Celebrating Artist Appreciation Month

Dash Away Vixen's Painter Elf Ornament
by Patience Brewster

The Patience Brewster Artist Appreciation Project


Atlanta's Art was invited by PatienceBrewster.com to participate in their project for "Artist Appreciation Month" by blogging about the artist who inspired my art.  What a great way to show your appreciation of other artists!

For those of you not familiar with the unique style and whimsical art of Patience Brewster, here is a link to her remarkable Christmas ornaments and card collections.

This little elf will soon be added to my Christmas tree this year!

As I learned more about the Patience Brewster family, I discovered how generous and giving they are with the personal mission they set for themselves by establishing The Holland C. Gregg IV Research Foundation Fund in conjunction with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Raising over $180,000.00 in its first two years at "A Dinner for Herm", proceeds from their fund go directly to advancing research to improve cancer treatment.

Atlanta's Art is pleased to support their fundraising efforts and is excited to see where the Artist Appreciation Project leads.  Look for updates soon at patiencebrewster.com/blog to follow along.

My Favorite Artist - Mary Ellen Golden


"Heart of Wilmington"
by Mary Ellen Golden
My all time favorite artist without question is Mary Ellen Golden.  Her watercolors capture scenes of my hometown (Wilmington, NC) and the surrounding beaches and waterways in such a spectacular splendor with vivid colors and remarkable depth.

As a friend and classmate of her daughter, I was given her art as gifts for my graduation and then again for my wedding.  I cherish these personally signed prints and have added many more to my collection over the years.  Her gallery,  The Golden Gallery, is an icon of Wilmington itself.

Here are some of my favorites...

"Cloud Surfing with Kites by the Ocean at Wrightsville Beach"
by Mary Ellen Golden



"Blockade Runner Hotel behind a Sailboat at Wrightsville Beach"
by Mary Ellen Golden


The Inspiration for My Art


"Covered Bridge in Bedford, PA"
by Atlanta Marie Carrera
The greatest inspiration for me has always been my children.  When my daughter, Lana, was in middle school, she wanted to enter the family art show.  She needed a family member to submit a piece with her, so I agreed to come up with something.  This was my first attempt at painting!  I got advice and direction along the way from my sister, Teresa, who has a Fine Arts degree from UNCW.  The "Covered Bridge in Bedford, PA" was a bridge we visited on our family vacation.

I enjoyed painting this so much and was pleased with the outcome since I had never had any art classes.  My daughters, Lana & Christina, helped me paint this same scene as a large mural at the cabin in PA owned by my husband's brother.  Every time we visited the cabin, we added more and more to this mural and then moved on to a second one featuring the Town of Bedford.

"Harmony" by Atlanta Marie Carrera
(named by Jenny)
When our youngest daughter, Jennifer, was born, I spent many Saturdays at home with her, coloring and later painting.  She was always pushing me to paint with her, for her and about her!  Together, we started the "Jenny" series and I discovered that art didn't have to be perfect, it was okay to just be fun.

"Swan Lake at Airlie Gardens"
by Atlanta Marie Carrera
My favorite part about painting "Jenny" was when she would dress up in dance costumes and pose for me.  We soon started the Ballet Series and decided on charities we could donate to with our art.





So, if my paintings are child like in nature, it's because that is where they come from ...the hearts of children.











How "Atlanta's Art" was Born


"Birth of an Angel"
by Atlanta Marie Carrera
When I first started getting requests for my paintings or prints, I would always just give them away to family and friends.  I never considered myself an artist since I had no formal training.  It was just something I did for fun.

Soon, other people began to want copies, and I provided those also for no charge with the simple request to "pay it forward."  I would ask that they make a donation somewhere or do a kind deed for someone.

I quickly realized that people wanted a more formal way to accept my art.  So, my husband and I paid a visit to Lower Cape Fear Hospice and got their permission to accept donations on their behalf as a memorial to my grandmother, Atlanta King Taylor.  I was encouraged by a friend to create paintings to go with several poems I had written and my first series of cards with poems was started as my "Angels Series" to benefit Hospice.

