Julie L. Rabun: Passages and Theresa D. Williams: Mountain Water and Stars
April 5-27, 2024
Julie L. Rabun: Passages and Theresa D. Williams: Mountain Water and Stars
Opening reception: Friday, April 5, 5:00-9:00 PM
Gallery hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Additional gallery hours from 5:00-7:00 PM for Gallery 1010 openings on Thu Apr 11, Thu Apr 18, and Fri Apr 26.
Julie L. Rabun
Artist Statement / Description
My work utilizes a process that integrates visual imagery and typography with direct meaning and as textural elements within mixed-media artworks. I affix newspaper or pages from old books and maps onto watercolor paper using gel medium. Once these substrates are dry, I sand the surface and apply color washes and spray paint. After sanding the surface and adding the washes, the printed elements become partially concealed, backwards, and/or subtly visible. I then apply watercolor, ink, graphite, and a number of other mark-making materials to the surface, building the landscape I have chosen to depict.
The choice of substrate is deliberately paired with the image for reasons such as color, visible text and/or imagery, composition, and an overall feeling or mood. Typically, I depict landscapes from places I have personally visited. I reference from my own photographs and memories of the place. Each landscape acts as an introspective journey that becomes an atmospheric representation of the location. In addition to using photography as an inspiration for mixed-media artworks, I use photography as a stand-alone medium to document experiences.
Artist Bio
Julie L. Rabun is the Chair of the Art Department and Professor of Art at Carson-Newman University in Jefferson City, Tennessee. She grew up in Knoxville where she attended Bearden High School. She earned both a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Bachelor of Architecture from Rhode Island School of Design. After working professionally in Architecture, she returned to graduate school to complete a Master of Fine Arts in Visual Communications at Virginia Commonwealth University. Since 2002 she has taught Graphic Design in the Carson-Newman University Art Department. She also works as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator. She and her husband Michael Bobo collaborate on RaboDesign, which features Michael’s woodworking and Julie’s mixed media landscape paintings and photography.
Julie finds her greatest inspiration in natural landscapes. She enjoys traveling and documenting her adventures to use as reference in her creative mixed media artwork. Julie’s work has been featured in numerous exhibitions at the Emporium Gallery in Knoxville, including Knoxville Photo, Arts and Culture Alliance Member Shows, No Bigger Than a Breadbox, as well as Arts in the Airport. She has exhibited her work locally at the Dogwood Arts Festival, Awaken Coffee, and Hexagon Brewing Company. In addition, Julie’s work is on display at the Art Market Gallery and the Artisan Woodworking & Design Gallery in Knoxville.
https://rabodesign.wordpress.com
Instagram: @rabodesign
https://www.etsy.com/shop/RaBoDesign
Theresa D. Williams
Artist Statement
Photography is a way to capture a moment in time, share it with others, or reflect upon its image in the future. At its best, photography is an extortionary tool that makes a connection, with others, with nature, with emotions. These captured moments can be around us every day and, in every place, or deemed unique. In a snapshot, or taken with purpose, intent and engagement, photographs help us express what we value and experience. My goal is to create an image that connects with or evokes an emotion in me and from the viewer.
About this collection of photographs
For many the favorite time of year to visit the mountains is the fall, for others, perhaps the winter. For me, if there is a time when photographing a mountain landscape can be most compelling, it would be in the spring. During the spring season the mountains speak loudly to those often-heard adjustives, rebirth and rejuvenate. Earthly and heavenly scenes of color and light signal the arrival of new life against a backdrop of powerful, snow-melt falling water. Sometimes seen in harmony as a single frame.
The purpose of this exhibition is to reveal details in such scenes. And perhaps provoke lingering questions or dwell in contemplation. How does a photograph speak to the beauty offered by nature; what elements within an image hold the eye of the viewer? What stirs their mind, their emotions? At the very least this collection of photographs is shared to encourage the viewer to go into the mountains, witness and enjoy for themselves the wonder of the water and stars. Taking with them memories and mindful concern of what can be so easily destroyed, if allowed.
Photographer’s Recent Recognition & Awards
1st Place 2024: Man-Made Landmarks, Smokies Thru the Lens Competition,
‘Resting Among the Dogwoods’
Best of Show Annual Award 2023: Southern Appalachian Nature Photography
‘Hello Summer’
1st Place 2023: Great Smoky Mountains Category SANP Print Salon ‘Greenbrier Stars’
1st Place 2023: Great Smoky Mountains Digital Salon ‘Spring Mountain Water’
2nd Place 2023: Macros Category SANP ‘Smoky Mountains Rosebay’
2nd Place 2023: Scenic Category SANP ‘Stairway From Heaven’
Best of the Best Annual Award 2023: LeConte Photography Society ‘Antelope Canyon’
Peoples Choice Annual Award 2022: Southern Appalachian Nature Photography
‘Less Celebrated, Equally Captivating’
1st Place 2022: Wildlife Category SANP and Smokies Thru the Lens Competition ‘Heart of the Herd’