Stop by Rala for First Friday to see my newest work.

323 Union Ave Knoxville, TN 37902

Opening Mach 7 from 6-9pm

I'm really excited about these pieces, inspired by some of my favorite things. All work is hand-painted and drawn on reclaimed wood with spray paint, acrylic, marker, and paint pens.

© Beth Meadows

If you can't make it this Friday, don't worry! It will be on display until Sunday, March 30.

© Beth Meadows

Here is my artist statement for this show:

Driving from Knoxville to the Smoky Mountains, there are hand-written signs on the side of the road that read "Boiled P-nuts" and "Walking Stick World." I've pulled over to buy the peanuts from the back of a trailer and admired a row of bears carved out of tree trunks nearby. Later I hike and feel a connection to the heritage of this area, and also yearn for a little more. 

© Beth Meadows

Back in Knoxville, there are hand-painted signs all over, my favorites being an ice-cream cone and miniature football players holding up a giant hoagie. I go square dancing and watch hipsters dance with silver-haired sweethearts. 

And then there is this other side of things. I drive around singing the lyrics of catchy pop songs and follow some of the world's most famous fashion designers on Instagram.

Some artists use innovation as their driving force while others have tradition in mind. Some people paint a sign without thinking too much about anything at all. Through my artwork, I give a nod to what is esteemed today while delving deeper into the rich heritage of The South.

As last year was coming to a close, I started to wind down work-related things, thinking as soon as January 1 hit, I would be ready to start back at it. It's January 13 and I'm still only thinking about it, but hopefully all this thinking will be beneficial in the long run.

I always hear artists talk about how they can't make anything unless they're in the right frame of mind or mood.

I just need to get into the right head space. (Don't ever say that to me, by the way).

I agree creativity can't be forced, but there are so many things to be doing in the meantime to help creativity along. That whole list makes creating artwork possible. 

If I'm not making a painting, there are always emails to write, social media updates to post, phone calls to make, errands to run, websites to update, galleries to research. I have to be careful, though, because I have an addiction to the administrative side of being an artist. Sometimes I run around all day, for days, and forget that the ultimate goal is to be in my studio making artwork. I've learned how to procrastinate from the very thing I've been fighting for so long to do. 

2013 was a great year, not so much because it was wonderful and fun (which it was many times) but because it was challenging and I learned things that are invaluable to me. 

It wasn't too shocking when December hit that my brain said No More, and I gladly went into creative hibernation.

The New Year is quickly waving goodbye, however, and I am still in transition. So instead of being in my studio, I'm sitting down to think, plan, and organize- a lot. My hope is two-fold: to gain more moments this year where I'm not working and also to create more space for all-consuming productivity. 

These times of silence make me think back to when I played basketball in middle school. My coach made us sit in the middle of the court during practice and think about sinking free throw after free throw. Honestly, I can't remember if it helped and I know I sat the bench most of that season.

But I get it now. Let's play some b-ball, y'all. Swish.

I currently have artwork on display at Coffee & Chocolate. Below are details and photos of the work. I hope you can find the time to see it this month!

Photo by Matthew Higginbotham

Models and Buildings

Drawings by Beth Meadows

at Coffee & Chocolate, December 2013

327 Union Ave SW, Knoxville, TN 37902

All work is priced upon request. Please contact beth@bethmeadows.com

Patrick Sullivan's (on black) paint pen and acrylic on acetate, lace and fabric, recycled frame

Artist Statement:

I have a strong interest in things that are beautifully crafted and designed to stand the test of time. I also listen to pop music and buy things that are made to be thrown away year to year.

My subject matter is historic Knoxville buildings and models from fashion magazines. The frames used for the models are recycled and the windows have been salvaged from historic buildings in Knoxville. 

As I make these drawings with previously discarded materials, I think about their original creator, the time and thought they put into what they made.  

Historic Knoxville Buildings paint pen and acrylic on acetate, lace and fabric, framed in salvaged windows and recycled frames. Photo by Matthew Higginbotham.

I wonder: If the flippant consumer determines the value of things, won't even the most well-designed objects be subject to the landfill?

I like to imagine that one day I might walk into a thrift store and see one of my paintings hanging on a wall. What one might regard as a debilitating thought has pushed me to make better work. Better work that does not become too precious to me as the maker. 

Two Models ink, marker, and colored pencil on paper, recycled frames

Bio:

Beth moved from her hometown of Memphis, Tennessee to Knoxville where she graduated from the UT with a BFA in Studio Art in 2007. She currently manages The Salvage Room for the non-profit Knox Heritage, receiving and selling historic building materials. She is also the Director and an artist of 17th Street Studios, a work space for artists near downtown Knoxville.

