Featured Grapevine Artists

Shelly Burden Portrait Artist

"Turning Images into Heirlooms" Although I am able to render numerous subjects, I'm best known for achieving attention to detail graphite people and pet portraits as well as watercolor pet portraits. With all commissions, you have the pleasure of participating in the process while watching your portrait come to life through a series of works - in - progress sent to you as I complete your portrait. (www.shellyburden.com) My Sassy Smudges allow you to relax while I paint your 5x7" pet miniature. (www.sassysmudges.com) Although painted on a smaller scale, these pet paintings show the same nuances and quality of workmanship my larger commissions are noted for. Portraits evoke such emotions, that's what makes them a challenge to accomplish. I am thrilled to take a photo that may not be worthy of displaying in your home, and turn it into a hand painted original piece of art that you will enjoy for years. You are welcome to contact me at burdenzoo@verizon.net for more information. Right: 'Kerbey', Custom Ink/Watercolor "5x7"   Winner: The 'Magic of Mardi Gras' painting was one of the 3 award winners chosen by the judges in the Lancaster Theatre's Art Show & Sale in October, 2009. Ongoing and Upcoming Shows and Exhibits: Saturday. March 13th, 10am-1:00pm.  St Patty Pooch Party at Stewarts Creek Park. 3700 Sparks Rd. The Colony. Mutt Strut, Threat level 6 classic rock live band, Texas Road House food, pet events and businesses. -Saturday, March 20th, 9am-12:30pm. SPCA of Texas. 2400 Lone Star Drive, Dallas. While I’m having fun meeting the pups and their parents in the midst of painting/providing products at my “Strut your Mutt” SPCA of Texas Fundraising Event vendor booth, others will also be helping to raise much needed money for animals in need.  Fun for the entire family: vendor booths, activities for pets and kids, pet contests, demos, snacks and animal adoption. -Saturday, March 27th, 9:00am- Noon. Indian Springs & Trinity Springs Middle Schools Community Dog Show. 305 Bursey Road, Keller. Students of the PALS (Peer Assistant & Leadership) program are promoting this event; with all monies raised being donated to local animal rescue groups. NUMEROUS categories for your dog to enter, from owner/dog look alike to best dressed. Contact Shelly Burden's email at burdenzoo@verizon.net or websites at www.shellyburden.com and www.sassysmudges.com.

Sharen Chatterton Acrylic, Watercolor, Mixed Media, Collage Artist

Sharen Chatterton is a talented artist, self-taught in acrylic, watercolor, mixed media and collage. Born in 1957 in Hartsville, South Carolina. Sharen has pursued her love of art through her paintings and mixed media work. Her work has been exhibited in many shows throughout the North and East Texas areas including through the Trinity Art Guild, the Grapevine Art Project, and the Irving Art Connection. Sharen currently lives with her husband Carter, and their three dogs, Sigh, Bernie and Gracie. "As an artist, I endeavor to express my love of nature. I try to capture the beauty created by an undeniably talented God.  Each piece has to have that smile factor. When I look at it, it has to make me smile, glad to be alive to enjoy all the beauty around me. I love the brilliant beauty of the flowers and butterflies that abound in North Texas gardens and I attempt to capture them on canvas. When painting in watercolor, I enjoy portraying bold, bright, shiny things as my subjects. With each work, the intricate and beautiful world around me is captured, to be viewed again and again." Ongoing and Upcoming Shows and Exhibits: Sharen will be showing in Grapevine at the Lancaster Theatre, May through June, 2010, and Buon Giorno Gallery in November, 2010. "The Nature of Flowers", at The Discovery Gallery in Dallas. Discovery Gardens, 3601 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dallas. (Texas Discovery Gardens is located through Gate 6 at Fair Park). Exhibition runs: March 22 through July 31, 2010. Gallery open daily 10am - 5:00pm visit www.texasdiscoverygardens.org for directions; www.sharenchatterton.com Contact Sharen at Luna Azul Studios, or sharenchatterton@lunaazulstudio.com.

