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She's As Free As The Birds: J. Austin Jennings

Christian Kyle • September 20, 2024

She's As Free As The Birds: J. Austin Jennings

As the foggy rain drained out the light of our office, an intimate interview ensued with our esteemed, J. Austin Jennings in the shrouds of illumination echoed by a table lamp. We sat at her wooden desk and talked about her identity as an artist, especially in regards to her work here at Little River Art.

Jennings came to Knoxville in 2013, following her departure from Ohio. A move that would go on to transform her future into an irrevocable beauty. Our interview started with a conversation based around Jenning’s new creation.

When asked about this new piece, Jenning’s face beamed with inexplicable joy as she proceeded to describe it: a series of five smaller works featuring birds.

“A client wanted me to do a smaller set of pieces and I decided to trek forth with an idea featuring birds that would be based on one of my favorite pieces I’ve done which is my Chinoiserie called ‘Understory.’”

Jennings revealed she has always been inspired by Chinoiserie work, a trend that was popularized in the 18th century in Europe when trade with China became extensive. Europeans were entranced by the intricate art that honed in on ebullient decoration, asymmetrical design, and a focus on stylized nature that leans in on leisure and pleasure. This style of Chinese art was then recreated and interpreted by European artists, specifically in France when the aristocracy fell in love with this traditional Chinese art form.

Jennings continued, “Understory was an artful highlight of the trees in nature that served as the understory, which I find an abundance of beauty laced within that. It was a depiction of trees, such as a Dogwood, that grow under the shade of others. It felt symbolic of life. Beauty can grow in the shade, and ultimately transform itself into light.”

Transitioning in her chair, Jenning then opened up about how she finds titles for her work.

“I love titles that flow off the tongue, and are reminiscent of poetic nature. My titles can also come from my own life circumstances. I did a piece before, when I relocated to Knoxville, called “The Poetry of Leaving,” and this was a piece featuring more birds. I felt like it was an homage to leaving my life in Ohio behind, even my parents. It was about taking chances on myself, regardless of the risk. I think the titles of my pieces go hand and hand with what the art is trying to communicate.”

Even with the new pieces, Jennings is still utilizing the imagery of birds for they represent the freedom of flight. The ability to change directions in life. To feel the paradise of liberation in the marvel of nature. This is essential in understanding who Jennings really is. An artist unafraid to walk into the pervasiveness of the unknown, and find something worth painting. To find something worth living for.

Scribbling on my notepad, I then felt the inclination to ask Jennings where the process of curation even begins. Is it something innate within herself, or is it a combination of things?

“I think when you are working directly with clients who have their own visions, you have to really sell yourself on their ideas because in order to initiate the creative process I need to be in it. I need to really discover a passion for the work. I have to fuse my idea of the piece with the clients. Once I do this, I just start. I lose myself within the joint vision.”

Jennings furthered this explanation in saying she always “marries the idea,” which leaves her in a state of production where she has a keen eye for her own vision but also combines that with her clients. Jennings is a versatile artist who can take the inspiration of a client and modify it into her own. She really becomes her pieces and that is the true beauty of being an artist. No matter what you are working on, no matter where the idea came from, you utilize your own gifts to make it possible. You have to conceptualize the idea in your own heart. That is when the magic happens.

I then got to thinking about what happens in her creative realm when she experiences a block of productivity. A common occurrence for any artist is to lose sight of their ideas, even if it is for a day, it can happen. I was curious to understand how Jennings overcame these normal obstacles. When asked how she overcomes the challenges of creation, she smiled.

“I think whenever I feel stuck on something, I turn to escapism. I fully allow myself to be pulled in other directions because I feel it is when we take time to live our lives, that is when the ideas that fuel creativity burst out of us. So, I would say I just let it happen. I let the creative block occur, and then I live through it, and when I am on the other side I am then able to create something I don’t think I would have been able to if I didn’t allow myself the time to be uninspired.”

Following the same line of questioning, I asked Jennings what happens after that block of creativity, and a piece is made. When ever, does she know it is finished?

She smirked and let out a muted laugh, “Well, I don’t think you ever know when something is finished. If there is a deadline on a piece, you kind of have to accept the act of crossing the finish line. When it is more personal you have to release the identity of being a perfectionist and just let go. Let the piece live, and breathe. So to put it simply, I just let go of my brush and let the art tell me when it’s time.”

