MeetMontgomery: OneBirdsNest + A Giveaway!

We did it! With y'all's help, we reached our goal of 500 Facebook likes! We are so very appreciative for all the support. And, now on to the fun part...

We've started a recurring feature here on Z+M called MeetMontgomery. Our first feature was with Wicks & Willow, and it was super popular. So, here we are again with another wonderful Montgomery, Alabama artist!

Elizabeth Hawke is the owner, artist, marketer, and anything else that may come up at OneBirdsNest. We asked Elizabeth to tell us a little bit about herself and her family, and she put it so beautifully, we just can't even add to it. 

Elizabeth says, "I am the wife to my husband, Harrison, and mother to our 22-month old daughter, Anne Helen. Family is where my heart is: where I find my peace and happiness.  My home life says the most about me; it is also where I create my artwork of OneBirdsNest. 

Outside of our four walls, I am the Business Development Director at Seay Seay & Litchfield Architects. I love being surrounded by the creative minds of my co-workers each day.

Harrison and I find ourselves in Montgomery, my hometown, after a job opportunity for Harrison that moved us from Mobile. But, it was in Mobile that we established our first home, and I found my own style in home décor. Experimenting with furniture and art arrangements in this house created a spring board for crafting my own art pieces that fit my specific needs. When we moved to Montgomery, I was presented with a new home to establish as uniquely mine. Delightfully, this Montgomery home would foster and nurture many, many more dreams."

How did you come up with the idea and name for OneBirdsNest? 

"I became brave enough to entertain the idea of selling my artwork over wine with some good girl friends (one good idea out of numerous bad ones, I am sure). I had been painting for friends for years, but never in a professional manner. Promoting my art to the public was a big step for me - scary and exciting. I am lucky to have good friends and empowering family members who encouraged me all the way though.  

About the Name: Birds seem to be a recurring theme in my life. As a child, my parents called me “tweety-bird” because I had a big head, big eyes and NO hair. Just as I was getting past the memory-banks on that nickname, I married Harrison, whose last name is Hawke. Once again....a bird. When we welcomed our daughter, another baldheaded little girl, I caught myself calling her my “little birdie." So, there is a good bit of irony in the name OneBirdsNest.

But, more importantly, it is about home, which means the world to me. As I mentioned in a recent blog post, my home is my family, my retreat, my culinary school, my boardinghouse, my cinema, and even my night club (on a good Saturday night).  It’s mine - my project…and decorated as such. It’s my nest. It reflects me. I hope my artwork helps others in the design of their comfort zones, as they define their own nest."

Where do you receive your inspiration?

"My overall inspiration for OneBirdsNest comes from desire to encourage my daughter to pursue her dreams. Life is about taking chances and making your own happiness.

The artwork is driven by color inspirations. I am stimulated by colors that speak to me personally or the color schemes of my clients’ homes. Creatively, I am fueled by the endless ways to combine those colors in meaningful ways that intrigue the eye, time and again."

Tide II

Abstract Landscape

How would you describe your design style? 

"My artwork and design is abstract in nature. When painting my own collections, I lean towards light, bright, and airy. Primary color choices are neutral and soft, juxtaposed to powerful design strokes. But, my style is ever-evolving. Color studies and commissionings for clients have pushed me to utilize brighter, more powerful colors. I enjoy the way it has stretched my breadth and depth of work; and, I find myself painting more and more collections in that manner."

Where can interested buyers purchase your work? 

"I maintain an internet gallery of ready-to-purchase work at www.onebirdsnest.com. Additionally, I currently have pieces on display and available for purchase at Parish, Painted Pink, and The Chophouse at Vintage Year. It looks as though there may be some more exciting opportunities for project/store installs in the future. One of these is a local exhibition of  a body of my work, which will occur in November.

I believe that a home should say something about its owners and the way that they happily live. Often times, that calls for custom work.  For that reason, I am also available for commissionings of custom pieces in which I perform a color study of the home and design a piece complimentary to the specific space. For me, there is nothing better than seeing a client’s happiness satisfied by a unique piece of art that specifically fits their needs."

Block Party

The Tower II

What do you love about Montgomery? (We love this answer)

"Its potential. This is an exciting time to live in Montgomery. The future holds so many possibilities; and, I am excited to be a part. We are living in the growth of a creative city, and I look forward to seeing what unfolds.

More importantly, Montgomery is my family and friends and all the memories. And, it’s the city I will see through new eyes as my daughter grows up."

Tide I

Don't you love Elizabeth and her work?! I've already purchased two pieces that I hope to use in our master bedroom makeover!

And, now for a giveaway! Elizabeth has so generously offered one of her 6x6 paintings. You can choose from those pictured in the blog post (Tide I, Tide II, The Tower II, Block Party, and Abstract Landscape). These look great on a desk or dresser, and they make awesome gifts! Local winners can pick up from Painted Pink. And, if you're not in Montgomery, Elizabeth will ship it right to your house!

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below. The giveaway ends at midnight on Wednesday, August 20. Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway