Category: Uncategorized

The Connected Creator: Visual Artist Katlin McFadden

Katlin McFadden is a Pennsylvania-born mom of two. When she’s not helping women in business, and juggling mom-life, she’s painting portraits of them. She began her college education focusing on fine art and worked in a variety of industries. After relocating to North Carolina years later, Katlin decided she wanted to pursue a degree in marketing and sales where she felt she could combine her love of business with creativity.  Katlin often jokes she loves to create everything from businesses, to artwork, to grocery lists. 

During this time, she became interested in creating a business of her own. She designed a product and navigated the prototyping and manufacturing process. This business venture lead her to discover the power of social media marketing. After exploring the world of invention and marketing, she decided it was time to channel her effort into a career. Becoming part of the team at the WBC was a perfect fit for Katlin’s interest in business and promoting small businesses specifically.  

Katlin became a member of the Women’s Business Center of Fayetteville at CEED in March of 2018. She began her career with the WBC as a part-time Business Advisor and is now the WBC Program Director.  Katlin loves empowering women to bring their ideas to life and firmly believes where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Outside of her role at the Women’s Business Center, Katlin sells her original artwork and prints. She is currently working on a series of paintings titled, “Luminosity” and focusing on newly commissioned work. 

3 Things making your life richer & why:

My two wonderful daughters: They constantly remind me to stop and appreciate the little things. They are my greatest motivators and inspiration. 

My career at CEED: I feel so incredibly grateful that I get to be so creative at my job and I get to learn so many things. CEED has allowed me to pursue my hunger for growth, knowledge, and new experiences. 

Community: Like many, I am a transplant in Fayetteville who chose to stay. The community, my friends, and the team I get to work with-they all make it a truly enriching place to be. 

Local artist (any genre, Cumberland County preferred) you admire: I admire the work of many local artists. Fayetteville is full of talent! One of the artists I particularly admire is Sarah Sourcier. Her paintings are full of emotion and I love how she bridges abstract brushstrokes and conveys realistic images. Her work is so fun and dynamic to look at; her painting of Clint Eastwood is one of my favorite works in Fayetteville! 

What is one of your current artistic experiments? One of my current artistic experiments has been the examination of ambient light and capturing that glow. I’m truly enjoying the process and building the contrast! 

What changed about your practice in 2020? Will you keep this change? My practice drastically changed in 2020. Prior to 2020 I primarily created art in black and grey charcoal or graphite. I used to describe myself solely as a pencil and paper artist. When the “stay at home” period of the pandemic began in 2020, I dove into the world of paint and color. I wanted a challenge and felt the inspiration to grow as an artist. Feeling stuck in the four walls of my home created this need to bring color in. This change is here to stay. I still draw often but, I feel I haven’t even scratched the surface of the world of paint and what I can do what it. 

Where do you practice your art? Describe your work space. I mostly work in my home studio. My workspace is compromised of a vintage military trunk full of paint and a shelf of eclectic mugs and jars full of paintbrushes, palette knives, and charcoal pencils. My walls are lined with my in progress work…I am running out of wall space! 

How do you find your subject (next piece, idea, voice)? I find myself looking for images that are relatable or convey a relatable feeling. Last year my primary focus was on images that had an element of water. I wanted to examine how to create the translucency of water into paint and the concept of “staying afloat”. This year I have a concentrated focus on light sources. My current series ranges from natural sunlight cast on the human form to the glow of ambient light. 

Advice to newer artists in your genre: My advice for newer artists in my genre would be to keep painting as much as possible and don’t forget to take a step back and look at your overall picture throughout the process! Also, don’t be afraid to try new styles and mediums-don’t limit yourself! For the longest time I was stuck on one medium out of a passion and comfortability but I surprised myself with the happiness I’ve found in this new and exciting chapter of work! 

Fusing Work, Play, and Family: Metal Sculptor James Rodriguez

James Rodriguez, a metal sculptor, possesses a steady hand, a keen eye for detail, and a relentless drive to succeed. James has already created some amazing sculptures. He draws his inspiration from his life experiences, family, friends, and his military background. Deployed to Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010, he now finds sculpting to be his therapy and a way to express himself in ways he’s normally unable to. By trade, James is a certified welder, with three years experience running his own welding & metal fabrication business, Vulcan Metal Works. He has been mentored by sculpting professor, and local metal artist, Adam Walls of the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. 

Still early in his sculpting career, James has dedicated himself full time to creating his next masterpiece, using symbolism you can truly understand, and relate to, in his work. 

