By Nadine Thomas-Brown, Guardian Reporter

nadine@nasguarrd.com

Dreadful Arts is a circle of natural Bahamian artists who came together in order to bring awareness to the craft. Blended Shades is the brainchild of artist, Elspeth Jackson, who decided to put on an art show highlighting different genres of art. The artists came together and coined the name 'Blended Shades,' as the coming together of different artistic mediums.

The artists involved in the show are Elspeth Jackson-acrylic fauvist artist, Michael Hoyte- woodcarving, Ian Williams-water colours, Carla Campbell-oils/acrylic portraits & Jason Evans - 3D design/furniture design. Subject matter themes range from social commentary, abstract realism, nature, religion, Egyptology and island living.

Elspeth D. Jackson

(Born Colour Vibrations)

By age seven, Elspeth Jackson harboured intentions of owning her own art gallery, and art school. During her high school career, she participated in art competitions, fashion shows, poetry readings, musicals and plays, whether it was in her capacity as a drama club art director, or a backdrop and fashion designer. She received many accolades for her works. When an uncle from Grand Bahama took notice of the sketches that filled her schoolbooks during the summer months, he bought her the tools she used for her very first canvas masterpiece.

"I have always had an insatiable affinity for colours", says the artist, who claims her love for art blossomed upon entering the art programme at The College of The Bahamas (COB). "At COB, I dabbled in graphic design, figure painting and drawing, pottery, sculpture, printmaking, acrylics and oils. This gave me the foundation I needed, which enabled me to appreciate pioneers of the visual arts throughout history, as well as the contemporary and local artisans." Elspeth has participated in The Finco Summer Art Workshop that is held at COB every summer. Not only did she enroll, she was also selected to become an assistant lecturer at these workshops upon her graduation from high school. Elspeth received a scholarship from The Chris Blackwell Foundation, as well as from The Art University of Miami and transferred to The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, where she furthered her studies in graphic design. At such institute, she states that she was able to add to and be more expressive and conceptual with her works. "I love to push boundaries with my use of subject matter and colour. Everything that I put down on the canvas has more to it than what meets the eye. I have often hidden healing words in my pieces because I want to communicate with, and heal the viewer." Elspeth believes that colours can heal people, just as efficiently as traditional modern medicine. She says that colours carry vibrations of their own, and they invoke and communicate emotions. This is the basis of her works.

Elspeth says that she is focused on enlightening the beautiful beings of this planet on things that are not typically placed emphasis on. Her subject matter can range any where from things like spirituality, Egyptology, self healing, colour vibrations, social issues, mythology, philosophy, Bahamian culture and world history. She currently hosts her own television show 'Island Pulse,' a native show on things Bahamian and things extraordinary, on Cable 12 television. Elspeth's works can be found in many collections including those of: Exuma Home Furnishings Gallery and The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale.

Ian Williams

(Mystical Atoms)

An artist for 15 years, Ian moved to Nassau at age 22. Immersed in the music world from a young age, with dreams of becoming a professional entertainer, he says "Music and art go together." He is currently a singer, percussion and acoustic guitar player in a local band and also wrote and co-starred in the record breaking Bahamian song, 'Mama Don't Want No Rake N Scrape In Here!' "Music and art relax the mind and heals the soul" he says, revealing that music allows him to be expressive in his works.

Ian was inspired to begin painting after having a self-portrait done by a fellow painter. Being surrounded by other artists, he was convinced of his talents and picked up the brush. He hasn't put it down since.

Starting out with paintings of spiritual leaders such as Haile Selassie, he taught himself the art of painting. Along with browsing galleries and art books, he also tried to feel out techniques of other artists and made them his own.

Over the years, he experimented with watercolours (which he enjoys working with most) and oil work. Skilled in watercolours, Ian often incorporates atoms into his pieces, as it is his signature. "Atoms are the basis of life and abstract work allows you to create instead of procreate." Ian has expressed that he wants to open the eyes of individuals who view his work, in a spiritual way. And thus, expose them to another realm of art, self-education, creation and those things seen and unseen.

