Past Shows at
The Conn-Artist Studios

J O A N   M U R P H Y
“Carolina Impressions”  
May 2008
September 7th, 2007 - The Conn-Artists Studios was
the place to be!  We celebrated the opening reception
for the "79.9" Juried Art Show during Downtown
Hendersonville's 1st Friday Gallery Walk.  

Connie's inspiration to host the show was born
through her appreciation of the work many artists do
in their "seasoned" years.  
"They SEE better than any 20- year old" says Connie.
 it is evident in the work presented.

Chloe Boehm- 1st Prize Winner
(pictured upper left with juror, Wendy Whitson and
Connie Vlahoulis) was presented First Prize for her
Mixed Media painting,
"Many Moons Ago"

Pictured above; Tom Asbury poses with all three
winners in front of Mary "Charlie" Griffin's
Honorable Mention, "The Edge of the Woods"

Far Left; 2nd Place winner,
Lorraine "Larry" King, TWSA, SPS
with her watercolor, "Winter Cattails IV"

Left; 3rd place winner, Lenore Barnett, NOAPS
with her painting, "Paros, Greece"
The artwork contained in this site is protected by U.S.
and international copyright laws. The visitor agrees
not to reproduce, publish, or distribute any of the
enclosed material without permission from the artist.
"Retrospective"
Kathryn Crutchfield Stein
1947-2007
Got Milk?
"Udder-ly Ridiculous"
copyright Mike Darras
4'x4'
SOLD!
* Mike Darras  2009
Taught, Outsider, Impressionistic,
Pop-Folk Artist...
and humor in most of his paintings and creations.  Using mixed
media on wood, his art is rich and deep in color, texture and
expression. Mike tends to  see outside the normal realm of reality,
and this is evident in his signature long legged characters  and
animals.
Subtle messages of peace and love are in most of his works,
along with  a peace symbol after his signature.
These trademarks have given Mike the nickname “Peace-man”.

With the constant support and encouragement of his beautiful
wife
*Beth (who he claims is the real artist in the family), Darras
paints every day in his Chattanooga studio, and the close couple
is usually at art shows on the weekends. His work is in a number of
galleries & shops throughout the South.  

Mike has had several careers in his life; photographer. Restaurant
owner, and antiques dealer to name a few. Painting and art is,
and always has been a passion of his. Being of Greek heritage,
Mike feels that art has been in his blood for thousands of years.
Completely self taught, Mike waited till,  “all of his kids were
either married, off to school, or out of the house” to pursue this
goal. He and Beth reside in Chattanooga and have 6 kids and 3
grandchildren, along with 2 daughter in laws, 4 parents, 4
brothers and sisters,    numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, and 1
very old but very lovable dog.
September 2007   "79.9"
Sharon Dietz, "blooming" (emerging) artist
First Show
OPENING Reception
Saturday March 27th
3:00-5:00 PM

Meet Kathy's
(human) Family and
Meet the Artist-  Sharon, our Open Studio Artists
& Art League Friends of Kathy and Sharon
Thursday Evening          JUNE 10th, 2010
1st Annual PLEASE MATCH MY SOFA Juried Art Show
"Redecorating Sure Makes a Fella Tired"
by Linda Vickers
1st Place Winner in
"Sofa-li-cious" Category of 1st Annual Please Match My Sofa Show
SOLD
late Kathy Stein
SOLD , donated AND
NEWLY INSTALLED
in Asheville Humane
Society New
Educational Building!
Barbara & Connie sitting on the Studio Sofa in front of the
BEST OF SHOW:: for 1st Annual Please Match My Sofa Show
L'Heure Bleu (the Blue Hour)  
by Vadim Bora
We all have appreciated the wise and comforting words of master artist,
Julyan Davis, who summed up our sadness into a light filled affirmation:

"How fortunate to have been the Chagall of Asheville, your studio in
the heart of the city during such vibrant years, painting what the hell
you want, really staying in touch with the first pleasure of art. And how
fortunate to be so loved and so missed by so many. Lucky guy."
© Vadim Bora Art
http://www.vadimborastudio.com/
A Note About Our Dear
Friend Vadim:

This January, 2011 the Asheville
community was heartbroken over the
sudden passing of Vadim.
Click HERE to read about his
extraordinary life and
accomplishments.

Vadim Bora 1954-2011
"Cornelia and Cedric"
by Vadim Bora

Bronze sculpture commissioned by the Biltmore Estate.
A dedication ceremony celebrated and honored the artist on
September 23, 2010

Photo Courtesy from wonderful artist & friend:  
Wendy Whitson
"The Art Spirit Show"
March 2010