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November Issue
2008
Hamlet Fine Art Gallery in Charleston,
SC, Features Works by Mother and Daughters
Hamlet Fine Art Gallery in Charleston, SC, will present the exhibit, Lowcountry Family Connections, featuring works by a trio of mother and daughters, Stephanie Shuler Hamlet, Kellie Jacobs and Melinda Lewin. The exhibition will be on view from Nov. 7 - 30, 2008.
When you view the works of these artists, you
see three unique, innovative styles. When you realize that
they are a southern family of artists it just makes the awe factor
that much bigger. This mother/daughter trio has been painting
together for years; however, each has carved their own niche in
their media and subject matter. Hamlet, once business manager,
with a degree in accounting, has owned and operated her gallery
since 1996. Now the Hamlet Fine Art Gallery flourishes with
her daughters partnering in the business.
Together they have achieved many successes: they have each been
juried into the Piccolo Spoleto Outdoor Art Exhibition; this event
is one of the largest, most prestigious, visual art festivals
in the country. The three of them have also won first place
awards in their media, in a show judged by nationally acclaimed
artist Mary Whyte. They have a relationship that is as close
as any mother and daughters could be and the business thrives
because of it.
Stephanie Shuler Hamlet
Hamlet has used her financial acumen, combined with artistic talent to create an upscale, yet unpretentious gallery where clients can feel free to browse the exquisite offerings of the venue. She has contributed immensely to the art community in Charleston by serving as President of the Charleston Artists Guild, President of the French Quarter Gallery Association, and founding member of the Broad Street Merchant's Association. Hamlet's spontaneity and imagination resonates in her vibrant, textured mixed media paintings. Her life has taken many unexpected twists and turns, and she has parlayed those events and memories into the works of an accomplished, award-winning artist. She has also passed on her inspiration and artistic talent to her two daughters. "What could be better than having a business you love and sharing it with your two children?" said Hamlet.
For Kellie Jacobs, art has been a passion in her life ever since she was a young child and observed her mother painting in her art studio. This passion has inspired her to become a professional pastel artist. Having traveled extensively, living and rearing a family in Australia, has also enriched and expanded her repertoire. After returning to Charleston, Jacobs has been inspired to paint the Lowcountry. "South Carolina's rich, natural beauty gives me an endless supply of wonderful landscapes and seascapes to paint. I am fascinated with the light at the end of the day. In particular, when the evening sun is low and warm touching the tops of the sand dunes and grasses of the marsh. I feel like it is in my soul; it is something that I am compelled to do".
Melinda Lewin, her oldest daughter, was the last to discover her innate talent for painting. After having a 24-week premature baby, Lewin gave up her nursing career to become a "stay at home mom". At the persuasion of her mother, she bought some art supplies and went to her mother's studio for lessons. Lewin became immediately enthralled when she realized how she could get lost from the stresses of everyday life in her painting. The medium of oil has chosen her and she uses bold, vivid brush strokes to convey what she calls "Southern Impressionism" to depict her subject matter. She finds peace and escape in painting and indulges herself to paint whatever moves her at the moment.
"I have so much to be thankful for in my life and I find such joy when I am painting," says Lewin. "While painting at first was a form of therapy for me, it has evolved into a wonderful form of self-expression. My paintings are normally happy, warm and evoke fond memories of places that are near and dear to me."
Many collectors have chosen to select a painting from each of the trio, not only because their works are so exciting and different from each other, but also because it is a conversation piece. Also, you can't help but find yourself swept up in the southern charm and grace of the ladies when you meet them. The gallery also features artworks by other Lowcountry artists, Jennifer Black, Tim Greaves, and sculpture by Mark Woodward and Charles Smith. Also pottery by Bill Campbell and handmade jewelry by Betty Holland and Angela Hall are available. The gallery itself is also worth the visit; it has a charming garden and historical "privy" in the courtyard. Stop by on almost any day and you will likely find one of the trio painting in the gallery.
For further information check our SC Commercial
Gallery listings, call the gallery at 843/722-1944 or visit (www.hamletgallery.com).
Carolina Arts is published monthly by Shoestring Publishing Company, a subsidiary of PSMG, Inc. Copyright© 2008 by PSMG, Inc., which published Charleston Arts from July 1987 - Dec. 1994 and South Carolina Arts from Jan. 1995 - Dec. 1996. It also publishes Carolina Arts Online, Copyright© 2008 by PSMG, Inc. All rights reserved by PSMG, Inc. or by the authors of articles. Reproduction or use without written permission is strictly prohibited. Carolina Arts is available throughout North & South Carolina.