FOUNDING ARTISTS OF SGA
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JOE SHIELDS
Since beginning his career in the early 1980’s, Joseph Shields has established a reputation as one of the most noteworthy fine art photographers currently working in the American South. His images have been selected for important exhibits at cultural centers throughout the region including the Telfair Museum of Art in Savannah, Georgia, the Mobile Museum of Art in Mobile, Alabama and the Alexandria Museum of Art in Alexandria, Louisiana. His work is in the Permanent Collections of the Huntsville Museum of Art in Huntsville, Alabama and the Lamar Dodd Art Center of LaGrange College in LaGrange, Georgia. Shields has also gained recognition internationally, with his photographs honored in two World Gala Photography Exhibitions in Madrid, Spain and included in Experimentelle 16, a prestigious fine art invitational held in Markdorf and Marburg, Germany. Shields is represented by Getty Images of Seattle, Washington and Arcangel Images of Malaga, Spain. 912.631.0616 focus@josephshieldsphotography.com |
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JAMES MRAVEC
"Currently, my creative work has been focused on narrative illustration, nature conservation and expressive painting. I come from an illustration and design background which is heavy on representational art that is influenced by a narrative. I have personally been exploring the application of paint into a more expressive form. My paintings have been striving for a balance between the brush strokes and the realism of the subject. I have been searching for strokes of paint that can add emotion to the narrative of the image. The images should be structurally concise but have an emotive quality from the paint. I am looking for a poetry of visuals to aid in the communication of the story. I have been interested in animals and wildlife conservation since I was young. I have recently started a series of paintings which are titled the Hand of Man. In these paintings, I am exploring the effects of humans and the presence of man on animals in the wild. This includes thoughts on how the environment of the animals can be changed and affected for good or bad. I am trying to get the viewer to think about the inter-connectivity of nature and humans and how this can change the animals and how this could also indirectly affect people. I want the viewers of this art to think about what man has done to the habits of animals and how this could inadvertently affect us. The images from this series all include some visual clue to the Hand of Man without necessarily showing any one person. I hope that these personal paintings can be used in some format to help with natural conservation efforts." James Mravec is a full-time professor at SCAD teaching in the Illustration department. He is new to the Savannah area and is looking forward to exploring nature in Georgia and being inspired for new artwork. www.JamesMravec.com IG: @jimmravec |
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GARY COVELL/Artist Statement and Biography
"I started out as a small child drawing what I saw around me in everyday life. When I began to read I liked action, adventure, war, and science fiction stories. I am mostly self-taught. Family gave me large rolls of paper on which I drew out stories. I was hospitalized with a weak lung during this time. A kind Doctor drew my portrait and that experience motivated me to later draw portraits. After a tour of duty in the U.S. Navy I settled in Savannah with its rich artistic history. In the mid 90’s, while working in an unrelated field, I sold my first piece of art, a fifeteen minute pencil portrait drawing, done while sitting on the sidewalk of Riverstreet. I began drawing portraits in other squares and parks in and around downtown Savannah and in Charleston. Some of the many art festivals I’ve participated in were the "Fine Arts on the River" events. At one of those events, I won 1st place in the painting category with my first abstract painting, done in pastel, titled, “Riverstreet, Savannah River & Bridge." (see below) This image was printed on their event shirts, their marquee banner and has been on the cover of "The Savannah Scene" magazine, numerous times over the years. Other events I’ve participated in have been the "Sunshine Festival" on St. Simons Isl, the "Ogeechee Seafood Festival" in Richmond Hill and other events on Tybee Isl. and in Blufton SC. I draw what I see, for example, portraits, landscapes, man-made landmarks, still life’s and nature mostly with pastel, graphite, or watercolor. I was a member of the Savannah Art Association and was invited to join their co-op, The Chippewa Gallery. When this gallery closed, I became one of the founding members of The Savannah Gallery of Art at 304 E Bryan St. in 2021. I’ve been experimenting with acrylic abstract painting recently and I try to convey a story of balance or sometimes imbalance, with color, composition, mediums, and tools. My abstracts relate to my previous work in that I first develop an idea in my mind’s eye and then begin a process of an underdrawing. Sometimes I don’t even have an idea as I start. I just let the paint tell its own story. I let it flow and swirl from the container, brush or tool and in no particular form or direction. I throw, pull, scrape, and push the colors until the painting follows it's own course. I also enjoy learning the guitar." GCovellFineArt@gmail.com, http://www.instagram.com/GaryCovellFineArt |
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PAT LAMAR
