I was born and raised in Houston, Tx.   I moved to North Carolina at the age of 10 where I was raised thereafter.  I began painting in the middle of October, 2013 at the age of 27.  The mediums I most familiarized myself with were instantly acrylics, oil pastels, and watercolors.  After a few months, I realized this was what I wanted to try and do with my life.  The essence of art was close to me growing up, but the practice was not.  The flow from brush to canvas came naturally and instantaneously a great part of my life.

We have talented photographer William Cole debuting his Rust series at Blake Street this First Friday (May 2nd) from 6pm to 10pm.

Rust  \ˈrəst\

A unique exploration of Rust not just as a chemical reaction that creates texture, color, and decay. Rust is a way to describe the passage of time as things decay from a lack of use or inaction. It is dynamic as it continues to alter and consume everything it touches.

“I love serving others with my useful art products and want to continue that tradition of making beautiful, amazing stuff for my generation to enjoy.” -JP

My creative journey as an artist started at age 5 with my mother and a pretty glass table. My mother has always been a woman of style and unique fashion both inside and outside the home. She has developed a great appreciation for fine crafted objects.

Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio in the early 1980’s, my home was always filled with beautiful decorative clocks, fine victorian furniture, large crystal chandeliers and decorative mirrors. What I remember most about those early years was going with my mother to all the fine furniture shops on Saturday mornings. Over the years, she developed great relationships with the owners.

As a child, I learned to make my own beautiful and useful objects. I started painting my own creative T-shirts, hats and jean jackets. I sold them to classmates and even teachers. I did pretty well financially back then and won a scholarship to attend Pratt institute.

Now I paint custom wood furniture; mostly coffee tables and handmade art clocks with my signature “JP Handmade App Style” artwork on them. I’ve sold many of my pieces throughout North Carolina.

Come check out the work May 2nd (First Friday) from 6pm tom 10pm.

This First Friday (May 2nd) these 6 talented women will be showing off the earrings they’ve made. Stop by between 6pm and 10pm to see their work.

“We are 6 Women with a Torch.  We all work in the same art center jewelry studio and have come together in a year-long challenge: make one pair of original earrings each week using metal smithing techniques.  We have wide ranging skills and interests and we are sharing and learning with each other by challenging ourselves as we grow in our craft.  This show represents our work from January through April of 2014.

We hope you enjoy our journey.”
Katherine Cherry, Susan Frost, Suzanne Love, Anne Terry, Amy Veatch, “Bird” Wilson

Katherine Cherry

Susan Frost

Amy Veatch

Anne Terry

“Bird” Wilson

Suzanne Love

Dramatic modern paintings by local artist Joe Wright.

Hardly Verbose – Showing at Blake Street on April 4th!

Since I began creating art, I’ve never found the creative process to be exclusive to one particular medium. Words, music and visual art have always existed in the same arena – each acting as an essential tool to call upon in order to relay a creative thought. My work begins with a flash of an inspiring image, a couplet scribbled hastily at a stop light, or in a hidden verse of a 40 year-old song.

Beauty adorns everything that surrounds, pouring out endlessly of everything we see, hear, feel, taste and touch. My work attempts to capture snap shots and detail the beauty in the small moments that fill our days.

Ryan’s work will be showing at Blake Street on the First Friday in April.

When we think of text in traditional art, we are more likely to associate it with the title of the work rather than incorporating text into the work. However,there are modern artists that have pushed past the notion of text simply as a way to label art. Today’s postmodern and contemporary artists take the concept further by incorporating text into their work as if it were an element of art.”  – Ian Sands

Blaine Willis has been painting since early childhood.  His recent works are figurative acrylics that focus on the emotive power of color.   Willis is committed to using art as a way to give back to the community, whether through supporting charitable events, organizing festivals, or participating in public art projects.  He is also available for