Meet Our Artisans

Watercolor local landscapes.

Raised in the mountains of Virginia when self-sufficiency was the norm, the Alexanders have been making traditional mountain brooms and poplar bark baskets for over 40 years. The brooms and baskets retain their functionality while at the same time reflecting the personalities of their makers. Our mission is to clean up the earth one sweep at a time.

Photographer Michael Alford captures the beauty of Tazewell County and other areas of Southwest Virginia with his digital prints. His work is featured in several local book publications and is displayed in businesses and residences throughout the area. His digital photography was featured in an art exhibit at Southwest Virginia Community College in 2007.

In The Basement Studio, the work you will find includes wearable attire (jackets, hats, and purses) among other things such as dolls and fiber arts.

Located in Troutdale, Virginia, Gerald Anderson constructs guitars and mandolins that feature local Virginia White Spruce, Indian and Brazilian Rosewood, and other exotic materials. Gerald also travels the country performing with the Gerald Anderson Band.

Roger Apple creates unique one of a kind art pieces using native materials such as wood, rocks, and wood resins that are gleaned from the immediate area. He carves peach seeds into various representations such as baskets and crosses, creates composite sculptural pieces, carves walking sticks, paints in oil and watercolor, and is constantly expanding his artistic expressions and materials.

I mostly paint realistic landscapes (and other subjects), 90% in watercolors and 10% in oils. I usually work “plein air”, and try to be true to both the scene presented and my personal reactions to said scene. I've been doing this since 1980, and thus have hundreds of paintings available. I paint because it's an amazing world out there, full of wondrous things, if we'd only stop and notice.

My one-of-a-kind pieces begin in the form of precious metal clay and are sculpted, carved and manipulated to form a unique piece of wearable art. Using traditional metalsmithing techniques, I make many of the chains and findings. All stones and glass are selected for their unique value and quality.

Jeff Bailey began wood carving as a self taught artist in 2008 after many years of painting, sculpting, and design work. He has had a passion for all types of art throughout his life, but has found that wood has become his new canvas. Jeff travels on the southeast coast participating in various shows and competitions. He has won numerous ribbons, including Best and Second Best of show. Commission work is available if contacted directly.

My colored pencil prints are created with a true sense of purpose and an affinity for the image in my mind. I like to make the ordinary unordinary and enjoy drawing beautiful, funny, and whimsical art. The beauty of Southwest Virginia is an influence. I also love to sit in nature when I sketch and draw my pictures.

Zed was born in mountains southwest virginia.Being the youngestboy of ten children things were hard back then. Zed was interested in art at a very young age but could not afford art supplies so he made do with what ever was at hand ,with this over the years he has developed a very unique style . He takes something that nobody else wants and turn it into a beautiful piece of art work,

Being creative that is what it is all about.

Zed does different subjects,some of his favorites are Native American because they lived in harmony with the earth.Zed's trys to adopt that philosphy in his own life,mountain men are among his favorite subjects. Zed says he considers himself kind of a modern day mountain man, he paints & carvas all winter, and then travels to the big city to sell his art work come spring.

Zed has collectors through the United States and some foreign countries and has won many awards. But he says the best award is the many friends he has made along the way,and he believes that he is doing exactly what the great spirit meant for him to do

Pens and pencils turned from Appalachian hardwoods. Other hardwood items, including spinning tops, kaleidoscope eggs, yo-yos, fly novelties, fly candles, fly ornaments, fly clock.

Hand-stitched, custom designed quilts and wall hangings. Customized walker purses, which I have been creating after making one for my Mom.
Custom designed stained glass, including table lamps and large window inserts.
Hand-made mountain whisk brooms, made from broom corn that I grow myself.

I've spent most of my life living near or on mountains. I grew up in the embrace of the Catskill Mountains in NY, and I spent 12 years studying the rain forest in the Luquillo Mountains of Puerto Rico. I have always felt most at home in the mountains. I can remember when I first started coming to this piece of paradise two decades ago. Once or twice a year I'd drive down Rt 77 and marvel at the layers of majestic mountain ridges stretching into infinity. I was inspired by them then, and 8 years into making the Blue Ridge my home, I'm more inspired by them than ever. The attachment grows ever deeper. With the mountains comes the culture they nurture. Mountain music emanates from living rooms and front porches and from free for all jam sessions at the local restaurant or grocer after hours. The songs very often pay homage to these mountains where our communities nestle.
I would venture that the hearts of the people here, so big and so welcoming to this displaced yankee, are at least in part inspired by their surroundings. I know mine has grown a bit. And I've been inspired by the way art is integral to everyones life here. There is little division between artist and patron. As with the music, the artists and the audience are often the same. Whether you quilt or carve or paint, you don't need a fancy degree to show up and share your passion. Sharing is the point. Being in this environment is truly nurturing. It has helped me to explore and develop my own creativity. I find so much joy in creating and sharing my work in a community that genuinely values the creative journey. I feel so fortunate to be sharing my journey in the Blue Ridge!

Figurative sculpture for home interiors and gardens; corporate gardens, atriums, and plazas; public and private commissions.

I gather inspiration for my craft from the entire natural beauty surround me in these wonder Blue Ridge Mountains that I am so very fortunate to call home. I travel throughout the Mid Atlantic region, as well as forays into the Midwest to sell my work at juried art and craft shows. I grow and gather flowers, ferns, leaves and weeds to make my pressed flower sun catchers.