"Together We Make Our Way"
by Deborah Cavenaugh & Catherine Carter
About this same time, my niece, Catherine Carter, had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.  She had been working with her art teacher, Deborah Cavenaugh  to create an art piece for fundraising for JDRF.  Catherine wanted to setup a website, make prints, and raise money with her art.  I offered to help her reach those goals, and we did!

Deborah Cavenaugh signed over the rights to Catherine for her part in the print "Together We Make Our Way" to help launch Catherine's Series and "Art to cure Diabetes" was started.




"Atlanta's Art Logo"
by Lana Elizabeth (Carrera) Prince
Once I had enough art pieces, I decided to setup an art booth during the NC Azalea Festival and at Riverfest in Wilmington, NC where we could raise money for several charities at once.  Since I needed a Sales & Use Tax license in order to get a booth, "Atlanta's Art" officially became a business in September of  2012.

As I continued to work on my own art, I keep adding more and more charities to the list.  Visit AtlantasArt.com for links to my fundraising series, poetry collections, songs, and many other inspiring websites.  A big thank you my family and friends and to all the artists in my life who have been a part of this incredible journey that is now ATLANTA'S ART!

The Renlan Resort takes flight

We have been busy this summer incorporating the Tree Swallow to create a "Resort Theme" for our house!  Here are some of our favorite projects.
(Logo designed by Lana Elizabeth Prince)

Our daughter, Lana, created a logo for us so we can order all kinds of fun things (from golf shirts and golf balls to note pads and stationary).  We hope our family and friends will enjoy visiting us in a relaxing and creative resort style environment.  (email AtlantasArt@ec.rr.com to contact Lana for customer logo designs).


Reynold displays our new cutting board
designed and made by my cousin's wife,
Susan Schorzman King
Love our new cutting board!  After seeing several of Susan's cutting boards given to our daughters for graduation, I knew I finally had to have one of my own.  Susan is so talented and her designs are amazing! (email AtlantasArt@ec.rr.com if you would like to contact Susan for a personal design of your own).



The latest addition to our art collection... a stained glass sun catcher of a Tree Swallow custom made and designed for us by Pat Miller of Windsong Glass Studio. Pat has even added this to her Etsy site and it is now available for anyone to order!


Tree Swallow Sun Catcher by Pat Miller of Windsong Glass Studio


I was so inspired by Pat Miller's work that I wrote this poem for her:


Windsong 

by Atlanta Marie Carrera

Can you hear the Windsong's words?
It speaks to me with doves of peace.
Can you feel the joy it brings?
It's made with love upon its wings.

Sun shines through the colored glass
and brings to life a vivid path.
Following dreams from vibrant birth,
creations from inspired earth.




Celebrate the Red, White & Blue with Atlanta's Art

Atlanta's Art "Red, White & Blue" series

Atlanta's Art celebrates the Red, White & Blue by borrowing Jenny's new gel crayons!  After experimenting all day with different designs, here are our favorites.

Thanks, cousin Lisa, for the motivation and for the first order of these patriotic note cards!

Atlanta's Art congratulates Elizabeth Singletary



Jenny's showing us her favorite piece
by her art teacher, Elizabeth Singletary
Wilmington's 4th Friday Gallery Walk featured artist, Elizabeth Singletary, at WHQR's "Pieced Together" showing at MC Erny Gallery from May 22-June 26, 2015.  We were there for opening night to congratulate Elizabeth (and to let Jenny show us her favorite piece).

"Tree Swallow" by
Jenny & Atlanta Carrera
Inspired by artist, Elizabeth Singletary (Jenny's art teacher), Jenny & I have used her collage style art techniques (that Jenny learned in class) to create our very own "Tree Swallow" on a 16 x 20 canvas.  Jenny did the collage for the Tree Swallow from an outline which I sketched.  She also did the collage of the brown tree branch, part of the sky and sun, and some of the leaves.  I assembled the flowers from petals she cut for me.  I then finished the background, the black tree branches, and added the bird's nest.  While Jenny is inspired by Ms. Singletary, I am inspired by Jenny's enthusiasm, excitement, and willingness to learn!

