It’s time once again to give you a closer look at one of our artists.  This month, we interviewed mixed media painter:  Belinda Short.

Belinda Short (Mixed Media Painting): "Comfortable"

Best known at Adornments for her use of rich textures and vibrant colors, the work of Indiana native Belinda Short never fails to catch the eye and tantalize the mind.  Not content to limit herself to paint, Short uses a variety of materials and techniques to build up her work surface and create depth of field for a look that is both stunning and truly unique to her.

Artist Interview Questions:

What motivates you to create?

Belinda Short (Mixed Media Painting): "Mittenactsblau"

“I have different creative phases depending on the season. When the summer starts to turn into fall I have an urge to paint. I keep most of my unfinished work around me so I’m constantly looking at it and figuring out what to do even if I am not working on it. When a day hits that I just _have_ to work, I’m all over the place. When the spring hits, I want to write music, it seems, and pursue my musical endeavors. I’m not really sure why the weather or the seasons have such an enormous bearing on my creative moods.”

What is it about painting that draws you as opposed to the other art forms?

“Mostly I’m drawn to it because of the confines of my space. I’d love to work on large installment type art or art that involves several artists/viewpoints. I paint because its something I can get out and put away easily.”

Why mixed media?

“I have a hard time limiting myself to any one sort of media. When I start working, I just start to feel what my painting needs and start looking for it or make it. I want to make art that makes people want to touch it. I want it to be viscerally stimulating.”

What makes your work unique in your eyes? What defines your work?

“I don’t have anything that defines my work specifically. My paintings are vastly different from my drawings and 3-D art. Having seen so much art working in the industry, I would have a hard time telling you what makes my painting style different, but people I know could pick it out instantly among other abstract work. Maybe it’s the way I’m drawn to certain forms. Everything I do is an extension of how my handwork naturally flows. I don’t try to control anything in the starting stages and I just work with what I’ve done.”

How did you learn your craft?

“I went to art school, but I created the style I’m most known for by accident one day in the painting studio. Since then I’ve refined it to a set of processes to get different results.”

Did you always want to be an artist?

“I’ve wanted to be an artist since I was 5 years old. My grandmother was an artist, and kept drawing/instructional books all over the house.”

What’s your favorite thing to make?

“I don’t have a favorite thing to make.”

Aside from painting, what are your interests?

“I am interested in anything to do with brewing, as I was a brew master for a while. I am also very interested in distilling and aging of bourbon and rye. I like to skate and was a member of a roller derby team for a while before my hips gave out on me. I front a cover band on weekends. I like to sit at home and watch entire seasons of a show in a few sittings. I work in a picture framing shop, and do art preservation/mounting. I’ve worked in framing for about 8 years.”

Belinda Short (Mixed Media Painting): "Projection"

Where do you see yourself in 20 years?

“I really have no idea. Not knowing what you want in life makes it a little tough to look ahead that far.”

Where can people find your work?

“Aside from Adornments, my work can be found on my flickr account under the username Belindashort

I have a lot of work on my myspace art page: http://myspace.com/belindashortart

I have some pieces hanging in Indianapolis, Indiana at Scandinavian Comfort (furniture store)

Also, Lafayette Indiana in an art gallery called ISO.

I hope to have an Etsy page up soon with smaller pieces that will be available in small standard sizes for easy framing.”

Check out these and other paintings by Belinda Short at www.AdornmentsAtTheFactory.com

Want to know more about the Artists at Adornments?  Keep coming back- we interview one artist every month!

If there are more questions you want answered, feel free to contact the Adornments team at info@AdornmentsAtTheFactory.com!

We want you to get to know Debra and Harry Tufford who combine their faith and love of God with their art producing truly unique work.   Read the interview below to find out more about these artists and their work in their own words.

'Consider the Lillie

Debra and Harry Tufford

What motivates you to create?

Our love of God & a desire to direct people to His Word.

Detail: corner of frame

Did you always want to be an artist?

