Andrew Stronge was born in Sunderland, England, but moved to the states when he was young. He always had an interest in art and illustration, and he had creative parents who allowed him to express himself all over his bedroom walls. At the encouragement of extended family, Andrew went to school for web design and computer programming, but after a few years working in Charlottesville on different UVA department websites, he realized that he was moving too far away from his passion in illustration. He decided to pursue a job at a local screen printing company where he could use his artistic skills. He started off doing grunt work around the shop, but quickly moved up in the industry, eventually becoming lead designer and operations manager at one of the larger local screen printing companies.
While working full time, Andrew continued to pursue his own art, doing the occasional freelance illustration job or small craft fair, and even illustrated a children’s book called Mathematical Mischief. A charity event called Screens ‘n’ Suds in Richmond, VA inspired Andrew to combine his skills in illustration and screen printing to create his own screen-printed posters. His art has always had a strong pop-art inspired style of bright colors and bold lines, and his work in the screen printing industry had perfected his technique. This medium allowed Andrew to create unique hand made prints of his work that were much more affordable than the hand-painted canvases he had been selling, allowing him to reach a larger audience.
In 2016, Andrew decided to make the leap to leave his job to pursue Stronge Designs full time. Andrew now travels all over the east coast to show and sell his work at comic cons, craft shows, and punk rock flea markets. He occasionally sets up live screen printing events where he can educate people on the process of printing t-shirts and his posters. When he’s not traveling to a show, he is a stay-at-home dad to his 1-year-old son, Alister, and has turned a passion for collecting vintage toys into a small business called Time Capsule. Through Time Capsule, Andrew and his wife, Adrienne, sell vintage toys online and in a shop called Oddballs Collectibles in Richmond. Andrew lives at Lake Monticello with Adrienne, Alister, their two old pugs, and a very large robot and vintage space toy collection, a passion of his that you can see reflected in a lot of his sci-fi inspired work.
We are thrilled to jump back into another First Friday celebration this month with artist, Sara Harper. Based in the Shenandoah Valley, Sara Harper explores the depth of nature with line and form in drawings and oil paintings. Her work evokes a deep appreciation for both complexity and simplicity in nature and is characterized by the practice of observation.
Varied lines and brush strokes are used in Sara’s oil painting portraits of animals and people. These pieces are created with the philosophy that there is great intrinsic value in the rich inner life of each subject. Harper’s dynamic use of color breathes life into her work in a way millions of artists have struggled to achieve, her intricate color layering and delicate brush strokes show she has not only mastered realism but is making it her own.
Sara isn’t just highly experienced with color relationships and layering, through her ink pieces she exemplifies a masterful eye of proportion, shape, and balance – especially when it comes to nature. These pieces and many more will be on display at the CW Depot through the month of October. You can also RSVP to the opening night to meet the artist. We are requiring masks be worn inside and encourage you to be vaccinated if you attend this event.
For more artwork, you can check out Sara’s Instagram and Etsy!
Whether we notice it or not, art will always have a seat at the table in every community. Art has been used as not only a form of self-expression but a form of communication that can convey more than words ever could. When speaking about art in the context of community it isn’t just paintings, drawings, or even photography – it can be found inthe design of our homes, the ingredients of our food, and even the fabric of our clothes. Art also brings us together, whether it be at a gallery or sitting at the kitchen table staring at doodles on the fridge, it always finds a way of drawing us in.
These elements are all similar to those in our community, but not exact – we are united yet we are individuals. We can find the same way of thinking in the way spaces are designed. Every home we create is unique, while there might be elements that are common for the surrounding area, each plan is designed for the specific family that will be living there. While homes are mostly stagnant we understand that the inhabitants definitely aren’t, we design with your future goals, hopes, and aspirations in mind so we can create a space that encourages your plans for the future.
An example of this is a home we designed (built byBeck Builders) for a family that understands the value of children playing and exploring. They requested to create spaces their kids could hide and open floor plans for plenty of family space, ultimately we were asked to create a home where their children could enjoy childhood to the fullest. This resulted in creating a unique hidden room behind a bookcase, along with plenty of other secret hiding spots and passages.
