ARTIST PROFILE

Spontaneous Creativity

Poured paint technique perfected by artist Andrea Fewell

STORY BY CONNYE GRIFFIN + PHOTOGRAPHY BY AL GRIFFIN

Afeather’s light symmetry delights as it floats from on high down to grasses below. Rarely does a hiker pass by without wondering at its design. Underwater Sea Fans are wonders, too. They waft and wave with the tides, rooted in azure blue ocean waters. Missouri has its own azure beauty in waters washing through limestone and dolomite. Right here at the Lake, the beautiful Ha Ha Tonka Spring carries that rich blue of a summer sky. Such natural beauties inspire Andrea Fewell as she creates jewelry and transforms canvas with acrylic paint, a bit of butane flame, and warm air, even the artist’s own breath gently moving the paint.

With an artist’s eye and practice, Andrea has learned to trust color, viscosity, and technique to produce a work that surprises and delights the eye — even the artist’s own. What Andrea values most in the artistic process is that each piece is unique. The true joy found in art, she says, is in discovering which color will rise to the top, which ones complement each other best, and what patterns will emerge.

For photos, Andrea selected the rich, vibrant colors of Autumn: pumpkin, raspberry, and green. These she poured onto the lower third of a canvas still wet with bright white acrylic. Using a small butane flame and a hair dryer, she pushed the paint and popped some paint bubbles until she had achieved an effect that pleased her artist’s eye.

Some of those colors ran down the edges to a surface below. The drips add dimension to the canvas. Paint

that fell free, once dried, will be carefully scraped and preserved in a journal from which Andrea will select oval, rectangular, heart-shaped, and circular swatches to fill costume jewelry. Necklaces, bracelets, and earrings become miniature natural wonders— just a bit of iridescent glory adding sparkle to an ensemble. These can be found on Andrea’s Facebook page, Controlled Chaos Canvases.

Andrea considers the Lake her true home. She’s a Camdenton High graduate, but found her true love well before her senior year. At age 14, she met and later married Matt Fewell of Fewell’s Automotive, a repair shop established by Matt’s father. Together, Andrea and Matt have four boys. Andrea is their homeschool teacher.

Formal art study is not what drew Andrea to paint. Rather art is in her nature. She says she could often be found in her dad’s garage “building things out of scrap wood and painting them.” Now her work includes furniture that she refinishes with the same poured paint techniques. She has made TV trays and footstools into fine art. These pieces as well as canvases can be commissioned to complete a décor. Similarly, functional coasters can become artistic “pop” pieces impervious to water, thanks to Andrea’s art and a marine-grade epoxy seal.

Andrea has taught and will teach her techniques one-on-one or in groups no larger than 10. She enjoys sharing the spontaneity of the creative process with others as much as she enjoys explaining how she achieves an effect. Those gorgeous feathers require a bit of chain rather than a paint brush, for example.

Equally important to her art are natural elements such as “gravity, water, and fire.” These inspire the artist and move the paint to finished designs. Some of those designs are in the eye of the beholder. Buyers at Linn Creek’s Farmer’s Market or market days around the Lake often see a bird or a face they adore in the design, shapes that Andrea herself hadn’t seen until she shared her work with others. This is all part of the artistic discovery and joy in creating that drive the artist.

Sarah Rees is wearing a Cozy Up sweater dress, $52 and Faye over-the-knee boots, $58. Comfort and CLASSIC

STORY AND PHOTOS BY SARAH REES Collide THREE FASHION TRENDS IN 2021

Just when the fashion industry was leaving leggings, athleisure and comfort in the dust and finally moving on toward a life of denim and classic chic silhouettes, 2020 happened. Many of us did not dare squeeze into a pair of jeans for months and then by October we were dressing up just to run to the grocery store. Any excuse to wear that favorite new jacket we bought way back in March!

As a girl that loves a cute dress or a fancy skirt, I am delighted to say that this year, regardless of staying at home, the world of fashion has stepped up its game. In 2021 you will be seeing a place where comfort and classic fashion collide.

The first trend that is going to be taking over your Instagram feed will be the exaggerated “Power Pant.” We have already seen a shift from tight leggings to relaxed fitting joggers in the past year, but in 2021 it will have a whole new spin. From denim to knits, you will not need to worry about fitting into your skinny jeans because the trendy silhouettes just became a lot bigger. Skinny jeans are out, the exaggerated loose cut is in! This transition away from the form fitting pant is great for both the sedentary woman working from her couch and for the active woman that still does not understand the term “work from home.” This style of pant is easy to wear, allows for a larger range of motion and channels that inner 80’s girl. The “Power Pant” will bring both comfort and classic to the table.

LEFT: Kamber Wofford is wearing an Aspen sweater, $52; the Show Stopper faux suede jogger, $78 and a wool felt hat, $38.

BELOW: Landree is wearing the Lacey button up shirt, $58 and Wild West boots, $68.

The second trend to adopt is the oversized classic staple piece. Blazers Landree Hills is and white button-down tops that wearing a Sleigh All Day cropped sweater, look like they belong in a man’s $62; a Brynn cropped closet, are exactly the look you pant, $38 and The should be going for. This is the Rosy Mule, $64. epitome of the place where comfort and classic style collide. There is nothing more classic than a menswear plaid or tweed blazer. But can we all agree that they are not exactly what we would consider “comfortable?” That is where the oversized trend comes into play. The fashion motto of 2021 could possibly be, “The Bigger the Better!” Pair these exaggerated pieces with a pair of leggings, your favorite tee, and sneakers and this is the ultimate classic and comfortable statement. Finally, let us talk about extravagant sleeves. As you may have noticed, exaggerated silhouettes are the trend of 2021. It does not stop with pants or blazers, but you will start to notice tops with sharp shoulders and pleated and puffed Shelby Ellison is sleeves. These overwearing a Reena stated sleeves bring a plaid blazer, $48; a classic feminine feel Jana one shoulder to the fashion scene. bodysuit, $42 and To make this trend the Heidi Embossed Croc skirt, $44. comfortable they are presented in knits and sweaters with plenty of room to move. This allows for versatility and comfort in the style. When wearing one of these tops, you will feel elegant and whimsical, and like you can sit back and relax all at the same time.

Now, do not worry, lounge and athleisure will still be all over the market this year and will not be disappearing any time soon. However, there is something to be said about stepping up your wardrobe every now and then. I can guarantee that if you throw on a whimsical sweater or an oversized blazer just once a week that you will eventually realize that comfort and style can go hand in hand. Whatever you choose to wear this year, I challenge you to make it something you feel confident in. Just taking five extra minutes a day

Landree is wearing a Tickle Me orange bodysuit, $46 and Landree suede skort, $48. Kamber is wearing the Reggie smocked top, $36 and the Izzy high waisted jean, $50. to put on something special can give you extra confidence walking into the room or showing up to your Zoom call. Make this year the one where you love what you wear, not only because it is comfortable, not only because it makes you feel classy, but because when you wear it you are a confident woman. Find the piece that will make you believe that comfort and classic really can collide.

Sarah Rees is the owner of Palmer Place Boutique, www.shoppalmerplace.com

* Some photos taken at 1932 Reserve and 1932 Reserve Lofts located in Osage Beach.

Landree is wearing the Feeling Fresh bodysuit, $36 and the Addi satin cargo pant, $48.

Sarah is wearing a Reena plaid blazer, $48 and City Sidewalk platform sneakers, $46.