Rainy Day Brush-Off
The "Art" of Water
What catches the rain and the eye of passersby? People living in Knox County now know the answer--an artistic rain barrel! This spring, the Water Quality Forum kicked off its Second Annual Rainy Day Brush-Off event. Local artists have graciously volunteered to create beautiful works of art on 55-gallon rain barrels to help us raise awareness about water conservation and water pollution.
Did you know that over 1,000 gallons of water runs off of the average roof (1,700 ft2) in every normal rain storm event? Just think what you could do with all of that FREE WATER!
Normally, when it rains, water runs off of your roof into your gutters and eventually into the storm drain system. Once it stops raining, that water is no longer available. Rain barrels are an ideal way homeowners can conserve water by collecting rain water and then reusing it for watering flowers, gardens and lawns, particularly in this time of drought. Rain barrels are also a great way to help protect our local waterways from polluted storm water runoff.
Find out more about rain barrels
Learn to make, install and maintain a rain barrel. Just click here!
Watch an HGTV Video on How to make and install a rain barrel. Just click here! (link goes to YouTube.Com, Flash Player is required.)
Do you own a rain barrel? If not, you can buy one from us. We are 65-gallon Rain Water Solution barrels at Ijams Nature Center. Click here for a flyer.
See what people had to say about the event last year. Click on the links below:
Knoxville News Sentinel: "Painted rain barrels bring home the idea of conserving water"
Knoxville News Sentinel: "Rain barrels help conserve environment, display art"
WBIR: "Rain barrels pour in water conservation awareness"
TVA River Neighbors: "Save water: Use a rain barrel"
Rainy Day Brush-Off 2009
Thanks to all of the Barrel Hosts!
Fresh Market in Bearden / Mast General / TVA / American Museum of Science and Energy (Oak Ridge) / Earth Fare in Turkey Creek / Ijams Nature Center / Mayo's (West, Bearden & Emory Rd) / Thress Nursery / Willow Ridge Garden Center (Oak Ridge) / Pope's Nursery (Maryville) / Stanley's / City County Building / Mellow Mushroom (UT & Farragut) / Panera Bread (Cumberland Ave., Bearden, Turkey Creek, Fountain City & North Peters) / Ellenburg Nursery / Farragut Town Hall / Litton's / Young-Williams Animal Center /
This Remarkable Program Wouldn't Be Possible Without The Generous Support of Our Sponsors:
The Water Quality Forum / City of Knoxville / Town of Farragut / Knox County / TVA / Joe Neubert Collision Center on Clinton Highway /
Mast General / Earth Fare / Ijams Nature Center / Mayo's / Thress Nursery / Willow Ridge Garden Center / Pope's Nursery / Stanley's / Mellow Mushroom / Panera Bread / Ellenburg Nursery / Litton's / Young-Williams Animal Center / Home Depot / Earth to Old City / Wear Else /
Love This Years Artistic Rain Barrels?
Check Out The Artistic Rain Barrels of 08!
Interested in participating next year as an artist or sponsor? Please contact Parci Gibson (parci.gibson@knoxcounty.org)
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RBJasonScott
Sold $132.50
Title - "I Am" or "Untitled", 2009
Artist - Jason R. Scott, Town of Farragut Engineering
Artists' Interpretation
Most of my drawn work as of late is nonrepresentational imagery largely taken from my personal philosophical musings, the base of which deals with the idea of infinite diversity/variety/division in a single “all encompassing form.” An idea that is not unlike the ecological concept that everything effects everything else and is therefore connected. This idea is simplistically translated onto this Rain Barrel via the fragmentation of the surface of the Barrel into hundreds and hundreds of circles of ...more
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RBBrianPittman
Sold $202.50
Title - "Untitled", 2009
Artist - Brian Pittman
Artists' Interpretation
Naw...my work rarely is very deep but I did revel and enjoy the concept of making a cathedral turn on itself and meet again so that one can't tell where it starts or stops. This is a first for me that could truly only be done in this context
How Long Did It Take To Complete?
Approximately 10 hours.
Why did you decide to participate in this years Rainy Day Brush-Off?
Because ...more
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RBDeniseStewartSanabria
Sold $207.50
Title - "Tennessee Valley Epochs", 2009
Artist - Denise Stewart-Sanabria
Artists' Interpretation
I loved looking at geological timetables and strata diagrams when I was a kid and took every science class I could for my requirements while majoring in art with a concentration in painting. The geological history of this area, so recently under focus with great discoveries at the Gray Fossil Site, has me fired up.
How Long Did It Take To Complete?
That is top secret. Actually I don't keep track.
Why did you decide to participate in this years Rainy Day Brush-Off?
