GETTING TO KNOW OUR "A FRESH LOOK" ARTISTS: JASON & LAUREN LEWIS

JASON LEWIS: Digital Artist

*Photos of Jason's work provided by FCAA.

LAUREN LEWIS: Fiber Artist

BIO

Lauren Norman Lewis is a Mount Vernon native. While there is only one formal artist in her family, her sister Audrey Norman, she comes from a long line of creative types, including both grandmothers Teny Tom and Ruth Norman who dabbled in paint. Christmas each year the entire family throws themselves into creative endeavors, handcrafting and creating homemade gifts.

After having grown up in Mt. Vernon, Lauren spent her formative young adult years in Austin, Texas, where she was heavily influenced by the Hispanic culture and arts, showcased in murals, art houses, and regional festivals.  

Her work is tactile, and she is drawn to mediums that evoke a sense of touch.  In addition to fiber art she dabbles in 3D dioramas, collage work, and multi medium pieces.

*Photo & Bio provided by Lauren Lewis

GETTING TO KNOW OUR "A FRESH LOOK" ARTISTS: KENDALL KENT

KENDALL KENT: Painter 

BIO:

Kendall Kent, a native Texan, received her BFA, with a focus on art and interior design from Texas State University.  She began her design career in Dallas in 2007 with Joanie Wyll and Associated, Inc. and continued until 2015 with the firm.  She had the opportunity to create amazing high-end residential interiors and gain experience with architectural detailing and design. 

In addition to interior design, Kendall collaborates with Kathleen Allen, owner of Veritas Glass, drawing and designing sophisticated, modern and decorative glass pieces, which are sold in exclusive boutiques and luxury department stores worldwide. 

After being a stay-at-home mom with her 3 children, all under the age of 4, Kendall decided to turn her appreciation for art and creativity into a hobby and began painting in her spare time.  Painting in the evenings on her daughter’s child size art easel, became a way of self-expression and relaxation as she explored abstract themes, shapes, spatial relationships and color composition. 

Spurred by the positive response she received about her art, Kendall decided to start her own company Kendall Kent Interiors, LLC.  She is excited to begin this new chapter in her life and share her love for art and design with others.  She and her husband Zach currently reside in Dallas, Texas with their 3 children.

*Bio & pics of Kendall & Family provided by Kendall Kent 

GETTING TO KNOW OUR "A FRESH LOOK" ARTISTS: LEANNE HOUSE

LEANNE HOUSE: Poet

LeAnne House was born January 3,1980 in Fort Polk, Louisiana to Lessel House and Josephine Toro House and was laid to rest May 14, 2016. She's a 1998 graduate of Mount Vernon High School. LeAnne had a great passion for writing poems and songs that was heavily influenced by her faith. 

*Bio & Poetry provided by the family of LeAnne House

GETTING TO KNOW OUR "A FRESH LOOK" ARTISTS: JERROD HAMMOND

JERROD HAMMOND:

Metal Sculptor, Painter, Wood Carver, & More

BIO

Jerrod Hammond is a local artist, born and raised in Mt. Vernon.  Metal and wood designs are his preferred media but he also enjoys oil painting, charcoals and jewelry creation.  Jerrod believes that every art form should be experienced at least once.

He views every antler, piece of wood, sheet of metal, and any other scrap as art that needs to come to life.  Someone once said that an anvil could not be created from a railroad track, but Jerrod decided otherwise.  The large anvil on display came from a portion of track removed behind Ronny and Sue Barker’s house on the Broken M Ranch in Franklin County, following the trestle wreck in 2012.  The small anvil was made from a piece of railroad track recovered from an abandoned silver mine outside Silver Plume, Colorado and given to Jerrod by Cole Barker.

Knives became a passion a few years ago.  Jerrod designed some with red deer antler horn handles and others were fashioned from railroad spikes.

Jerrod and his wife, Brandi, reside in Mt. Vernon with their two children, Jerrilyn and Jessy.  He works for the family owned business, JH3 Construction, and is well known around Lake Cypress and Lake Bob Sandlin for his custom cabinetry and barn style doors that can be seen in many of the boathouses.

*Bio provided by Linda Hammond

GETTING TO KNOW OUR "A FRESH LOOK" ARTISTS: KRISTIN DECKER

KRISTIN DECKER: Photographer

Portraits of Pups

by Kristin Decker 

 

Inspired by her own two pups, Kristin began her series of dog portraits in October 2017 after adopting her second dog, Wilco. 