Models in recycled frames. Photo by Matthew Higginbotham.

Please visit my Etsy shop today, December 3, and tomorrow, December 4, and receive 20% off your entire purchase in observance of Cyber Monday, which I am extending through Wednesday. Click here to enter the shop.

When you checkout, use the coupon code WBHSALE to receive 20% off.

Happy Shopping!

Here are a few items you'll find there:

Bidding on work from Art For the People ends today at noon! 

To make an offer email beth@bethmeadows.com with the title of the piece and your offer.

I'm taking any offers for this work. There is no minimum bid. The highest offer at noon today will win! 

Thank you!

I was featured in the Knoxville News Sentinel for their Artist Spotlight a couple of Sundays ago. Not only is this exciting but also pretty emotional for me, for lack of a better word.

When money is tight and I feel like I'm working too much, something like this goes a long way.

I loved the timing of the article, too. It came out a couple of days before my show at Old City Java and my group show at the Birdhouse with 17th Street Studios.

 I had been toying around with the idea to have the show Art For the People at OC Java where anyone could bid on my work. While it's important for me to support myself financially to continue down this road, I want to learn at the same time how to make my artwork accessible to people. I want people to understand it and also feel like it's something they could take home with them. 

Art For the People at Old City Java. Photo by Matt Higginbotham

 My work at Old City Java is still up and I'm still taking offers on it. To learn more about this, go here. I REALLY want this work to be yours!

The show Amalgam Volume 2 also just opened last weekend. This was a wonderful experience for me. I've been managing 17th Street Studios for about three years now and am finally feeling like we are hitting a stride. I'm so impressed with the artists I share my work space with and their work. I'm grateful to be a part of this space and group of people.

Amalgam Volume 2: A 17th St Studios Member Exhibition at The Birdhouse

 If you want to check out either show, Art for the People will be up until October 28 at Old City Java in Knoxville and Amalgam Volume 2 will be up until October 27 at the Birdhouse. I also have artwork showing at Fido in Nashville until the end of the month. 

 *JIC you didn't know, this title is supposed to be funny.

My art show began today at Old City Java in Knoxville, and it's a little bit different.

I've been showing artwork in Knoxville for over 10 years. As a way to say thank you to the city (and anyone else) who has encouraged me along the way, I present:

Art for the People!

I will take the best price for these pieces, so don't be shy and make me an offer by emailing me at beth@bethmeadows.com. You may make an offer up to noon on Thursday, October 31.

$5, $10, $50, $1,000,0... anything!

And if you LOVE a piece and have to have it, ask me for the buy It now  price, and it can be yours!

Your support and encouragement mean SO much to me! Thank you!!

If you'd like to see the titles, materials, and sizes for each of these pieces, go here. 

 Old City Java // 109 S Central Street // Knoxville, TN 37901

Last week I was busy making drawings for a Knox Heritage fundraiser called the Scruffy City Soiree. Last year, I painted mason jars on slate tiles for their table's centerpieces. This year, I drew historic Knoxville buildings, and they were really fun to make.

Most are about 4 x 6", drawn on two sides of a piece of acetate and layered on top of fabric. Then they are placed in vintage frames.

There is a bumper sticker I've seen that reads "Historic Preservation is the Ultimate Recycling." These drawings of historic homes and buildings are made using mostly recycled materials- the frames, acetate, and fabric are from thrift stores or have been given to me. It's one of my favorite things to do with art- take discarded items and make them something precious again. 

5th Ave Motel- SOLD

Crescent Bend

Custom House

Ramsey House

Cal Johnson Building- Sold

Ramsey House- Sold

Cal Johnson Building

Patrick Sullivan's

Blount Mansion

The Bijou Theater- Sold

501 Arthur

JFG Coffee Sign- SOLD

Patrick Sullivan's- Sold

Crescent Bend

5th Avenue Motel on Gold

JFG Coffee Sign on Lace- SOLD

Church on Lace

Bijou Theater on Gold

Mabry Hazen House- SOLD

I hope one day I'll be able to do the same with a beautiful old building. That could be the ultimate work of art.  

At this moment, I haven't listed any of the remaining drawings from the event online to sell, but if you are interested in purchasing one, please contact me. Through the end of October, partial proceeds will benefit Knox Heritage. They will be hanging at Old City Java beginning Wednesday, October 2, but please contact me if you'd like to see them before then.

I'd also be very interested to make new ones with the building, house, and fabric of your choice, just let me know!