29 Aug September Artist Showcase: “Home”
“When I think of home, it immediately takes me back to my childhood home and my family… it’s a feeling of love and belonging.” – Jill Broadhacker, Jillyjack Designs
The concept of “home” conjures a variety of thoughts, feelings, and emotions for many. For some, ideas of family and comfort come to mind; for others, the impressions are more complex. This September, five midwest artists from a variety of styles will use their artistic skills to explore what “home” means to each of them. “Home”, a group exhibit featuring work by Kelly Barton, Jill Broadhacker, Lindsay Clark, Jenny Elkins, and Lori McDonough, will be on display in the Stephenson House Gallery space at Noblesville Creates in downtown Noblesville.
Each of the five women artists involved bring a different perspective to the exhibit. Organizer Jill Broadhacker explains that the group of artists decided that a group show would be a fun way to encourage each other in their artwork to achieve a common goal. The five artists met largely through social media and at art fairs, and bonded over their shared loved of art since childhood. Further, each of the five women are art entrepreneurs and either sell their artwork online, in stores, or at art events here in the midwest.
While these five artists share similar backgrounds and will interpret the same title theme, their styles and approaches could not be more varied. Kelly, for example, describes her work as “bright, soulful, and kind,” using a mix of ink, watercolor, and hand-lettered typography to create a range of subject matter. While Kelly has taught creative workshops on the West Coast, she considers Indiana home and works out of her home studio. Her work is sold under her business name, Kelly Made.
Jill, the exhibit organizer, marries old & new techniques as a digital illustrator and letterpress print artist. She employs bold colors and typography for a graphic, playful style in her studio, Jillyjack Designs, located just south of the Carmel Art and Design District. A licensed artist, Jill’s work has appeared on cards in a national grocery chain and will appear on gift wrap in a major discount department store this Fall.
Lindsay is a collage artist and reflects her witty sense of humor and unique point of view in her work. It’s fitting that Lindsay’s studio is home-based: “Home is a feeling of safety and love, where you can be yourself.” She mixes pattern, color, and typography with various media out of her studio, Seven Lemons Art, in Westfield. Much like the other artists, Lindsay sells her work online, at art fairs, and in shops around the midwest.
Another collage artist, Jenny has had a successful shop on Mass Ave in downtown Indianapolis as well as a thriving wholesale line of papier mache ornaments that are sold in retail stores across the country. A lover of all things quirky and vintage, Jenny’s inspiration comes from old photos, surface designs, new and old papers, and other ephemera. Besides teaching art and craft classes, Jenny sells her work through pop-up shops, retail stores, restaurants, breweries, various art venues, and online. Regarding her collage work in the exhibit, Jenny explains: “Home has always been an extension of who i am as an artist… a place of love, celebration, laughter, caring, and creating.”
Lori rounds out the group as the owner of Whimsy Studios. Her original works are bright and fun, and they often make people smile. Lori uses a variety of media on paper and wood, and her home studio in Carmel was recently featured in Indianapolis Monthly magazine. Her licensed work can be found on outdoor decor made by a major manufacturer. Her seasonal studio pop-up shop is, as Jill explains, “not to be missed.”
The collective artwork of these five artists will make up the “Home” showcase exhibit and will display September 1st – 30th. A special opening reception will take place on Saturday, September 9th from 6-9pm and the public is invited to attend. Admission is free. Outside of the reception, “Home” will be viewable Wednesday – Friday from noon – 5pm and Saturdays from 10am – 5pm with many works for sale.
For more information about the artists involved:
www.etsy.com/shop/jillyjackdesigns