Thing making your life richer & why: Working on metal sculptures has definitely made my life richer. I find a different type of inner peace when I’m creating. The response I get from people the first time they see my work is warming to the soul; just knowing I was able to create a lasting impression through my art is an unbelievable feeling. Most importantly, though, is being able to physically show people what is truly in my heart, having a way to express myself in ways I’ve never been able to before.

Local artist you admire: Adam Walls is a local metal sculptor that was a mentor for me when I first started thinking about making a transition into art. He told me if I put as much effort into my art as I did my welding/metal-fabrication business then I wouldn’t have a problem at all. I listened. He’s an amazing local artist, one that I look up to a lot.

What is one of your current artistic experiments? I’m actually venturing into the world of clay sculpting and pottery. Working with clay is therapeutic in itself, and being able to sculpt in clay will definitely help me further down the road in my metal sculpting career. Being able to create a small scale reference of a larger statue is perfect for scaling and visual references.

What changed about your practice in 2020? Will you keep this change? A LOT changed in my practice in 2020. I transitioned my business from general welding/metal-fabrication to creating works of art. It was terrifying at first. Being colorblind I never thought I would be the artistic type, until I started welding.

Protective Father & Child 
This piece was made for my daughter. It represents a rusted old father that is trying to protect his untouched child from the dangers of the outside world. Spikes on the back provide protection while still maintaining a soft frontside where the child is. His whole purpose now is to pass on knowledge and love the child unconditionally. With open access to a mended heart, the child is the only one that has unrestricted access, and it remains guarded from the rest of the world. He will protect his child until it is able to protect itself.

Where do you practice your art? Describe your work space. I practice my art right in the garage at my house. Some people call it messy, I call it organized chaos. I’m surrounded by family all the time, and friends stop by on a  regular basis just to see what I’m working on next! I wouldn’t have it any other way! After all, they’re where I draw my inspiration to create.

How do you find your subject (next piece, idea, voice)? Honestly, I’m constantly lost in thought thinking about my next piece. The ideas come at the most random times! It could be anything from a song on the radio, a relationship, a conversation, or random architecture. I’m always open minded and looking for inspiration on a daily basis. It’s easy to miss if you’re not looking.

Advice to newer artists in your genre. Chase your dream, no matter what! If you think you can create, you want to create, then you can! Stop thinking and do. If you wait for the perfect opportunity you will surely miss it! There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing something no one else can, then creating it so they can appreciate your vision with you.

Motivation and Mess-Making with Maggie McLaughlin

I’m Maggie from the Midwest. I’ve been making art since I was seven years old. I am skilled in many areas, but I specialize in colorful acrylic portraits and animals. I have a bachelor’s in Studio Art with an emphasis in Painting and I am pursuing a masters in Museum Studies. I teach art locally at Wine & Design and I am interning at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum. You can currently find my art on display at Wine & Design downtown and in the Public Works Show at the Arts Council of Fayetteville.

Green flower on orange background with text "we all miss each other"
“we all miss each other” painting

Favorite Local Third Place (not home, not work, a place you like to hang out, talk about the world): Blue Moon Café for cocktails with my best girlfriend!

3 Things you can’t live without: Coffee. Coffee. Coffee.

Local artist (any genre) you admire: I was recently in a show with Samod Wilson and I really loved the portrait work he did. His work is so skilled and colorful!

A practice you’ve started during quarantine that you plan to continue: I finally gave in to listening to podcasts and I like it so much, I hardly watch TV anymore.

What is one of your current artistic experiments? Before quarantine, I was very interested in acrylic pour painting. Now I am revisiting more techniques like printmaking, stencil work, and non-canvas painting surfaces like wood.

Maggie working

Who is someone who encouraged or championed your art work? My husband has been an amazing support system! He keeps me motivated even when I don’t want to be. He is incredibly driven, which I admire.

What advice would you give to new/younger/less experienced artists in your genre? Ask questions, stay motivated, sign up for shows! Learn from your peers. Failure is a lesson, not a reason to quit. Being an artist can be hard, but stay with it and it will love you back. If you feel out of your element, get involved anyway and you will gain vital experience.

It may be 2020, but we’re still doing a season of gratitude

It’s November so internet rules state I must post a gratitude list.

But this blog isn’t about me, it’s about all the amazing artists in and around Fayetteville.

So I asked them who they were grateful for.

The love train was phenomenal.

