS: The primary upkeep would be vacuuming. This can be done weekly (or as needed). Make sure the height of your vacuum is set so that it does not lift the rug. In some instances, you may wish to turn off the beater bar or only use it occasionally. Spot cleaning can usually be done with water or a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water. If the rug is wet, make sure it dries thoroughly to prevent mold and dry rot.
With a little knowledge and preparation you’ll be set to find your perfect rug! Good luck on your search, and feel free to reach out to our team here at steve mckenzie’s with any questions you may have and guidance you need.
Thank you to Kent and Verde Home for providing their expertise – their showroom should not be missed when searching for a fantastic rug!
So many of our design clients come to us looking to add a splash of color to their space. Many of these people have fantastic taste and collections of timeless pieces that will easily fit into a new design. However, these savvy folks always shy away from color… Why?
It seems like many people understand the value of starting with a neutral base for any space. And while we think neutrals are a necessity, we also believe in adding personality, drama and even a bit of pizzazz with some very bold color. Be it in an amazingly bright wallpaper, a brilliant hued upholstery job, or funky custom pillows with contrast piping, there are unlimited ways to effortlessly add splashes of color to your neutral spaces!
Petite glass vases, like these hand blown pieces by Blenko, available in a rainbow of colors and sizes at steve mckenzie’s. And don’t forget what an impact a few cut flowers, or even a bit of greenery can add to a space. Not only does it add color, it also adds the perfect soft touch.
These vintage surplus pillows from All Souls Mercantile are sure to add the perfect subtle touch of color. They’d be ideal in a lake house, or space with a bit of western flare. But, don’t let our ideas limit you – there are so many ways these pieces can add personality to a design!
Your tabletop will truly come to life with a bright napkin, bit of colorful Royal Crown Derby china by Mikado and even a vibrantly colored acrylic glass, which is just as durable as it is attractive!
The team here at steve mckenzie’s are rockstars at textile pairings, and creating memorable pillow arrangements, thanks to colorful fabrics and trims. If you’s like to achieve a similar look, but don’t quite know where to start, reach out to our team today!
Now, who needs a pair of shades to give their eyes a rest after enjoying such a color rich post?!?
This past weekend at AmericasMart was such a whirlwind for us! We were so honored to be selected to participate in their exciting “Retail Meets Design” vignette exhibition, which highlighted the talents of a fantastic group of retailers who are also designers, or vice versa. We were simply blown away by everyone’s creativity!
Steve took this opportunity to add a little glam into his designs and we couldn’t have been more pleased with the outcome! In addition, just about everything was sourced from within AmericasMart, and the items he didn’t find there are all available through steve mckenzie’s.
The vignette Steve designed for McKenzie Design was centered around a banquette table and chair arrangement, with the focal point being that amazing hammered metal pedestal table from Bliss Studio.
As you’ve probably deduced by now, tablescapes are a specialty of ours here at steve mckenzie’s and Steve’s tabletop design for his vignette certainly portrayed his appreciation for fine wares. Here’s a rundown of Steve’s sources for his tablescape:
The bar cart, found via Golden Oldies Antiques, was actually an old Viennese pastry cart, which was repurposed, and it acted as the perfect end cap for the banquet – sourced through Lee Industries. The bottom of the bar cart featured a glass cabinet, which was filled with antique brass camel bells. The shield back chairs were found at Aidan Gray, and the nailhead trim on the chairs worked beautifully with the detailing on the banquette seating!
The console table space was perhaps our favorite moment within the vignette. That table, also sourced through Bliss Studio, is a true work of art, and the bejeweled Buddha perched atop it is as well. After all, it was crafted by THE Eric Cortina. And the floral on the console is by Diane James.
The lighting above the table and the sconces above the console are all from Currey & Co., each of those pieces added some needed modernity. The vertical artwork was sourced from Wendover Art Group and the horizontal piece is from Art & Frame Source.
You may recognize the wall covering, as it’s based off of Steve’s art and textile design, was transferred to grass cloth and transformed in to wallpaper. It is so exciting to see the loop art used in this way!
The banquette pillows offered their own touch of glitz and glam and were found via D.V. Kap.
