Aroma of Art Artist Alex Reeves of Reevo Studio

For another in our series of interviews with our artist contributors, we posed some questions to Alex Reeves of Reevo Studio about his work.

What is your background and how did you get started in your medium?

I am a resident of Hickory, NC and I grew up in upholstered furniture manufacturing. I've spent a lot of time merchandising fabric and frame combinations for manufacturers and I still do so today. I started painting when I understood a project to pain the interior of a house. In doing so, there were many angles and niches in the walls to where I could contrast colors and more interest to them. During that same week, my daughter had a project to complete and we went to the craft store. There I saw an oil painting kit for 50% off. I purchased it, painted a tree by a stream and my daughter did not believe that I had painted it. I thought I was onto something and have been painting ever since.

What effect are you trying to have on people through your art?

That you don't have to be pigeon holed into something everyone wants to think you are. With the freedom we have in America, we can be whoever we wish to be and express abilities and talents without fear of repression. This a gift, to be able to pursue what is fun and interesting.

What drew you to your particular medium?

I really enjoy oil paintings and oriental rugs. Trying to furnish your homes with these items can get expensive. I bought a few paintings and found I liked impressionistic landscapes. seascapes and buildings. I really studied the finished product of them and tried it on my own. I work primarily with oils but occasionally water color as well.

Who were your mentors and inspiring artists as you began to discover your art?

Stephen Brooks, Joe Lafone, Elise Starnes, Toni Carlson and Kate Worm are people I know who are artists. These are great individuals who learned their craft over time and are very good at what they do. Some of them are people I grew up with and that gave me the confidence to try painting myself.

Andrew Braitman, Birger Sandzen, George Inness, Van Gogh, Monet and David McCraig are artists whose techniques I enjoy studying. I'm a self taught artist so I pick up techniques from current articles, magazines, the Internet and books that relate to painting.

What are some of your favorite projects?

I spend a lot of time in Banner Elk, North Carolina. Mountain landscapes and local scenes are what I enjoy painting the most, mostly outdoor settings with lots of color and heavy textures.

What are you working on right now?

I am working on two commissioned paintings, one of a fisherman in a boat on a lake and another of an old farm setting in Burnsville, NC.

Alex's work is currently on display at Taste Full Beans Coffee House

Bud Caywood, Contributing Artist for Aroma of Art 2010

I am so pleased to share with you interviews with our wonderful artists who contribute their creative pursuits to the Aroma of Art silent auction.These are the special people that over the years give of themselves to make a difference in the community by helping to raise money for the Catawba County Humane Society and ALFA.

Our first artist to be featured is Bud Caywood. Mr. Caywood is a long time contributor to Aroma of Art and is again this year giving of his time and creativity to support the mission of Aroma of Art. Following are some questions I posed to our contributing artists, and Mr. Caywood graciously agreed to give us his insights into his art. All of the photos are of Mr. Caywood's work.

Interview with Bud Caywood

What is your background/how did you get started in your medium?

I am a freelance furniture designer, designing for over 38 years. I have been fortunate to be able to use my creative talents in my profession. There is no clear beginning point for my creativity. I have been creating art as long as I can remember.

What effect are you trying to have on people through your art?

All visual images leave a permanent physical mark. For the "image makers" who value beauty in art, the quest is to share an experience with the viewer. When this works I am justified.


What drew you to your particular medium?

No single medium controls my creativity. I don't want it to be a burden. I work in acrylics, plaster, paper, fiber, wax and just about anything else that will stick to a foundation. My subject matter can be abstract, expressive or real. I don't want to get stagnant.

Who were your mentors/inspiring artists as you began to discover your art?

The one person who I can credit in my development as an artist was my high school art teacher. He taught me to use everything I could hold in my hand as a tool to create art and that anything that could be applied to a foundation can be a medium. That brushes and pallete knives were available to everyone, but the sole of a shoe or the bent top of a tin can were made for "not just any artist". That anything that can be applied to a surface is a medium. I have used this practice since.

What was your first piece of art you created and what inspired it?

I have no clue, but do have a woodcut I made in 1969 that was inspired by a a true story about Siamese triplets separated at birth which is still one of my favorite pieces of art.

What are some of your favorite projects?

Every several years the Caldwell Arts Council invites artists to participate in the Postcard Exhibition. Each artist has to create a piece of art that fits on a 4" x 6" postcard. As much fun as I have creating something in such a small space I have even more enjoyment from seeing what every other artist creates. It is a tremendous source for inspiration and creativity.

What are you working on right now?

Encaustic paintings and sculpture for exhibitions in 2011.