Atlanta's Art makes a showing at JDRF Gala

Our Ad for the 2015 JDRF Gala


Hope Rises Above!

What a memorable night at the 2015 JDRF Gala with our family and friends!

Atlanta's Art provided prints for the JDRF auction from my "Butterflies in the Rain Garden" series as well as notes cards for the table gifts and poem cards for sponsors.  We enjoyed bidding on items and taking home some special keepsakes. I was also honored that they used a line from one of my poems for their tag line this year - "Hope Rises Above"

Our thanks and appreciation to the Coastal Carolina's Branch of JDRF.org for all they do!





Atlanta & Reynold Carrera ready for the JDRF Gala

Thank you from the JDRF
and a BIG thanks to our friends and family
who made this night such a success!

Jenny & Dad getting ready for Jenny's first JDRF Gala
Reynold delivers the table flowers to my mother
(that we purchased from the JDRF Gala)

A surprise win of bid item during the JDRF Auction
A UNC-CH Basketball signed by Roy Williams!

The JDRF 2015 Gala Ambassadors Print we ordered
"Hope Rises Above"
made with artist Elizabeth Singletary

Atlanta's UNC Bell Tower selected by the General Alumni Association


UNC's General Alumni Association requested permission to use my UNC Bell Tower print for a special printing of birthday cards.  The first one was sent to me personally to thank me for allowing them to use the image!

Donations to UNC can be made using the following link:  http://giving.unc.edu/







Atlanta's Artwork used in Hospice Newsletter

Selections from my Angels Series are featured in the Spring 2015 issue of Lower Cape Fear Hospice Foundation's Newsletter "Beneficence."

"Angels"


My Angels Series has been designed as a fund raiser for Hospice in memory of my grandmother.

http://atlantakingtaylormemorialfund.blogspot.com/

"Butterfly Wings"


"Butterfly Wings" was designed for the Wings of Love Butterfly release ceremony.

"Butterfly Wings"
by Atlanta Marie Carrera
Angel's Wings

With Angel's wings
you are set free.
Your soul released
and now at peace.

See how you soar.
Bright colors shine.
New life is born
and filled with love.

Gently you go
on silent wings.
New hope surrounds
and lifts us up.


Click here for Donations to Hospice

Atlanta's Art for Alzheimers

Atlanta's Art introduces my latest series of art & poetry
http://atlantasart4alz.blogspot.com as a fundraiser for Alzeheimers North Carolina, Inc.  http://alznc.org


"Forget-Me-Nots in Bloom"
by Atlanta Marie Carrera

"Forget-Me-Nots in Bloom"

In the garden blooms
the Forget-Me-Nots.
In the garden blooms my joy.

I will walk with you
down the garden path.
I will walk with you this day.

I will sing a song
that will make you smile.
I will sing a song for you.

The Forget-Me-Nots
bunched together strong.
The Forget-Me-Nots in bloom.




The signature piece for this series is named for one of the care receiver groups in Wilmington NC sponsored by AZLNC.  This series is dedicated to my loving husband and all the wonderful memories we share.

CFA Ready, Set, Go Further

"CFA Ready, Set, Go Further"
by Atlanta Marie Carrera

Atlanta's Art has created "CFA Ready, Set, Go Further" as an auction item for Cape Fear Academy's 2015 Annual Fundraiser Auction.

Original is painted with acrylics and is on canvas, size 16 x 20.

The auction will be held on Friday, March 27, 2015 from 6-11 p.m. at the Terraces on Sir Tyler.

http://capefearacademy.schoolauction.net/auction2015


Wrapping for Jenny's Jump Rope for Heart

June Gore volunteers to wrap for Atlanta's Art

Atlanta's Art is helping Jenny fund raise for the American Heart Association for this year's Jump Rope for Heart. 

Visit her web page to donate and we will help you wrap your Valentine's gift with Atlanta's Art Wrapping paper made from select prints from our Hearts collection:

http://jumphoops2015maa.kintera.org/jennycarrera