Spotlight: Charleston Women Artists
This month I am staying on theme with the celebration of International Women’s Day. I have been waiting for an excuse to shine a spotlight on some of the most inspiring women in my life. So here we are! I am beyond grateful not only to have these women in my life as industry leading professional peers, but as friends too.
Kate Blohm
Kate Blohm is a Charleston based Freelance Photographer and Videographer. She has been in inspiration to me since we met at Savannah College of Art and Design back in 2009. It has been an honor to have her as a friend and creative collaborator for 14 years now. Kate is obsessed with food and has worked in all different sectors of the industry from restaurants, meal kit services, to now photographing James Beard award winning chefs. Kate’s work has been featured in The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Elle DECOR, Atlanta Magazine HOME, Forbes, New York Observer, Gravy and more. Kate is a Les Dames d'Escoffier 2018 Grant Recipient. Kate also serves on the committee for Georgia Organics’ Cast Iron & Collards Society. At the root of everything, Kate is passionate about sustainability and locally sourced food. All of these factors have lead to her newest project that I am so incredibly excited to share!
“I’m excited to announce my new podcast; Subject Matters. This is a podcast that will coincide with KB photography and visual storytelling for brands and creatives. Here, I will host discussions taking a peek behind the curtain with entrepreneurs, change makers, and trailblazers. There will be a variety of topics, but most will revolve around food. My first guest is Lauren Cox (@puregoldendirt) Lauren is a “retired” farmer who now is the Director of Farmer Services for Georgia Organics. We discuss her love of food, her journey of traveling internationally to receive her Masters from Slow Food University, and how our friendship has unfolded throughout our work.“
Follow along @subjectmatterspod | Streaming on @applepodcasts and @spotify
Click here to listen - https://podcasts.apple.com/.../subject.../id1734878815
Julia Deckman
Julia Deckman is a contemporary painter exploring a range of composition styles while always remaining focused on color. Self taught, Julia is an eager collaborator and creative. I’ve had the priviledge of representing her artwork through The Miller Gallery over the years. It has been incredible to watch her painting styles and color palettes evolve into where she is today. Her "Color Choreography" abstract compositions are deliberate studies, exploring and showcasing the magical relationships between color and form. Julia was named the 2019 Lowcountry Artist of the Year by the Coastal Community Foundation, has served on the board of Redux Contemporary Art Center, and her work has been featured in House & Garden UK, Charleston Magazine, and Charleston Home and Design.
What I am thrilled to share is her gorgeous new collection for upcoming trio exhibition “Down the Rabbit Hole.” Julia has over 15 pieces with an accessible range of sizes and price points. I personally am having a hard time not scooping them all up!
Down The Rabbit Hole, a trio exhibition featuring artists Angela Chrusciaki Blehm, Julia Deckman, and Suzy Lindow, will showcase whimsical artwork in a variety of mediums by three of the gallery’s top female artists. From topsy-turvy teacups to blooming florals, viewers will be transported into an art-filled wonderland. The opening reception will be held on Thursday, March 21st from 5-7pm at 785 Meeting Street, Unit A, Charleston, SC 29403. Beyond the reception, visitors can view Down The Rabbit Hole on Friday, March 22nd from 10-4pm. All works will be available to purchase online starting March 19th at themillergallery.com. For additional purchase inquiries, please contact the gallery at info@themillergallery.com.
Laura Dargan
Self-taught, Charleston-based artist Laura Dargan is known for both geometric abstraction and experimental figurative paintings. Dargan’s work explores the interaction between unexpected color combinations and irregular shapes. She states that her goal is to create “visual energy”, which is clear from her playful use of form and joyful colors on canvas. Each viewer is left to interpret and connect with the paintings on their own terms. Laura was the featured campaign artist for the 2018 Affordable Art Fair in NYC.
I have had the honor of working with and representing Laura’s work through The Miller Gallery since 2017. Through Laura’s work specifically, I have learned to appreciate and understand abstract art. I am particularly drawn to the immense amount of texture and layers in her pieces. I love how Laura is a wizard of knowledge when it comes to materials. She is well versed in color, paint brands, and combination that get her desired results. She is also not afraid to stray from the known and dive into a full on experiment. She is a true joy and her artwork is full of so much emotion.
Laura’s latest collection “Obscured Luminosity” is a testament to her gravitation to experimentation and color knowledge. It is one of my favorite collections to date and currently available through themillergallery.com.
“Stay true to yourself and your art. It’s easy to get distracted and lose sight of your own direction. Especially now with social media. Having art at your fingertips is great for inspiration and education but it’s important to not get bogged down with what others are doing and focus on your own voice.” - Dargan for AAF NYC