Pat Lamar was raised in Indianapolis, Indiana. She has always been active in community and music; a family heritage. She began her painting career in the 1980’s by accepting an invitation from a close friend to try a class. Her love of Art and the endless possibilities became a lifelong passion. After taking a few classes and much practice, Art became an integral part of her life; eventually teaching classes in Oil and Acrylic painting; then opening her own Studio and Store. She hosted many fine Artists from all over the Country for Seminars. Illness over the next few years forced her to take a sabbatical. Eventually returning to an active life after a Transplant, she has continued her passion in Watercolors. Her interests are unlimited. It has been said that her work is very diversified..from Still Life to Impressionism, including subjects from Nature and all of life’s gifts! Now exhibiting in Savannah and other areas, presently at the Savanna Gallery of Art. She has won awards from the Savannah Art Association and Artist of the Month at the Landings Art Association, Her Fine Art and numbered prints are available through Facebook, Instagram, and her Website: patriciarlamarart.com, at the SGA Gallery, or by contact at patricialamar93@aol.com / 770-335-4927 Member of: American Watercolor Society Southern Watercolor Society Watercolor Society of Indiana Georgia Watercolor Society Art League of Hilton Head Society of Decorative Painters |
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WILLIAM "ROY" YARGER
Roy started woodworking at an early age under the watchful eye of his father, Royden, an accomplished woodworker in his own right. Roy continued woodworking as a hobby during his career with IBM that took him from Dearborn, MI; Poughkeepsie, NY; Boca Raton, FL, and finally to the Atlanta area in 1984. He retired after 30 years with IBM and worked a few more years for an IBM reseller in Roswell, GA as Director of Technical Services. He retired and relocated to Brunswick, Georgia in 2006 where he opened Woodfall Studio to create his one of a kind pieces. Roy moved to Savannah in 2015 and has continued his artistic endeavors. His father gave him his Sears Craftsman wood lathe and after he turned his first piece in 1994, he was hooked. Roy has focused his woodworking almost exclusively on woodturning and the lathe since that date. Roy has attended Arrowmont arts & crafts school, and studied under Kip Christensen and Michael Mocho. His work has been greatly influenced by master woodturners Dale Nish and Rudy Osolnik. He is a member of the American Association of Woodturners, the LowCountry Turners and founder of the Golden Isles Woodworkers. He has been a featured demonstrator at numerous Woodturning clubs in the Southeast through the years. Awards: He has received numerous awards for his work through the years. Publications: Woodturning Design Issue #1, 2004, Woodturning Design Issue #6, 2005, Woodturning Design Issue #14, 2007. Sunshine Artist, Art Show reporter from 2002 thru 2012. STATEMENT: "I have worked with wood most of my life. I started at a very young age assisting my father, Royden, on his many woodworking projects. I have always found wood and woodworking a relaxing, enjoyable hobby. Like everything in nature, each piece of wood has its own character. Each piece is much like every other piece in the species, but each is also very different. Much like every one of us. I have found few things in life more enjoyable and satisfying than seeing that personality emerge from each piece of wood and doing my best to bring out its beauty and character. I try to save and preserve what Mother Nature has created. Most of the wood I use comes from trees that have been felled due to disease, storms or development and destined to be hauled to a landfill. Woodturning is one of the ways that we, as individuals, can preserve a little of a tree that once lived and stood proud. I try to give each piece of wood a new life." |
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JIME WIMMER / Prettylines
Putting aside paint, Jime has pursued 'drawing' full time, because that is where her passion began. Making marks, getting lost in line work. For Jime, that is where she is happiest, making "Prettylines". "I've always lived and loved to move delicate, flowing lines across paper.As a daydreamer and a doodler...it is the organic nature of line that moves me. Curious lines, scratchy lines, implied lines, delicate lines and "pretty lines".I work to make the confusing, clearer. I love both the simplicity and the complexity that the power of line holds. I feel my own emotional energy flowing through my fingers with both conscious and subconscious connections to my work.” After teaching HS students for ten years, Jime went onto pursue a career at the college level and has been an Assistant Professor of Art at the University of Central Oklahoma and is currently a full time Professor at the Savannah College of Art and Design since 2018. She holds her MFA from Hartford University in CT. Jime is not quite done with art yet. Having self published, art directed, and selling in galleries, Jime is now enjoying joining forces with her husband Mike with Wimmer's Woods: drawing what our heart desires to draw. "We both fell in love with art as children based on stories of lore, enchanting tales, and magical quests. We fell in love with nature as inspiration. Wimmer's Woods brings those together." You can also find her on Instagram @wimmerswoods |
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WAYNE CHAMBERS
Wayne has been painting for 59years! Born and raised in Virginia, he painted cityscapes and skyline views of Richmond, where he became the Retail Merchants Resident Artist for 15 years. Many of Wayne's paintings hang in their Boardrooms and Galleries. In the year 2000 while vacationing in Savannah for three weeks, Wayne delighted in painting many of the iconic Historic Homes. including the famous Mercer House (from the book and movie "The Garden of Good and Evil"). Being recognized as a local talented treasure, he was soon commissioned to design and paint the "Tour of Homes" program covers for 12 years. Wayne studied art at the New York Arts Students League and at Virginia Commonwealth University. Having a passion for teaching, he has taught at the Georgian Continuing Education Program, as well as privately. Wayne's Watercolors include the Low Country marshes, tropical beaches and birds, city garden squares, and Savannah penthouse views. "Everywhere I look, I see a painting!" Facebook: Wayne Chambers Gallery |
