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CROSS ART
Jeri Hardy is a well-known artist around the Gulf Coast area. This mother of three has found a way to combine her love of art with her joy for life. She did  not intend for art to be her livelihood but it just turned out that way. Her focus earlier in her life was the game of tennis and she dabbled in art. Her friends and family slowly but persistently persuaded her to turn her art into a career. At first, Jeri worried about putting too much emphasis on the spiritual aspect of her life into her art. She was afraid that it would turn too many people away. However, she put her faith to the test and went with her heart. She decided to stay true to herself and her religion by making it the focus of her art. She has been happy with the decision ever since. Jeri’s art has touched so many people in the years she has been doing it. It has made everything worthwhile. Jeri Hardy is known as the “Cross Lady” for her unique interpretation of the religious symbol. Jeri fashions a cross out of hand-dyed wool and places it in the center of a canvas. She then adds various mediums to the canvas. A favorite is molding clay. The molding clay takes on a life of its own. Sometimes Jeri waits for the clay to dry before she re-works it. Magical images appear and she accents the designs with paint. It makes for a different painting every time. After adding the wool cross and molding clay, Jeri then adds whatever she has in her studio. No material is safe in Jeri’s hands. Part of Jeri’s charm is the way she uses all sorts of mediums to add depth and character to her paintings. Jeri’s attitude is shred it, tear it, rip it, cut it, twist it, bead it; anything is possible. Jeri’s paintings can almost be classified as collages with the way she uses all the mediums. Sometimes she will add scripture around the cross. Depending on how the painting is turning out, this will dictate which way Jeri will go with the art. Sometimes she will add ancient buildings, religious icons, or Biblical subjects to her Cross paintings. Each piece is crafted with care. Jeri can commission a piece to her client’s specification or she has some available in various galleries around the Southeast. Jeri Hardy is an artist to behold. Her artwork brings joy and hope to everyone who views it. |