The journey of Jennings as an artist began in elementary school. She had twins in her class who were the traditional “it” boys. They set the school trends and like every adolescent nightmare they determined who was cool. One day, Jennings took a project assigned to everyone and did what she does best. She made it her own unique vision. She made it more than a project but a statement, and she recalls vividly the twins turned to her and beamed, “Jenny Austin, you’re an artist!” That was the moment she said to herself, “Yes, I am.” Since, her path has been defined for her. She was born to do this, and she did it. Like every artist that came before her and after her, she had to make the decision to believe in her talent.

I was curious to know what in this world inspired her paintings and she got very quiet and deep in thought. She then looked up at me with a smile, and I could feel the passion she has for art rising from her soul through her eyes.

“There are hidden gems in our world and our Earth that we don’t really see. I want my art to convey a feeling of being there, but not in the sense of photo realism but to make the viewer feel what being there would be like.”

Now, we must incorporate the place that truly changed her life forever. Little River Art.

Jennings had a ten year long career painting prior to Little River. She taught art classes and she garnered a following but still she was missing something that made her feel more free as an artist. Something that could turn it all into a complete vision of a career. She fled the mundane of Ohio, and embarked on a journey to Knoxville, Tennessee.

She was teaching a class one day at Arrowmont in Gatlinburg when she met a now fellow Little River artist, Annalee Bohon, who told her to meet with Tom Cover. The founder of Little River Art. Jennings described how Little River Art changed her forever.

“I went from being an artist living in an acorn to an artist with the run of the whole forest. I give Tom credit for turning a key in me and that door had never been open before. I had the work, the portfolio, and the following but I never had the freedom to make mistakes and to just throw paint on a canvas. Tom would purposefully tell me “Mess it up.” We had so many mediums and canvas sizes and I was like a kid in a candy store. There were endless possibilities at Little River.”

Tom Cover offered her a full-time job and she helped bring the new age of Little River to the precipice.

“There were many growing pains, but Tom believed in me, and I always needed that. I know meeting Tom Cover saved my life. After my divorce, I could’ve lost myself, but within the belief he had in me, I found my salvation. I found my home.”

Wiping a brisk tear from her eye, Jennings had a look of fulfillment as she talked about her husband and partner. I then asked her what she wanted for Little River.

“I want it to be a place where artists are nurtured. For those who have meaningful visions to share that can make a space different and special. For artists who have a cohesive desire to put beautiful imagery out into the world.”

Jennings is an artist that lives for the beauty of freedom and expression, and the passion behind putting all of your faith into your talent. She creates depictions of landscapes and natural environments and creatures that exist within them. Her work is truly about what happens when you leave behind tear stained evenings and chase the wild beauty that exists within new beginnings. This would be why her new pieces are centered around birds. Later that day, we had lunch and Jennings spent her time looking at paintings of birds. I could tell that these creatures were symbolic to her. They will always speak to her because they remind her of that little girl who was proclaimed as an artist by her peers, the little girl turned woman who fled a life that was no longer serving her, and the little girl who found her home at Little River Art. When she embraced the arms of freedom and allowed herself to be wrapped by its warmth, she found her life. She found her purpose. She is an artist through and through. An artist who stumbled upon her forever home because like the birds that fly in the pale blue sky, she soared from the nest and found her bliss.

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The Person Behind the Pen: Christian Kyle

