We Are Open for Business!!!

Official Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Talina Ripper, 128 E. Market St., Kingsport, TN 37660, 423.737.0445, ripperarts [!at] gmail.com http://www.ripperarts.com/

MORE ART COMING TO DOWNTOWN KINGSPORT, TN
Artists Cindy Saadeh and Michael Ripper open studios on Commerce Street

Kingsport, TN, April 21, 2009

Saadeh is a native of Winston-Salem, NC. She had the fortunate opportunity to study with artist Richard Palomino in Montpellier, France for 2 ½ years. Palomino is self-taught in the Dutch Master technique. He made all materials by hand, including grinding and mixing pigments, stretching canvas with rabbit skin glue, and making mediums out of copal and amber. She learned the technique of painting with “glassis”, or thin layers of paint to achieve depth in the painting. During this period she painted mostly still lifes set up with one light source as the Masters did. These early works were extremely realistic. Upon Cindy’s return to the US, she moved to Charleston, SC for its rich abundance of subjects to paint, from historical architecture to beautiful marshes. After painting for many years, she has developed a softer, less realistic and more interpretive style. Cindy now resides in Kingsport, with her husband, Kris, and their son. She is excited about bringing more fine art to the area and providing opportunities for interactive learning through painting classes.

Ripper recently moved to the Tri-Cities from Avery County, NC. He has a formal education in the arts with a BFA in wood design and a BFA in ceramics, both from East Carolina University. Michael has always found an amazing beauty in nature, especially right here in the heart of the Blue Ridge. This is where most of his inspiration comes from. With his woodwork, in particular, Michael designs and arranges the grain of every species of wood so the viewer can see the real beauty and uniqueness of each piece. Whenever possible, Michael uses native Appalachian hardwood (Cherry, Maple, Walnut, and Poplar). Some of the wood is lumber that has been cleaned up from the many wind storms and floods. By using this wood and other recycled wood, he is helping to clean up our beautiful mountains and prevent forest fires. Through his art, Michael wants to share with other people the beauty that he sees, in just one very small piece of these glorious Appalachian Mountains. Michael, along with his wife Talina, their small son and her three sons, are thrilled about moving into their downtown loft and living their art in downtown Kingsport.

Both Cindy’s and Michael’s Studio are located at 210 Commerce Street, Downtown Kingsport. Art is on display and for sale at Cindy Saadeh Fine Art 128 E. Market St., Kingsport, TN 37660 Additional contacts Cindy Saadeh 423.782.9451 or Michael Ripper 828.406.1317.www.cindysaadeh.com

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