Robert Leo Jones in his studio. Photo by Sarah Katherine Davis For LVA (2016). — *Robert Leo Jones in his studio. Photo by Sarah Katherine Davis For LVA (2016).*

Not all artists have studios outside of their home, making participation in Open Studio Weekend a different challenge. Perhaps the best solution is when one artist invites another to join them for the weekend. Robert Leo Jones and Tom Cannady have been friends long enough that he was comfortable doing exactly that. Both are painters, but the differences in their work provide a striking contrast. Jones working mostly in abstract expressionism – I can think of no painter I have recently observed who more clearly harkens back to Pollock and the ‘drip’ technique from middle 20th century American painting, while Cannady is unabashedly representational, although his sun drenched images of Americans at leisure and the predominance of vintage automobiles connect us to the same period as Jones technique.

Tom Cannady working on a painting. Photo by Sarah Katherine Davis For LVA (2016). — *Tom Cannady working on a painting. Photo by Sarah Katherine Davis For LVA (2016).*

Even when working figuratively, Jones’ color palette tends to darkness, so we see none of the well-lit, carefree escapades of a flourishing middle class that we find in Cannady’s images. Even though we are only looking at their work together because of circumstance, it is a tantalizing thought that the two might be working two sides of the same street; Cannady capturing the warm nostalgia for a time that seems deceptively simpler, a period that often is held up as an ideal of American morality, while Jones probes the inevitable heart of darkness lurking beneath the surface of that rose-colored memory.

"Jamestown 1972" by Tom Cannady, 30x30in, acrylic on canvas (2016), $1200 | BUY NOW — *"Jamestown 1972" by Tom Cannady, 30x30in, acrylic on canvas (2016), $1200 | BUY NOW*

Cannady currently has pieces at the Makers Crucible Showroom in downtown Louisville, and he has a solo show opening there on December 8, 2016.

Jone's work has been featured at Huff Gallery at Spalding University, Urban Design Studio, Art [squared], and currently at Take A Seat, an exhibition at the Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea, Kentucky. Although predominately a painter, Jones also works occasionally in furniture repurpose and design. His current projects are layered paintings done in acrylic on canvas or Masonite panels.

"Three Humans" by Robert Leo Jones, 47x61in, acrylic on masonite (2015), $1950 | BUY NOW — *"Three Humans" by Robert Leo Jones, 47x61in, acrylic on masonite (2015), $1950 | BUY NOW*

You can visit Tom Cannady and Robert Leo Jones in Jone’s studio in Old Louisville during OPEN STUDIO WEEKEND, November 5 & 6, 2016. The event benefits scholarship programs for Louisville Visual Art and University of Louisville’s Hite Art Institute and tickets may be purchased here.

Name: Tom Cannady
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Age: 58
Education: BS in Marketing and a minor in Art, Murray State University
Website: http://www.tjcannady.com

Name: Robert Leo Jones
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Age: 72
Education: BS in Marketing, Kent State University
Website: http:///www.robertleojones.com

"WHAT is going on down at the Tasty Creme?!" by Tom Cannady, 60x48in, acrylic on canvas (2016), $3600 | BUY NOW — *"WHAT is going on down at the Tasty Creme?!" by Tom Cannady, 60x48in, acrylic on canvas (2016), $3600 | BUY NOW*

"Banyans" by Robert Leo Jones, acrylic on canvas, 9x12in (2016), $125 | BUY NOW — *"Banyans" by* *Robert Leo Jones, acrylic on canvas, 9x12in (2016), $125 | BUY NOW*

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Please contact josh@louisvillevisualart.org for further information on advertising through Artebella. — *Please contact* *josh@louisvillevisualart.org* *for further information on advertising through Artebella.*

Painting, Ceramics

Vignette: David Keator

Josh Jenkins · November 3, 2016

*A photograph of David Keator taken by Geoff Carr.*

“Resurgence” by David Keator, 30x38in, oil on canvas (2014), $1000 | BUY NOW — *“Resurgence” by David Keator, 30x38in, oil on canvas (2014), $1000 | BUY NOW*

During the first part of his life as an artist, David Keator was celebrated for unique ceramic work: traditional forms such as vessels and pots featuring details of great delicacy, but also furniture pieces. Dorothy Weil, writing in Cincinnati Magazine in June 1986 describes how Keator’s work at that time, “…brings out the elegant side of Art Deco. His tables are crafted of wood, marble, and porcelain, and have formal, classic, straight lines and pretty Deco blues and pinks. Humor and whimsy come out when Keator decides to throw in zigzag legs or create a table and vase in one.”

