Whiskey dyed jeans from Marc Nelson Denim, Knoxville, Tennessee

Ad for Marc Nelson Denim — from website: marcnelsondenim.com

Dogwood Art DeTour 2015 took us a lot of places from the open studios of Diana Dee, Melanie Wood, and Shannon Davis to the heart of Knoxville on E. Depot Avenue for the art of manufacturing at Marc Nelson Denim.  Oh, sure.  We’d seen the ads of a handsome couple sporting whiskey-stained denim, but never knew the story — or even the location — of denim jeans causing a buzz in the fashion world.

Founder Marc Hall, born and raised near the old, now defunct, Levi’s plant on Cherry Street, took pride in wearing Levi’s partly because his grandfather, L. C. Nelson, had a flair for fashion and a love of quality.  My grandfather always told me that when you leave the house, even if you don’t have a million bucks, you should dress like a million bucks, said Hall (as quoted on website.)  And thus, the trend began.  Now, this small-batch craft denim brand produces sought-after limited quantity jeans named for Marc and his grandfather, Mr. Nelson.  (Full story here.)

Founder Marc Hall’s grandfather, L. C. Nelson

Our tour began with a greeting from the affable buyer and product developer, Kim Milligan, who directed us to one of the friendliest PR guys in town, Andy Jones.  Andy almost immediately took us to the racks of clothing, like the waxed denim shirt.  (Waxed, right?)

Andy explained that denim starts out white and then takes on the colors given to it — like the indigo blue we’re all familiar with.  Or orange, if you live in Big Orange Country!

Marc Nelson Denim jeans can be bought from racks or customized to a specific fit and size. But you need to wear them.  A lot.  Or that’s what Andy told us: They take on your shape and become part of you.  That’s why Andy — and the instructions on their denimology fact sheet on the website  — recommend not washing them — well, for at least for six months.  Surprised?  We were. But now it kinda makes sense.

Wear ’em for six months so they conform to you!

The newest for Marc Nelson?  The color of whiskey.  Andy again:  That’s right.  We put whiskey in the wash with the denim.  And this is the color we get.

As described on the website blog: We steep raw, natural 12 oz. Selvedge Cone Mills Denim,  in a barrel of Whiskey for 30 days. After the month, we wash it, soften it and hang it to dry. The pair is breathable, yet incredibly sturdy – ready for years of wear and conversations over thick, amber whiskey.   (And no, we didn’t sample the product in the bottles!)

They felt softer to us: whiskey-steeped jeans!

Housed in an industrial district, the Marc Nelson Denim showroom is urban all the way –from displays on rough-hewn wood panels to tables who had a past life in a manufacturing setting.

We wouldn’t have necessarily thought of Marc Nelson Denim being a favorite stop on an art tour.  But with the story, the craftsmanship, the unique quality of the garments — well, why not?  This IS art.  And, thankfully, it’s right here in Knoxville.

Bin full of signature buttons for Marc Nelson Denim

For more information:

Marc Nelson Denim, 700 E. Depot Ave., Knoxville, TN 37917;  800.605.9782; http://www.marcnelsondenim.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarcNelsonDenim?fref=ts

Where to buy Marc Nelson Denim:  http://www.marcnelsondenim.com/locations/

For more posts on the Dogwood Arts Festival 2015, click here.

The Studio at White Fox Beads

First stop after seeing the work of Melanie Wood (Click here for post on that visit), we followed the sign into The Studio at White Fox Beads.  Owner Gail DeLuca proudly toured us through the large open studio on Homberg Drive where artists frequently gather, work, and collaborate — or seek advice as needed.  It was a place for advanced beading (if there is such a term), evidenced by the quality of work on display.

Inside The Studio at White Fox Beads, Gail DeLuca shows Bert some of the materials she uses to create her one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces.

Once you see finished products like this intricate necklace, you understand the quality of this art — and know that this is not where beginners begin.

Intricately woven and beaded necklace by Gail DeLuca

While we wandered around the studio, a friend of Gail’s, Judi Talley of Dancing Fox Designs, remained focused on one tiny element of one tiny silver ring.  So focused, in fact, that she was able to shape a bit of the ornamentation on the ring while answering our most basic questions concerning types of metal, tools of the trade, time devoted to the process, etc. (And yes, she’s wearing two pairs of glasses. All the better to see, my dear.)

Focused on shaping a silver ring, Judi Talley shares her craft while continuously working.

A quick look around assured us that this was no place for novices, but you wouldn’t know it from the welcoming and genuinely helpful comments by both jewelry enthusiasts.  We felt comfortable there.  And we left with the feeling that if you wanted support with gemstones, metal, found objects, or glass beads, you’d find it here.

