Artist Dawn Marie Tipton and Kurt Allen

 Dawn Marie Tipton;  I see myself as both simple and unique. I was born and raised in Michigan.  Growing up I spent a great amount of time at our family lake house and acquired a passion for the water. Some of my fondest memories were walking up early to watch the sun glisten off the calm water.  I lived in Michigan until the early 90's and now reside near the Great Smokey and Blue Ridge Mountains. 
  I've been paintings since I was a little girl. My mother recalls my creative side at a very young age. In much of my work I follows my heart and do what comes natural.  I has a great passion to create. Creating is in my soul, it's an internal healing processes for me. It calms my life and make me who I am. I love to "Re-Create" something old and give new meaning.  I like combining distressed with modern. Some of my work may appear without a story, occasionally I'll inlay a devotional verse and prayers. I want to use my life and my creations to make a difference; even if it's a little at a time.

My thoughts of art "An expression of who we are and how we perceive the world." Everyone sees something different. I believe this is what makes us different in our own way.

Kurt Allen; I was born and raised in North Carolina, with strong southern roots. My parents have taught me many things, one of which, "Stand for what you believe and Value the people you love." This is where my southern roots run strong. I was raised in a moderate home with an eye for nice things. 
 I knew at a young age, like so many other artist, I could expressed myself on paper. 
I love to draw and challege my artistic side. 
I find history exciting, especially civil war artifacts and the many stories behind antiques. Over the years I've taken the things I love and fulfilled the passion within myself to create.
 



Together we love to browse, shop, and find what we call treasures, "Trash to Treasure"  We enjoy the simple things best. Kurt and Dawn Marie share many things in common, their passion for life being #1.

I guees you could call us" Sophisticated Junkies"

Below: The two of us at one of Blueridge Parkways over look.