THE ARTISTS OF MANE STREET STUDIO
LIFE IS ART: EXPERIENCE IT WITH MANE STREET STUDIO
|
 |
BACKGROUND
Interested in art in all mediums, Becky has explored many different subjects and styles of painting and drawing. Known for her lifelike renditions of foxes and canine and equine subjects painted on furniture, Becky has branched out again to include portraits on canvas working in acrylic and oils. Prints are available of some of her work.
Jeffery Foster Thomas developed a love for drawing as a small child. His favorite subject being horses, this became his main artistic focus growing up. Then in high school, he branched out into the world of portraits. From there, to his current mediums of pencil, color pencil, pastel, and hand-etched black granite, the latter which he spent 4 years apprenticing in Ohio to learn. Jeffrey loves portraits because of the wonderful stories that go with each piece. "Learning about the cat, dog, horse, or person that I will be drawing really helps me to capture their special qualities that makes them unique." Thomas also works with a monument company where he etches scenes from the lives of clients and their families onto the headstones to create beautiful and artistic memorials for them. As Thomas puts it, "Epitaphs are rare these days, so when you view one of the hand-etched stones, you come away knowing something about the person; what they loved, their hobbies, passions, it's a wonderful way to remember someone." Commissions are always welcome.
Interests
Becky Thomas says that gardening is therapy. Working in the flower beds that surround their North Carolina cottage, Becky finds inspiration in the wildflowers and the wildlife. She often is heard to say that bunnies are her favorite, but you would think otherwise to see her with her dog, Dexter, and the cats, Moppy and Poppy, all of which are yet other inspirations for her work. Other interests that keep her inspired are: restoring old furniture and giving it a new lease on life, the occasional horseback ride, painting floors in faux brick and stone and many other creative adventures. "The things with which an artist surrounds him or herself will reflect in their work." says Becky, "So if you love to paint flowers or birds, or horses, surround yourself with those things and let them become part of who you are. This love for your subject will come through in a way that will make your paintings alive and other people will notice it, too."
Jeffrey Foster Thomas, as a child, was often found down in the field trying to catch the neighbor's wild pony. When he succeeded, the experience changed him forever. Becoming an accomplished horseman seemed to perfectly blend with being an artist, since "Horses are living art." So, for years, Thomas has been involved with breeding and training Arabian Horse. These days he pursues it as more of a hobby, as the art work takes up the majority of his work time.