Becky Deed Oil and Acrylic Artist

Becky Deed who says painting "feeds my soul" is an honors graduate with a degree in art from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.  She won her first art contest when in she was in the first grade and still had the metal ruler she was awarded.  Becky’s roots in art were formed at an early age.  Her mother, Merle Still, was also an artist who taught china painting   “My mother always wanted me to follow in her footsteps, but I didn’t enjoy the tedium and precision of china painting.  I prefer a bolder approach to my art. “ Becky works primarily in oil and acrylic.  She loves the texture created by using a palette knife, as well as the bold use of color in capturing the beauty of nature in her landscapes.  Her work is found in several private collections in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, and her work was recently shown in the Gordon Phillips Gallery.               Contact: Beckydeed@gmail.com

Rick Eakins Oil Painter

During a recent 4th Friday Gallery Night in downtown Grapevine, oil painter Rick Eakins was honored as a featured local artist. Presenting his original landscape collection from the Plein-Aire Painters of America workshops, Eakins encouraged others to paint on location, working outdoors to capture the essence of natural light. "Landscapes are my favorite subject matter, especially if I can find an old barn or house to include in my painting," says Eakins. "And many years as a graphic artist have really helped, especially when I try to capture the fine architectural details of those structures."  Eakins is known for his serene, pastoral oil paintings of the Grapevine area, the Texas Hill country and the northern mountain ranges of New Mexico. Since his retirement from a professional career in commercial art and illustration, Eakins has devoted studio time to perfecting his oil painting. In addition,  he is a member of the Associated Creative Artist of Dallas, Outdoor Painters Society and the Trinity Arts Guild. A long-time resident, Eakins grew up on his family's property in rural Grapevine and developed a passion for oil painting as a teenager. "I have been very fortunate," shares Eakins, "to study and paint with Tony Eubanks, Jerral Derryberry, Bruce Peil, Judy Gelfert, Jim Rozek, and recently John Budicin. So, don't be surprised to find me on any given day out in the park, by Grapevine Lake or even on Main Street with a brush and canvas. I'm enjoying every minute painting!"

Christie Holbert Paintings, Watercolor, Glass Sculpture Artist

Originally a native of Mississippi, Christie relocated to the Grapevine area after Hurricane Katrina.  As a self-taught artist she began pursing art at the age of three when she created her first work of art on the kitchen wall.  "My art has been constantly evolving since a very young age.  Art has always been my passion and outlet.   I enjoy using many mediums, including oil, acrylic, watercolors, collage, fused glass, mixed media and photography." As Marc Chagall stated, "I work in whatever medium likes me at the moment."  "Images pass through my mind constantly as I go through each day.  Sometimes these images make it into my sketchbook and then on to become paintings.  The images I create are my interpretations of the world around me in some way.  When I see things in front of me my mind transforms the images into colorful displays of images in this world. I respond to those things I see, feel and hear by creating art. I like to focus on nature, such as flowers, trees, landscapes, animals and butterflies, while combining them with new age industrial such as buildings, bridges, and objects with repeated patterns."  Combining textures, geometric patterns, and soft shapes are what make Christie's paintings unique.  Lately she has been fascinated with focusing on the lines in her paintings. "I am not interested in painting my surroundings exactly as they appear, but rather as a recognizable object meshed with the vivid movements in my mind. I often see my surroundings as patterns of line, shape, light, texture and the color in its purest form. I love to explore with color and mixing it in ways that don’t seem conventional." Currently, Christie is an art teacher in the public school system who also conducts private and public painting workshops. Christie's art is now showing at The Book Carriage and Coffee Shop.         As a member of the Grapevine Art Project, Christie will be participating in various art shows during the year. - April 17th, The New Vintage Wine and Gallery Trail - October, at the Lancaster Theater Gallery - Grapevine Art Project Fall Show, date to be announced Contact Christie Holbert at cmk_holbert@yahoo.com.

