Andy sees what many of us don't see when looking at everyday objects! Where most see an old piano, Andy imagines the hours of dedicated study, spent creative energy and all the sing-a-longs! In an old typewriter he can picture the fingers typing the keys writing countless letters; people with a myriad of feelings from brokenhearted or overworked to those just excited to share some great news. He also knows something with character when he sees it. That's the first step, then Andy really works his magic! When he takes a picture of something the character of that object sits center stage. It's the star and we all can see for ourselves just how worthy it is. Andy's work has a life of its own and his pictures sit on the wall like ghosts from another time and another place sort of watching over things. His work ranges from photograph to mixed media and people all over middle Tennessee and beyond are knocking on Andy's door to get his work. Some are evening asking for Andy to use his skills to bring out the spirit of their own prized possessions, instruments and such. Andy is truly an artist on the rise and I know Nashville is only just getting to know the talent of this local artist! I had the pleasure to sit down with Andy recently and you can check out the video below. Enjoy!
Artist Statement
I was born into a family rooted deep in traditional values and heritage, who encouraged me at an early age to follow my dreams. I realized that I was happiest when I was creating something and this creative drive has continued throughout my life as I explored different mediums of oil, glass, and eventually film.
Raised along the coastal plains of the Deep South, I eventually settled in Nashville, TN. Over the past ten years, I have experimented with a variety of photographic styles, including traditional landscapes, soft impressionistic images, and abstracts.
My fine art photographs explore movement and merging layers to produce soft impressionistic images. The traditional landscapes offer visual depth through high contrast. And my abstracts focus on the tonal qualities of light on curved forms and intersecting planes.
More recently, I have begun to experiment with photographic transfers to wood panels in order to gain increased texture and substance in my art. My current works draw on the heritage that was instilled in me, and focuses on the culture that reminds me of my roots. This subject matter works perfectly with the transfer techniques, resulting in distressed images with creased lines that are reminiscent of a favorite photograph folded and kept close in a pocket.
Gallery Representation
Art and Invention Gallery, Nashville TN, September 2010-Present
Solo Exhibitions
Hillsboro Village Art Walk, Rodney Mitchell Salon, January 2011
Rumba, Nashville TN, Feb-March 2011
The Village Chapel, Solo Exhibition, Nashville TN, March-April, 2011
Hillsboro Village Art Walk, Rodney Mitchell Salon, May 2011
Jackson’s Bistro, Nashville TN, June-July 2011
Blackstone Restaurant and Brewery, Nashville TN, July 2011-present
Selected Group Exhibitions
The Village Chapel Group Show, Nashville TN, May-June 2010
Art Flood, Nashville TN, May 2010
Tomato Art Festival, Nashville TN, August 2010
Fight Back Move Forward, Billups Art Gallery, October 2010
The Village Chapel Group show, Nashville TN, July-August 2011
Tomato Art Festival, Nashville TN, August 2011
*Honorable Mention
Welcome to 1979, Nashville TN, November 2011-Present
Donated Work
Art Flood, Nashville TN, May 2010
Fight Back Move Forward, Billups Art Gallery, October 2010
This month we sat down with Nashville recording artist and songwriter Bryan Edwards to discuss his song "If She Could See Me Now", his new album "Nothing Left To Burn" and the fact his future is looking brighter than ever!
It's been a great year for Bryan. His song "If She Could See Me Now" was cut by Country superstar Jason Aldean on Jason's latest double platinum record "My Kinda Party". The song was written by Bryan along with Bill Luther and Justin Weaver back in 2007. Like many songs in this town it spent some time being pitched and performed looking for that one break. When Justin Weaver was able to play the song for Jason Aldean while he was with Jason on tour, the break arrived. Jason heard it, Jason loved it and now YOU can buy it!
It's a great song about regret and reformation with a melody made for the radio. The lyrics are clear and concise with an opening line which paints the perfect picture to open the song. Below are the lyrics:
If She Could See Me Now
(Bill Luther, Justin Weaver, Bryan Edwards)
Wasn't a stone I wouldn't throw
When I wrecked it
My foolish words so cruel and cold, were disconnected
Tell me why when she cried all I did was close my eyes
If she could see me now
If she could see me breaking down
Maybe she'd turn around
If she could see me now
Now the sunshine feels like rain trying to drown me
and the world feels out of place all around me
So I wait and I pray, I'll run into her someday
If she could see me now
If she could see me breaking down
Maybe she'd turn around
If she could see me now
So many things I want to tell her show her
Just how bad I need her, miss her, lover
If she could see me now
If she could see me breaking down
Maybe she'd turn around
If she could see me now
If she could see me breaking down
Maybe she'd turn around
If she could see me now
***End of lyrics***
Like many of the songs that Bryan has written over the years it deals with people, love, life and what happens when they collide. From the fireworks to the embers Bryan has a talent for crafting songs that touch on the feelings in between. Check out part 1 of my interview with Bryan where we focus on what it was like to write the song and all that has changed since it was cut by Jason Aldean.
All About the Song "If She Could See Me Now"
Part 1
Part 2 of our interview focuses on Bryan's new record. His first full length studio album is titled "Nothing Left to Burn" produced by the very talented Mark Lonsway and Bryan as well. This debut set is a bold statement from a talented artist. Bryan proves he's not afraid to take chances and speak to the heart of an issue even if takes us into the shadows.