'I Will Give You Living Water'

What is your favorite thing to make?

Debra’s beautiful and inspiring photographs with bible verses hand calligraphied on their mats and framed in Harry’s gorgeous wood frames are available at our shop Adornments located at the Factory at Franklin 230 Franklin Road Suite 11J Franklin, TN as well as on our website AdornmentsAtTheFactory.com

Craig McDonald, pictured above with some of his work, joined the Adornments team in 2009 adding the much-needed element of modern sculpture to the gallery.  His work ranges from purely sculptural to furniture and display items, each with crisp, clean lines and an edgy, modern feel.  Appropriate for home or work settings, McDonalds’ works are sure to add intrigue and class to any room!    

Please tell us a little about yourself:   

“I am a native of Nashville, am married, and have 3 energetic young boys.  I currently reside in Franklin, and produce artwork at my house.  I also build energy efficient homes and perform remodeling jobs around town.”    

Adornments' Artist Craig McDonald: Metal Sculptor in the Gallery What motivates you to create? "I enjoy the process of idea, to design, then fabrication for a finished, three-dimensional object. It is a challenge, and often fun experiment to make art from various materials brought together in a certain arrangement that is appealing to the eye. I feel a need to produce something tangible, interesting, and unique in hopes other people will find enjoyment in them. I also always have music playing when I create, which makes it more enjoyable for me, and the type of music is often a big motivator of the artwork's style." Adornments' Artist Craig McDonald: Metal Sculptor with sculpture

What is it about sculpture that draws you as opposed to the other art forms? “I grew up drawing and painting, but never felt too strong in those areas, and I wanted try other art forms.  Sculpture obviously ventures into 3 dimensional works which have a 360 degree viewing opportunity, and can be quite challenging to convert a 2-D drawing into a 3-D reality.  I still use drawing, and some painting in my pieces, so I guess I have found a way to incorporate several mediums into one.”   

What makes your work unique in your eyes? What defines your work?    

Adornments' Artist Craig McDonald: Metal Sculptor

“I tend to gravitate towards making sculptures that are more modern, curvy, and edgy, and like to create pieces that really grab a person’s attention and curiosity.  I like the bright shiny surfaces, and am eager to do more pieces with color.  I also like to create functional art, such as wine holders and tables, so they can be enjoyed on an interactive level as well.”    

How did you learn your craft?    

ent and went to work experimenting with different ideas I had using various power tools in the process for different reasons.  So experimenting is always big for me, and being challenged to do some kind of crazy design also helps.  I have always been good with my hands and can visualize what I want pretty well, and have been fortunate to be able to create many different pieces that audiences seem to enjoy.”  

 Did you always want to be an artist?   

“I have always loved to create things, and loved to draw at an early age too.  I guess looking back, I did always want to be an artist in some way or another.  I still wish I would have gotten a degree in art and architecture, or automotive engineering, to continuing creating on a larger scale.  In the end, I just don’t feel right unless I am making something with my hands that I can see, or touch.”    

Adornments' Artist Craig McDonald: Metal Sculptor with one of his sculptures

What’s your favorite thing to make?    

 Aside from sculpture, what are your interests?    

 Where do you see yourself in 20 years?    

  Where can people find your work?   

  “Some pieces are owned by Darfon’s Restaurant and viewable there on site at Elm  

Hill Pike by Donelson Pike.  Several pieces remain at my house, but all will be viewable at my website under construction, which is to be announced.  Of course, Adornments at the Factory is the best place to see many examples in person, and can be purchased on site, or also viewed at their website, www.adornmentsatthefactory.com.  In the future, I will have some public art displayed or installed somewhere around Nashville, so keep your eye out!”   

Come to Adornments at the Factory and check out the original works of out resident Master of Metals: Craig McDonald!    

"Offset Table" by Adornments' Artist Craig McDonald

"Zig Zag" Steel Wine Holder by Adornments' Artist Craig McDonald