Allison Chambers

Allison Chambers was born in Wilmington, N.C. After graduation from college, she moved back to Charlotte and had a successful decorative painting business for 20 years. In 2008, she began studying under Andy Braitman and Susan Matthews.  Allison has also taken workshops with Connie Winters, Ken Auster and Curt Butler. Now that Allison has started putting oil on canvas, she  never wants to stop. Allison resides in Charlotte with her husband and 6 kids.

Allison Chambers, Charlotte, NC, contact the artist

Allison Pell

By profession, Allison Pell has been an architect for the last 20+/- years, primarily focusing on residential as well as historic revitalization. The current economic climate has providedhim the opportunity to continue what has been a passion of his since undergraduate school @ NCSU: photography.  He always reasoned that he didn’t have time with a busy architectural career and an office to run.

Having more time, and by the generosity of Howard Smith with Creative Touch Photography, lending Pell some of his equipment, as well as the mentoring of Curt Butler of Butler Fine Art Studio, he has been hard at it with photography. Plus having been introduced to the digital age, you can do so much more for so much less initial costs.

The reoccurring theme of much of his work is seen in the contrast between Nature and Man. Being made in the image of the Creator, much of what is done in the built environment is quite artistic, even when it wasn’t meant to be. There is beauty & in much of everyday life. Hopefully these photos catch a glimpse of this, and will cause the viewer to open their “own lens” and enjoy the everyday surroundings, that often are looked over or considered mundane.

Allison Pell, Gastonia, NC website

Angela Nesbit

Angela Nesbit effortlessly captures light, movement, and texture.   Recognized for her portraits of children in motion and her unique style, she uses a palette knife to build energetic layers of paint on top of a heavily underpainted canvas. Angela’s subjects often walk a fine line between abstraction and reality. Settled amid thick layers of paint, her simple subjects wander softly in and out of the background.

Chosen by the Charlotte Symphony for the 2009 Spirit of the Symphony Award, “Dancing Girls” showcases Angela’s unique ability to use light, texture and movement to capture a moment as if frozen in time.   Angela’s captivating paintings are sought after throughout the Southeast and will no doubt continue to receive acclaim.  

Although most of Angela’s time is devoted to painting, there has been an enthusiastic demand for her to teach workshops throughout the Southeast.   Angela’s passion for teaching shines brightly as she demonstrates her energetic style of painting with palette knife in hand.  

Angela received a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and studied classical drawing and painting at Queens University and Spirit Square Center for the Arts in Charlotte, N.C. She has studied intensively with Andy Braitman of Charlotte since 2000.  She has also studied with many nationally recognized artists such as Cedric and Joanette Egeli, William Schultz, Jove Wang, Camille Przewodek, Peggi Kroll-Roberts and Ken Auster.  Angela is committed to further development and carefully selects artists she admires to study under each year.

Angela lives in Charlotte with her very supportive husband and their two forever-inspiring children.

Angela Nesbit, Charlotte, NC, website

Anne Neilson

Anne Herring Neilson began her career with a successful pottery business - Herring Designs, Inc. - from 1989 - 1997. After a brief interlude from the business to more closely focus on her family, she rekindled her passion for art in oil painting in 2003.  Neilson is nationally known for her inspiring, ethereal Angel paintings which are stunning representations of her artistic flair for color and light. 

Neilson paints with passion and a purpose.  Her Passion: taking a limited pallet of colors, bold strokes of paint and creating a piece of art that moves her viewers, emotionally and spiritually.  Her Purpose: to give back to others less fortunate through sales of her art.

As an artist, Anne is driven to use her God-given talent to support those in need.  “I feel blessed to have been able to help others by donating a large portion of my sales to a number of outstanding organizations and causes, particularly those addressing the needs of homelessness and children with disabilities.”

In addition to her popular Angel Series, Anne’s repertoire includes dramatic landscapes featuring scenes from her travels.  Sought out by discerning art collectors, Neilson’s work hangs in both public and private collections internationally.   Neilson lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband and their four children.

Anne H. Neilson, Charlotte, NC, website
Second-Year Exhibitor at Carolina Art Soiree

ArtWorks945

ArtWorks 945 is a functioning gallery and studio comprised of Charlotte artists who struggle with homelessness and urban poverty.
 
In celebration of the power of human resilience, the program exists because of our recognition of the profound healing and validation possible through the act of creating. We also believe that art is a powerful tool for giving voice to those whose stories may not otherwise be heard.