By Christian Kyle • December 31, 2024

Hello, My name is Christian Kyle. I have never properly introduced myself but I am the voice behind the blogs here at Little River Art. To celebrate the end of the year, my team and I decided to do a highlight on me, so you all could get to know me a little bit better. After all, we will be spending a lot of time together in the new year. On a sunny day here in East Tennessee at our office, our Gallery Sales Specialist, Reem Arnouk sat down with me to ask a few questions that will hopefully give readers a better understanding of the person behind the work they read. I’ll be honest it was interesting to be the one being interviewed, but nevertheless, I was excited to have a thorough conversation with Arnouk to shed light on who I am as a writer, and member of Little River Art. In the following procession, there will be a transcript of the questions and answers that composed our interview. How did you find your writing voice or niche? I have always had a strong personality within my writing. I remember in high school, my writing teacher who I had for a couple years said she always could tell when a piece was mine from the voice and tone. I always had a knack for writing in college. My papers were the place I excelled the most. I would say I found it through meticulous writing sessions where I focused on my usage of words. I write a lot of poetry as well, so I think that added to the poetic nature of my writing in general. What does your writing process typically look like? Well, regarding our blog here at Little River, I usually start with a list of curated questions garnered towards the specific artist I am profiling. I then get a sense of what I know about them, juxtaposed with what they radiate throughout the interview. I always like to then come up with a title that captures the essence of the artist. Then I begin my writing, which usually takes me an hour or so to get it all down on paper. Then I go into the review process, which consists of personal editing, and then review from the creative director of Little River, Jennifer Cover. I always make sure she enjoys the piece but also feels as though it really speaks on the artists she has enlisted to make up the Little River family. How do you come up with ideas for new blog posts? Well, right now, I am focusing my efforts on creating a series of artist profile pieces that will give our readers a closer look into who our artists really are. However, I have been collaborating with my team to make sure we have ideas that will be interesting and thought provoking. I would say I just flow through ideas and then find which ones feel like a success. What challenges do you face when writing, and how do you overcome them? Sometimes, I have problems with writer’s block. In regards to our blog, I think my biggest struggle is coming up with a title that encapsulates the artists, or the conceptual notion the piece is dealing with. I usually overcome them by simply jumping into the actual writing and let a title naturally happen through the work. What is your blog’s main goal or mission? Our main goal for the blog I am curating is to give readers and art lovers a deeper connection with our art, the artists, and our company in general. I personally also want to write a blog that feels creative and inspired by my love of language and the power of written word. Which blog post are you most proud of, and why? Well, I like they are all masterpieces (I said jokingly) but I would say I have two that stand out to me: “She’s As Free As the Birds” and “A Mastery of Artistry.” I love the story-esque nature of the first one. It feels like you are reading a novel or short story. I liked the words I enlisted to create the overall mood of that piece. With the second, I love the fast paced nature of it. I think it flows quickly and it is an exciting read. How do you measure the success of your blog? You know, I would say success to me is if I write a piece that inspires me and makes me feel like I did a good job with the execution, but it also helps when my team likes it. I would also add, I love seeing the artist's reaction to the piece. I usually read to them their piece before it goes live and I would say if they have a visceral reaction to it, that is when I know it is a success. Do you have any hobbies or activities that influence your blog? I am a creative writer at heart. I have written stories since I was a young child. I love to write lyrics and poetry, so I would say that natural rhythm of writing shows up in my blog a lot. I love taking in life and meeting new people at art shows, or around the community and I think that gives me inspiration when it comes to developing questions that interest people. What books, people, or experiences have shaped you as a writer? I would say Hemingway because he always said so much with very little and I think sometimes I can be very descriptive but his writing really influences me to work on using less words to describe something really complex. “Hills Like White Elephants” really changed me in college and how I view the art of storytelling because it might have seemed simple but it was actually talking about something really serious. What inspires you the most when it comes to writing? I would say I am just inspired by the beauty of storytelling, and the power behind putting your experiences or ideas in written form. I am also really inspired by the world around me. I think I immerse myself in environments and learn about people. I think people inspire my writing: the good and the bad. I love writing about reality, as opposed to fiction. Where do you see your blog in the New Year I think I want the blog to have all 10 artist highlights done, and to have new ideas and fresh pieces that continue to elevate it. Arnouk and I concluded the interview with good spirit and I will say I was really happy to have a little bit of my story as a writer here on our blog. This is my most creative professional pursuit to date and I am so happy to continue building our blog and creating content that highlights the amazing work we do here at Little River Art.

