Our featured artist for May and June is Jude Lobe of Mebane, NC and her show "Provence Revisited"

Working in oil and acrylics Jude truly captures the aura of a trip through Provence.

Carolina Creations will present the exhibit, featuring works by Mebane, NC, artist Jude Lobe, on view from May 1 through June 29, 2011. A reception will be held on May 13, from 5-8pm during the New Bern Artwalk. Lobe says, "Art is functional. Every time you glance at it, it lifts your spirits."

The natural environment has been a continuous thread throughout Lobe's life and is the main inspiration of her work. It has the unrelenting qualities of rejuvenation and renewal necessary for survival. In her works, Lobe evokes the emotion of a scene or idea through the colors, brush strokes, lines and infinitely broad palette suggested by the environment.  

When Lobe is asked, "Why choose Provence Revisited for an exhibit?" shereplies excitedly. "The light, that amazing light that enhances the staggering scenery and the rural beauty of Provence, charms everyone. Provence has been associated with the arts because of it. Painters such as Cezanne, Vuillard, Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso and Bonnard all developed some of their most spectacular masterpieces in Provence. In any season there is a fascinating array of Provencial colors. How could I not choose Provence to paint?"

Lobe began as a visual artist in her youth concentrating on painting. After a hiatus staying home raising her children, she returned to art working as a graphic designer. During that time Lobe began taking enameling classes studying with Averill Shepps, Don Viehman, Steve Artz and Jackie Spencer as she was fascinated with the color and luminosity of enamels.  

She dove back into painting studying with Lois Griffel and Susan Sarsback to learn to capture that radiant color and light in nature about which Monet and the impressionists were so passionate.

At the opening on Friday, May 13 from 5-8 pm there will be live music by the Mebane, NC, based group Mebanesville, "the best in roots, rhythm and world music from the roads we travel."  

Don't miss artwalk, it's always a lot of fun. See your neighbors, stay downtown for dinner, meet the artist!

Hope to see you there!  

New from our Carolina artists!  

Clever glass pendants, earrings, belts, and hairpins by designer Toni Chirico, a passionate self-taught artist who embraces the artistic learning process.

Rather than forcing designs, she gently guides her materials to create unique, bright, bold, wearable art with personality. Working exclusively with sustainable materials, the designs celebrate the whimsy and joy of the creative process.

New work by Q Evon.

Ceramic baskets with drift wood handles by Diane Lee. 

Salt and Pepper shakers by Jennifer Goff 

Tender Mercies Prints by Susan Crouch

We're getting new work daily!!   

Mother's Day is May 8!   

We've been getting in a wonderful collection of jewelry from all our  favorite jewelers. Liz Palacios, Michal Golan, Lynn Burcher, Ann Allen, Elizabeth Garvin, Joan Horn, Deborah Sparshott, Sandy Baker, and Sue Savage.   

We've also gotten in  

Wallhangings by Sue Chisholm   

New blown glass by Mayauel Ward

Also new glass from
Robert Eickholt - Hanson & Kastles - Paul Bendzunas 

Hand crafted boxes from  

Mike Mikutowski - Paul White - MarqART Wood Designs  

Paintings by  

Robert Rigsby - Pat Holscher - Maggie Arndt

Candles and perfume from
Votivo - Tokyomilk - Gardenia from Paddywax  Just to give you a few ideas! 

Downtown News  

- The Fireman's Museum renovation has begun! The Museum will be moved to the historic Fire Hall on Broad Street upon completion of the renovation.

- The Spider Lily Sculpture donated to the City of New Bern by Dr Jim Congelton was installed on the water side of the Riverside Convention Center in April. It's beautiful! And on May 2nd the whispering bench was installed right next to it! The bench was donated to the city through the Public Art Committee under the Craven County Arts Council.

- 25 trees will be planted on the 900 block of Pollock Street to help beautify that area.  

- The Christmas committee of the Downtown Council of the Chamber of Commerce will have its first Christmas meeting on May 18. If you have any ideas for the upcoming season or would like to help please email us at info@carolinacreations.com.  

Bridal Registry  

Congratulations go out to  

Jen Reynolds & Rick Parrotte  - 
June 11,2011
 

Ideas for special gifts for the Couple and Bridal Party

Our woodworkers can create a box and monogram it!

Various sizes available, the one shown here is 4 x 6 x 1 1/2" and is $34 + $10 for personalization.

What about having an artist paint your wedding?  

Just give us the details, when & where & we'll make all the arrangements.  

Email us for the details by

Have a painting or tile done of the church or other location of your wedding. Shown here is an 8 x 8" hand painted tile.

Each tile is drawn and hand painted, one at a time.

We have artists that work in many different styles that can do a painting for you.

We can create a custom piece of Celebration Pottery for you and even put the date and names on it.

Janet Francoeur Show at NC Crafts Gallery, Carrboro, NC

The North Carolina Crafts Gallery in Carrboro, NC, will present the exhibit,From Carrboro to the Coast, an Artist Paints North Carolina, featuring paintings by New Bern, NC, artist Janet Francoeur, on view from May 1 - 31, 2011.  

Focusing on her environment, Francoeur's impressionistic and realistic paintings are done in watercolors and acrylics. Francoeur moved to North Carolina in 1989 and immediately fell in love with the architecture and the landscape. After having lived in Colorado and Michigan she found spring in North Carolina to be breathtaking and is still inspired every year to paint North Carolina in bloom.  

Francoeur worked for twenty years in ink doing architectural renderings with additional work in the commercial printing industry and for the award winning Aspen Colorado newspaper, the Aspen Times, while pursuing her fine art on the side.  

After moving to New Bern she and her husband opened a gallery, Carolina Creations which they still operate today. Viewers of Francoeur's work often comment that her work "makes them feel good" and that they love the colors.  

"I paint things that make ME feel good so I am always thrilled to know it gets translated into my work." The second comment always makes Francoeur smile. "When we moved to North Carolina I had been working in black and white for twenty years and didn't have a clue how to mix colors.

I was inspired by all the spring color. Over the next few years I taught myself how to mix paint by adding color to my ink drawings. After many years of doing this I finally felt confident enough to start painting and leaving out the lines!".

This show at the North Carolina Crafts Gallery will feature paintings of scenes around Carrboro, including the farmers market, Fearington Village, the mosaic lady bench at Carr Mill Mall, and further east, scenes at Tryon Palace, and on to the live oaks east of Beaufort to name a few.

For further information check our NC Commercial Gallery listings, call the gallery at 919/942-4048 or visit (http://nccraftsgallery.com/).  

Francoeur holds a BA in drawing and printmaking from Siena Heights University, Adrian, MI, with additional study under Ken Auster, Ann Vasilik, and Mike Rooney. Her work is in public and private collections across the country, including New South Bank, John Hancock Insurance, Western History Collection of the Denver Public Library, the Michigan Historical Society and others.