RED DOG GALLERY proudly presents works by Sarah Hensley, Scott Hooper, Nichole Justin and Toni Becker. The show will open on Friday, July 1, 2016.
Sarah Hensley is a doting mother and a loving partner; a self-taught painter and illustrator, whose artistic career began in 2010, after a serious spine injury and subsequent fusion surgery left her jobless and bedridden for several months. The joy of being creative, the happiness art brought her, and the challenges of making the perfect painting pulled Sarah from the depths of her despair and brought her back into the land of the living. Art has restored her hope and given her purpose. Sarah's lust for life, and ability to look at any situation and appreciate the unseen, bleeds into her artwork and gives it a distinct style that is all her own. Her techniques are often indescribable; her work shifts with her life, making each piece unique and something to be experienced. This makes her pieces desirable to collectors who enjoy watching her talent develop and evolve. Sarah Hensley's art will be at Red Dog Gallery through July 2016.
Nicole F Justin, born in Michigan, December 8, 1972. Currently residing in North Carolina for approximately 6 years. Traveled around the United States until the age of 26. I am a self-taught artist, which began with portraits and cars. I found painting more expressive and this is my second true love next to my daughter.
My art is a vision of two separate dimensions that can only be expressed through my art. See my heartache and happiness from a different perspective, my world. My work represents the struggle for inner freedom. My heart seeks shelter and by sharing it with the world I may find refuge.
Toni Becker: I am a self-taught, mixed media artist that thankfully came from a strong line of women, who had an appreciation and respect for handcrafted items. For as long as I can remember, I have been using art as a way to navigate through life, the road to self-discovery, and to find healing during life’s most difficult challenges. As a young child I would sketch and doodle. I left drawing and art behind because like so many people, my artistic abilities were dampened by the constriction of comparison. Not realizing that my own artistic voice was unique, I turned to music and found the healing powers of my tenor saxophone. While trying to navigate a heart wrenching experience, I once again found the art of making things and found the healing powers of self-expression through creativity. Since then, I’ve had many situations that have cracked me open, leaving a large gaping wound, and each time I have relied on art to find my way. I don’t play music anymore, but I do listen to music during my creative process and together, they have assisted me in finding myself and my way in this world.
My art is whimsical in its design, drawing from the natural world around me. I am inspired by nature, people, culture, color and music. Although, I work with a lot of different mediums my area of focus lately has been painting on canvases, as well as, painting my small illustrations on bottle caps.
Beyond using art for my own creative expression, I am also a teaching artist. I have conducted summer art camps for children and have led small groups of women in creative projects. I am available for birthday parties, girl’s night out activities, one-on-one artistic projects, healing art activities, and to teach. I accept commission work and have been blessed to create jewelry for weddings and other special occasions.
My work can be found on Etsy: http://www.whimsicaljewels.etsy.com; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whimsicaljewels and I participate in a local art show called Whimsical Women, located in Pfafftown, NC during the fall season. To view my artistic process and inspiration I can be followed on Instagram: empowerment21. I also share my process and art in a written expression on two blogs: http://whimsicaljewels.blogspot.com/ AND http://artfullyhealing.blogspot.com/ My work is available to be sold in galleries and local stores.
I have found a deep sense of self by creating, and love to pay tribute to the natural beauty in this world through my creative expression. Each piece of art I make, whether it’s a painting, a pair of earrings, or a piece of stained glass, is created with love and carefully handcrafted with the intention of bringing balance for myself through creative expression, and to inspire and delight the person purchasing it.
Scott Hooper is an artist & photographer and a native of Winston-Salem N.C.
My interest in art began at an early age looking at my aunt’s college art history books. One of my early favorites was “Person throwing a stone at a bird,” by Joan Miro. I loved the simplicity of this artwork and it inspired me to do artwork myself.
After high school, I went to Rutledge Business College in Winston-Salem majoring Commercial Art. At the same time, I developed an interest in photography and worked for two years doing model portfolios for a small modeling agency in Winston-Salem.
In 1985 I joined U.S. Navy. I spent 11 months in the Southern Mediterranean and spent the last two years in Hawaii. The beautiful scenery inspired my continued interest in painting and photography. After spending many years in retail management in South Florida, I moved back to Winston-Salem in 2003.
I am a member of Associated Artists of Winston-Salem and AFAS. I have had works in several shows through Associated Artists plus working with AFAS to increase my understanding of the local art world. My work has been shown in the Winston-Salem Visitors Center, Delurk Gallery, downtown Diamondback Grill, and headquarters for United Way. I currently have an exhibit at Crisis Control Ministries and have also sold several pieces as part of local charity fundraisers. In addition to exhibiting my work, I have been a volunteer teaching photography classes in schools.
I currently live in Davidson County with my partner of fourteen years and our two dogs and two cats.
You can view more of my work at my Facebook page, Scott Hooper Artist or at http://www.scotthooperartist.com