For a record burning with desire and tragedy, the match is lit with the opening track "Bridges & Fires". Immediately you can tell these aren't songs about easy love. They're about all the passion, conflict and fireworks that follow when two people collide. The second track "Still", will keep playing in your head as it reminds us that with heartache comes revelation and that any regrets should always move us to forgiveness. Songs like "Broken" and "Leaving Easy" survey the battle field of a failed relationship while Track 5 "Ain't Nobody" provides an eye in the storm. That comes in the form of a sweet little love song that almost feels like a look back to the beginning of love when forever seems certain and that innocent hope still was at the helm. "Only Lonely" brings you back to reality with an infectious groove and solid melodic hook. The last Bryan Edwards original on the record is "You Win the War" which plays like a musical tap out. The battles are over, the casualties assessed and the white flags are raised. Bryan closes the album with the Chris Isaaks classic "Wicked Game". It serves as a perfect summation of the struggle and almost leaves you with the feeling that Bryan is about to start the whole process over again with someone new. Overall it is the best "concept album" that isn't a concept album I've ever heard from one of Nashville's brightest up and coming artists. This is an album that won't disappoint! Make sure you get your copy!
Overall it was great to sit down with Bryan and talk about his recent success and we look forward to touching base with him in the future as he continues to make progress in Music City and beyond. We wish Bryan the best of luck and we hope you have enjoyed the interviews and getting to know him a little more. We'll see you next month!
Nashville Art Makers presents
Talking About the Song: "San Diego Sally"
Here in Nashville they say it's all about the song! Well with that in mind this month were going to explore that a little, get to know one song in particular and the artist who brought it to life. Recently we sat down with Adam Burrows to discuss his song San Diego Sally of his new album Tall Tales. It is a simple tale about a brother who misses his sister and Adam weaves this story with elegance and grace. When you read the lyrics you can just picture these two, when you hear Adam sing the song, well you can feel them too. Adam and I talked a little about this song and more.
SAN DIEGO SALLY - lyrics
SAN DIEGO SALLY COME EAST YOU'RE OVERDUE A FRESH BREATH OF APPALACHIAN AIR
I'VE BEEN WORKING OVERTIME AND MISSING MY BIG SISTER COLOR FADED AFTER YOU LEFT HERE
REMEMBER JUMPING OFF THE ROCKS AT SUTTON DAM WATCHING THE WATER WASH AWAY OUR WOES
FLOATING ON AN INNER TUBE AND LISTENING TO THE BLUEGRASS STATION ON THE RADIO
PEOPLE ASK ABOUT YOU IN THE SUPER MARKET CHECKOUT LINE
I TELL 'EM YOU'LL BE COMING 'ROUND THE MOUNTAIN THROUGH THE VALLEY
ANY DAY AND I'LL BE WAITING FOR YOU
SAN DIEGO SALLY
SAN DIEGO SALLY THEY SAY THAT CALIFORNIA CAN CHANGE A PERSON THROUGH AND THROUGH
I DON'T FOLLOW THE NEWS BUT I SUSPECT THAT CALIFORNIA MIGHT BE CHANGING ON ACCOUNT OF YOU
WE ALWAYS KNEW YOU'D GROW UP AND GO AWAY YOU WERE TOO RESTLESS FOR THIS SLEEPY TOWN
NO MATTER HOW FAR UP THE LADDER YOU CLIMB REMEMBER WE'LL ALWAYS BE HERE WHEN YOU COME BACK DOWN
PEOPLE ASK ABOUT YOU IN THE SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE CHOIR
I TELL 'EM YOU'LL BE COMING 'ROUND THE MOUNTAIN THROUGH THE VALLEY
WHEN YA COMING WE'RE ALL WAITING FOR YOU
SAN DIEGO SALLY
ALL THESE COMPANY HOUSES THEY STILL LOOK THE SAME
HARD LUCK PEOPLE WITH BLACK DUST SMILES
I'VE BEEN DIGGING COAL AND MISSING YOU LIKE CRAZY
SALLY COME BACK EAST FOR JUST A LITTLE WHILE
SAN DIEGO SALLY BRING A SOUVENIR MAYBE SOME SEA SHELLS OR A PADRES SHIRT
WE'LL HAVE CORN BREAD AND TOMATOES AND WE'LL STAY UP LATE TELLING STORIES AND LAUGHING 'TIL IT HURTS
Check out the interview and I hope you enjoy!!
A Live performance of San Diego Sally by Adam Burrows
Artist's have always throughout time taken pieces of the past and married it with the present. Why not? Those days are as much ours as the ones we live in now. In reality without it there is no today and it's vital for us to observe and learn from those who gone before us. At least logic would suggest! We also as artists are called to show the world new ways of looking at itself. One way of doing that is through irony and humor. Nashville artist and sculptor John Donovan does just that.
Originally form Florida and the Gulf Coast, John brings that quintessential touch of subtle humor that region is known for to his work as he highlights some of the fascinating dichotomies that exist in our "post modern" world. His work is a union of history and fantasy, past cultures and modern cartoons. His craftsmanship is superb and his vision is focused and clear. He's also a family man and a really great guy! What else could you want or expect from a Nashville artist! I sat down with John recently and had a wonderful conversation. Here is the video, enjoy!!
John Donovan Interview
John Donovan Artist Statement:
My current body of work recasts Pre-Columbian clay warrior figures, Japanese Haniwa horses, colossal Olmec heads and primitive weapons and armor as reflections upon contemporary concerns. The human propensity toward violence and war serves as a starting point for this work, as does the role of art to provide a cultural record and invite community members to engage in self-reflection. These pieces appear light-hearted and reminiscent of dolls, toys, cartoon icons or action figures. A narrative thread can be drawn through this work, casting individual pieces as somewhat playful interpretations of warriors, heroes, deities or rivals. This work is ultimately to enjoy, and hopefully to instigate a dialog with the viewer.
