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Brande Arno
Fort Payne, Alabama Email: [email protected]
Phone: 585-330-6623 Website: www.brandearnofineart.com Instagram: @brande.arno.fine.art Facebook: @brande.arno YouTube: @brandearnofineart 
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Thoughts from a Studio Gardener:
I can explain my artist’s journey as a gardener might. You see some years ago I planted and now, still care for a studio garden. Sometimes I paint well, but there will always be the weeds from weak paintings and I will always have to pull them from the studio garden.
When I recollect the amount of time and work involved as a studio gardener, what surfaces is years of days where I struggled with a painting that was almost finished, then doing some random and unknown thing that ruined it. So many nights I’d collapse on the studio floor in a heap and in mourning because I killed a painting. I ruined it, it
left me, I lost what I had, I’m not good enough and I’ll never get there were the daily soundtracks of my mind during this time.
But the next day, I went back to the easel. Still, I wanted better outcomes with my paintings. Desperate to discover secrets, I eagerly went to watch and hear real artists describe their process and haunted them as they demonstrated artistic prowess. I took copious notes – sure that I’d paint my masterpiece the next day. No good outcome followed that day, or the next and the next.
Then, I thought of books. With each book purchased, was the hope of discovering the secrets of making great art. So much hope became so much failure. But always waiting in the studio garden was the easel and learned practice. Which took hours of years, but now I have my process, my style. It was never about finding
secrets.
Now, I examine the day’s work. Does the painting show my process and style? If not, then what matters is the failed painting is weeded and added to the unseen hours of learned practice. I weed the studio garden for my patrons, both current and future. For my reputation both now and later and to keep the pathway to my best paintings uncluttered.
Brande Arno
I can explain my artist’s journey as a gardener might. You see some years ago I planted and now, still care for a studio garden. Sometimes I paint well, but there will always be the weeds from weak paintings and I will always have to pull them from the studio garden.
When I recollect the amount of time and work involved as a studio gardener, what surfaces is years of days where I struggled with a painting that was almost finished, then doing some random and unknown thing that ruined it. So many nights I’d collapse on the studio floor in a heap and in mourning because I killed a painting. I ruined it, it
left me, I lost what I had, I’m not good enough and I’ll never get there were the daily soundtracks of my mind during this time.
But the next day, I went back to the easel. Still, I wanted better outcomes with my paintings. Desperate to discover secrets, I eagerly went to watch and hear real artists describe their process and haunted them as they demonstrated artistic prowess. I took copious notes – sure that I’d paint my masterpiece the next day. No good outcome followed that day, or the next and the next.
Then, I thought of books. With each book purchased, was the hope of discovering the secrets of making great art. So much hope became so much failure. But always waiting in the studio garden was the easel and learned practice. Which took hours of years, but now I have my process, my style. It was never about finding
secrets.
Now, I examine the day’s work. Does the painting show my process and style? If not, then what matters is the failed painting is weeded and added to the unseen hours of learned practice. I weed the studio garden for my patrons, both current and future. For my reputation both now and later and to keep the pathway to my best paintings uncluttered.
Brande Arno
Bev Bates
Hoover and Mentone, Alabama
Hoover and Mentone, Alabama
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Email: [email protected]
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After 30 years of working in advertising, public relations, and sales, Bev Bates retired and started oil painting. That was 8 years ago, and in 2010, she and her husband built their home in Mentone and now spend half of every month on the mountain. Raised in Mississippi, Bates has fond memories of the South - barns, an old country church her great-grandaddy helped build, climbing apple trees in her papa's orchard, picking watermelons, and being a part of a large family. She is drawn to those familiar scenes but enjoys painting a variety of subject matter in the representational style.
Recently embarking on Plein air painting, Bates hopes to continue growing and experiencing the benefits of outdoor painting, like learning to see details and nuances of color, plus achieving looser brush strokes. She has enjoyed studying under several well-known Birmingham-area artists, including David Nichols, Melanie Morris, Carol Carmichael, Craig Reynolds, Beth Bradley, Amy Collins, and Terry Strickland. Bev Bates is a member of the Mountain Brook Art Association, the Little River Arts Council, and the Alabama Plein Air Painters Association. |
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Amy Bluekat
Mentone, Alabama Email: [email protected]
Phone: 469-363-0408 website: www.superpussy.com instagram: @superpussy.the.cat 
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Hello, fellow cat lovers and art enthusiasts!