And that etagere, which added the perfect amount of style and storage was found via Gabby, as were all of those stunning accessories used to style it.
The rug also deserves a mention all its own… The luxuriously soft and beautiful floor covering Jaipur Living, and it was a showstopper!
We also have to share a little shout out to all of the other amazing retailer/designers who designed some brilliant spaces for the “Retail Meets Design” vignettes:
– Kristin Alber of FOUND
– Nina Nash and Jared Hughes of Matthews Furniture + Design
– Susan Victor and John Ishmael of Natina Home & Design
– Rozanne Jackson of The Iron Gate
– Ann Huff, Meg Harrington and Sam Jones of Huff Harrington Home
– Paige Schnell, Beth Nash and Anna Kay Porch of Tracery Interiors
In addition to designing the exhibition vignette, Steve was also invited to speak on a panel about the retail and design business and how to bridge the gap between them, as well as promoting the dual businesses. Kristin Alber of FOUND, moderated the panel and was such a delight to get to know during AmericasMart!
While AmericasMart can be a crazy time, and this year was no exception, it’s always a phenomenal source of inspiration and a wonderful time to meet and greet with all of our industry friends. And we’re so appreciative of all the praise the vignette exhibit has been garnering on social media – just check out #retailmeetsdesign to get an idea of all the excitement!
Here’s to AmericasMart 2017!!
This year, did you resolve to get organized?! How’s it going so far? If you’ve already fallen off the organizational bandwagon, we’re here to inspire you with one simple item. The tray.
Perhaps our favorite option – a catchall tray in Loop Indigo, based on Steve’s fine artwork and textile line. Will add a punch of fun and color to any space!
That’s right – as in those pretty serving pieces sitting in your cabinet that only come out during certain meals… Believe it or not, but trays can do so much outside of the kitchen. They can help you become stylishly organized!
We love the idea of using beautiful trays and even overlooked pieces from your china collection in drawers for organizing small items such as jewelry, spare change, makeup, cuff links, tie pins, etc. So many options!
Simple trays can handle the tremendous task of keeping us organized. Set on a console, nightstand, end table, or even inside a drawer, trays are a fantastic way to compartmentalize all those small items we’re so often digging through our catch-all drawers for!
This Royal Crown Derby Mikado Sandwich Tray, in Taupe, is a real showstopper! This stunning piece would be a gorgeous spot to place on your foyer table and collect keys, spare change and other loose items.
And you know those small items you reach for most – wouldn’t it be helpful if you could just leave them out in the open for easy reach? Thanks to the tray, you can do that in a stylish way.
This woven rattan round tray is actually a little larger in scale and would be a brilliant place to collect television remotes, decks of cards, or even add tall glasses to the top and fill with makeup and brushes for the bathroom or silverware for a stylish addition to your next buffet.
As you can see, we offer some pretty fabulous options for organizing small trinkets. Reach out to the steve mckenzie’s team today and we’ll be happy to help you achieve this resolution and become more organized in no time!!
We’re here to whet your appetites this morning with a fun Q&A with Bella Cucina creator, Alisa Barry! And this just so happens to be a timely post, as Alisa’s fabulous creations serve as idea hostess and holiday gifts.
If you’ve visited the showroom lately, chances are you’ve seen some Bella Cucina products. And we’re here to share these gorgeous pantry staples are just as delicious as they are beautiful. With an appreciation for beauty and a sensibility for classic, yet innovative flavors, Bella Cucina makes products by hand, in small batches in the traditional European hand-crafted way. We’re thrilled to offer them to all of our friends and fans in the steve mckenzie’s showroom.
Alisa Barry Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee
About Alisa:
Alisa is an artist, author & entrepreneur.
Honing her culinary skills in San Francisco, Berkeley and the California wine country, she formed a food philosophy that continues to inform her simple, yet sophisticated cooking style. She believes it’s not only about what you eat, but also how you eat. When we take time to slow down and savor, we can enjoy food as a simple luxury in our daily life.
After opening a small, European-style lunchtime café in Atlanta, Alisa expanded her offerings from locally sourced seasonal and organic menu items to a line of beautifully packaged pantry provisions.