Holiday Celebration at Catawba County Humane Society

One of our charities for Aroma of Art, the Catawba County Humane Society, is having an open house for the holidays this Saturday and Sunday, December 12th and 13th, 12-6 and 1-6.  

Bring the kids,  friends,  your neighbors,  your dog, and the whole family to see the wonderful work the HSCC is doing for pets, not only in Catawba County but for surrounding counties as well.

I had the unique experience to tour the facility today and it was really impressive.  I am looking forward to the coming years as they show that a state of the art facility and a comprehensive spay and neuter program can really improve the health of the animals in our county, reduce the number of homeless pets and slow down the euthanasia rate - that's what it's all about!

I suspect that many in the county do not know the history and evolution of this organization over the last 5-6 years and this weekend is a great opportunity to find out what these community heroes have been doing to improve the quality of life for so many in the county.

Directions are on the site and it's very easy to find.  Stop by and say hello to the staff and volunteers - you'll be glad you did!

Tastefull Beans Art Reception December 10

This Thursday, December 10, from 6:00 to 8:30 PM, Tastefull Beans Coffee House in downtown Hickory will join the Hickory Holiday festivities with an art reception for the new art being displayed over the holidays.  The painting to the right is by Alex Reeves of Reevo Studio.

Come out and see the wonderful new paintings by JW and Sandi Baker of Wolf Song Studio, silver woven and beaded jewelry by WovenStones, original oils by Alex Reeves of Reevo Studio and the other fine artists exhibiting this December.  Wine and heavy hors d'oeuvres will be served along with wonderful conversations with the artists.  

Many of the artists on display this holiday season will be donating pieces for Aroma of Art 2010 so come and get a preview of what will be up for auction this February.

Hope we see you all there!

Call for Art for Aroma of Art 2010

We want to thank all of you for your past support of Aroma of Art silent auction. Now in its 8th year, this annual event brings awareness and funds for ALFA and the Humane Society of Catawba county.

It's that time of year to request donations of art from all of our wonderful artists for February 2010's  auction.

The Kick off will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2010 from 5:30 pm-7:30 pm, and the Finale will be held on Thursday, March 4, 2010 from 5:30 p.m.-7:30p.m. Bidding will end at 6:30pm that evening. The art will be on display at Taste Full Beans Coffeehouse throughout the month of February. 

Donations of art can include: oil paintings, photography, pottery, sculpture or jewelry from local and national artists.

Art may be dropped off January 13, 14 & 15 at Taste Full Beans from 5:00p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Or shipped to Taste Full Beans 29 2nd Street SW, Hickory, NC 28601 (please arrive on or before January 15, 2010)

For more information about the event or to confirm you will donate, please contact Edgar or DW Taste Full Beans Coffeehouse at 828/325-0108 or email at tfbcoffeehouse@hotmail.com.

Aroma of Art is Heating Up!

Yes, its that time of year when we begin planning the annual fundraiser called Aroma of Art, bringing together artists and local non-profits in a celebration of great artistic talent and community service.

This event takes place at Taste Full Beans Coffee House in downtown Hickory, NC.  The event features art from local Hickory artists and surrounding counties, with some art coming from Asheville, Charlotte and eastern NC.

The opening ceremony starting the bidding will be Thursday, January 28, 2010, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.  The closing finale when final bids on the donated art will be taken, will be Thursday, March 4, 2010 form 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM.

We are looking forward to a wonderful event, to gathering together the many talented artists that will donate and display their work, and to reaching a goal of raising $10,000 for our most worthy non-profits!

Our call to artists will go out early November.  If you have any questions or want to help, please call the coffee house.  We are looking forward to seeing everyone again in January!

Aroma of Art Finale Photos

WRC Director Lisa Miller, ALFA Director Jenn Hart, and HSCC Director Jane Earnest thank TFB, sponsors, artists, and the community for suppporting the month long event.

Aroma of Art Devotees! The pictures of the finale are here. It was a wonderful evening and here are some pictures to view for those of you who were not able to attend. It was a very busy and enjoyable evening as you can see.

Many of the donating artists came to enjoy the evening. Bidders had a chance to meet with the artists to learn more about their coveted items. As it came down to the wire, bidders staked out their claims as they waited for the end of the bidding.

AOA is an event that fosters community. The event brings together artists and all those interested in supporting the efforts of hard working local agencies for and evening of fun, great conversation, art and great food!

We hope to make next year's event and even greater success than this year's, and we hope all of you will come and join us throughout the event next year to support our local agencies that do so much to make Hickory a great place for everyone and our local artists that so generously give to make the AOA auction a success.