Story by Karen Parr-Moody
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The late, great American painter Andrew Wyeth mastered capturing the seasons, particularly the more brittle ones of fall and winter. He once said that he preferred painting scenes of winter and fall, when one could “feel the bone structure in the landscape,” and this shows in his works such as “Autumn Cornfield ” and “Late Fall.”
Like Wyeth, eight new members of the Downtown Artists Co-op (96 Franklin Street), are heeding the call of fall. Their show, “Different Leaves of Fall,” is an ode to the electric season when rusted colors fan across the trees. It can be seen during First Thursday Art Walk, the monthly self-guided art tour which takes place downtown today from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The artists featured in the exhibit are Bob Privett, Tess Lankovich, Betty Liles, Charlotte Nelms, Claus “Dutch” Mann, George Harrison, Heike Sichterman and Glenda.
Privett read through a dozen Robert Frost poems to glean inspiration for his series of three paintings. Then he got literal. For his paintings, Privett used leaves, wood, berries and grasses to press paint to canvas. Lankovich did something similar, using leaves as her tool. Nelms’ love of the American landscape is reflected in her watercolors and pastels, including the fall themed “Corn Cob Baskets.”
At The Framemaker, 705 North 2nd Street, couple Shane Moore and Jane Moore were inspired by the beautiful, yet haunting, chord of music with their show “Images in E Minor.”
In addition to DAC and The Framemaker, more than 10 downtown stores and restaurants will participate in the Art Walk. There are some definite highlights this time, beginning with the works of one of Tennessee’s most well-known sculptors, Olen Bryant, which will be on display at The Roxy Regional Theatre’s Peg Harvill Gallery (100 Franklin Street). Works by another highly regarded regional talent, Tom Malone, will be on view at the Customs House Museum (200 S 2nd Street).
Local photographer David Smith, a man known for his breathtaking landscapes, will have his works on view at Edwardʼs Steakhouse at 107 Franklin Street. Painter Larry Martin, whose art has become internationally known, will preside over his show at the F&M Bank at 50 Franklin St. (A reception will be held in the Franklin Room from 6 to 8 p.m.; guests should RSVP by 3 p.m. to Rachel Henson at 931.245.4192)
And for an extra treat, Sweet Memories Candy and Gift Shop at 131 Franklin Street will host an arts and crafts event that will include pumpkin decorating and sampling of handmade truffles and candy and caramel apples.
Karen Parr-Moody began a career as a New York journalist, working as a fashion reporter for Women’s Wear Daily, a beauty editor for Young Miss and a beauty and fashion writer for both In Style and People magazines. Regionally, she has been a writer at The Leaf-Chronicle newspaper and currently writes about arts and culture for Nashville Arts magazine each month.
Charlotte Nelms’ “Corn Cob Baskets” for the fall inspired show, “Different Leaves of Fall,” at the Downtown Artists Co-op.
A haunting photo by Shane Moore, which will be displayed at The Framemaker, 705 North 2nd Street, along with works by his wife, Jane Moore, for their show “Images in E Minor.”