Kristin’s interest in photography began in high school and has led her to incorporate it into her college studies. She is currently a student at Texas A&M University- Commerce studying Visual Communications with an emphasis in Art Direction. 

Throughout her college career Kristin has assisted for Sean Berry, photographer of the Dallas Stars, photographed portraits and events for the TAMUC marketing and athletics departments, and has had her work positively reviewed by The Richards Group in Dallas, Texas. Kristin will graduate with her B.F.A. in May 2019. 

*Text and photos provided by Kristin Decker

GETTING TO KNOW OUR "A FRESH LOOK" ARTISTS: JARED CHAPMAN

JARED CHAPMAN: 

Children's Book Author/Illustrator

BIO

Jared Chapman grew up in Mt. Pleasant, the very same place he and his family call home today. In addition to writing and illustrating picture books such as, Vegetables in Underwear, Fruits in Suits, Steve, Raised By Wolves, and Pirate, Viking & Scientist, Jared has worked with clients such as Walt Disney Television Animation, Nick Jr., Jib Jab, Nike, Google, Hallmark, American Greetings, and Central Market. 

*Photos and Bio courtesy of Jared Chapman

GETTING TO KNOW OUR "A FRESH LOOK" ARTISTS: LINDSEY BASS

Over the next two weeks, we will introduce you to the very talented artists representing a wide variety of art forms in our must see A Fresh Look, A Young Artists Exhibit.  Take a look at our first artist.

LINSDEY BASS: Potter

Artist Statement

I make functional ceramic objects. I create these objects to enhance the daily life of their user. I am inspired by the words of William Morris when he said, “Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” It is my belief that surrounding yourself with things made from the earth makes for a happier and more enjoyable life. The objects I make are meant to be shared. I intend for them to bring people together in social situations such as sitting for a cup of tea with a dear friend or having a full meal with family. I believe that clay brings together communities of people and fellowship, whether you are a maker or just appreciate the handmade.

I choose to make my ceramic wares with a porcelain clay body. Porcelain possesses certain qualities of plasticity and malleability that lend itself to my process of manipulating the surface of the vessel. I use flashing slips, stains, underglazes, and glazes in a high fire soda kiln to accentuate the textured surfaces of my pots. In my process I wheel throw and alter my forms by faceting and slicing the clay after which I push texture surfaces through from the inside of the vessel. This creates a sense of vulnerability to the work, an exposure to the interior of the form.

My pots consist of dinnerware, vessels for plant life, and other useful objects for the home. I choose to work with clay for many reasons. Working with clay takes time and patience. The process turns into a daily practice much like a ritual. It is a labor of love. Clay is both limited and limitless. My ceramics practice teaches me lessons on a daily basis, such as being humble, patient, strong, and resilient. You must learn to problem solve with every new idea.

My ceramic work is influenced by Japanese culture, the values of the British Arts and Crafts Movement, and aspects of design associated with Mid-Century Modern. I enjoy Japanese traditions such as the tea ceremony, landscape, architecture, and life philosophy. The values of the British Arts and Crafts movement also inspire my work. The philosophy of this movement is ultimately a critique of industrial production, which favors functional objects made by hand integrated into utopian community design. My forms are guided by dinnerware commonly associated with Mid Century Modern. This manifests in my work due to my interest in making full sets of serving ware including cocktail trays and dinnerware.

My parents have been avid gardeners my entire life. I grew up with a yard constantly filed with beautiful flowers, fruits, and vegetables. As a result of my parents’ love for gardening and cooking I had many meals prepared with their bounty. Observing their garden and reaping the benefits made a long lasting impression on me. This has taught me the importance of hard work and taking pride and joy in the finished product. This directly inspires me to create functional ceramic vessels to serve and present thoughtfully prepared meals and vessels to grow plants in. My goal as a maker is to share the treasures of growing or creating something with your own hands. When we share our creativity and hard work with those around us it brings people together and creates a community. I believe that filling one’s life with the home grown and the handmade adds value and appreciation to daily actions and encourages us to slow down and enjoy life.

“The true secret of happiness lies in taking genuine interest in all the details of daily life.” -William Morris

*Photos and Artist Statement provided by Lindsey Bass

COMING SOON!

VISIT THE WIND RIVER RESERVATION WITH AWARD WINNING FILMMAKER, MAT HAMES

FEBRUARY 2018
COME JOIN US!

*Poster provided by Mat Hames

CULTURAL ARTS CENTER
100 N. RUSK ST.
MT. VERNON, TX