Mary Sweeney Howe Oil and Acrylic Painter

Custom Themes, Paintings, Murals I am a local artist living and working in Grapevine. I have been painting since the age of 4, when my first artwork landed on my parents wall. I was standing on the back of their white leather couch and I drew a horse with a huge black crayon...this was my destiny as a mural artist!    I work in both mediums, arcylic and oil. By day I am painting the murals and individual art pieces; in the evenings, I teach art at Lifesong Studio in Grapevine. The murals I design and paint (for businesses and residential), are custom themed murals, the most popular scenes are of Europe, especially the Italian countryside, villas and mountains. I also work on children's themed murals, including Castle designs and popular children's stories. My commission art paintings are abstract in nature, mostly very vivid colors of nature with spiritual themes. Much of my inspiration comes from my experience working on theatre sets and the last ten years from my European travels to Ireland, England, Germany, Austria and a recent back packing/train trip throughout Italy.             Contact me: Divine Inspirations maryhowe40@hotmail.com; 817 488-1777 or 817 797-2126

Carol French Jones Original Oils

Carol French Jones is the daughter of an English mother and an American soldier.  Growing up in North Central Texas with 5 siblings and not having a lot of money, Carol learned to appreciate the simple things in life.  Her inspiration is drawn from serenity, beauty in life and nature, along with her love of people and travel. Carol started painting at a young age after a trip to her mother’s native England.  An insightful relative persuaded her to pursue art  after witnessing her creativity.  Carol has painted most of her life while working 30 years in corporate America.  She has decided that the time has come for her to fulfill her life long dream and passion...the love of painting. When Carol isn't painting she can usually be found sailing her catamaran.  It's a hobby she has enjoyed for many years, connecting her to the beauty of nature and life.  Her excitement for life is This same zest is reflected in her work on canvas and photography. You can see her inner spirit come alive through her art.  She has an expressive and imaginative eye and is always searching and evolving her style.  The artist prefers oils and works in brush and palette knife for various effects without giving up anything in tranquility.  She strives for an image that is soothing and intense with energy and color. Artist’s Statement: "Welcome to my world as I see it and my hands interpret it.  I am fortunate and blessed to be able to share my vision with others.  I believe our experience of beauty transcends our ability to speck about it.  Its magic lies beyond the power of words.  I hope to paint some of beauty’s healing powers, how it stirs us and how it moves and inspires us.  God has given me this wonderful gift, so I could inspire other women to use their gift that God has given them. Paintings should give a ray of Hope to inspire not all the world is bad.  Beauty is a gift….. and most take it  for granted.     I consider my work to be an extension of myself – optimistic, personable and a celebration of life.  Painting energizes my soul, it has become a way of life, and I breathe and feel the transformation of colors, patterns and light.  Making a blank canvas come alive is my passion, it is the journey.   Capturing moments in time, whether big or small, allows you to reflect on moments and memories in your life. I hope that my work inspires others to feel serenity, see beauty, and view life…. Life as I see it, through my eyes".                                     Upcoming shows, 2010: April 10 -   May 15th at The Dutch Art Gallery, Dallas, TX April 17th  Annual Vintage Wine and Gallery Trail - Grapevine, TX May 7th    Botanic Gardens Plein Air Event - Grapevine, TX October 22nd, 23rd GAP Annual Show & Sale, Lancaster Theater - Grapevine, TX Paintings can be viewed at:     www.artistcarolfrench.com  Contact Carol at: www.artistcarolfrench.com carolfrench50@verizon.net and 817-481-4903

Judy Mackey Oil Painter

Grapevine Art Project Featured Artist   The Grapevine Art Project is pleased to shine the art spotlight on Judy Mackey as one of our first Featured Artists on the ilovegrapevinetexas.com website.   Judy is one our most personable as well as talented regional artist members and it is our pleasure to watch her reputation grow in the local art community.   Judy's interest in art was apparent as a child, but as Judy explains, "life happened," and she has only returned to art as a dedicated artist for the last six years.  Given her apparent competency, acceptance by the public, and rising star status, Judy is making up for lost time in developing her talent.   While Judy has worked in watercolor and pen and ink, the texture of the medium and the ability to 'paint loosely' makes oil painting her favorite.  Unlike artists who focus on a particular topic or style of painting, Judy is proud of the fact that while she chooses eclectic subjects, her talent and technique work equally well in painting the human figure, animals, flowers, or dynamic landscapes.   Judy is developing an excellent reputation by marketing her art through the internet, at her website, judymackey.com, and even on eBay.  Of course, Judy also participates in local and regional art shows and sales as well as displaying her work in area galleries. Judy was juried into an international online gallery: Perez Contemporary Art Gallery, and has been invited to join the Daily Painters Abstract Gallery,  the Daily Painters of Texas and the Artists of Texas.  The Artists of Texas had their first show – ending on November 30th at the Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas. Congratulations, Judy, on being one of the first Featured Artists of the Grapevine Art Project. Contact judymackey.com, or judy@judymackey.com.

