Career

Artistry is an ability that comes naturally to many, but some artists often study with those who are more experienced as a way to teach others or enhance their personal skills.

As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention, an adage artisan Clay Simpson takes to heart.

Art can be expressed in many different styles—through painting, weaving, pottery, and even in fashion design. Eight years ago Laura Moser needed a hat to wear to her first visit to the Kentucky Derby. Instead of buying one, she purchased a base and adorned it to create the perfect headpiece to accent her dress. She continued to create hats year after year for each Derby, drawing the admiration from friends and family. They asked her to make hats for them as well.

Dru Pilmer has been creating art ever since she was a child and could, as she says, “hold anything in my hand.” Her first commissioned work was when she was just 16, painting a mural for the geriatric ward of the Mississippi State Mental Hospital.

Drawing upon artistic techniques from the past often inspires a modern-day artist to create new pieces of work. Such is the case for artist and art teacher Kevin Schultz. She looks for ways to expand her knowledge as she endeavors to use newly-discovered skills, not only in her work, but as a way to teach her students at New Albany High School.