About Angie Artist's statement: "As a child, I drew on everything from my bed sheets and walls in my room to tattoos on my friends, so it is fitting that I now create my art on something functional as well as traditional canvases." Early in her interior design career, Angie discovered floorcloths while working as a buyer for a showroom in High Point, NC. From there her interest in these hand painted rugs grew from a fascination of the historical craft, of building layers of paint and sealer onto canvas to make a rug, into a business that has grown into a long time career in art and design. She works under the name of her studio, Free Rein Art & Design since changing it in 2001 from The Homeplace Collection. Angie's work has evolved from traditional floorcloth designs and quilt patterns to original works of art inspired by her love of the American west and her rural southern roots. Her canvases are cherished for not only the time spent on craftsmanship but for her unique application of materials that has become Angie's signature style. Her innovative use of hand cut and rolled leather fringe and visually textured painting methods set her work apart from the run of the mill. Each floorcloth is made to her client's specifications including size, shape and color way even with standard patterns. That's the beauty of floorcloth making. No two ever have to be the same. For more than two decades, Angie has designed and executed commissions and limited edition floorcloths for individuals, specialty catalogs, design firms, furniture stores and manufacturer's showrooms across the country, including such clients as LL Bean, Lexington Home Brands and Slifer Design. Her work has been featured in magazines and the books, The Complete Book of Floorcloths by Kathy Cooper and Contemporary Western Design by Thea Marx. "Original art, whether fine art or craft will become an heirloom, not because of it's monetary value, but because it was created from someone's heart and soul and has touched another's." Angie Nelson Media Coverage News Thomasville Times 1989 Salisbury Post 1999 High Point Enterprise 2000 Books Contemporary Western Design 2005 By Thea Marx- Gibbs Smith Publishing Western Design Conference Source Books 2000 2002 2003 Gibbs Smith Publishing The Complete Book of Floorcloths 1997 By Kathy Cooper Lark Books Magazines Community Arts Café 2008 Log and Timber Style 2003 North Carolina Homes and Gardens 1990 Country Living 1989 Angie is currently self-represented through this website, Ranch Dressing and also by Thea Marx at Contemporary Western Design Copyright © 2010 Free Rein Studio All rights reserved. |
Free Rein Art & Design Hand Painted Floorcloths, Art & Accessories by Angie Nelson Specializing in, but not limited to, custom floorcloth designs Home About Floorcloths and Accessories Pet Portraits Ordering Contact Resources Blog |