Arts Event Manager and writer Ashanti Bennett (and one of my personal gratitudes) called out painter Jen Hancock, who choose two other painters: “This year, I am grateful for all of the BLM inspired artists and artwork, but Carlos Tolentino’s George Floyd portrait particularly stands out for me. It was a beautifully and powerfully portrayed artwork reminding me that there is a whole nation of people within our nation who have felt unable to breathe for centuries and we all need to do better, and be better humans. I am also infinitely grateful for another of the local heroes of our artist world, Mary Ward, whom we tragically lost a week ago. Not only did she create art that burst at the seams with bright and loving joy, but she bestowed her passion and love of art on to my children who were blessed enough to call her their art teacher. She is already truly missed.”

Minda Rella tagged Val Humphrey, who said, “I’d like to shoutout Beth Davis. I pick her because, not only is her artwork visually stunning and complex, but she also happens to be remarkably kind and humble. I love her vivid use of color and intricate line work. Her art is very different from mine, and yet it inspires me so much.”

Doug Burton and Michael Daughtry caught their own loop. Michael said about Doug “Thank you for supporting original artists and creating excellent original music!” And then Doug responded about Michael: “Throughout the year he’s kept us all entertained via “Get The Drift” webcasts, even while we can’t make it out to traditional venues. Michael supports local music & musicians like very few others, and we are lucky to have him as part of our community.”

Dec 2019 Lisette and Justin perform at The Sweet Palette.

Singer TishMone and Author Shane Wilson both tagged singer-songwriter Lisette. She shared “Grateful for my cellist / partner in crime Justin Mackey, for helping me record and produce my acoustic EP. Grateful for The Arts Council for supporting the arts during a year where everything had to go virtual.”

Pre 2020 pic. LtoR: Devra Thomas, Ashanti Bennett, El’Ja Bowens. Photo credit: Monica Bowens

“Talent, passion for his craft, entrepreneurship, leadership, generosity in lifting others, and willingness to invest his time, talent, and energy into the community. Plus, a genuinely good guy.” Of course Sam Dubose is talking about El’Ja Bowens. He then spread the love around more: “For me, there are too damn many lol. But, let’s go with Neil Donnell Ray, Law Bullock, Yolanda A. Barnes, Ed Owens, and Ashanti Bennett. All dedicate themselves to their craft, community, and above all else they are willing to look past themselves to help the greater good.”

Shane also tagged painter Damien Mathis, who returned the love and then some: “Shane, he met me at a point in life where I didn’t understand a lot about how people view my art. As an author, he solidified a different viewpoint. Carter has gave me every opportunity without asking for anything in return…honest in his tomorrows. Metoya Scott has been very informative in what’s going on in the community and has a professional persona about the art world.”

Pre everything. Neil Ray and El’Ja Bowens at The Sweet Palette. Photo credit: Law Bullock

And almost everyone mentioned Neil Ray. As musician Shaun McNamee put it: “Can’t have this list without mentioning the great Dr Neil Donnell Ray. There wouldn’t be a local scene without him!” Neil replied, “It is so good to be honored by your peers! My respect and adoration of these artists and so many others is the true testimony of the talent we have in this area! I am grateful to all of them! They have helped me become better! Or at least get in the game!”

Keep the love going! Shoutout in the comments a local artist you’re grateful for this year!

You Have to Get Creative to Be Creative as an Artist-Parent

This one took to visual art early. And she sometimes still draws on herself, now a teen.

It takes a tremendous amount of energy to be a practicing artist and mother of young kids in the most expansive of times. But throw a global pandemic on us that keeps our little ones at home or away from regular childcare and tosses our creative processes and rituals out the window… well, life could get messy fast. Or leave artists without practicing their skills for months on end, feeling adrift without production.

I speak first hand! Having a baby at home and wanting to reboot this website with regular weekly content has been harder than I anticipated! I figured I wasn’t the only one who was both struggling with their creative work AND could use a little inspiration. Here are five different get-art-done tactics and some wisdom from other local Fayetteville artist-mamas.

1. Constantly Be Planning
Jason Feifer, dad and editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur magazine, recently posted a great series about how he likes to spend a lot of time pulling topics together, considering questions and options, letting ideas simmer as he takes care of his kids or home tasks, and then planning his work before sitting down to write. After all this mental cogitation, the actual writing is fast and focused. I love this process for creating original work. I often find myself ruminating while rocking the baby to sleep or picking up ideas while we’re out riding around.

Muralist and mama of four (9, 7, 3, and a new baby!), Lacey Crime has become masterful at planning: “Since the pandemic I have become more motivated and driven. I have actually landed more commissions during this time than any other. I am realizing the importance of being consistent with my work and trying to set goals that take me out of my comfort zone. Mainly by getting word out there that people could use a custom mural they just don’t realize it yet.”

