April’s featured artists will be Terri Yeatts and Nicholas Hankins.

Terri Yeatts work will be on display at the downtown Knoxville Tomato Head location, from April 2nd through May 6th, 2011.

Artist Statement: I use paint like a writer uses words, making this the main source of communication between the artist and the viewer.

The two subject matters that capture my interest the most are buildings and crows. I have been painting crows for several years now and my interest in them was sparked by my observation of their daily lives, mainly how they interacted with each other and other birds. I decided to do a little research and in doing so I discovered I was not alone in my interest with their behavior. I found that they are not only tool users but they have relationships much like humans. My paintings of crows depict a whimsical view of a highly misunderstood subject matter.

The buildings I paint appear to have a child-like approach. I prefer to focus on the simplicity and innocence of the subject matter and I am intrigued with their structures.

~

Nicholas Hankins will be on view at the Maryville Tomato Head, 211 West Broadway, from April 3rd through May 7th, 2011.

Every month The Tomato Head features new art, and with this March comes the work of Nicholas Hankins at the Knoxville restaurant. The collection of paintings and drawings will be on exhibit through April 1st.

The artist statement for the show:

I love to create work that I can become engulfed in with passion and enthusiasm. When I paint, I seemingly become freed from the constraints of time and place. Sometimes, ideas flow from inspiration through my hands so fast it is akin to an out of body experience; as if I am watching someone else at work on my painting. It is this elusive and satisfying state that I strive for, to be at peace with myself and the world around.

Feeling a sense of uncertainty about process affirms that I’m pushing boundaries while enjoying the sense of play with materials and mark making. I feel the traditional disciplines which inform my work are easily accessible and invite the application of a narrative from the audience.

An interesting aside to my working process is that the final image may be the calculated realization of a goal or simply the vehicle I have employed to spark the impetus for experimentation. This ebb and flow of “play” and “work” is not only enjoyable for me, but I feel provides a range of work for viewers that stays refreshing and interesting.

The work of Vickie Kallies Lee will be available for viewing at the Maryville Tomato Head, through April 2nd.