December 2011 Artist Andy Detwiler

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

The REIN Event, Nashville TN, November 2010

Overbrook School Fundraiser, Loveless Café, April 2011

Andy's website:


http://detwiler-photography.com/




It was a pleasure to sit down with Andy this month and we here at Nashville Art Makers wish him the very best!


See you next month and next year!!