Grace. John Davis Held, artist
The fifth annual Small Works Show at Lucy Clark Gallery returns on Friday, December 5, aligning with the First Friday Gallery Walk sponsored by the Transylvania Community Arts Council. Focused on original work that measures around 12” x 12” and is priced below $600 when possible, the exhibition is designed to make art collecting more accessible during the holiday season.
Puddles Study. Maureen Chapman, artist
The show gathers an impressive roster of regional artists, all working intentionally at a smaller scale. While the compact format lends itself beautifully to gift-giving, it also brings unique artistic challenges and creative breakthroughs.
“Painting in a smaller format allows me to distill the essence of the landscape—to capture the rhythm and light of the Blue Ridge Mountains without overthinking,” says artist Kady Hendrix. “Working small sharpens my eye and simplifies my process. The dramatic shapes of the mountains and valleys reveal themselves more clearly, and every brushstroke feels purposeful. It’s both a challenge and a joy—a study in restraint and expression.”
Artist Jackson Hammack brings a layered, mixed-media approach to the exhibition. “My process for smaller work is similar to my larger work, layering paint and using mixed media such as oil, latex, pencil, ink and crayon,” he says. “Although most of my work is on large panels I find working on a small scale forces me to simplify my approach and can lead to more focused and intentional work. My hope is that I can give a deeper sense of connection to all the beautiful and majestic creatures that we coexist with through my paintings.”
The Gilded Path. Meryl Lefkovich, artist
Artist Gina Louthian-Stanley finds both challenge and reward in the shift to a miniature scale. “Having a small surface area can sometimes be challenging to create the visual effects I work hard to achieve, especially with encaustic techniques,” she says. “Creating the details that give my landscapes a sense of depth and texture, which I consider important to my works, can be a challenge. I have found new ways of using materials and tools that assist me in creating those complex details essential to the compositions.”
The payoff, she says, is lasting and personal, as she and her patrons can always find a place for these works to live. “The Small Works Show is important for those who love art and would like to begin an art collection affordably,” she says. “These pieces can be hung together in groupings or individually placed in areas where larger pieces aren’t an option. Personally, I feel smaller works are more engaging and pull the viewer closer into the artwork to discover the intimate details of the work.”
The Lucy Clark Gallery & Studio is located at 51 West Main Street in Brevard. To learn more, visit LucyClarkGallery.com or call 828.884.5151.