2. Play Over Perfect
Incorporate playtime with the kids into your creative process. Kids want to do what you’re doing! Why fight it. Instead, use their natural curiosity to increase your own playtime and output.

Mixed media Artist & Mama of three (13, 9, 8), Jen Hancock found inspiration this way. “My creation process became a little tricky to manage during the onset of the pandemic. Routine and my normal means of gathering inspiration were thrown out the window, and my focus shifted to managing online crisis-schooling and keeping everyone from losing their mind. Honestly, it was so overwhelming at first I fell into a complete creative funk. There was so much going on, I had a tough time focusing, and my creation space had turned into a classroom. So I did what I love to do and got creative! I stopped thinking about developing my business and dug back in to why I love to create. My youngest is my art buddy, so I snatched her up and we started working on small projects together, and drew inspiration from everything going on in the world. We created art together as a family to stand up against racism, and to ease our minds and escape from the reality of being stuck at home. Slowly, but surely we’re finding our way back into a routine, and I’ve become truly inspired by stepping back and refocusing.”

3. Change Your Goals
We all had different goals, both personal and professional, for 2020 at the start of the year. But with the novel coronavirus acting like an 8 month old tossing all her toys around the room with our lives, resetting goals is probably something we’ve all done at least once this year.

That reset could be shifting into smaller chunks. In Off The Clock: Feel Less Busy While Getting More Done, Laura Vanderkam writes about doing the smallest possible step that will allow your brain to recognize forward momentum. Maybe that’s writing one hundred words or doing a single sketch or putting together a single staff of notes or dance moves.

Or you could go the other direction, and work towards one large outcome or project rather than several you may have identified back in January (aka another lifetime).

Graphic Designer and mama of two (6, 8), Betsy McElwee has learned a lot about the work goals she wants for the future. “I’m focusing on bigger picture projects that require more thought process and less fast paced turnaround on small jobs. I’m fortunate in that I haven’t seen a huge decrease in work, as I have steady client base and agency work at a local company. But these strange times have definitely provided insight to the type of work that I want to be doing, and find fulfilling and worthwhile.“

4. Nurture Rituals
Find your best work time (if you can). In the book The Artistic Mother: A Practical Guide for Fitting Creativity into Your Life, Shona Cole writes: “Are you a morning or evening person? If morning, consider getting up a little earlier to complete a specific item on your art to-do list. If evening, get your evening chores out of the way and stay up an extra thirty minutes.”

Also, have a dedicated space (no matter how small). Again from The Artistic Mother: “It is important to have an art table, desk, or craft room. It does not need to be huge or fabulous at the start, but it needs to be functional.”

Visual Artist & Mama of two adorable girls (5, 7) Katlin McFadden is grateful for this time and space: “I have a studio in my apartment where I work on my art daily. Sometimes I get up at 5 am to paint until my kids get up for school and I also paint in the evening hours when they’re watching a movie or in bed. My output has improved because I spend a lot more time at home in my studio producing work. I wasn’t really sure how I would be impacted but this time of focus has been a wonderful growing period for me and artist and I’ve produced some of my best work.“

5. Find Accountability
Partner up! Have weekly creative sessions with another artist parent. Use deadlines to your advantage (preferably imposed by someone else, real or fake) to get moving on making. And don’t be ashamed to ask for help! From your parenting partner or other quaren-team adult, if you need help with the kids in order to have creative time, or help from your fellow creatives in getting motivated or finishing your work.

Graphic Designer & Mama of three littles (1, 5, 7), Chanai “Genie” Winborn has a great accountability team at the creative co-working space she runs with her husband! “I connect with creative supporters both new and old everyday on social media, mainly Facebook and those that are members at Creative Space Station and people that may come by the station looking for creative help.”

If you’re an artist-parent, how has your own creative process changed in 2020? Drop a comment and let me know!

Summer Afternoon Color

Sunlight streams through clouds over mural on Old St in downtown Fayetteville, NC.
photo by devra thomas

Do you know of a cool art thing anywhere within Fayetteville city limits? Let us know where it is so we can grab a picture of it!

Or maybe you already have a cool photo of Fayetteville art [people/object/place]? Let us know so we can feature it for our Final Friday Photo!

Celebrating my Birthday by Celebrating Local Culture

Dateline: 7/17, aka MY BIRTHDAY!

