Elberta Photographs

I like to "dabble" in photography. I wish I had more time to learn about it. Here are some interesting shots I got on a recent trip to my grandmother's house in Elberta. Her name is Olive Keller (maiden name Krantz). She and my grandfather both descended from German immigrants (farmers and fisherman) that settled in Baldwin County.

"Harvester"

"Fence Post"

"Elberta Earth"


"Cotton Field"

ArtWalk Fun!

Friday night's Art Walk was so much fun! We started out at the Eastern Shore Art Center. ESAC had a piano player, great food and some wonderful "EcoART". There was a giant "found object" shrimp sculpture that was my favorite. Here is mom and me posing by one of my artwork displays. I had several patrons come up and tell me how much they loved these little florals.

Then, we walked down to Lyon's Share Gallery on DeLaMare Street. There were so many fun people there and Jesse's Restaurant was serving mini key lime pie bites and these wonderful tomato quiche appetizers. Here is me, with Trin Ollinger (my best friend since I was 4 years old) and Kristin Smith (my good friend and portrait photographer). We are posing in front of the wall of small art for Valentine's Day. Holly Irwin, Anita Westerburg and Amanda Hendrich (among many others) had some amazing small artwork at affordable prices.

Here I am chatting with the crowd. I had many people say they especially loved the honey bear and also the gerber daisy bouquet on the antique shutter.

Afterward, Trin's mother, Sabe, an up and coming potter, hosted us all for dinner at her house. We had a great time and I can't wait until next month!

Two Exhibitions This Friday! Press Releases

I have just submitted two press releases for the group shows I am involved in with that both open this Friday. I'd love to see you over in Fairhope for the openings. It should prove to be a good time - let's hope the weather warms up a bit, though!

EcoART

One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s … Art?

FAIRHOPE, AL February 6, 2009 – The group exhibition EcoART will open at the Eastern Shore Art Center, at February’s First Friday Art Walk to be held in downtown Fairhope from 5-8pm. This exhibit features a unique collection of recycled and found object art.

“Going Green” means something different to everyone. Here, a new wave of recycled art and design has emerged. This exhibition of innovative and often surprising products was created from recycled and reused building materials, turning waste into eco-friendly art.

Jennifer Allen, a local mixed-media artist known best for local fish, crab and oyster subject matter, has been invited to participate. These works, created from hand-cut tin and painted in oil, are mounted to rustic antique tin ceiling tiles and vintage shutters.

In keeping with the recycled theme, the other ESAC galleries will display: Styrogami, sculpture using polystyrene coffee cups and I “Can” Do it, art pieces crafted from recycled aluminum cans.

Fairhope First Friday Art Walk is open to the public, with many galleries, specialty shops and restaurants participating. All are invited to enjoy an artsy and fun-filled night with an evening of openings, guest artists and live entertainment throughout beautiful downtown Fairhope.

First Friday Art Walk information can be found at www.esartcenter.com.

Lyons Share Gallery - Valentine's Group Show

Art is “Hot Stuff” for Valentine’s Day

FAIRHOPE, AL February 6, 2009 – Lyon’s Share Gallery has issued a call to their exhibiting artists to create small, Valentine’s inspired artwork for February’s First Friday Art Walk to be held in downtown Fairhope from 6-8pm.

Jennifer Allen, a local mixed-media artist known best for local fish, crab and oyster subject matter, has responded to the challenge with humor and creativity. She has created a “Love & Terms of Endearment” series, in keeping with the Valentine’s Day theme. These works, created from hand-cut tin and painted in oil, are mounted to rustic antique tin ceiling tiles and vintage shutters. Some of the works are an obvious nod to traditional romantic themes such as floral elements and chocolates. Others require creative thinking to decipher the endearment term: “honey”, “hot stuff” and “cupcake”, to name a few. Come test your knowledge and wit with these fun and original pieces.

In addition to new works from Jennifer and all of the Lyon’s Share Gallery artists, enjoy catering from Jesse’s restaurant for an artsy and fun-filled evening.

Fairhope First Friday Art Walk is free and open to the public, with many galleries, specialty shops and restaurants participating. All are invited to celebrate a “love” for the Arts and Valentine’s Day in downtown Fairhope with their “honey”.

For more information on Lyon’s Share Gallery, please visit www.lyonssharegallery.net. First Friday Art Walk information can be found at www.esartcenter.com.
To view Jennifer’s artwork online, please visit www.southernoilportraits.com.


OF NOTE: My last press release, "Three Generations of Artists" got picked up by the Living Arts Section of Sunday's Press-Register. Pretty neat!