ArtWorks945, Urban Ministry Center, Charlotte, NC, website
Second-Year Exhibitor at Carolina Art Soiree

Caroline Simas

Caroline Simas is a licensed artist whose art and patterns appear on stationery products, fabric, pillows, blankets, jewelry, ceramics, cups, coasters, and much more which are sold worldwide. She has developed a distinctive style by staying true to her passion for hand-painting and her niche for often including inspirational messages.

Caroline Simas, Charlotte, NC, website | blog
Second-Year Exhibitor at Carolina Art Soiree


Chris Keogh

Christine Keogh grew up in Norfolk, England and moved to the US in 1981. She attended Great Yarmouth College of Art and Design and Edinburgh Art College where she received her BA degree in textile design. Much of the inspiration for her paintings is drawn from her love of animals and the english countryside. She lives in Charlotte NC with her husband and two daughters.

Chris Keogh, Charlotte, NC, Represented by Sophias Fine Art
Second-Year Exhibitor at Carolina Art Soiree

Christina Dowdy

Celebrating vibrant color and interesting form, Christina explores all types of subject matter. She is drawn to simpler compositions - highlighting depth, color, and dramatic highlights. Lending itself so easily to these pursuits, still life paintings remain her favorite. Using the old master techniques of layering and glazing, she strives to build up a rich color and variation on the canvas to illuminate the form of everyday items.

More recently, Christina began taking commissions for portraits. She enjoys a non-traditional, more casual style of composition - capturing the subject(s) in a active pose or highlighting their personality with dramatic lighting.
 
Christina Dowdy grew up in Chapel Hill, NC and currently resides in Charlotte, NC with her husband and family. A graduate of the University of North Carolina, Christina took many art history and studio art classes as an undergraduate. After continuing on to earn and MBA, Christina worked in the field of Marketing until taking the leap to become a full time artist in 1994. Christina has studied with Rita Alred, Andy Braitman, Stephen Early, Miriam Durkin and attended numerous artists' workshops and seminars. She also enjoys the tradition and challenge of ongoing life drawing classes.


Christina Dowdy, Charlotte, NC, website
Second-Year Exhibitor at Carolina Art Soiree

Curt Butler

Curt Butler was educated at Kent State University and The Savannah College of Art and Design, and received a B.A. and M.A. degree in Fine Art.  After graduation, he moved to Gastonia, North Carolina to share his knowledge as a teacher. He taught at various art schools including Braitman Studio, Gaston Day School, Gaston College, and Gaston School of the Arts. He also conducted guild workshops throughout North Carolina attended by art students as well as professional artists.  “I enjoy sharing my passion and knowledge with others to create a journey for someone else.”
 
In 2004, he was honored with the Teacher of the Year Award at Gaston Day School. In 2006, he started his own business, Butler Studio, where he works on paintings for galleries, businesses and private collections.  In 2009, Butler opened a studio and gallery in historic downtown Gastonia.  He recently expanded his work to employ the Atelier Method in his master classes. Since painting full time, his work has focused primarily on exploring and painting his surroundings including the Appalachian, Piedmont and coastal plains of North Carolina.
 
Butler has been represented by numerous galleries and permanent collections including: Gem of Ashley, Dallas Art Museum, Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens, Gaston Day Gallery, Morris Street Gallery, Solo Art Gallery, The Design Gallery and Providence Gallery.


Curt Butler, Gastonia, NC, website
Second-Year Exhibitor at Carolina Art Soiree

Dianne Britton

Dianne Britton's love for painting grew in her early years as an Art major in high school and college. Receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Ohio Wesleyan University, she supported her husband through dental school by teaching Art in  junior high and was asked to write art curriculum. Dianne encouraged students to develop confidence in their artist gifts, which sparked a desire to pick up the paintbrush for herself and paint once again. Studying under Andy Braitman and Susan Matthews
has challenged her artistic style and technique to emerge.

Her paintings usually depict people enjoying life outdoors, inspired by her family adventures across the country. Peaceful moments in the radiance and warmth of sunlight often motivates her work. As a photographer and oil painter, Dianne's passion is to capture in photographs and on canvas special memories and serendipities discovered in God’s awesome creation.

Dianne Britton, Charlotte, NC, contact the artist
Second-Year Exhibitor at Carolina Art Soiree