Creative Spotlight: Amanda Cantrell Roche

October 22, 2014 Nichole McVeigh

Lucent Vignette Photography - Amanda Cantrell Roche

I met Amanda Cantrell Roche a few years ago at an art event in Nashville, Tennessee. She was dancing with some of the members of Blue Moves Modern Dance Company, and I was so impressed with her passion for dance and the grace with which she moved. As a friend, she impresses me even more today. Amazing.

Amanda is passionate about human rights, something that has been of utmost importance to her since her teens, and that intensity shows through in the social justice pieces she choreographs. As you will see here, though; she not only choreographs, she writes and leads workshops as well. I attended her "Boundaries: An Exploration Through Writing and Movement" workshop last year, and came away with a deeper understanding of why I'd set boundaries - some intentional and some reflexive - and whether or not they were all needed at this point in my life.

Blue Moves, the modern dance company Amanda co-founded, will be performing Burning Blue, an evening of fire-inspired dance and theatre at Cumberland Park on Nashville's East Bank on October 25th - this weekend! Amanda's newest social justice piece, "Divine Sparks", will debut that evening. The event is free to attend, you need only RSVP on Facebook.

Inspiration Into List

October 20, 2014 Nichole McVeigh

I'm in Hannah Marcotti's Community Grace workshop right now...learning so much. One of our prompts is to put together a list of things that inspire us currently. Wanting to branch out more with my blog, I figured I would share this list with my readers. Perhaps you could draw some inspiration...

Creative Spotlight: Alicia Maynard

October 15, 2014 Nichole McVeigh

Lucent Vignette Photography - Alicia Maynard

I am incredibly lucky to call Alicia Maynard a friend. I was initially drawn to her work as a makeup artist, and as I got to know her better, realized she is definitely a multi-faceted artist! She loves to experiment with different mediums, and is amazing with them all. Alicia never ceases to amaze me, and I believe I tell her that every time I see her work!

Alicia attended Nossi College of Art in Nashville years back, and moved seamlessly into training in the art of cosmetics while working with MAC. Her portrait painting evolved later, after being advised to use creative expression as therapy while going through a painful life change. As you'll see from her work here, Alicia was wise in listening and applying that piece of advice.

Alicia and her husband, Travis, own Lime Tiger Emporium in Murfreesboro, TN, where Alicia teaches makeup classes, and is planning to offer all-ages and adult-only art classes soon! They have a Halloween party coming up in the shop on Friday, October 24. What a great opportunity to see the shop and meet Alicia and Travis!

Creative Spotlight: Alena Hennessy

October 8, 2014 Nichole McVeigh

I met Alena Hennessy through her book first, Cultivating Your Creative Life, and more recently in person at The Strawberry Patch Summer Mart in Nashville, TN. She is a lovely artist, author, “facilitator of self-love and magic," and holds workshops and online courses where she really encourages people to develop and strengthen their own personal aesthetic.

Alena's art is full of whimsy, and her use of colour makes her pieces just dance. She is more recently offering an interesting project called Co-Lab: Paint, Paper, and iPhoneography Magic. From her website: "This is a brand new online class created by myself and the brilliant Susan Tuttle, where we bring the world of paint, paper, and photo (plus so much more) together in one brilliant virtual experience!" I am so happy to introduce you to Alena!

Creative Spotlight: Hillary Fayle

October 1, 2014 Nichole McVeigh

I came across Hillary Fayle's work recently, and as an artist that works with embroidery as a medium as well, I just had to contact her. Hillary's work is so unique - very different from other work I've seen of late - and she has already been featured in embroidery publications.

Hillary began embroidering on leaves in the States after studying embroidery at Manchester Metropolitan University in England. Her preference is to use environmentally friendly materials in her art, and leaves are a perfect choice for her. She not only embroiders leaves; she cuts them in intricate forms as well. Much of Hillary's work is custom, and she can be contacted here for special orders. You are in for a visual treat!