Linda Mitchell Oil Painter

During the October, 2009, “Art On Main” art show in Grapevine, Linda was honored with a People’s Choice Award for “Despair,” an oil painting on canvas. Currently on exhibit in the Lancaster Theater of Grapevine, (through mid-December), this painting, along with other selections by Linda, may be viewed. Linda enjoys painting a wide-range of interests while featuring elephants, cattle, horses, country structures with landscapes and portraits. When asked, Linda states that she prefers to paint “interests that personally inspire” her. Frequently accepting requests from friends and clients, Linda enjoys providing a painting that “people appreciate and enjoy.” Beginning her 'painting birth' in Scottsdale, Arizona, Linda was motivated and mentored by her late mother-in-law, Sue Hopkins, who passed away in 2008, in the small town of Wimberley, Texas (Texas Hill Country), where she had retired. "Sue was a phenomenal artist, her talent well known by many."   Linda could also be found painting along the small spring creeks of famous Oak Creek Canyon, near Sedona, Arizona. She painted in the 'serene environments' where her husband enjoyed fly-fishing. Linda began painting as a simple hobby for self-fulfillment and branched her talent through art lessons with various, local Arizona artists. Currently, she studies under the tutelage of James A. (Jim) Humphrey in his Grapevine Main Street Art Studio. Having developed a passion for art over a lifetime, it was a simple progression for Linda to begin drawing, followed by painting with oils over 15 years ago. Simply put, Linda paints because it’s what she “loves to do.” Ongoing and Upcoming Shows and Exhibits: At the Lancaster Theatre, now until mid-December, "Despair" and other works. Contact Linda at lindamitchell@grandecom.net.

Karen Rester Acrylic, Collage, Mixed Media, Oil Artist

Karen Rester is a self-taught artist. Born in 1957 in Hartsville, South Carolina, Karen has been pursuing the development of her creative spirit through-out her life. After raising their children in Grapevine, Texas, then taking a couple of years to cruise aboard their sailboat in the Bahamas, Karen with her husband Jim, a photographer and writer, moved back to land in deep South Texas, where Luna Azul Studios was started. After several years of artistic work in the hill country, Karen and Jim have moved back to the North Texas area. She lives with her husband Jim, and two dogs, Bo and Monty. "My art comes from the world around me. Each new situation or setting I am in inspires a new variation in my creative expression. I love working in collage and acrylic."       Ongoing and Upcoming Shows and Exhibits: The Lancaster Theatre, May through June, 2010 Contact Karen at Luna Azul Studios, or karenrester@lunaazulstudios.com.

Bruce Rosenstiel Photographer

When my wife declared she was done photographing our vacations, I decided to experiment with a manual SLR attached to my birding scope. Twenty years as a birder had already taught me to slow down and observe the details of my surroundings and had led to an interest in nature overall, so I naturally focused the camera on flowers, insects, butterflies, and all manner of flora and fauna. The limitations of using a birding scope as a lens quickly drove me to purchase a 35 mm SLR camera and multiple lenses. Before long, I converted to digital SLRs and began processing and printing my own images. With greater experience, I became more interested in the details of composition, lighting, and photographing different subjects. Though initially reluctant to photograph people because it seemed too intrusive, I now especially enjoy the challenge of capturing an expression, mood, or perspective in candid portraits. Bird watching, cultural travel, and photography have taken my wife and me to six continents and over fifty countries. Exploring the world has also helped me greater appreciate the diversity and unique beauty of our home in Grapevine, Texas.           Small World Photos Ongoing and Upcoming Exhibits and Shows: On-going exhibits at Stems, 417 S. Main Street and at the Blue Moon Gallery, 412 S. Main Street, Grapevine. The Annual Vintage Wine and Gallery Trail, April 17th, at the Lancaster Theatre, Grapevine. Bruce is an active member of the Grapevine Art Project, serving on the Steering Committee. Additionally, he teaches photography at both Bob Jones Nature Park and the Grapevine Botanical Gardens.  September 10 - 19, 2010. Join Bruce for a guided culture and photography tour, a 10-day journey of discovery to the beautiful World Heritage city and capital of one of Mexico's most interesting states, Oaxaca, Mexico! Click on his website below for details. www.smallworldphotos.net www.brucerosenstiel.com 817-528-5993