Ian's works are in the collections of: The Burshal's of Lyford Cay, Rita Marley's Bob Marley Resort and many others.

(Healing Hands)

Michael aged 35, hails from Grand Bahama, Bahamas and is the son of musical great, Leslie "Little Sparrow" Hoyte of Barbados, who exposed him to making and playing the steel drum from the tender age of five. Today, Michael is an accomplished wood carver and musician. He has travelled the world, playing various instruments with just about every local band including Bahamen, Visage, Ira Storr and K.B. Michael says that it is his love of music, consciousness, lyrics and tunes, which makes it easy to express himself in his carvings. He says that "with the inspiration from music, art comes to life and it serves as a little get away from the stress of the world." At age 20, he was introduced to Allen Robinson and Smithy Williams, who taught him the art of woodcarving. This he says, was a three-year journey.

Michael holds a strong principle about his carvings and says, "I am a naturalist. I don't like to cut down trees, so I go to various beaches throughout The Bahamas to collect driftwood." He believes that driftwood is very spiritual, having made a rolling journey from the bottom of the ocean to finally rest where they are found. He goes on to say that it has been a tradition that began since the ancient Ethiopians, to begin utilising the hammer and chisel to design whatever message the wood is conveying to him. He has worked with Ebony, Teak, Mahogany, redwood and Buttonwood.

Michael enjoys taking themes from his Bajan and Cat Island roots by creating carvings in the form of ancient Taino & Lucayan Indians. Michael says that he has been inspired and influenced by artists such as Allen Robinson, Smithy Williams, the late Tony McKay, Eddie Minnis, Antonious Roberts and Pablo Picasso.

A certified Reiki practitioner, Michael compares his art to the healing properties of Reiki. He wants his carvings to open people up to healing themselves. Michael has focused on the true Bahamian expression of art and our plight as a people. He hopes to one day own a carving and sculpture gallery.

Michael's pieces of artwork can be found in many private collections and elsewhere.

Jason Evans

Jason P. Evans (JAVAN) is a Graphic Designer, earning his B.Sc. from Drexel University in Philadelphia. He is a partner in the company, Movi Concepts & Designs. Jason first came on the art scene in 2000, with a very successful exhibit at COB's gallery. Within that year, he got invited to be a part of three exhibitions. This is his first showing since then. He has been busy performing in "da SPOT," a Bahamian variety Comedy Show, for the last four years.

Jason's style embodies the rhythm and passion of the people and things around him. As a firm believer in the philosophy of art being a dynamic process, always changing and adapting to the energies around it, his pieces are experimental in their incorporation of items.

Carla Campbell

Carla says that her work is mainly about the story or narrative, "I typically draw upon life experiences, conceptual or political ideas from books, newspapers, and music. I believe that the soul is continually in a state of change and that my art reflects such changes as a kind of visual journal in pursuit of a higher cause," she states. The Yourba peoples call the artist an "Ewa"- A kind of translator of beauty for the community. She says that she tries to incorporate that definition into her work through observational drawing and painting.

Inspired by the exuberant colours of the tropics and the Bahamas in particular, her pieces reflect the vibrancy of saturated colours in a representational narrative of the human figure. It has an expressive quality that I think is necessary in conveying a message. Usually, I work out my ideas on canvas or paper with acrylic or oil paints. I have a need to use models or photos that I have taken, as references when I am working out an idea.

Carla says that she is especially grateful to each of her teachers who aided in her development. Mrs Carlene Campbell, Mr Antonius Roberts, Mr Maxwell Taylor, Mr John Cox, Mrs Joan Behagg, Mr Bryan McFarlane and Ms Pamela Hoss.

She attended The College of the Bahamas in 1999 and the University of Massachusetts. She has exhibited her work at Java Isle Cafe, Cafe Paradiso Bay Street and her work is in the collection of many local afficianados of the arts.

The "Blended Shades Art Exhibition" is an encore and will be opening at The Central Bank Art Gallery today, Friday, August 11, 2006 at 7 p.m. The public is invited and admission is free. Refreshments will be served and wines will be provided by Butler & Sands.