Welcome to Superpussy, the perfect place to find colorful and quirky drawings, greeting cards, and more, all featuring my beloved feline muse, Superpussy. Meow! Superpussy is all about spreading joy and happiness through art. As a cat lover and artist, I create fun and vibrant ink drawings that I hope will bring a smile to your face. Inspired by a photo taken by my mom with a point-and-shoot camera of my cat Paolo, Superpussy was born. Though he passed long ago, and I have had several other loved and spoiled cats since, Paolo—as Superpussy—remains my muse. My drawings are made using ink pens and markers. I do not use pencil to sketch the drawing before ink is applied. Thus, any “mistakes” are permanent, and I must figure out how to incorporate them into the piece. Naturally introverted, for many years I showed my art to only my closest friends and family. Thus, I have many older originals still available, in addition to more recent work. Having lived across the US and abroad, I quickly fell in love with Mentone when here in 2021 for a work assignment. A few months later, I bought a cabin and hope to enjoy a long life here making art that brings myself—and others—joy. |
Leah Brumbeloe
Centre, Alabama
Centre, Alabama
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Email: [email protected]
Phone: 828-371-2845 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557998092722 https://www.knotandnookstore.etsy.com Instagram @knotandnookstore |
My name is Leah Brumbeloe and I do hand embroidery, sewing, and painting (watercolors & acrylic) my online store & social media is called Knot and Nook Store. I have been creating my whole life but have just recently went to the grindstone trying to make my dreams become a reality of making a living for myself through my art. I love to do shows and see people smile and what they have to say about my items.
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Victoria Capps
Huntsville, Alabama Email: [email protected]
Phone: 2565531313 Website: https://www.victoriacapps.art/ Instagram: @victoriacappsart |
Victoria is a self-taught visual artist from Huntsville, Alabama, and has been creating for almost 30 years. She is currently enrolled at the Alabama Center for the Arts in Decatur, Alabama pursuing an art degree. Her most recent awards include her piece "Where Does the Time Go?", which earned 1st place in its category at the 2024 Calhoun Spring Student Art Show. Her work is currently exhibited at Huntsville Art League located at Lowe Mill Arts and Entertainment in Huntsville.
As an artist and former perfectionist, I do not like to put myself in a box. My primary medium is acrylic paint on canvas but I also love to draw using graphite, charcoal, and pastels. I love challenging myself and it always excites me to try new things. It is very healing for me to be kind to myself, let go of that perfectionism, and try new things in my art. Sometimes I paint what I see and sometimes I paint what I think or feel. Often I will take a literal approach to my art, other times it will be completely non-objective, and sometimes I will find a place between the two. I also aim to embrace the imperfections of human-made artwork. With the rise of artificial intelligence, I have come to embrace the philosophy of wabi sabi and appreciate the warmth and beauty of less-than-perfect human-made artwork. My hope is for my work to serve as a reminder to not be too hard on yourself and to allow yourself to freely create, express yourself, and experience new things without self-judgement. You only have one life - do whatever you want! |
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Lacy Hope Dobbs
Fort Payne, AL [email protected] | 256-630-1078 LacyHopeArt.Etsy.com Facebook.com/LacyHopeArt Instagram.com/LacyHopeArt Lacy Hope Dobbs is an artist and muralist from Fort Payne, Alabama. Lacy creates happy, colorful paintings inspired by the art, music and home decor of the 1960's-70's as well as the food, people, and culture of Southern Appalachia. She paints in acrylics on canvas, wood, and upcycled objects, but she loves the opportunity to paint large and is always accepting both indoor and outdoor mural commissions. Lacy also paints windows for local businesses, hosts monthly paint nights at Jefferson's of Fort Payne, and offers in-home private lessons for children and beginners. You may have seen her mural work at Lookout Mountain Creamery and Desserts, The Groovy Goat, or Blueberry Falls Farm. She has been a board member of Little River Arts Council since 2020. Lacy can be found on Facebook at Facebook.com/LacyHopeArt and on Instagram @LacyHopeArt. She has artwork available for purchase at The Groovy Goat in Mentone and on her website at LacyHopeArt.com.