A Gentle Wonder: Mary Ann Taylor

By Christian Kyle • December 13, 2024

In the quiet of a rainy afternoon, Mary Ann Taylor was working silently in the office of our gallery as I approached her with questions in hand. The mission I had set out to do was profile Taylor and get an understanding of her, and the relics of her expansive creativity. Taylor is Little River Art’s main abstract artist. Creating countless pieces a year, Taylor is consistently elevating her skills and her pieces are certainly a reflection of that. She smiled as I sat down next to her, seemingly excited to share her story, but also had some reservations because if Taylor is anything, she is in fact, a humble creative. She is not boastful and sometimes people could argue she is not aware of how remarkable her work truly is. So in my interview, it was important to ensure Taylor felt comfortable but I was also hoping to create an awareness that her work is so important to the foundation of Little River Art. First, it is important to understand Taylor’s background in life, specifically her philosophies and history of working. Her career began after college when she started working in a school library. Working with children was a crucial aspect of Taylor’s day to day. She worked tirelessly to create lessons and class work that would stimulate the creativity within a child’s mind and also keep them engaged in the content. “It certainly was stressful sometimes. Creating a lesson plan that adhered to the school system’s requirements but also pushed the boundaries of what is considered engaging.” The major question at hand was what drew Taylor to the role of being an educator? Taylor looked down, appearing to be pondering the essence of the question. Then she quietly responded with a warm smile. “Teaching came to me so naturally, and more importantly there is something beautiful about seeing the world through the eyes of a child. I think that work inspired me in my own life in so many ways. I love literature as well and I learned books and children are the perfect combination because they can really learn so much about the world around them. You know, I would argue it taught me to appreciate the simpler things in life.” With a keen talent at teaching, especially when enlisting the usage of literature, Taylor transformed her classes into escapist environments where children could really absorb information about the world around them, while also being able to explore themselves as well. It is not a surprise Taylor spent most of her career guiding children, for her spirit evokes a sensation of calmness in anyone who interacts with her. This carefree and gentle energy is infectious and it really does make you feel lighter. Next, I had an interest in what brought Taylor to Little River in the first place. She beamed as she opened up about her journey here. “Well, I knew Jen and Tom (LRA owners) already before I came to Little River. We had a mutual friend and my daughter, Caitlin, was working part time for them. Later, she ended up moving to Maryland to pursue her photography which left Little River with an open position. You know, I thought to myself wouldn’t it be fun to join the team. I had retired from my career in teaching and it felt like a very easy decision to pursue this role in my next stage of life.” Taylor talked about the early years and revealed she would work on coating giclees, using the finishing varnishes on pieces, and assist in overall studio maintenance. “The position grew and grew overtime. I started out working in the studio. Then, I started working in the office with Jen and would help with administrative tasks, and then we opened “The Artful Home” gift shop. That was a really exciting time for us. We were able to decorate and really create a special space for people to find the perfect gift or home accent.” Naturally, I wondered to myself when did Taylor start painting? “After two years of working here, Jen and Tom asked me to start working on painting. I was so excited. You know, when you sort of fantasize about something? Well, that was me with painting here at Little River. You see, my grandfather was a painter so I have always been exposed to it but you know I just never found the chance to really dive into it.” It was surprising to learn Taylor had never really explored the realm of painting in her life prior to Little River because her work would suggest she had been doing this for years and years. So, if you were like me, you’d be wondering where she learned to execute this talent? “It was all Jen and Tom. They taught me so much. I remember sitting in the studio and watching Jen paint. She was so effortless and it was because of Jen’s abstract work that really changed my opinion or understanding of abstract art. I used to think it was one thing but I learned it is so free and open. It could almost be anything.” Taylor’s work seemed to be something she naturally wanted to pursue but once again, it was really thanks to the Covers that she found her own personal oasis. Taylor revealed later in our interview that her work, and painting in general, is a feeling of freedom. “Sometimes the paintings paint themselves, you know? It is so freeing to watch the colors merge and create something you would never see coming otherwise.” Within that freedom there has to be some source of initiation. For Taylor, that source was easy to pinpoint: Tom Cover. “Well, Tom will ask me for something specific usually. He guides me in what is needed for our clients and the market. Though, sometimes I have a reference photograph I take or just an idea that I run with.” Taylor fell into the world of creating abstract art through the guidance of her fellow Little River artists. J. Austin Jennings was the root of her appreciation for abstract art. It transformed Taylor’s understanding of the art form completely. They allowed her to explore her talent while also creating art that was successful in the gallery. I was curious to know what keeps Taylor creating abstract art, and even more significantly, what did she want people to take from it? “I love abstract art because it is simple. It reminds me of the lesson I learned when I was teaching children: life is simple. You know when you are viewing a gorgeous sunset, or having a quiet evening. These are so simple, but yet beautiful and people see different things in them. Abstract art is that to me. It is something that can create such powerful imagery to viewers but it was sourced from something simpler in nature. Shapes and color are the mainstays of my abstract work. I simply love creating my art because it makes me really happy and that is all I want people to feel when they view it. I want them to be submerged in happiness.” A final question that arose within my mind was how did Little River change her life and what does she want for the future? “Little River gave me the chance to explore a whole new world for myself. I was always creative but it provided me with the tools and exposure to paint. I just want all the artists to continue working and be appreciated and loved for their work.” Mary Ann Taylor had an entire life journey before she joined the Little River family. She was taught by children to view life through a gentle lens. A lens that makes life feel simple. To appreciate the soft and beautiful things. She happened to fall into painting but when she did, she had a whole new identity. An identity that makes her happy. Happiness is the most important thing to Taylor in regards to art. She wants to continue creating art that has pops of pigment and keeps making her happy. Painting also has longevity, something she noted as “crucial.” It is clear Taylor will be painting with Little River for a long time, for it gave her a new love. It gave her a new life. One defined by the gentle things in life.

