American Art Gallery
Upstairs Gallery
Downstairs Gallery
Thomas Kinkade
Rick Carter
Gourds by Carmil was created by chance in 1995. After purchasing a few gourds at a flea market, we began experimenting with different techniques and designs, which was the beginning of our fascination with using natural materials to create useful and decorative gourds. Before 1995, we had been involved in several artistic expressions including clothing design, but when we started working with gourds, we felt we had found the perfect medium for expressing our love of nature and the art of Western, Southwestern and Native American.OUR CREATIVE PROCESS Collaboration begins on the exterior design, mandated by size and shape. Extensive research of Native American symbols and designs have been done to achieve authenticity in our creative process. Each gourd evolves into its own final portrait. The use of natural trims, antlers, leather and raw materials are used for embellishments on each vessel and mask. Our aim is to bring a forgotten culture in modern American homes with decorative pieces that can be appreciated for many years and passed down through generations.
Adam T Hooker
Photography has always been my favorite art medium. There is something so uniquely powerful in the ability to capture a moment in time. It's not easy. A picture can be "more powerful than words" and a picture can be frustrating, where "it just doesn't do it justice". It's truly an art. It's become my art.It's trial and error. It's a subtle edit. It's getting lucky. It's being ready.I'|l be honest, while own a decent camera, the majority of these images have been captured over the course of the past decade, using whatever cheap camera or version of iPhone I had on me at the time. - Yes, there are a LOT of iPhone pics in this collection. The resolutions are inconsistent but, the inspiration has always been the same - to capture the spontaneous beauty around me, in the moment. None of these images are staged and I don't go out on "photo shoots" (unless specifically commissioned). I just see the beauty around me and can't help but shoot.Whatever you go looking for in life, you'll find. If you want to see the worst in the world, you'll see it. If you want to see the beauty, it will overwhelm you. It's everywhereWhile I've long dreamt of some day taking my photography from hobby to business, I was always a little skeptical that day would come. But here we are. My first sale moved me to tears and I have been humbled by the incredible response to my work. This is a vulnerable venture and yet, I've been so moved by the way these images resonate with people. Thank you.
Ernie Bolieu
Born in California, Ernie Bolieu now resides in Bryant, Arkansas with his wife Lana. In 2018, he retired from Timber Automation in Hot Springs, where he worked as a computer draftsman.In 2010, he began volunteering at American Art Gallery where he spent time getting to know the other artists and gaining knowledge about the various minerals and gemstones used in jewelry-making. He took up jewelry- making in 2012, and as most artists do, he has expanded his creativity.His passion for Native American jewelry sends him to New Mexico and Oklahoma for the best materials for his jewelry.Working with natural stones in his beadwork, he creates a variety of styles and designs, using sterling silver, copper, and brass beads to complement the gems and minerals in his designs.Ernie is well-versed in the lines of jewelry carried in the gallery, loves to discuss the styles, traditions, and culture of southwestern jewelry, and enjoys creating custom pieces for his customers.He finds great satisfaction in helping a customer choose the perfect piece of jewelry from the large selection at American Art, most of it from the Four Corner states.lf you have a chance, stop in during Gallery Walk- to chat with Ernie. Ask how his Cherokee heritage impacts his designs and he'll mention his patterns are usually either in sevens for the seven nations or in twelves.
Valerie Hanks
Too see someone smile when looking at the work of my hands is the greatest compliment I can receive because it means they are sharing my smile. It was in search of my smile that I discovered the artist in myself when I left corporate America in May 1999 suffering from burn-out and broken spirit. I wanted to do something that - enjoyed, something that wouldn't need to be upgraded or replaced in a year, something that would bring honor to my family and tribe, the Muscogee Nation of Florida. My heart returned me to the traditional, and "'Native Works" became a sustainable company. Now I have many more reasons to smile! My passion to find art in unusual places has grown from the Muscogee belief that everything has a purpose and nothing should be wasted. To me, there is great satisfaction in taking something readily available and creating eco-friendly art with function and artistic beauty. Using salvaged copper, pre-owned leather, home grown gourds, horse hair, reclaimed clay, recycled glass, pine ncedles and horse hair, each piece of art I create has at least one renewable component. Finding purpose for all things has brought many homeless animals our way, In 2011 we had a most unusual stray join our family, After returning home from a trip, we found an abandoned, malnourished, abused horse in our backyard, Lucky Ed has not only joined our family but in 2012 has become a ""contributing artist" offering companionship, endless inspiration, and a supply of 100% natural horsehair, His art is stamped with a horseshoe along with Valerie's signature.
Margaret Kipp
Carole Beam
Virgil Barksdale
Virgil Barksdale is a native of Oklahoma, having also been a resident of Arkansas, Virgil now resides in Seminole, Oklahoma. Working with wood since the early 70's he has as most artist do, expanded his creativity in wood. In the late 80's, no one had any idea that his work would be prized by both collectors and investors of art. Virgil's latest works include hollow forms of various shapes and designs as well as a variety of burl and exotic woods from around the world. Working with wood, he creates unique one of a kind works of art. The whole process starts with wood that he cuts himself, or has shipped in from areas. Virgil does not turn just a bowl he turns nature's defects into works of art, that words cannot do justice. Using natural voids, inclusions, and cracks, he inlays them with a mixture of crushed stone, counter top material and brass adding to the beauty of the piece. This process of inlaying Virgil began in 1990. He never works against what nature has already created, his pieces are designed to accent the natural beauty in the wood. A member of the Central Oklahoma Woodturners and the American Woodturners Association has placed Virgil in a select group of artist who work in wood. These are artist who truly understand and respect the beauty and versatility of wood that nature has created. "I work with the wood, never against it. Nature dictates designs that cannot be altered without total destruction of nature's own art forms. I've learned to work with nature on her own terms, in return, I have been rewarded with the satisfaction of uninhabited works of art. Have I turned the perfect piece? I don't think so. Have I succeeded as an artist? Yes, for all artist realize that success lies within our own self-gratification."
Daniel
As I was growing up, I remember on weekends and some holidays my father at his lathe making beautiful lamps, and other such objects on his lathe and not being able to help or join him. He would point out that it wasn't a toy. Over the years I watched him make the most beautiful lamps. When I was in high school, I finally attended a shop class and one of the assignments was to turn a baseball bat on the lathe, I remember telling my father and he lit up like I had told him I won the lottery. He took me out to his lathe and let me loose on it and of course gave pointers and suggestions, Needless to say I ended up do very well on the project and the memories of that have stayed with me to this day. I never had a chance to do another project with my father, in fact I didn't start creating again till after he passed away. When my father passed away I was left with a shop full of his tools and wood. Keep in mind I hadn't made anything in decades, so it was a whole relearning process. I have been making beautiful pieces since 2017 with the thought of my father in mind, so I am here to share these with you and your family and friends. Every piece I make is totally unique and will never be found anywhere else. Also, if you request, your piece can be fully engraved uniquely for you or the occasion of the gift.