Tools of the trade at White Fox Beads

Davis Studio

Around the corner, Shannon Davis opened the doors to Davis Studio, a place we’ve passed hundreds of times but had never visited.  According to the Dogwood Arts brochure, three women contribute to the art sold at the studio:  Shannon Davis and Cynthia Tipton specialize in oil and watercolor, and Cindy Marshall does off-loom, beadwoven jewelry.

Shannon Davis poses in front of her colorful self-portrait.

In addition to showcasing the art of these three artists, Davis Studio represents numerous other area artists (listed on the website).  Other services include calligraphy, custom framing, and art classes for adults and children.

Work of Cynthia Tipton and others on display at Davis Studio, Knoxville.

Cynthia Tipton‘s beaded cupcake design (now reproduced on cards) brought out her humor as she added this tidbit onto the paper strip inserted at the top:  You will suffer from extravagance.

Cynthia Tipton’s beaded cupcake design — available on cards at Davis Studio.

When we left Davis Studio, Cynthia Tipton had taken a seat under the tent where she would eventually demonstrate her craft for festival goers.  I’m waiting for a friend to deliver a five-foot canvas that I’m going to work on today, she said.  Too bad we couldn’t get back to catch that action!

Cynthia Tipton waits for a five-foot canvas under the tent where she’ll demonstrate her craft.

For more information on these two studios and the classes they offer, check out the locations and websites below.

Davis Studio, 315 Mohican Street, Suite 2, Knoxville, TN 37919; 865-584-1219; www.davisstudioart.com

White Fox Beads, 5111 Homberg Drive, Knoxville, TN 37919; 865-980-0237; www.whitefoxbeads.com

For more information on Dogwood Art DeTour, click here.

For all the posts on Dogwood Arts Festival 2015, click here.

Soft light bathes the Westmoreland Waterwheel in this painting by Melanie Wood.

Melanie Wood.  Ahh, Melanie Wood.  For those of you following our blog, you know we met her in 2012, wrote about her beautiful home studio and richly colored impressionistic art, and then republished the post again this spring in anticipation of a second visit. We’re grateful for Dogwood Art DeTour 2015  and Melanie’s willingness to open her home once again for visitors to enjoy!

Melanie (who’s truly as gracious as the paintings are lovely) greeted us at the door but then picked right up with her work, just as the Dogwood Arts brochures promised:  “See artists working in their own studios.” And what a studio!  Filled with natural and focused artificial light, Melanie’s art world holds tools of the trade: standing easel, oil paints, assorted brushes, and inspiration everywhere. (Even her clothing that day mimicked the colors she loves.)

Art studio of Melanie Wood

As we faced the patio and the courtyard beyond, we saw paintings on display literally glowing in the morning light: flowers, country homes, even fish in Melanie’s soft colors of blue, gray, peach, rose, and yellow.

Close-up of Melanie Wood painting featuring a blue color palette.

This year, Melanie told us, I’ve modified my color palette a bit.  You’ll see more blues since that’s what is trending in home decor.  (Melanie is vice-president of design for a leading home fashion manufacturer.) One of the onsite volunteers directed us to the dining room to view the “new” paintings on display.  The same subject matter — floral arrangements, still life, homes in the country — filled the room but with the colors of indigo, pale blue, and cream that Melanie is incorporating into more and more of her paintings.

On display in the Woods’ dining room were a few pieces in Melanie’s new color palette.

In the living room, more traditional paintings were on display — mostly studies of people and places the Woods have visited, all with the vibrant color and joie de vivre that typify Melanie’s art.

Painting of ballet dancer hangs above a desk in Melanie Wood’s living room.

Tranformed into a staging area for more paintings for Art DeTour was Melanie’s sunroom. It held paintings a bit more contemporary, perhaps, but with Melanie’s signature soft colors and the muted blues she’s using now. We admired the one of a single boat on still waters for its serenity and peacefulness.

It was during our first visit in 2012 that we purchased one of Melanie’s originals of a home in France.  Today, Melanie’s portfolio includes even more colorful countryside vignettes reminiscent of the travels abroad she and husband Tom still talk about.

If you asked us what we liked best about this stop on the Art DeTour — the artist, the paintings, or the home studio — we would be hard pressed to make a decision.  Let’s just say this:  If Melanie Wood is a featured artist in 2016, we’ll do all we can to see her — and the art — again!

Home and studio of artist Melanie Wood, Knoxville, Tennessee

Melanie Wood, Artist: 1000 Craigland Court, Knoxville, TN 37919; www.melaniewoodart.com; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melanie.wood.731?fref=ts

For more information on the Dogwood Art DeTour or any of the Knoxville Dogwood Arts Festival events, click here.

For more posts on this series focusing on Knoxville’s Dogwood Arts Festival, click here.