Winning numerous prestigious industry awards, Bella Cucina has garnered the attention of the media over the years. A highlight has been a feature on Oprah’s most popular “Favorite Things” show {twice!}, O magazine, Food & Wine, Martha Stewart Living, Better Homes & Garden, and Cooking Light.
Alisa and her designer husband, Smith Hanes, enjoy returning to her culinary roots in the quiet food mecca of Yountville, California and visiting her favorite places in Tuscany, Italy.
sm’s: Can you please share a bit about your background/how you started Bella Cucina and how you gained the courage to break out on your own?
AB: I first fell in love with the art of eating when I lived in Europe many years ago. Every time I returned, I was reminded that taking time to savor is one of the simplest luxuries we can afford ourselves, everyday. Bella Cucina first started as a small lunchtime café. Inspired by Alice Water’s philosophy of using what’s in season, I would buy whatever the organic farmer’s harvested for the week and create my menu around the ingredients. I was the cook, the caterer and the clean-up crew. Soon after we opened, customers were asking how they could enjoy the flavors of the food in their own kitchen. Within a short year, I was bottling up freshly picked basil pesto, baking Death by Chocolate cookies and and preserving a Mediterranean condiment called preserved lemons. Within a short time, I had a complete line of Italian-inspired pantry provisions. Fast forward a decade and some years later; Bella Cucina has become an award-winning artisan-made product line sold around the world.
sm’s: What inspires you/your work?
AB: Bella Cucina is one vehicle for my creative and artistic expression. It is my offering, my art. It’s also been an unexpected vehicle for personal transformation. Over the last 2o plus years I’ve been in business, I’ve had many accomplishments and accolades. I’ve also experienced overwhelming obstacles and adversity. I have found that it is in the challenges and change that I have learned the most, which has shaped the artist & entrepreneur I am today. Alchemy isn’t easy, but it always leaves beauty behind.
I am inspired by everything. Aesthetic arrest is what awakens me. I like to think of my life as a perpetual pilgrimage of astonishment & awe. Several days a week, I make time to be in my studio at home. It’s a sacred space where I can make something simply for the sake of creation.
sm’s: What makes Bella Cucina products different from other pantry products found on market shelves?
AB: Bella Cucina makes over fifty different products: from antipasti appetizers to our famous pestos, pasta sauces and dolci desserts. Everything we produce is made by hand in small batches. All our recipes start as experiments in my kitchen which I call il laboratorio. It’s where all of the creations begin.
sm’s: What do people love about using Bella Cucina products?
AB: Simplicity is the new luxury. People want to eat and entertain and we try to make it so easy. With just a few simple ingredients and well-chosen serving plates, you can put out an impressive spread that will delight your guests with a feast for the senses. There’s nothing to more do but linger around the table with good food and friends.
sm’s: Do you ever experience kitchen disasters like the rest of us?
AB: I’ve had too many recipe disasters to mention – everything from soggy granola to exploding oranges. But I’ve learned to just toss these failures in the trash and start over. Creativity is about risk-taking and experimentation. Dare to falter every once in a while.
What do you love about what you do?
AB: I love shopping in farmer’s markets for inspiration and creating new products. It is an artistic expression of my creativity. When I create a recipe that really works and people are delighted with it and use it in their own way, and e-mail me HOW the used it in their kitchens, feeding their family, that carries a big reward, I just Love that part of my work. Hearing their stories and seeing the photos of their own creations.
Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee
sm’s: How would you sum up your aesthetic & design philosophy?
AB: Simplicity. Restraint. Beauty.
sm’s: What’s on the horizon for you/Bella Cucina?
AB: Another cookbook. Its about how the act and art of cooking and eating can nourish us body, mind and spirit. How rituals make a mundane activity more meaningful. A habit made holy.
Photo: Andrew Thomas Lee
We so love these Bella Cucina goods, but what we appreciate even more is Alisa’s sentiments on lifestyle and savoring your surroundings and great company while dining. She definitely embodies that European way of living and we are fans! Thank you to Alisa for sharing so much about herself and Bella Cucina with our readers.
Be sure to check out her wonderful line of pantry items, and pick a few up for you and all those hostesses you’ll be visiting over the holidays next time you find yourself in the store… Our team will be happy to guide you toward one fantastic product or we can put together a delicious gift basket – either way, it’ll be ready to present when you leave the steve mckenzie’s showroom!
