FOOTHILLS PAINTERS
Below you will discover our artists' history - how, what, and why they paint, or create.
Chris Witherspoon
Meredith Janssen
As a native of Hickory, North Carolina, I love everything this state has to offer. From the majestic Great Smokey Mountains to the ever changing coastal Outer Banks; there is no better place to draw inspiration for my art. Generally, my art is meant to create a feeling of overwhelming calmness and peace.
For me, art is a great stress reliever. My occupation is in the field of healthcare. I have worked in the laboratory at Frye Regional Medical Center for 30 years. I truly love my job as a medical technologist. In 2010, I was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. I overcame that battle and began to look into ways to de-stress myself. I found yoga, meditation and my art to be just what I needed.
In 2015, I was introduced to alcohol based ink by renowned artist Cathy Taylor and fell in love with this media. I love the freedom of the inks as they flow together to form skies and mountain ranges. There is a certain energy created with the inks. The vibrant, bold colors are very pleasing to the eye. Experimenting with this media has led me to try watercolor. I find both extremely relaxing.
Although watercolor has been challenging, I am absolutely in love with the fluidity of this medium as well. I find that the softness of my creations create a sense of peace. This is something we all can use.
As a graduate of Lenior Rhyne University, my degree was in health science, not art. I am totally a self taught artist. I have taken lessons from only a few artist which include Judy Ryder (watercolor), Linda Meyer Browning (watercolor) and Pat Flachbart (multi media.)
I often participate in the local Hickory Art Crawl, which is a great venue for local artists. I also have had month long single artist showings at Carolina Vines in Newton, North Carolina.
And I have participated in a juried exhibition of my alcohol inks at Lenior Rhyne University, where I received an honorable mention for one of my pieces.
Anne Fredley
I was born in Hagerstown, Maryland when my dad, who was career Navy, was stationed at Camp David. We moved so much that by the time I graduated from high school in Monroeville, Pennsylvania, I had attended at least ten different schools. I always had an interest in art and design and started making jewelry when I was in my early teens. I didn't begin painting until 2002, after I inherited my mom's oil painting supplies. My great grandfather was a glass blower, Mom and my great uncle were both painters. I guess you could say that I come by my artistic interests honestly.
I began by taking classes at Catawba Valley Community College in the fall of 2002 and in the spring of 2003 signed up for a "plein air" painting class in Italy. That trip provided inspiration and photos for many of my paintings.
In 2003 I was invited to join the Foothills Painters and I have participated in many group shows in the foothills area. I have also entered my work into juried competitions and was awarded in Mooresville for "Marching Cypress". I am also a member of Uni4 Artists.
Leesa Woodard
I love art, all kinds of art, always have. Making art has been my energy for a long time. It is a part of my spirit, guiding me when I’m lost, healing me when I hurt. But, mostly fulfilling me when the ideas come, sometimes like lighting bolts, sometimes like a gentle breeze, but what I create with the ideas is the best part of being an artist. Nature is usually involved, a seascape, a landscape, or the creatures in them. Occasionally the abstract view of nature is the vantage point, or the perspective is pushed, or my natural pallet contains unnatural colors. Painting in acrylics and oils are my major choices of expression, but drawing is the base for all my work, along with my camera to capture source material. I like to work large, even diptychs and triptychs are not out of the question, especially if I am doing an unusual perspective. My work is based in reality, but my colors are often bold, and textures and patterns are also play an important role in the storytelling. As long as the viewer feels emotion, feels at least slightly transported to inside the work, I feel my art found the right path.
Meredith moved to the Hickory area from her original longtime home in Monmouth County, NJ in 2007. She received her art instruction and training at Sophie Newcomb College of Tulane University, New Orleans (1967-1969) and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from George Washington University (1971).
The years 1971-1979 were spent living in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where she continued her photographic and drawing work. While there, Meredith became involved with the up and coming video art scene, working on the technical side of video for such internationally well-known artists as Nan Hoover and Raul Marroquin.
After returning to the United States, Meredith received an Associate of Arts degree in Media Communication and worked as a producer and cameraperson for a cable news magazine show. She also renewed her interest in oil painting, taking courses at the community college. Her studies in the arts were enhanced while working toward a Master’s degree in creative arts education at Rutgers University. In an effort to diversify her technique, Meredith began studying watercolors and has been active in that media for about 15 years.
Formerly a member of various art societies in New Jersey, Meredith’s work has been exhibited in Amsterdam, Washington, D.C., New Jersey and around North Carolina. She is currently an active member of Full Circle Arts, Hickory, Watercolor Society of North Carolina, the Rock School, Valdese, Foothills Painters Group, and Uni4Artists.
“Art, to me, is a means to escape the rat race world we live in and go to a more tranquil, pleasant and, sometimes, whimsical place. It can take us back in time to a memory or project us forward to the next season’s beauty. It expresses the joy of life as well as the melancholy. It is capturing the essence of the moment whether experienced in life or devised in our imagination. When most artists create, time stands still for them—an afternoon can pass in an exhaled breath. And yet, in that time spent, something comes to life that can touch a chord in viewers and speak to the inner souls. This is the gift of art.”
Meredith has received many awards for her work. At present she is concentrating on watercolor, oil painting and printmaking and retains a keen interest in photography. She also creates original designs in copper and silver jewelry. Her work is in private collections from Australia to Spain and the Netherlands and across the United States. Several of her works are in the collection of Preston and Sandra Bryant of Hickory.
Andrew Atkin
I earned my BFA from Eastern Kentucky Univ. with honors in painting in 1981 and my MFA from Western North Carolina Univ. in 1988.
I have garnered over 35 years of teaching experiences ranging from Lenoir Rhyne Univ. to all local community colleges, Suzuki school of the Arts, art therapy programs for at risk youth and currently teach our military veterans through the Caldwell Arts Council. I also currently teach visual art at University Christian High School in Hickory.
My home/studio(The Tilted Moon Visual Arts Studio), is located in the Granite Falls area. My exploration of various visual art themes is an ongoing endeavor in which I take great pleasure. I love the mystery that creativity brings simply because you’re never going to know exactly what the outcome of each piece will be. I like that very much. My work involves subjects that range from simple landscapes to complex abstracts and conceptual pieces of all sizes. I’m mainly known as a painter but I also indulge in combination art such as collage and surface structure with the painting to expand the visual experience of beauty and subject.
Much of my work can be seen on my Facebook account along with relevant information. If interested in collecting/purchasing one of my pieces this is the best place to contact me. Thank you!!!
Susan Grant
For a full bio, visit Susan's page at: www.susan-grant-artist.com
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