A Mastery of Artistry: Alexsander Cherepov

By Christian Kyle • December 3, 2024

Picture this. The sounds of shop machinery are drowning out the environment around you and there is an artist hard at work framing and stretching canvases. On his work days he is a tangible member of a business. On his off days he defines the mastery of fine traditional painting. This is the life of Alexsander Cherepov, one of Little River Art’s most popular working artists. He comes in every morning and opens the garage doors of our shop and blasts classical instrumentals as he loses himself in the work to be done around him. One chill November morning, I approached him as he got his station ready for a busy day. The objective: clear and concise. I wanted to understand the work behind the man people travel sometimes hours to get a custom commission piece from. I wanted to understand him. To even begin the exploration, it was clear to construct an idea that his foundation begins as a Russian American. He embarked on the journey to the States in 1998. During the 90’s, Russia was plagued by macroeconomic shock waves that tanked the job market and caused an unemployment rate of 10.8% by 1998. Cherepov, when asked about these times in Russia, stated firmly, “Leaving was essential. It was for work. I needed work, as did a couple other Russian friends of mine who came with me and my wife. We needed an income.” Cherepov left Russia promptly to join a company here in America that was going to be working in animation, which attracted the dreams of Cherepov, a talented illustrator. An identity he noted as his “main love in the world of art.” Though the company was bought out by Mattel and then quickly dissolved. Leaving Cherepov uprooted and stranded in an intense economic environment that he was just getting adjusted to. He had two options: fail at the relocation of his destiny or keep his fortitude to fight for the life he wanted. Cherepov, who was busy stretching a canvas, turned to me. “Even though it was a challenging time, I was overwhelmed with my excitement. I was so enthralled to be in a new environment. The States felt like a new beginning and I wasn’t going to give up because one opportunity was lost.” Cherepov then began working on houses. Where he found his niche expertise in painting. He would paint anything for people. While he was working on one house, a familiar name came to the same location and by chance, Cherepov would find himself in the presence of someone who shifted his life forever: Little River Art founder, Tom Cover. Cover quickly spotted the talent in Cherepov. “Tom saw this ceiling painting I did of clouds, and was taken aback by it. Shortly after, I was offered a role to come paint with his small start-up, which was Little River.” One moment of exposure introduced Cherepov to the beginning he thought was going to initiate with that company before Mattel. Though now, he was going to have his name on it. Alexsander joined Tom and his son, Michael at Little River. Cherepov opened up about those early years. “It was a small unit. Those days were very fast-paced. Tom and I would paint, and then we would all three help frame and get them ready for sale. I was painting every day then. It was a special time, looking back, because now we have turned into a company that has a larger scope of clients and that means we did something right all those years ago. The success of Little River was established by the strict work ethic we had.” This work ethic has never slowed down in Cherepov, if anything, it has ignited even more so nowadays. A force of mental strength and a physical pursuit that requires years of dedication. Now, picture this: You’re working harder than you ever have. You have to churn out multiple paintings a week. You have deadlines. How do you keep up? What inspires you to continue working? Well, Cherepov laughed at the question when brought forth. “There is no inspiration behind my work, other than it is work. I don’t have any elaborate process. I just paint what clients want. The technique was partly crafted by me, but it was guided by Tom. He essentially would travel to all of them and come back with ideas of what they needed, and I would simply execute.” It was daring for an artist to say there is no muse behind creating. There is just simply creation. This mentality is clear within Cherepov, but most people would be in disbelief, especially if they viewed his paintings. The figures representing people in his paintings all have the same stylistic choices. The colors are traditional, as well as the depictions. However, this mindset within Cherepov comes from the fact that he creates 200 paintings a year, on average. It is comparable to other successful artists. Sometimes they perform their craft so many times that it becomes second nature. It doesn’t feel like something that requires innate inspiration, but rather, an idea that could be sourced from anywhere. Making Cherepov a commodity in the art world because he can make a sometimes complicated process and transform that into a fast paced one that fulfills many people. The business, the client, and the artist. Finally, picture this: You paint 200 paintings a year. You are essentially a machine turning out beautiful art. Where did you find this identity if you have no personal inspirations behind each piece? For Cherepov, it seemed obvious: illustration. After all, he came to the States to work in animation as an illustrator. “My main love is illustrating. I am a drawer. I love figure drawings. I would say my love for it is where I discovered myself to be an artist. I would love to one day return to that work, in some way.” Alexsander Cherepov. An artist that took many blows before he found his niche. He could have given up the chase for a new life in a new place if he succumbed to temporary defeat. However, this is where his pride in his Russian background comes full-swing. He found where he excelled, which still was aligned with his main love of artistry, and succeeded because of nothing but opportunity and work ethic. Alexsander Cherepov: a mastery of artistry.