Common Concepts is a collection of small works of original fine art from six artists all working from a common inspiration source; the color palette and materials from the ExVoto Spring 2020 jewelry collection. We hope you enjoy this gallery of fine art and find a piece of art to add joy and inspiration to your dwelling. Read below about each artist and click the link to shop their piece for Common Concepts.
Allison James
My very first memories are sitting at the kitchen table with a tin of crayons and not enough hours in the day to fill in every blank page in front of me. Fast-forward 20 years and I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Painting, Drawing, and Printmaking. You’ll see these three disciplines cross-over again and again in my work.
These layers tell a story and every piece I make is a line from my life. So naturally, there is much to tell.
My style has evolved over my years of creating, always skipping back to my dreamy, jagged roots as an artist. I am most inspired by memories from my childhood, graffiti, an anxious mind, balance, street style, feeling, pattern mixing, and the conversations around me. I translate this inspiration into my work with moments of grit, textiles, mixed mediums, text, color and the occasional illustration. Every stroke is a reaction and every piece is a chapter from my story.
Allison James is a contemporary artist living on the Westside of Atlanta with her husband Brandon and their golden retriever, Reggie. Her studio is location in West Midtown.
Shop the piece Allison James created for Common Concepts HERE
Carrie Pittman
Carrie is a self taught artist who started painting in 2014 to bring beauty and a real element to her own life and space. Carrie “loves the fact that art has no rights or wrongs, do’s or dont’s.” Carrie believes, “there is no end, no limits to what I can do and create. I am only limited by my own mind and imagination. There’s so much power and confidence in that! I work with oil, acrylic, water color and paper mache. The biggest compliment I’ve ever been given is that people can feel I put my heart into my pieces.”
In 2016, Carrie decided to branch out from paintings to hand painted fabric in order to share her work in multiple formats. This has turned into her brand ‘Carrie Pittman Collection’ of handbags, pillows, window panels, wallpaper and accessories. Each piece Carrie paints is a one of a kind creation that represents the uniqueness of each client.
Carrie works with fine retailers, design professionals, businesses and individuals who would like original art. “I am passionate about bringing beauty and personality to enhance the environment the art occupies.”
She has been featured on HGTV, ABC Fix It and Finish It, Better Homes & Gardens, West Elm, Good Grit, U.S. Women’s Open, AmericasMart Atlanta, High Point market and various magazine publications.
Shop the piece Carrie Pittman created for Common Concepts HERE
Craig Greene
Craig’s paintings are compositions with impeccable balance and movement. Colors leap from his soul onto the canvas with mutable depictions of the human figure. His work reveals a beautiful display of unbridled energy, which is entirely personal and concreted by conceptual thinking. The indiscriminate use of form, texture and color create a style that is fully his own.
Craig Greene is a native of Montgomery, Alabama, born in 1971 and currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee. Started painting in 1995 while discovering local folk artists including Mose T and Bill Traylor. In 1996, changed college major to Studio Art/ painting and graduated with a BFA from Auburn University of Montgomery in 1998. Mentored by Artists John Wagnon and Clark Walker of Montgomery , Craig developed a style of painting.
Shop the piece Craig Greene created for Common Concepts HERE
Melissa Payne Baker
Melissa Payne Baker is best known for her abstract paintings that convey emotions or feelings that touch the viewer. From traditional interiors to contemporary, her abstract artwork creates the perfect punch to any decor. The heart and soul of her work is derived from her everyday life and experiences.
Melissa spends her days chasing her dreams as well as her young son, both keeping her creativity in full bloom. This Southern artist found her passion for art early in life, learning from generations of artisans.
With a degree in Marketing from the University of Mississippi and over two decades in interior design, she pours all of her passions into each abstract piece she creates.
Melissa’s unique texturing techniques and use of color are what attracts clients from collectors to designers across the country . Her work has been published in national publications from Traditional Homes, House Beautiful, Cottage Journal, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles to Nashville Arts. Her work has been featured in designer show houses in Atlanta, Charlotte, Memphis to Dallas.
Melissa has been creating her original abstract paintings on canvas since 2002. In 2012 she released a line of hand painted glassware and candles that has been highlighted at the Atlanta Neiman Marcus Holiday Pop-Up Shop and at Spotlight on Art in Atlanta. You can find these little jewels in boutiques and galleries around the Southeast. A fine art mirror collaboration with mirror artist Stacy Milburn began in 2017 and has caught the attention of many designer and galleries across the country. Melissa’s new collections can be found in fine art galleries across the United States.
Melissa lives and creates in Atlanta with her husband Rick, their son Payne and their cat Gesso.
Shop the piece Melissa Payne Baker created for Common Concepts HERE
Gina Hurry
honestly, i cannot remember a day when i was not noticing, enjoying, or creating something i felt was beautiful. like my paintings, i am a work in process. i live and paint by faith which is risky and uncomfortable, but also part of the rich and messy process. as someone who senses and feels deeply, my "radar" is almost always up, and at times my imagination even disturbs my sleep
my earliest "creative" memory was coloring on the walls of our home with my mother's tubes of lipstick as a toddler. my fondest childhood memories are centered around big blue skies, wild flowers, picnics, walks in the woods, chasing butterflies, and candlelight dinners. i believe beauty is meant to be a gift that reflects the kind heart of god. i’m humbled and privileged to play my part in the bigger story of redemption as an artist just responding to life as i am compelled. beauty and "art making" are restorative and part of sharing god's heart in the world. artists are called to stir imagination of what heaven is like. from a young age my heart has been shaped by the beauty of the world around me and i am a product of others who have poured their lives and gifts into me.
my work is always fluid and is organically shaped by my surroundings. my process is heavily influenced and my imagination is stirred by things that speak to my soul, such as stories, songs, and connection with others. part of the mystery of creating is worked out in the heart, mind, and soul. for good and meaningful art to come i need to find margins of rest from noise and crowds. my deepest inspiration comes when i am quiet and there is room to breathe.
i am forever grateful for the most kind, good, and gentle people that have been my shepherds. i pray that in some small way you will be stirred toward hope as you journey with me through this site.
may we all embrace the messy process and see the many ways beauty brings life to this broken world.
Shop the piece Gina Hurry created for Common Concepts HERE
Mary Catherine Folmar
Cotton & Quill was founded by Mary Catherine Folmar in 2012 and was first debuted at the Rosemary Beach West Indies Market. A true southern belle and world-wide traveler, Mary Catherine’s design influence comes as much from her roots in Alabama as it does her endeavors throughout Europe, Asia and the east and west coasts. Through Cotton & Quill she has captured contemporary and classic design through her punchy colors and bold patterns found throughout her hand-illustrated textiles and wall coverings.
Mary Catherine has always had a passion for the arts & design and received her Bachelor of Science degree in industrial design from the College of Architecture, Design & Construction at Auburn University.
Cotton & Quill embraces classic & timeless design of Southern living while pushing the limits with contemporary patterns, colors and textures. Mary Catherine’s love for vintage finds, couture fashion and eclectic style lends to the dynamic colors, crisp designs and bold prints that are Cotton & Quill.
Mary Catherine currently lives in Birmingham, AL with her husband Tyler and their two dogs Butters and Marley.