Recent works by painter Lil Clinard and fiber artist Elaine Fronczek is being featured throughout December at the Art Market Gallery.

The show will highlight watercolor scenes of the Great Smoky Mountains by Lil Clinard, and 3-D functional fiber pieces by Elaine Fronczek.

	Work by fiber artist Elaine Fronczek

Lil Clinard: Established Tennessee artist, Lil Clinard, is inspired by the unique way light affects the scenes that surround her. Drawing since an early age, Lil was already receiving art commissions while in high school. Interior design and freelance art also helped pay her way through college. Having no formal training in fine art, to challenge and supplement her understanding of painting, she has studied extensively in workshop settings with distinguished international and national watercolor artists including Frank Webb, Paul Jackson, Keiko Tanabe and Linda Kemp. Lil has won recognition in regional and national juried exhibitions including Best in Show, Best Watercolor and Best Plein Air Watercolor. In the fall of 2018, the Tennessee Artists Association juror chose “Acqua Alta”, a watercolor night scene at San Marco Square during a tidal flood, as Best in Show. Her works are in private and public collections across the county.

“The way light falls on objects is what fascinates me and is what I look for when choosing a subject. I am not a perfectionist or a slave to detail; instead, I prefer to capture the spirit of the subject.” Lil calls her style “impressionistic realism.” All subjects are fair game if they have beautiful light and drama. “I look for interesting shadows and reflections, often choosing water scenes. Watercolor paint is the perfect medium to achieve the effects I desire. The mixing of paints that takes place on the paper and palette creates complex and rich colors and dramatic flow.” Her paintings come to life in her studio on the Tellico Lake in East Tennessee. Her work can be found at the At Market Gallery in Knoxville.

Elaine Fronczek: I come from a family that has made beautiful and functional objects with their hands. At an early age I could be found in my grandmothers sewing room creating my first designs. Fiber was an avocation for almost 50 years.

In 2008 I attended a class at Arrowmont where I learned to felt. Here I realized that wool, silk and other natural fibers could be manipulated into both 2- and 3-dimensional creations in the shape and color of my choosing. Thus I began my current pursuit in the world of fiber.

I am inspired by the colors of nature and the simplicity and functionality of pieces created by contemporary artists and designers. Using natural renewable materials and repurposed items allows me to create simple pieces that bring beauty and comfort to the eye.

Owned and operated by more than 60 professional regional artists, the Art Market Gallery, at 422 South Gay St., is a few doors away from Mast General store and next to Downtown Grill & Brewery. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. First Fridays only; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. The gallery is wheelchair accessible, and parking in the abutting garage and on the street is free on weekends and after 6 p.m. weekdays. For more information, visit artmarketgallery.net or facebook.com/Art.Market.Gallery.