Randy Saffle Oil Painter

Texas native, Randy Saffle, has worked as an Illustrator/Designer for over twenty years designing logos and signage for many of the nations top companies. His diverse artistic background also includes designing toys and illustrating children’s books and comics. “As an illustrator, I've always created art to fit others needs. Oil painting offers me the opportunity to create with more emotion and lasting appeal. I enjoy painting outdoors and working quickly in the ever-changing light. I try to keep my paintings fresh and spontaneous. My favorite subject matter is rural Texas.“ As a member of the Outdoor Painters Society and the Grapevine Art Project, Randy can be found painting outdoors, en plein air (in the open air) all over Texas.   I work in small sizes on location, usually in the 9” x 12” range. Working small allows me the time for selecting and honing an idea, even in fleeting light, and allows me to explore several different subjects in a day. Most small field sketches I create are finished works in their own right, saying everything I have to say about a subject. The rest serve as reference material for larger, more carefully orchestrated studio paintings. Awards & Acknowledgments: Waxahachie Paint Out Merit Award 2009 Waxahachie Paint Out Merit Award 2008 Waxahachie "Quick Draw" 2008 & 09 participant Second place at the Bedford Art Association 2007 Second place Watercolor award Irving Art Association         Contact Randy Saffle's email at rmsaffle@msn.com or visit his Website at www.randysaffle.com or follow his Blog at www.randysaffle.blogspot.com

Archie St. Claire International Bronze Sculptor

Look up and down the streets of Grapevine and you will see them--the cautious family of deer and the unassuming bear that reside at the end of Main Street, B.R. Wall poised on the corner, and the trio of children skating down the sidewalk. These and other bronze sculptures that grace this historic town are the work of Grapevine's international bronze sculptor, Archie St. Clair. St. Clair was born in the Australian Outback and spent much of his young life working as a stockman and a butcher. At the age of 22, St. Clair earned his pilot's license and began working as a commercial helicopter pilot. He accrued years of flight experience, but even they could not prevent the terrible helicopter accident St. Clair suffered in 1994 that left him wheelchair-bound. St. Clair spent the next three-and-a-half years not only overcoming his disability, but also discovering his talent for making clay sculptures and immersing himself in the sculpting process. Once he was able, St. Clair moved from his remote hometown in Australia to Arizona to work in the foundries. It was there that he learned the process of turning his clay masterpieces into bronze. The bronze process is not an easy one to complete. St. Clair spends countless hours in his studio across from the Vintage Train Depot in downtown Grapevine transforming the clay that he makes himself into intricate (and sometimes larger than life) works of art. St. Clair says that this first step is the one that truly requires his artistic touch: he can teach anyone to make molds and pour bronze, but only an artist can capture the fine details that make an inanimate figure come alive. Once a clay sculpture is complete, St. Clair and his team use rubber, plaster, wax, and ceramic to make molds of all the sculpture's different sections. These molds end up in the adjoining foundry, where they are filled with molten bronze. When the bronze has cooled and hardened, the ceramic is methodically chipped away and what's left behind is a jigsaw puzzle of pieces that St. Clair welds together into one metallic monument. St. Clair applies a patina to his bronze sculptures to highlight different areas and make them even more lifelike. The lights stay on in St. Clair's studio well into the night, but St. Clair would not have it any other way. He's committed to producing the highest quality work possible, and his dogged pursuit of perfection is evident all the way down to the stitching in his sculptures' pants. Even though St. Clair's art requires so much of his attention, he is happy to take a break to meet with visitors who stop by. He even encourages them to help him with the artistic process by carving away at the clay pieces that he's working on. Luck might have brought the uncompromising bronze sculptor to Grapevine, but that is not what is keeping St. Clair there. It is the historic downtown, the wonderful amenities, the friendly community, and the small-town feel that make Grapevine home for St. Clair. He intends to continue producing bronze sculptures in his downtown studio for Grapevine, surrounding areas, and the world for years to come.