The persistent enthusiasm ...more
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RBGayeMaley
Sold $100.00
Title - "Celebrate Life", 2009
Artist - Gaye Maley, Base coat by Dan Maley, Painting help from Alexandra & Kathryn & Constructive Criticism from Daniel.
Artists' Interpretation
I was inspired from some photographs I had taken during different events in which my family participated. I believe it is important, in our busy world, to take time to celebrate life & I felt that this barrel would be a great reminder that no matter the hard times, life is precious.
How Long Did It Take To Complete?
About 3 Weeks.
Why ...more
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RBSarahBrobst
Sold $122.50
Title - "Out My Front Door", 2009
Artist - Sarah Brobst
Artists' Interpretation
The inspiration behind the barrel was seeing the mountains in the distance on my wat to and from work everyday. On some days they just seem so clear and close that you wish you could just step out your door into the field or sit near the water watching the wildlife. I have traveled all over the place since college and I always found a peace of mind while I was out in the mountains somewhere, whether it was for a job ...more
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RBNewHorizonMontessori
Sold $100.00
Title - "Wildlife", 2009
Artist - New Horizon Montessori School Elementary Community
Teachers: Aleta Ledendecker & Rebecca Farnham
Students: Giovanni, Valentino, Bailey, Colton, Erin, Indra, Michael, Hailey, Trace, Francesca, Ryan, Josh, Stevie, Scott, Cassandra, Maria, Elijah, Kelley, Hannah
Artists' Interpretation
The students wanted to show how animals and people need fresh water. Originally they wanted to include their school and themselves in the painting. They also wanted to include all four seasons with a river running through ...more
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RBKnoxvilleChristianSchool4H
Sold $100.00
Title - "Rainforest Revival Rainbarrel", 2009
Artist - Knoxville Christian School 4-H Club
Members: Abby, Bryson, Cadey, Amari, Martin, Rain, Christian, Jacob, Duncan, Darrel, Kaylyn
Artists' Interpretation
Abby came up with the idea that a rain forest theme would go nicely with the rain barrel project due to the fact there is a lot of rain in the rain forest! The students came up with the idea and implemented it 100% on their own!
How Long Did It Take To Complete?
5 Days on and off.
Why did you decide to participate in this years ...more
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RBJimmyGroton
Sold $100.00
Title - "Fishy Business", 2009
Artist - Jimmy Groton, Tennessee Citizens for Wilderness Planning
Artists' Interpretation
In Tennessee we are blessed with a unique combination of climate, geology, and other factors that give us great diversity in the animals and plants that live in our state. The diversity of aquatic life in Tennessee is directly related to our trememendous aquatic resources. Now more than ever it is important for us to recognize that we cannot afford to take our water resources for granted. Drought and growing water demands for our cities and ...more
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RBJessicaGregory
Sold $152.50
Title - "KUB Wants You To Water Your Garden for Free!", 2009
Artist - Jessica P. Gregory, Arts and Culture Alliance
Artists' Interpretation
The sculptural elements in the upper section (the frieze or lintel?) of the Knoxville Utilities Board building downtown was the inspriation for my barrel. I thought it would be fun to get free water from KUB, while enjoying the aesthetically pleasing qualities of the architecture. There is a nice display showing the restoration and history of the building in the atrium of the KUB building downtown for anyone that may be interested.
How ...more
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RBHellbenderPress
Sold $100.00
Title - "La vida del agua", 2009
Artist - Jane Crowe, Sonia Uriarte & Rikki Hall, Hellbender Press
Artists' Interpretation
Our barrel was inspired by the 10th anniversary of Hellbender Press, East Tennessee's environmental journal. The Hellbender is a large native salamander that lives in clean mountain rivers.
How Long Did It Take To Complete?
8 Hours.
Why did you decide to participate in this years Rainy Day Brush-Off?
Everything needs clean water.
Artist Biography
Rikki Hall is the editor of Hellbender Press. The newspaper has been teaching Tennessee what it needs to know about ...more
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RBVickiGrossmanWyrick
Sold $151.51
Title - "Its Raining Cats and Dogs" featuring Vincent Van Dogh, beloved pet, 2009
Artist - Vicki Grossman Wyrick, Vincent Van Dogh's Pet Sitting Service
Artist Biography
Vicki recently returned to Knoxville, after living in California, and Florida. Her art work has been exhibited at Art Festivals all over the United States including Coconut Grove, Ann Arbor, and Winter Park. She will be exhibiting at Four Bridges Arts Festival, Chattanooga, New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the Kentuck Festival of Art. Her Husband Rick Wyrick is also an artist.
Contact Info
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RBRichardLee
Sold $105.00
Title - "Untitled", 2009
Artist - Richard Lee
Artists' Interpretation
I wanted to paint the barrel in a very vivid fashion, somewhat realistic but not tied to an exact scene reproduction. Composition based on some photos from a fantastic astronomer/photographer in the southwest USA with environmental tendencies.
