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Decatur Artist Paints With Fire

Wood burning elevated to new level by local crafter

Sarah Smith has been crafting all her life, for fun.  Sewing, painting, drawing and giving objects new life are second nature to her. 

So, when she lost her job as a project manager for an interactive design company two years ago, she made the decision to get serious about earning a living as an artist.

Although she was clear she wanted to work with textures, it
was a serendipitous trip to the hardware store with her woodworking boyfriend that set her on an unusual, creative path. That day she walked out of the store with a scroll saw along with the tools needed to learn pyrography, the art of writing with fire.

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Although you may have fond memories of wood burning as a
child, the Colwood wood burner is far superior to the scorching hot, blunt-tipped tool you likely wielded when you were nine.

“I like thinking out side of the box and getting away from the stereotypical,” Smith said. Following her intuition, and using her considerable drawing ability, Sara began burning images into wood and soon was skilled enough to produce portraits. “This was like a new version of painting for me,” she said.

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Beth Thompson, co-owner of HomeGrown, a cooperative style
artist market in Decatur, spotted Sarah’s work and was impressed enough to invite her to display some of her Smitcraft line at the store. Wooden mustaches, jewelry and blocks of birch artfully painted with fire by Smith are displayed at the store.

“Her work is fabulous,” said Thompson. “She’s demonstrated an
ability to produce unique pieces and is a very talented artist.”

On a recent hot, July afternoon at HomeGrown, customers, no
matter what age, couldn't seem to resist the cylinder filled with colorful wooden mustaches on a stick sitting on the counter.  

One woman tries on an orange ‘Bonaduce’ style over her lips and peeks in the mirror. A young girl about 11 chooses a white ‘Uncle Penny Bags’ stache to see what it does for her mug.

“They are a really popular item,” said Smith. Buy one and
take it home or buy a set of eight and pass them around. A few weeks ago she completed an order for 250 of the wooden disguises and has filled orders to ship as far away as France.

On another aisle, Smith displays her talent for operating the scroll saw and pyrography. Paisley shaped pins are first cut out of thin birch wood and then burned with intricate patterns, resulting in fine works of art meant to be worn. 

One of the things about having work displayed at HomeGrown is that customers can come in, touch the work and feel the texture, Smith explained. “Textures don’t always come across online.”  

“HomeGrown gives me the opportunity to see what people are
attracted to and how they interact with the art. I get to see what other artists are doing and get inspired.”

Art Shots

Ruby Velle, Eddie’s Attic, Aug. 3, 8 p.m. Vocalist known for her work as front woman with the Souphonics, the Atlanta-based soul/R&B powerhouse is performing with her trio.

SkaterAid, Call for Artists. Seeking artists to artists to contribute
original art using skateboard decks for our annual silent auction. If you need a deck, contact Patty O'Keefe Hutton. All art is due no later than August 14, to be delivered to Beacon Hill art studios in Decatur. Art will be displayed for a month at the Brick Store Pub in Decatur and auctioned off at SkaterAid on Sept. 25. Art will also be available for bid online. All proceeds from SkaterAid go to the Brain Tumor Foundation for Children. Details regarding the online portion of the auction are forthcoming.

Magician Evan Reynolds will amaze audiences with his
skill on Saturday mornings at the Academy Theatre. “Evan is not only an amazing magician, but phenomenal with kids and families,” said Robert Drake, artistic director. “This is not to be missed.” Every Saturday to September 3rd at 11a.m. at the Academy Theatre. 404-474-8332. Tickets can be purchased at brownpapertickets.com.

“Off the Cuff. On the Fly,” The Seen Gallery, 415 Church St., is sponsoring a cell phone photography contest. Anyone is eligible to enter, anywhere in the world. Photos must be taken with a cell phone camera and be at a resolution of at least 600 x 840. Deadline for entries is Sept. 1. Photos chosen will be displayed at the Atlanta Celebrates Photography Exhibit in October.

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