These custom creative details not only allow us to design beautiful homes, but allow us to create spaces that encourage playfulness, growth, and memories for families. A custom design is one that facilitates the life you want to live. Your priorities, beliefs, and focus all come into the design to shape space or place. A house is the most complicated machine you will ever own, so this customization is critical to living fully. A custom design is more than just selecting colors or finishes, it is a process to understand you and your family and reflecting that in design. We infuse fun, creativity, tranquility, comfort, energy efficiency, durability, function all into the design solution. If you are looking for a custom home solution, reach out to us for a conversation, we would love to help.
Here is my COVID confessional, I am mentally exhausted.
2020 was a year like no other, in fact, I believe it was actually a decade long. There was so much weight, heavy emotional draining weight. Did it hit you? How have you found a way to bring joy to life and lighten the load of all that heavy in the world?
As a release I have started decorating the house I purchased a year ago. I was putting off decorating until I got all the broken / outdated things fixed, but that is going too slow. The house still needs walls painted, terrible wallpaper removed (example above, but should also include the wallpaper of grapes on the kitchen and the flowers in the master bath), landscape cleaned up and more. I just got tired of waiting to get everything right before I started making it home. I created the art wall first. This is a collection of my favorite local artists – Sophie Hendricks, Patricia Hendricks, Steve Flora, and Tonya Pickett. I love this wall, it brings me so much joy.
I am expanding my collection of wall art to include photography of my own and from the girls. I get joy from these creations hanging on the wall. The photos bring memories of places, times, and events. This source of joy gives me energy. It breaks up the heaviness in the world and helps me center.
Who is your favorite local artist? What works bring you the most joy?
If you missed our First Friday at the Depot this month, you missed an amazing party. Santa and Red Wing Academy were at the Depot and the spirit of Christmas was in the air.
We had lots of young friends stop by to see the guy in Red – no not Charles – the other jolly elf – Santa. He gave out candy canes and listened to the wish lists. Some LONGER than others. Charles is still hoping Santa will bring him a Harley Davidson if he says it enough times.
We welcomed Red Wing Academy back to our space and they blessed us with beautiful music. Meg with Tiller Strings, led the group in three sets up music playing Christmas tunes and even some Steel Wheels classics.
The night was beautiful and hopefully Santa will recover from his injuries suffered from these two sitting on his lap before Christmas day.
If you have not attended our First Friday downtown in the past, we will start up again in March – we hope you can visit. January and February there are still gallery openings downtown, so watch for posts for locations on the Art Council Facebook page.
From all of us at the Depot, we wish you a peace filled holiday season! Happy Holidays!
First Friday at the Depot with Santa and Red Wing Academy is this Friday, December 6, 2019. If you have attended this event in past years, you know how special it is. Stop by before you claim your Holiday Parade spot along main street to see students from the Red Wing Academy that will play several sets for you to enjoy. Santa will also be available for photos and for letting him know what is on your wish list this year.
Friday, December 6, 2019
We will have hors d’oeuvre and drinks available. Note the special hours!
We are thrilled to welcome back Red Wing Academy students to our space again this year.
Red Wing Academy is open to non-beginner violin, viola, cello, bass, guitar, mandolin and banjo students. Students will receive individual and group instruction from highly trained music teachers and will also be coached by members of The Steel Wheels throughout the week. Daily curriculum will include group classes, mini lessons, improv and jam sessions, technique and tone development, stage performance, electives, recreation, panel discussions, and more. Each day will close with a camp wide rehearsal to practice for Red Wing performance.
Throughout the 4-day workshop, students will learn several tunes to perform collectively. The Academy experience will culminate at Red Wing Roots Music Festival with a live, on-stage performance with The Steel Wheels.
Email academy@redwingroots.com or call 540-588-0332 for more information.
Red Wing Academy is hosted by Eric Brubaker of The Steel Wheels as a four-day intensive camp held at Eastern Mennonite University.