Keator worked in Louisville for many years, including a stint as Professor of Ceramics at the Louisville School of Art. Later he moved to Florida and, in his last years, turned to painting when arthritis made the intricacy of his ceramics work a challenge. In a statement from 2013, Keator talked about the change in medium: “Paint became my new fascination and ‘creative outlet.’ My paintings are non-representational. They are a search for the impression or expression of objects or subjects in a spontaneously responsive manner.”

Perhaps there is more of a relationship between the work with which Keator made his reputation and the work with he makes his last artistic statements. The sophisticated surface treatments on clay give way to a more abstract but no less sophisticated development of the painted canvas surface. Curvilinear figures and jewel-like geometric shapes echo the Deco qualities Weil refers to 30 years ago. The nature of the work may have changed over time, but the character of it remains consistent to Keator’s overall aesthetic.

A silent auction of David Keator’s paintings will be held at Headliner’s Music Hall in Louisville November 6 from 4:00-6:00pm. All proceeds will go to Louisville Visual Arts and the Louisville Fund for the Arts.

David Keator
(1951-2016)

"Abrupt Turbulence" by David Keator, 15x20.5in, oil on canvas (2014), $600 | BUY NOW — *"Abrupt Turbulence" by David Keator, 15x20.5in, oil on canvas (2014), $600* *| BUY NOW*

“Fallen Skies” by David Keator, 13x31in, oil on canvas, $950 | BUY NOW — *“Fallen Skies” by David Keator, 13x31in, oil on canvas, $950 | BUY NOW*

“Gathering Impulses” by David Keator, 10.5x29.5, oil on canvas (2014) $800 | BUY NOW — *“Gathering Impulses” by David Keator, 10.5x29.5, oil on canvas (2014) $800 | BUY NOW*

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Painting, Drawing

Vignette: Ray Kleinhelter

Josh Jenkins · November 2, 2016

*A photograph of Ray Kleinhelter at work on his boat (2016).*

Ray Kleinhelter paints abstract compositions of intricate geometric pattern. Although he cites American Richard Diebenkorn and London’s Frank Auerbach as influences, Kleinhelter’s approach touches upon a variety of 20th century movements, and a viewer might feel as if they are seeing a mash-up of Color Field, Abstract Expressionism and a touch of Pop Art. But such attempts to pigeonhole his work probably wouldn’t be accepted by the artist himself:

“I am interested in the process, (or craft) of painting, drawing, and printmaking. Every serious painter has a different interpretation of what this means. There are no rules to follow, but what we want are pictures that hold up. No explanation required. Painting in its purest form is much more interesting than any perceived meaning applied to the image. Contemporary interpretations of art, while intellectually compelling, have little to add to the language of painting, where form and content are inseparable.”

*"#12" by Ray Kleinhelter, 12x9in, watercolor on Arches hot press paper (2016)*

As with most artists, Kleinhelter began with representational work, and he still sees recognizable form and the natural world at the root of his intensely colored geometric abstracts:

*"Landscape Variation #4" by Ray Kleinhelter, 22.5x30in, charcoal on Stonehenge paper (2016)*

“I continue to draw and paint from nature, lately from my boat, exploring the appearance of land and light. These pictures inform others and act as starting points for improvisation. I rarely stop with one version of an image. In the last year or two, wood cut printing has become a catalyst toward flatter, more direct images. Interestingly, the paintings have changed through the experience of printmaking, moving toward what I believe is a cleaner sense of structure.”

You can visit Ray Kleinhelter on the Ohio River during OPEN STUDIO WEEKEND, November 5 & 6, 2016, where he will be painting on his boat. The event benefits scholarship programs for Louisville Visual Art and University of Louisville’s Hite Art Institute and tickets may be purchased here.

Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Education: Yale School of Art Summer Painting Scholar 1982; BFA, Kansas City Art Institute 1982; MFA, Indiana University, Bloomington 1986
Gallery Representation: Galerie Hertz (Louisville)

*"Riverbank #6" by Ray Kleinhelter, 34x40in, oil on panel (2016)*

"Riverbank #1" by Ray Kleinhelter, oil on panel (2016) — *"Riverbank #1" by Ray Kleinhelter, oil on panel (2016)*

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Painting, Drawing, Mixed Media, Sculpture

Vignette: Andy Cook

Josh Jenkins · November 1, 2016

*"China Girl" by Andy Cook, 30x40in, acrylic on metal (2016)*

Andy Cook is a native Louisvillian who produces various forms of art. He has displayed his visual artwork across the country in numerous galleries. Andy is also a published author and musician who has performed his music and poetry internationally, recording several albums. By trade, Andy is a welder with over twenty years experience. His metal work spans between homes in San Diego with Skyhook, to traditional ornamental iron work with Pohl Iron Works, to his metal sculptures and high end functional art with Reclaimed Elemental Design. Andy is currently the shop foreman for the metal department at Core Design.