Since it’s my birthday, I thought I’d write about some of the things art-related I adore about my home here in Fayetteville, NC. When we moved here in Jan 2019, I figured there would be a thriving arts scene, since the Arts Council here is so active. But as I’ve gotten to know the artists who call the “City of Misfits” home, the depth and breadth of art here takes my breath away. For a small Southern city filled with a young, fairly transient population, Fayetteville is an incredibly creative place to be. Supporting these artists and this community is truly a gift to myself.

Downtown Public Art: downtown Fay continues to steadily “glow-up,” as the kids say. Part of the transformation is the public art that is on display throughout the area. A few pieces are permanent installations (“Winged Glory” by Jack Howard-Potter at CFVH Medical Arts building, Venus Flytrap at edge of Person St), but many are temporary, which adds to the delight of visiting downtown on a regular basis to discover something new. And I can’t forget the incredible mural on the rear of the Capitol Encore building (which is actually the school’s entrance)! It’s easily one of the best places for sweet selfie action.

“Windowstone” at HQ library. It reminds me of pi.

Cumberland County Library Art Collection: Did you know the library houses an incredible art collection and regularly puts pieces on display? I want to do an entire post/series on this amazing asset. I mean, the library system here is an incredible asset all on its own, and to have the art on top of that? ::mimes mind-blowing::

Singer/Songwriter Lisette at the Open Mic, Oct 2019

Open Mic night at The Coffee Scene: this was my first inkling of how varied and talented the artists are here in Fayetteville. If you’re not checking out this Sunday/Monday night event, usually hosted by the Godfather of Poetry Neil Ray, you’re missing out. Check the Fb page for when they livestream if you can’t be there in person (once we’re post-Covid restrictions).

STS Season 19-20 kickoff party. A raucous gathering. Good times.

Sweet Tea Shakespeare: I have a feeling if the Bard were suddenly transported to modern-day Fayetteville (I cannot WAIT for the next Bill&Ted’s movie!), he would adore this inventive theater company and the all-encompassing productions they are known for. STS shows are on the edge of being immersive theater (their drunk Shakespeare show arguably are immersive theater) and you want to show up early and pay attention through intermission so you don’t miss any of the character interaction/musical numbers/actor banter going on. They’re trying very hard to offer additional expansive content right now during Pandemic 2020 and I can’t wait to see what brilliant artistic exploits will happen once theater goes live in-person again. Do yourself (and them) a favor: become a Patreon supporter and get access and insider perks!

Hanging out at LeClair’s, May 2019

LeClair’s General Store: I love soaking in the laid-back creative vibe of this coffeehouse/vintage goods/handmade art shop. Perfect for solopreneur working, small group meetings, or pre-theater drinks (it is right across from Cape Fear Regional Theater). Pat and his team do an exquisite job curating and displaying beautiful merch.

Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra: I have loved classical music since I got my first cd: Beethoven’s 5th Symphony with my first boombox, Christmas of 1990 (such an arts nerd from a very early age). So of course I am thrilled to have the FSO here in town. Their season typically has 6-8 concerts performed at venues around town, including Methodist and Fayetteville State Universities. Maestro Stefan Sanders does an incredible job illuminating audiences about the BTS of classical music.

Sculpture show at Botanical Gardens, summer 2019

Cape Fear Botanical Gardens: Visiting the BoGardens is always visually inspiring, any time of year. The holiday lights tour was so much fun; the touring sculpture show was like a scavenger hunt for adults. It’s easy to spend a morning here, meandering the paths and enjoying the different gardens. There’s even a mini-amphitheater, which I’d love to see used for some theater performances (I know it’s happened in the past, but I haven’t personally taken one in yet)!

These are just off the top of my head, in no particular order, and reflect the tiniest portion of the breadth of art available here in Fayetteville. After the pandemic is over, I’ll celebrate my birthday in high style by visiting all of these, and more!

What is going on here?

Thanks for checking out this new venture! I’ve long dreamed of combining my journalism background with my arts administration skills and publishing a magazine dedicated to celebrating local arts & culture. And since I find myself living in Fayetteville, North Carolina, what better place to use than here!

This magazine (yeah, I’m going to call it that, even if it is a blog currently) will focus on sharing the stories of the amazing artists that call Fayetteville home. We’ll do interviews. We’ll publish poetry and short fiction by local authors. We’ll talk about performances and jam sessions. We’ll delve into the history of the arts in the area. We’ll showcase interesting public art found around the city. Think of this as the story behind the art, not just a listing of what to go see.

And because you can’t get to the 50th piece without starting at #1, now I’m over that hurdle!

Get out and support local art!

~Devra