We’re absolutely delighted to introduce you to one of the most exciting artists to come out of the South in some time, Elizabeth Fowler! And we’re even more excited to share that we’ll be hosting Elizabeth’s art debut in Atlanta on June 8th – mark your calendars now!!
Elizabeth is fun, dynamic and her work will have you using all the heart eye emoji’s you can handle. She’s a true professional; absolutely polished and totally poised for even bigger and better things. We’re thrilled Elizabeth will be showcasing some of her work at steve mckenzie’s and wanted to give you a glimpse into who she is before the big debut. We hope you enjoy this latest installment in our “Who you NEED to Meet” blog series!
Elizabeth Fowler
Elizabeth Fowler lives in Jackson, MS. She graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in Communication and Information Sciences. She began painting in March of 2016 and has since held successful pop up exhibitions at the Mississippi Museum of Art After Hours series, Courtney Peters Design and Adam Trest Home.
In 2016, her work was included in the Fondren Renaissance Foundation’s annual Cedars Juried Art Show and she was named one of Portico Magazine’s 2016 Artists Rising. This year, Elizabeth was included in the self-portrait exhibition at Fischer Gallery in Jackson.
sm’s: Can you please share a bit about your background/how you started/how you started Elizabeth Fowler Art and how you gained the courage to break out on your own?
EF: I spent the first 13 years of my career in marketing project management, client relations and new business development. I’d always had a desire to do something more physical and more creative. To create a “product” of some sort. A little over a year ago, I left my marketing post not knowing what my next step would be. The main goal was to focus more acutely on raising my 4 year old daughter, nurture my true self, better support my husband and pay more attention to our household. But mainly nourish my then-depleted soul.
I really wrestled with what I would “do next” to make a mark, prove value or justify existence. I received the greatest gift of all…. the luxury of rest and the ability to wait. I thought about going back to school but wasn’t sure how I’d select between multiple interests. I thought about beginning to write but wasn’t sure what my goal would be with the writing and frankly was afraid I’d get lost in my own musings. Then, I remembered painting. I chose painting because I thought it might be the most reasonable way for me to export parts of my spirit.
There were many fears. But, I realized that I really had nothing to lose and just went for it. In short order, I had sold several paintings and was very encouraged to keep going. The work just started pouring out of me. The act of painting was so meditative and healing for me and I loved that it opened me up to so many new relationships with other artists, collectors, etc.
One year later, I realize that this year of painting, resting, trusting has been the best year of my life. That joy is the fuel for growing my body of work and continuing to stretch my abilities.
sm’s: What inspires you/your art?
EF: Wow. So much.
I’m inspired by materials and processes. I love nothing more than testing new materials and processes.
Other artists. The more I paint, the more I hunger for imagery created by others. I love it when I think that I’ve seen great art and then I’m introduced to a new artist and my entire paradigm for “good work” is shattered and recreated.
I’m inspired by beautiful weather. I paint out of doors at my home. The light filtered through the tress in my backyard on a 70 degree day is irresistible.
I’m inspired by the forces behind the development and sustenance of the natural world.
I’m also frequently inspired by Instagram photos before they fully load. You know when they’re still blurry and abstract. The most mundane subject matter becomes SO visually interesting when blurred! I always want to paint after seeing those — thank God for slow internet connection!
sm’s: What is your vision, not only for the Elizabeth Fowler Art brand, but also the individual pieces you create? EF: I don’t consider myself to be a brand. About 8 months ago, I tried to think of myself/ my work in that way and I learned that it took the life out of it for me. So now, I just paint what I paint. Even though my pieces vary in color and theme, they usually all carry the mark of my collective experience. I’m not sure quite how that happens, but the marks end up relating all of my paintings to each other. I paint intuitively, so I don’t go into a body of work with an expectation or vision. Correction…. Sometimes I do and my intuition takes over, yielding something that in NO WAY reflects my original intention. The piece comes out and it is what it is (forgive the overused expression!). What I hope for each piece is that someone will be drawn to it, appreciate it, buy it and enjoy it.