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Courtney Kinneman
Crossville, Alabama
Crossville, Alabama
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I am a lifelong, self taught, Artist. I work in pretty much all mediums and styles with a special love for wildlife and nature. Art has always been important to me. I have spent the past few years really focusing on improving all of my skills. Always trying new things and continuing to learn.
Never stop learning. Never stop trying new things. Never believe that you've mastered your craft. There is always more to learn. The magnificent thing about Art is that there is limit to what you can do. |
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deJoly LaBrier
Mentone, Alabama Email: [email protected]
Phone: 7063469299 Website: http://www.dejoly.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dejoly.labrier/ 
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deJoly LaBrier is a local artist who has lived in the Mentone area almost a quarter century. deJoly works mostly in acrylics. Her work has been displayed at the Carrolwood Cultural Arts Center in Tampa, FL; at various Conferences around the US related to healing from Trauma; and on her website: www.dejoly.com
Her life experience has led deJoly to become a life coach, where joy is the final outcome. She is also known for her fabulous original quilting style, and her three books found on Amazon.com and www.dejoly.com |
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Kris Blitz Shelledy
New Market, Alabama Email: [email protected]
Phone: 402-510-0169 Website: https://www.heartlandmooninspired.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartlandMoonInspired8292Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heartlandmooninspired/ My name is Kris, I'm a local artist that works with mixed-media and photography. I've had the opportunity to participate in several local art shows: Panoply, Monte Sano Art Festival, Lowe Mill, Art on the Lake - Guntersville and Christkindlmarket. Early in 2024, I was honored to have some of my work on display with the Calm Show at Huntsville Hospital. Shortly afterwards, a piece of mine was selected to be a part of the Embracing Art XXII exhibit at the Carnegie Visual Arts Center in Decatur, Alabama. I am a member of the Alabama Women’s Caucus for Art. Have work available at a local gallery and enjoy sharing what I do by teaching to those with a desire to learn about how I create. |
What a wonderful world we live in … the beauty that surrounds us throughout the changing seasons of the year, the colors are completely breathtaking … through acrylic fluid art, I can express my love for the world around us. Whether to capture beauty with a camera lens or acrylic paint on a canvas, the beauty and visions are endless. Originally from the Midwest, Lincoln/Omaha, Nebraska, currently living in the Huntsville, Alabama area. One of the prettiest places I’ve ever lived.
I started with fluid art in April of 2020, as I found an inner peace playing with paints, the rich, luscious colors, and textures. I was both impressed and inspired when I first saw fluid art on display at the downtown Huntsville library, that day it captured me, and shortly after, Heartland Moon Inspired became a reality. My husband, family and friends provide magnificent encouragement and support as I continue this artistic journey. Now, I am working with other techniques, mediums, inks, and materials. I never imagined myself as an artist, but since I started, I am having the time of my life. |
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Lisa Sulkosky
Mentone, Alabama 
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Lisa Sulkosky is a self-taught artist who works mainly in watercolor and acrylic. Lisa has painted for 35 years. She is happily retired in Mentone and has opened a shop, Sunflower Studio, for her artwork.
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Randell Summerford
Rainsville, Alabama
Rainsville, Alabama
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Email: [email protected]
Phone: 256 899-2476 or 256 899-2476 Website: www.ransumed.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ransumed1/ 
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I am a self-taught artist working in oils, graphite, charcoal, and colored pencil. As a child growing up I "wasted" lots of paper drawing people, cars, animals and whatever. As a young adult I started oil painting and then worked as a graphic artist in the screen print industry from 1992 until 2010. I have been married to a very special lady since 1986 who recently started painting. We live in Northeast Alabama where we enjoy church, the outdoors, our grandchildren, and of course art.
Art is much more meaningful if it tells a story. Art can take us somewhere else and give us peace in a world full of trouble. Art can help us appreciate God's creation, and art can also remind us how blessed we are. Ransumed Fine Arts offers original works as well as fine art prints. |
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Scott Thomas
Mentone, Alabama 
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Scott Thomas is a self-taught artist. He works predominately with acrylic paint on 3-D objects including musical instruments and vintage cameras. Scott also paints on canvas and wooden boards.
Growing up in a mill village in northwest Georgia, Scott credits his grandmother's quilt making as the inspiration for his unique style. He turned to painting as a creative outlet at the age of 58 and has been passionately pursuing this art form for 18 years. 
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