Crystal Smith is a self-taught mixed media artist “lovin'” her life as a stay at home mom and owner of Chirp Love, Art. Crystal has shared a little about herself and her studio name:

“Since the day I was born my Mom and Dad have called me “Bird”. In fact,  if they call me anything else I know I am in trouble. My real name is Crystal. I used to be embarrassed when my friends or my parent’s friends would hear them call me “Bird”.  But in 2011 after my second baby girl was born, I embraced my name and that is how “Chirp Love, Art” came about. I am a mixed media artist. I have been creating since I was a little girl. I studied advertising and design in college but realized after graduation that I didn’t fit. I love color and I love the freedom to paint what is on my heart not what an employer wants me to do. I am incredibly blessed to have a husband who encourages my crazy adventures and takes time out to prep my materials, even if that means finding recyclable junk on the side of the road. It’s become a family affair because my Dad and Mom, who are craftsmen themselves, also enjoy the adrenaline rush of finding treasured junk and refurbishing it to make something new.”

You can meet Crystal and shop her inspirational art pieces in the Chirp Love, Art booth at 2015 Norcross Art Splash October 3 and 4. For more festival information visit http://norcrossartsplash.com/

Michael Ballew is a self-taught mixed media artist from North Alabama.  His creations incorporate the use of various discarded materials (wood, glass, vintage books, saw dust, etc.) and paint.  Raised on a farm, he was exposed to all aspects of nature and was taught an appreciation for what farm life can offer.  These life lessons and messages are incorporated into his work and are often seen as whimsical and surreal with a Southern folk art quality.

Also incorporated is his deep seeded spirituality influenced by “Old Southern Churches” and “Angels” – other dimensions of his work.  As an artist, his goal is to bring enjoyment to others through his work, while, at the same time, taking them into a deeper appreciation of the simple things in life that are often taken for granted.  In the end, he wants others to experience life, see it in different ways, and experience what he calls its true “Spirits and Colors”.

See Michael’s works in person along with dozens of additional artists at the 2015 Norcross Art Splash.

 

Michelle Monet is a self-taught artist who discovered her love for visual art quite by accident while doodling in a cafe in Cape Town, South Africa in 1996. Up until that point she made her living as a vocalist, composer, guitarist and impersonator of Barbra Streisand. She performed around the US and abroad in a variety  of concert halls, showrooms and productions in various shows from Vegas to Russia!

Her customers love her art because it is whimsical, witty and inventive and often humorous, inspirational and thought provoking.  After a semi midlife crisis/breakdown/breakthrough in her life (at age 36!) she realized she was fascinated with drawing pictures. She sketched and doodled obsessively to the point of obsession!  Up until that point she had never even drawn a stick figure so needless to say she was pretty  surprised by her sudden compulsion to draw!

The key to Michelle’s work is that she always strives to have FUN , break rules at times, and just explore all the possibilities —- Michelle says that creativity is a healer and its own reward. Her work and life were recently featured on a PBS documentary called “Creative License’.

Her newest exciting chapter of her life is that she is going back to her music and is producing Cabaret shows around the country —-singing again with more passion and excitement!

You can meet Michelle in person and see her works of art at the 2015 Norcross Art Splash.

Contact: Frances Schube

Telephone: 770-452-1727

Cell Phone: 770-337-4049

Email:RDemetrius72@aol.com

Norcross (June 1, 2015) – Organizers are diving right in and unveiling a fresh name and splashy new logo for their popular fall event.   Norcross Art Fest will now be aptly called “Norcross Art Splash” to illustrate the color and vitality of the yearly celebration of the arts. Historic Norcross will be filled with smiles and happiness as more than 135 local and national artists line the charming streets for the twelfth annual Art Splash October 3 and 4, 2015. The wildly whimsical show will be held Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. “We are so excited to announce our new name, and we can’t wait to work with our 400 volunteers again,” explains Cindy Flynn, Art Splash producer.

As a result of this exciting new change, Splash Festivals has established a grant program where a significant portion of the proceeds from Norcross Art Splash will be available for purposes serving art and education within the City of Norcross. Flynn notes that “giving back to the community which helped build this event is a natural way to express our appreciation to the volunteers, City officials and other supporters”.

Norcross Art Splash will offer continuous live entertainment on the Thrasher Park Stage – always an anticipated feature of the big Event. The hopping Kidz Zone, also in the Park, returns with jazzy rides and engaging children’s activities. A silent auction filled with decorated chairs and surprises by local school students will be waiting for the highest bidders at the renowned “Chairs for Charity,” booth which is presented by the Norcross Cluster Schools Partnership. The Food Court on Buchanan Street is always a favorite among hungry shoppers looking for a quick break before venturing back to the artist market.

Flynn and Frances Schube of Splash Festivals also produce Acworth Art Fest, Dunwoody Art Festival, Johns Creek Arts Festival and the Historic Norcross Holiday Tour of Homes.

Parking and shuttle service are free and easy to find. For more information, check out www.NorcrossArtSplash.com.

Tags: #NorcrossArtSplash, Art, Georgia, Festivals, Fairs, Events, Family
Splash Festivals Twitter: https://twitter.com/splashfestivals
Norcross Art Splash Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorcrossArtSplash

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