From musicians and glass blowers to woodworkers and nail artists, we certainly have no shortage of talented Gwinnettians. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite local artists and convinced them to share all the details about their work, motivation and how you can snag a little piece of their work for yourself!
Decorative Artist Chris Walker
After graduating with a BFA in illustration, Chris Walker started his career working in high-end, hand-painted furniture in Toccoa, Georgia. He opened up his own shop, C.N. Walker Designs, in 2003 and relocated to Sugar Hill soon after that. Nowadays, you can find Chris traveling all over Georgia and South Carolina, painting murals and special finishes in private homes and businesses. You might not know it, but you have likely seen his work around town. Chris designed and painted the mural at the Suite Spot in Sugar Hill and pieces at Indio Brewing in Sugar Hill and Social Fox Brewery in Norcross. From traditional acrylic paintings in classic southern homes to playful marquee signs at your local watering hole, Chris’ work is diverse and nothing short of a masterpiece. Check him out on Facebook or at cnwalkerdesigns.com.
Nail Artists at The Nail Society
Nicole Franklin is a nail technician at the Nail Society in downtown Buford. She has always loved art, but felt most passionate about nail art and began practicing on her friends and family when she was young. Nicole’s work is unique, wearable art that gives her clients a boost of confidence and an outlet for self-expression. She loves making her clients feel pampered and pretty while also focusing on the health and wellness of their hands and feet. If you haven’t visited the Nail Society, you are definitely missing out! Nicole and the rest of the team have created a welcoming and intimate environment and their talent and creativity are unmatched! Visit them online at thenailsociety.com to book an appointment, or follow along on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Musician Max Eve
It might not be fair to label Max Eve as only a “musician.” Max is truly a jack-of-all-trades and spends his time performing, teaching guitar lessons, playing piano, providing therapeutic music at local hospitals and doing commissioned paintings (canvas, murals and home interior). From a young age, Max was entranced by the arts and is entirely self-taught. He believes that “local art breathes color into a thriving community. While communities are centered around small business and family, art and music fill an important void of imagination and charisma that can be shared by everyone.” It takes a true renaissance man to juggle nursery murals and heavy metal lyrics, and Max certainly fits the bill. You can find his music, as well as his art pieces at maxevemusicandart.com, and be sure to check out his schedule to find out where he will be performing next.
Glass & Watercolor Artist Cher Thompson Austin
Cher Thompson Austin was born with art in her blood. Her father was a freelance illustrator, and her mother created beautiful paintings and soapstone sculptures. Today, Cher is a glass artist as well as a painter, but she got her start in watercolor. She began showing her work in art festivals around the south and joined Watercolor Societies, exhibiting around the country. Cher’s work is not your average glass art. In fact, no one does glass quite like Cher. Her assemblages are framed in shadow box frames. The glass is mounted on stilts so the light can pass through, creating beautiful shadows. Cher is exclusively represented by Fusion Art Glass in Seaside, Florida, but you can also find her beautiful creations at cheraustin.com.
Woodworker Jeanette Pierce
As a former teacher and basketball coach Jeanette Pierce likes to stay busy. Luckily her uncle is a master bowl maker and was happy to pass on his craft. From bowls and pens to charcuterie boards, baby rattles and wine stoppers, Jeanette uses a lathe to craft wooden pieces that are not only beautiful but functional. Her favorite part? Taking wood that people would normally discard and turning it into art. Jeanette comes from a long line of carpenters and entrepreneurs and hopes to pass on the art of hands-on building to the next generation. She’s a one-woman shop and doesn’t do much advertising, but if you’re lucky, you can snag one of her pieces at the Suwanee Arts Center.