Christy Swope & Shelley Tolliver
April 2011
Christy Swope
It is with great pleasure that Shelley Tolliver and I present “Reflections of Spring” at the First Friday Artwalk. I’m thrilled to team up with Shelley, whose artistic talents are a constant inspiration, like Shelley, I’ve been sketching since childhood, but didn’t share the images until adulthood. There are many areas of art I look forward to exploring, but in the meantime, I’ll play with oil, watercolor and charcoal.
I could not survive without creativity in my life, and have been blessed to have a successful career as a hairstylist, where creativity is a daily must. I also enjoy dancing, singing, acting, scrapbooking, teaching yoga and spending time with family and friends.
My portion of the show is called “Rebirth and Renewal” and I’ve used images that evoke joyous, spring like emotions within me. The images range from pregnancy to a Harley-Davidson parked in front of The Blue Front on Linden Avenue. All these things say Spring to me and hopefully one of them will speak to you in the same way.
Growing up, I had the good fortune to live next door to the late local artist, Vici Taylor. Her children and I roamed in and out of her studio, watching her paint and discussing everything under the sun. In her last years, I returned to her studio to watercolor with her and solve the world’s problems. Her confidence in my ability to grow as an artist never faltered.
I also want to thank Columbus artist Zanesville girl, Kristen Brown, for confiscating my ballerina to display in the Short North. Without her push, I might not have accepted Shelley’s idea of sharing this art show. As you view our artwork, I hope something stirs within you, memories of springs past and the hope of spring to come......Happy Spring!
-- Christy Swope
Shelley Tolliver
The Spring of Pastels and Pencil - the art of Shelley Tolliver. Shelley is a local lefty who enjoys exploring the arts in all it's many forms. Her artistic background begins at her parent’s side with pencils in hand. From doodles to pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design (where she is maintaining an A average), art is a path that she embraces.
Her handiwork has been featured in many theatrical productions from Columbus to Cambridge. Her designs range from logo concepts to full-scale set artistry and many specialized projects in between. Her most recent theatrical endeavor is The Renner's (Home of Zane Trace Players) monochromatic production of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD directed by her husband, Rich. "It is very exciting" she states "to create a world that seems to spring out of an old-time movie - the textures, shapes and shadows - they seem to tell a different story with the absence of color."
Shelley is honored to share in Christy Swope's artistic debut. Expressions of Spring speaks to the promise and growth of the season. It echoes the artistic talents of Christy herself. Her work speaks of promise and growth in each stroke and line. May this be a wonderful start to a long season of artistic renditions for the future.
Pastels and Pencils - visits children, their activities and their guardian angels at work. Enjoy our EXPRESSIONS OF SPRING and thank you for supporting the arts and artists in downtown Zanesville.
--Shelley Tolliver