sm’s: Do you have any “mainstays” in your work – is there something you’re always drawn to? EF: If you asked my mentors and art advisors, they’d say “YES!” but, my answer is that I’m so new at this that I couldn’t say there are elements that I cling to. Of course there are tools in my kit that I pull out. Drizzling, dripping, spraying, doodling.sm’s: What are the differences in your collections – i.e. how do you create such unique pieces that remain a part of one, cohesive line? EF: I paint collections in sessions. On any given day, I’ll put down 3-10 pieces of paper or canvas and paint in succession until they’re complete. Once those are finished, I really can’t replicate it. The work itself is a record of the weather that day, my mood and the materials that were available to me at that moment. The pieces are cohesive because they all come from the same point of origin, me.
sm’s: What do people need to consider when looking to purchase one of your pieces?
EF: I think that the only thing that is required to purchase one of my pieces is connection. A connection with the piece. The owner’s connection with the piece, which might be completely different from my connection with the piece. The painting is like a person…. It’s allowed to have different connections with different people.
The second thing that would be nice is a connection between the buyer and me. I love people. I love when I really get to know who they are. I realize that the more work I sell, the harder it’ll be to truly connect with every buyer. But I’d love it if that were possible. I want people to look at my work in their space and feel a warmth because they love the work but also to feel as though they’ve purchased a spec of my being and are able to celebrate the moment I made the piece.
sm’s: What’s on the horizon for you/Elizabeth Fowler Art? EF: The thing that I MOST love about life is the unpredictably of it all. Two years ago I was working to help proliferate a casual dining brand with NO IDEA that I’d be painting. Six months ago, I couldn’t have imagined that I’d meet and connect with some of the artists with whom I’ve been fortunate to form unique bonds. LIFE IS AMAZING! That being said.
In the next year, I’d like to amp up my presentation and land a two-person or solo gallery show. I’ve just hung my first solo show in a community gallery. My next step is to work with a full-time commercial gallery on a show.
sm’s: As an artist/business person how do you recharge? EF: Funny. Painting is the recharge for me. I paint about two days a week and it is such a catharsis for me. It’s important for me to maintain a balance in my life. Elements in that balance are quality time with friends and family, travel, afternoon cocktails with my husband (Mint Juelps), play with my daughter…. And sleep. I love to sleep. It’s the only time I can get my mind to stop. 🙂
sm’s: Anything else you can think our readers would enjoy learning about you/your business/artwork? EF: Come see me! I want to meet you, hear from you, get to know you!
And she means it – and we’re offering the perfect opportunity for you to interact with the artist. Her Atlanta debut on June 8th… We look forward to seeing you there! Contact the team at steve mckenzie’s with any questions.
For this Library Friday feature, steve mckenzie’s team member, Xavier Neuner is back – and this time he brings a debate!
Xavier Neuner
Xavier selected “Jackson Pollock: A Biography,” as his choice this Library Friday, and offers some unique insight into the work of this timeless artist…
Hello avid steve mckenzie’s readers, This week’s Library Friday topic brings us a debate that has been going on for years – Jackson Pollock! Is his work a breath-taking, original idea, or a product of a lazy man’s way to fame?
I personally believe Pollock’s work is ground breaking for the time. The definition “to paint” is to cover a surface or object with paint. Nowhere did the definition state that an artist needs a paintbrush to apply paint on a surface.
Jackson Pollock was the first artist to fully grasp this concept. As his painting styles evolved he began to experiment with dripping the paint onto canvas.
Jackson Pollock – One Number 31, 1950
My friends and family know how I act when we go to a museum or art gallery. Rarely do I stop and stair at artwork during an exhibit, unless I am engulfed in the technique of the piece. When I saw Pollock’s “One Number 31, 1950” for the first time, I felt like Cameron Frye, Ferris Bueller’s best friend. I couldn’t help but observe how many layers of paint make up the texture on the canvas. He truly understood in order to paint all a person needs is paint and a surface.
We love learning Xavier’s take on some of our favorite works in the steve mckenzie’s library! What are your thoughts – do you agree with Xavier, or have an alternate point of view?! Please share in the comments, we’d love to know your thoughts!