Jennifer (Jenny) Tucker Oil Painter

Jenny Tucker is a Grapevine resident and has been a working artist here for the past six years.  For many years she dabbled in trompe l’oeil on furniture, floors and walls, but never took her work seriously, in spite of outside encouragement to do so. Then in 2003, she walked into the House of Colors and was inspired.  She began studying oil painting with Francois Arenas, owner of the studio and renown Belgian artist.    After three years of study, she was offered a space to display at Main Street Fine Arts Gallery. After two years there, she left her dear friends at that gallery for the opportunity to design and broker the art gallery space at Buon Giorno Coffee House.  She has showcased her work in the past at the Lancaster Theater during the Vintage Art and Wine Trail, Summer Nights Program in Grapevine and as one of Buon Giorno’s feature artists on their gallery wall.  Buon Giorno showcases her pieces on an ongoing basis.  She is currently working out of her home studio, which is its own “work in progress.”  She has also sold work through auctions on ebay, but has sold many of her pieces through the recommendations of clients as commissions.     Jenny’s work has been described as having overtones of Matisse and Georgia O’Keefe, but she likes to describe it as expressionistic.  Capturing life and movement in her brushstrokes, she shows the admirer the joy and feeling of the moment whether it be of a landscape, still life or portraiture.  Jenny serves on the steering committee of the Grapevine Art Project and is a member of the Dallas Museum of Art.  In the future, she hopes to serve Grapevine by helping to build a center for the arts which encompasses many artistic endeavors such as theater and music. Her artwork was displayed on the front page of the Grapevine Courier in July, 2009.  She has a web presence on Facebook at Jennifer Tucker Designs - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Tucker-Designs/123795630616?ref=ts.  Become a fan to see her portfolio and receive updates on her most recent work.  Jenny can be reached at 214 529-0645.  Give her a call – she’d love to have coffee with you and talk art! “Sunflowers” – Still life, oil on canvas   “Buenos Aires” – oil on canvas, palette knife technique, commissioned painting Jenny's work will be on display at the Lancaster Theater in April during this year’s Vintage Wine Trail and Art Show on April 17th, 2010.

Fran Chausse White Oil Painter

Plein Air & In-Studio Art "My studio is situated in Grapevine, Texas, where I live with my husband, Patrick. Inspirations for art are most often found in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Botanical and Private Gardens, Arboretums, and Parks. Traveling with family or painting friends to find new subject matter is also an exciting venture for me. I am always in search of a new peaceful, beautiful, and paintable location." Fran discovered art as an adult.  She is self-taught with credits to wonderful mentors, great instruction books, and art videos. "Art has opened doors to lasting friendships, miles of travel, and opportunities beyond expectations."   A painting knife using oil paints, outdoors and on location is a favored method. Her favorite subjects are landscapes, flowers, waterscapes, anything beautiful and colorful. "This spring has been perfect for painting beautiful flowers, and I have tried to paint every one of them:  Irises, Azaleas, Pansies, and  Texas Wildflowers, especially the Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush." Fran has taught painting to students of all ages for 25 years. On-going Exhibits: Cafe' de Soleil Southlake Town Center (Next to Post Office) 1244 Prospect Street, Southlake, TX Reflections Stained Glass and Gifts 250 N Main Street, Grapevine, TX 76051 Closed Sundays and Mondays Phone:  (817)307-1966 E-mail: fran@franchaussewhite.com Website: www.franchaussewhite.com