Story by Deb Peterson | Photographed by Deb Peterson.
“Art is like relationships. It’s passionate at first.”
That’s what artist Louise Derryberry-Reynolds of Spring Street Arts tells me as she glances around her studio on the square in Jasper, Arkansas. Louise knows how to keep that early passion alive in her art year after year. She picks up a piece of dichroic glass and turns it over to reveal how what she originally thought was a mistake turned out to be a lovely new technique.
“People expect your art to stay the same,” Louise says, “but mine changes from morning to night every day.”
She doesn’t allow herself to get attached to old techniques, but she doesn’t throw them away either, and therein lies her secret.
When Louise begins work on a new idea, she thinks about its origins first, wonders which of her old techniques she might combine with it, and allows the idea to evolve.
“My new thing is PMC,” Louise says, “precious metal clay that is 99 percent silver or gold. I’m using my old linoleum blocks with it.”
The results gleam in Louise’s jewelry display case. Throughout her warm studio are an abundance of other examples of Louise’s creativity — fused glass, dichroic jewelry, gorgeous hand-painted watercolor silk scarves, stoneware pottery, pen and ink drawings — most influenced by water.
Born in Tokyo to a Japanese mom and Irish dad from Missouri, Louise, 53, found Jasper by way of El Paso, Texas, where she grew up, and Seward, Alaska, where she tired of the lack of seasons and headed south in search of an artist’s colony.
She kept looking until she found the Buffalo River in 1995.
“I love it,” Louise says of the river. “The transparency of the water… I still have passion for it.”
Even Louise’s husband is connected to water.
“Ivan is known as the water man,” she says. He maintains the water lines in nearby counties.
Just as she links the old with the new in her art, Louise stays connected to her Japanese roots in an American way. Stunningly beautiful Japanese kimonos adorn the walls in Louise’s studio. On a rack hang shorter haori jackets in more muted tones.
Louise’s creativity is wearing off on me. I choose a haori to wear as a blazer (it hides the hips so nicely!) and a silk scarf in gorgeous watercolor teals.
“We all have something to feel artful and vital about,” she says. “When we express love and passion, it always comes back tenfold, whether it’s about cooking, relationships, art, music. I don’t want to eat anything from an angry cook.”
Amen.
You can reach Louise at 870-446-2521.
M! Feb/Mar 2011.
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2011 catchup: little cabin in the woods | the dramatic
[…] Spring Street Art Studio has some truly beautiful things in it. Also, there was this fabulous woman inside (who turns out to be Louise, the artist-owner) who immediately took my kids over to her artist’s working table and let them fashion tiny Buffalo River canoes out of clay. Once they were done she would glaze and fire them to sell – and so she claimed to owe them one and let them each take a finished canoe off the shelves. Such a small thing – but my kids loved those canoes. And I loved her. […]
Jessy
Spring Street Art Studio has some truly beautiful tihngs in it. Also, there was this fabulous womana0inside (who turns out to be Louise, the artist-owner) who immediately took my kids over to her artist’s working table and let them fashion tiny Buffalo River canoes out of clay. Once they were done she would glaze and fire them to sell and so she claimed to owe them one and let them each take a finished canoe off the shelves. Such a small thing but my kids loved those canoes. And I loved her.
Mary Anne Raines
I went to elementary school with Louise. She was incredibly creative. Her mother would come to school and teach us origami. All the beautiful art in our school was done by Louise. BTW- She was student of the year! Fancy both of us ending up in Arkansas from El Paso
angie
We are Texans, but when we were married, 18 years ago, we lived in Yellville, Ark. for a few wonderful months! Jasper was one of our favorite places to go! About 5 years ago, we took a vacation back up to Jasper and showed our son around. While there, we went in to Spring Street Arts and felt immediately at home. Her gallery was so impressive, her work amazing and she was a delight to get to know! My husband and son continued to “look around town”, but I couldn’t leave Louise. I felt like I had known her for years, yet we had just met. Being in Jasper and in that community was such a unique feeling that we seriously considered uprooting and moving there…picked up brochures for homes and all! Even today, when I wear the beautiful jewelry that I bought from Louise, I can’t help but get that wonderful feeling that I had that weekend in Jasper and in her gallery. If you are EVER near Jasper, please go in and meet Louise. 🙂
Ben & Carla Oefinger
Louise is The Best Artist ever! We have been buying her work for the past 5 years! We live in Texas & cannot wait to get to Jasper, Arkansas each year. Our grandchildren know to expect something from Louise’s shop! This last trip we bought beautiful earrings for our granddaughters & she gave us beautiful rocks for our grandsons. We always purchase her cards which are so unique & perfect for sending to that special person. Louise is the most jolly person you could ever hope to meet & her talent is unmatched. She has a God-given ability to see art & then create it for all of us to enjoy. Don’t walk, run to her shop on the square when you are in Jasper! You will want to buy everything she has! Thank you Louise! Ben & Carla Oefinger
carolyn gillson
Two friends and I were in Louise’s shop last week. It was amazing. I bought a beautiful silk scarf, and my friend bought 4 necklaces. Louise explained in great detail how she made my scarf, and that there would never be another one like it.
We’ve been in craft shops all over the world, but this one was unique. Louise handled each of her works of art with a lovely reverence. It was apparent that she loved each piece, as she had invested herself in each one.
The art work is wonderful, but Louise’s cherishing each piece was soul-satisfying We will make every effort to go back many times.
Debbi Jones
What is the name of the cool plants you sell? Can I order one and can they ship?
Barbara Vasluski
Hi I was at a Newton county Wildlifr Benefit last weekend and WON some of Louise’s Jewerly. Wow. They are amazing. Very modern and brilliant iridescent colors. A Big Thanks sent your way Louise
Angel Bowen
Can someone please give me the number to Louisa Ann Derryberry plz. I tried to call the number above and it just rings and rings. My email is angel75wings@yahoo.com if someone can have her contact me ASAP. Thank you