Desert-like landscape to begin, and I added the water, softened reflections, and adjusted the composition so that the 'edges' of the horizontal image stitched together nicely to form a continuous scene. I like the idea of a gorgeous sunset over an arid scene, reflected in a still pool ...more
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RBLynndaTenPenny
Sold $122.50
Title - "Ivy League", 2009
Artist - Lynnda TenPenny
Artists' Interpretation
I have used a leaf theme in my art for several years. I decided to go with leaves for the barrel and the green and blue/purple combo seemed to work well with the idea of water and good environmental practices.
How Long Did It Take To Complete?
I was working mostly with spray paint, so I had to catch warm, non-rainy, no wind days. Bit in all, it probably only took 4-5 hours.
Why did you decide to participate in this years Rainy Day Brush-Off?
It seemed ...more
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RBLauraHagler
Sold $122.50
Title - "Flower Power", 2009
Artist - Laura Hagler
Artists' Interpretation
My inspiration was the dark days of February. I decided to paint flowers to combat the dreary and seemingly endless month of February to encourage spring to hurry up and arrive.
How Long Did It Take To Complete?
About 1 1/2 weeks painting and drying time. (not full time)
Why did you decide to participate in this years Rainy Day Brush-Off?
I painted dragon flies last year on ...more
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RBJillColquitt
Sold $122.50
Title - "Conservation Badge"
Artist - Jill Colquitt
Artists' Interpretation
I like woodgrain and woodland animals and tend to put them together lately. I decided a squirrel with his acorn would be a nice illustration of the function of a rain barrel since it enables saving water for when your yard needs it. I made 2 rain barrels in the workshop last summer and we couldn't believe how much water we saved after we installed them. We planted mostly native plants in our backyard and they seemed to thrive with the rainwater. Our water bill was actually ...more
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RBGregoryDorsey
Sold $100.00
Title - "The Art Will Take You Away Pt. 2 Bizzy Square", 2009
Artist - Gregory B. Dorsey
Artists' Interpretation
My inspiration behind this was my city. Like always I incorporate my artistic persepctive of Knoxville through my vision. When I ride with friends, walk through market square or simply ride down MLK Ave. I see art in many ways. Living in East Knoxville is very inspiring. Everything I see, whether it being positive or negative, I capture through art form. Some may ride down MLK and think different, but once you see my art and how I incorporate my ...more
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RBGayBryant
Sold $117.50
Title - "Rhythm of the Falling Rain", 2009
Artist - Gay Bryant
Artists' Interpretation
I was thinking of rain catchers and the idea of an umbrella came to mind. An umbrella turned upside down to catch the rain rather than to keep off the rain. The scallop shape on the bottom of the umbrella made me think of raindrops fitting into the scallops, then the clouds represented as scallops - so the repetition of this shape is where my mind took me in completing this piece. The repetition of the shapes made me think of rhythm ...more
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RBCarolLanfearMontgomery
Sold $117.50
Title - "Forest Folk: Deep Draught", 2009
Artist - Carol Lanfear Montgomery
Artists' Interpretation
The mythical 'Green Man' is a British pagan symbol of regeneration, the natural cycle of life and man's connection with trees and the forest. He is drinking deeply from the clean water flowing through the rain barrel, watching in amusement, by his wild woods-woman. She wears the Green Village Green website in her leafy hair, and our logo as an earring.
How Long Did It Take To Complete?
About 8 Hours.
Why did you decide to participate in this years Rainy Day Brush-Off?
As one ...more
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RBSusanWatson
Sold $202.50
Title - "Stained Glass Water Garden", 2009
Artist - Susan M. Watson
Artists' Interpretation
I am a stained glass artist and a gardener. The Iris is Tennessee's State Flower and one of my favorites. The waterlilies just worked for a water-based design.
How Long Did It Take To Complete?
I worked on it 2 afternoons.
Why did you decide to participate in this years Rainy Day Brush-Off?
I love the rain barrel I made for our house last year and wanted to ...more
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RBJaniceSharp
Sold $229.49
Title - "Showers Bring Flowers", 2009
Artist - Janice Sharp
Artists' Interpretation
I guess the inspiration behind my rainbarrel would have to be that I so enjoy working in the yard and planting flowers. Two years ago when we had the dreadful drought we lost so many plants, shrubs and flowers. That was heart breaking. So hopefully this summer will be great with lots of sunshine & rainshowers.
How Long Did It Take To Complete?
It took me about 9 hours and I was painting only when I wasn't caring ...more
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RBChristalYost
Sold $100.00
Title - "Untitled", 2009
Artist - Christal ...more
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RBKayla
Sold $100.00
Title - "Contrast", 2009
Artist - Kayla W.