"I translate my dreams, impressions and thoughts into forms of visual art, music and poetry. I knew I was a visual artist from a very early age and by the age of 15 I was able to draw anything I could see. I have continued to develop my work by examining nature, the human form, and architecture through photo-realism, impressionism and metal sculpture. In whatever medium I choose - art keeps me grounded and dreaming at the same time." – Andy Cook

*"A Moment" by Andy Cook, 36x40in, mild steel (2016)*

*"Red Wine & Walnut" by Andy Cook, mild steel and walnut wood coffee table (2016)*

After spending time in Los Angeles, Andy and his wife Kelly Cook returned to Louisville to open Cook Studio & Gallery on Frankfort Avenue. Their current exhibit, Water is Life, opened October 28 and features work by Andy Cook.

You can visit Andy Cook in Cook Studio and Gallery on the east side of Louisville during OPEN STUDIO WEEKEND, November 5 & 6, 2016. The event benefits scholarship programs for Louisville Visual Art and University of Louisville’s Hite Art Institute and tickets may be purchased here.

Name: Andy Cook
Hometown: Louisville, Kentucky
Website: http://www.cookstudioandgallery.com

*"Dear Ocean, I love you" by Andy Cook, 16x20in, acrylic & oil (2016)*

*"Old Man" by Andy Cook, 8x10in, ball point pen (2016)*

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Painting, Public Art

Vignette: Sabra Crockett

Josh Jenkins · October 31, 2016

*"Mural at Le Moo" by Sabra Crockett, 14x12ft, acrylic on brick, NFS*

Sabra Crockett has worked extensively on public art of one kind or another: as a scenic artist, a muralist, sign design, and in her more personal art she turns to the natural world, motivated by memory and childhood nostalgia: “My focus in my art is to bring the viewer a heightened awareness and connection to nature, because I believe it is disappearing. Since I was a little girl, I have always found refuge being outside with the birds and trees. Growing up was really tough. Family life was tumultuous, and I had no true friends. I would spend hours in my back yard, or exploring the then empty lots of undeveloped fields surrounding my suburban neighborhood - observing the birds, trees, insects, and amphibians. It all fascinates me. I learn life lessons by observing the plants and animals.”

There is a discovery of recurring pattern that has perhaps informed Crockett’s work, whatever the field. She has developed her technique for decorative painting from this observation, bringing a feeling for organic rhythms of our environment into interior spaces.

"I Stand Alone" by Sabra Crockett, 18x24in, acrylic on canvas, $490 | BUY NOW — *"I Stand Alone" by Sabra Crockett, 18x24in, acrylic on canvas, $490 | BUY NOW*

Not surprisingly, we also find an undercurrent of sensitivity to the threat to that natural world that has preoccupied us for the last few generations: “I find it all beautiful, even when it is cruel and terrible. However, there is a definite threat to the magic and lessons nature provides. I am aware of the over development of the land, the oil spills, the pesticides, the bee and bird populations plummeting. It terrifies me. For now, I have a desire to capture the essence of how I view nature through my paintings, and hope it inspires the viewer to remember the intrinsic value nature provides us all.”

Hometown: Rochester, New York
Age: 42
Education: BFA, Rochester Institute of Technology
Website: http://www.sabralynne.com

"Raven on Gold" by Sabra Crockett, 8x10in, acrylic and gold leaf on canvas, $460 | BUY NOW — *"Raven on Gold" by Sabra Crockett, 8x10in, acrylic and gold leaf on canvas, $460 | BUY NOW*

"Arms Wide Open" by Sabra Crockett, 43.5x73in, acrylic and gold lead on wood, $1650 | BUY NOW — *"Arms Wide Open" by Sabra Crockett, 43.5x73in, acrylic and gold lead on wood, $1650 | BUY NOW*

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Painting

Vignette: Tom Cannady & Robert Leo Jones

Vignette: David Keator

Vignette: Ray Kleinhelter

Vignette: Andy Cook

Vignette: Sabra Crockett