Artists' Interpretation
I love Japan and dragons, it was originally an idea for a skateboard design.
How long did it take to complete?
Not sure.. Worked on it after school and on weekends.
Why did you decide to participate in this years Rainy Day Brush-Off?
It was a lot of fun last year. Bringing awareness to water conservation is very important for our planet.
Artist Biography
I'm a junior at Fulton High School and have taken advanced art with Mrs. Judy Vance. I'm also taking a course in visual communications with Ms. Sandra ...more
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RBWaltFieldsa
Sold $133.59
Title - "Untitled", 2009
Artist - Walt ...more
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RBHardinValleyArtClub
Sold $105.00
Title - "Just Add Water", 2009
Artist - Hardin Valley Art Club
Conny, Jared, Matilda, Jenny, Haley, Emily, Amy A., Amy B., Tori, Morgan, Jessica, Shanthi, Donna Anderson
Artists' Interpretation
We tried to find something that would work with a barrel, a soup can happend to be sitting on the art sink and we decided pop art might be a good idea. The more we researched, the better it sounded.
How Long Did It Take To Complete
We painted during art club meetings so it took about 23 hours.. stopping and starting made it seem longer.
Why did you decide ...more
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RBVirginiaPleasant
Sold $205.00
Title - "Earthfest 2009", 2009
Artist - Virginia Pleasant
Artists' Interpretation
I just really stuck with the Earth and rain theme and its connection to nature.
How Long Did It Take To Complete?
10 Hours
Why did you decide to participate in this years Rainy Day Brush-Off?
I really wanted to paint something to contribute to a rain harvesting concept.
Artist Biography
I really appreciate the opportunity to express myself in this ...more
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RBLauraBledsoe
Sold $174.01
Title - "Untitled", 2009
Artist - Laura ...more
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RBShelaghLeutwiler
Sold $117.50
Title - "wetwonderfulland", 2009
Artist - Shelagh Leutwiler, CAC AmeriCorps Volunteer w/ Beardsley Community Farm
Artists' Interpretation
With wetwonderfulland, I have depicted a wetland community on a rainy day, and added some text as a reflection of my thoughts about the importance of water.
The variety of raindrops crashing down from above seem harmless as small drops, but appear more threatening the larger they grew. The large drops linger over the wetland, waiting to crash down. Suspended in the air, the life below them waits silently, unaware of the impact.
What is to come? How will the weight of the ...more
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RBAshleyRex
Sold $100.00
Title - "The Beauty of Action", 2009
Artist - Ashley Rex & Sejal Shah, Water Quality Team AmeriCorps Knoxville TN
Artists' Interpretation
We both discussed items we were comfortable painting and decided upon a few animals and floral designs; and then decided upon bright colors on a black background. We also wanted to include quotations because Sejal enlightens our Water Quality Team each morning with a quote of the day so we thought it would be nice to include a couple for others' enjoyment.
How Long Did It Take To Complete?
Several hours over several days.
Why ...more
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RBJohnEnloe
Sold $100.00
Title - "Untitled", 2009
Artist - John ...more
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RBKarns4H
Sold $100.00
Title - "Can't Hide Karns Pride", 2009
Artist - Karns Middle 8th Grade 4H
(Students: Grace S., Heather B., Justin C., Ashley A., Sierra W. Sponsor: Mary Jarratt)
Artists' Interpretation
The inspiration behind the barrel was the Karns Community.
How Long Did It Take to Comlete?
Took about 2 weeks off and on to paint.
Why Did You Decide To Participate In This Year's Rainy Day Brush Off?
The group participated because it was a club project opportunity.
Artist Biography
This group wants people to know that 4-H is alive and well at ...more
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RBLineAndDesign4H
Sold $105.00
Title - "Going Green", 2009
Artist - Line and Design 4H Project Group
Lilia W. - Designer, Rachel H., Lindsey J., Holly N., Riki R., Elisa V., Miranda V., Graci W., Marci W., Lilia W.
Artists' Interpretation
The inspiration behind the barrel included the obvious: Love, Peace, Harmony, Hope, Happiness and Life. Does it have a story? Just that this is a fun group of very creative girls.
How Long Did It Take To Complete?
6 Days, 3.5 Hours
Why did you decide to participate in this years Rainy Day Brush-Off?
Because in 4-H, among other things, ...more
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RDBOReception2009
These are a handful of images from the Second Annual Rainy Day Brush-off Reception (2009) which occured on May 15th at Ijams Nature Center in South Knoxville. The event was attended by over 150 Artists, Partners, Sponsors and Members of the Community. The RDBO Featured the announcing of 1st, 2nd & 3rd places for the Artistic Rain Barrel Competition, a live band, free food and door prizes.
If you have facebook you can see an album of 51 photos from this event on the Water Quality Forum's Adopt-A-Stream page more
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