The New Southern | Artist Spotlight: Chambers Austelle

The New Southern is an arena for unity and connection — a safe place to champion and support others while also cultivating curiosity and creative prosperity. When I first came across the talented Chambers Austelle's work a few years ago, I was shooting for a dear friend and client Lindsay Rhodes. There was a strong stoic woman staring at me from the wall and I was immediately captivated. Her worked stopped me in my tracks and made me think beyond the confined expression while I absorbed her vibrant playful color choices. There is meaning between this visual dichotomy and I love how Chamber's continues to explore the evolutionary role women have within our society and our role with beauty. I recently am the proud owner of almost a 6ft by 6ft piece (I am shooting this beauty soon).... I walk by her every morning when I am headed out the door and I can't help to feel liberated and a sense of connection.... a connection with Chambers's work and a connection to the strong women before us who endured so much to make our generation a more freeing and loving place. While we are all pursuing our own dreams and enduring our own hardships, I encourage us to be reminded that we have the power to leave our communities a more loving and light-filled place for the next generation of strong men and women. I am deeply grateful for Chamber's gift and I hope her work inspires you all to do beautiful and thought-provoking things this week!

I am excited to introduce to you this Charleston based contemporary artist,  Chambers Austelle, who greatly contributes curiosity and passion through her art. A highly creative child that found her calling in college...She believes in doing what makes you happy, living life in the south while using her art to question the perception of women.

As a female professional with a desire to champion other powerful women who are paving their own way, I admire that Chambers is so deeply inspired by our role in society along with a curiosity with our relationship to beauty. Featured in Charlie Magazine’s “50 Most Progressive” and a variety of national publications — her work has been exhibited on both the east and west coasts and belongs to many private collections, as well. Using saturated, vivid colors to establish a feeling that matches that of fashion photography. The bright backgrounds against white dresses, behind elegant faces are bold and thought-provoking. The colorful and enlightened artwork feels just as funky as it does nostalgic and inspirational. 

Photo: ©Lindsey Shorter Harris

Chambers Austelle is able to speak volumes through acrylic, pastels and ink. There’s so much more than meets the eye to both her pieces and what brought her to where she is today. Changing course from a psychiatrist to an artist — I was excited for the opportunity to get to know her a little bit better and share her talent with you all! Xx

Alyssa Rosenheck: Tell us about yourself…

Chambers Austelle: I’m an artist living and working in Charleston, SC with my husband and three dogs. I’ve always been extremely creative. As a child, I could either be found up in a tree, or inside destroying my room with paint, glitter, and any other material I could find. I originally wanted to be a psychiatrist, but switched my major to studio art in college. I don’t think I was necessarily making the decision right then and there to be an artist, I just knew I didn’t want the lifestyle of a medical student. I now work from my home studio — using primarily acrylic paints, pastels, and ink. I’m slightly obsessed with travelling, French food, naps and, well obviously, dogs.

AR:  How are you modernizing / updating southern style with your art?

CA: In my work I am exploring the way in which our society views women and their relation to beauty. I place idealized women in isolated settings saturated with bright colors, challenging the viewer to confront the dichotomy between the perception of liberation and that of confinement.

Now alongside these classical portraits of women (and family members), we have these contemporary portraits of women in our homes that ignite and encourage a conversation about our roles in society and continued plights.

All Art Showcased Above is Copyrighted to ©ChambersAustelle

AR: What innovative trends are you seeing with Southern style across the country?

CA: Living in Charleston, I am completely spoiled. The Dewberry is one of my favorite spots. They have this wonderful mid-century modern meets southern chic style designed so purposefully. Nothing is overdone and everything works together so well.

AR: What are your favorite hometown design interior boutiques?

CA: Fritz Porter, JLV Creative, and Workstead.

AR: Favorite shade of white and black paint color?

CA: For a cool white, Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore, and for a warm white, Whisper by Dunn-Edwards. For black, it’s Black Beauty by Benjamin Moore.

AR: What’s your life motto?

CA: Do what makes you happy.

AR: The key to making a house a home? 

CA: Function and personality. Your home is your space, and it should reflect you. Don’t be scared to personalize it. I’m also a huge believer in purpose. Make sure you know what the function and purpose of the space is, and then design accordingly.

AR: Life advice you’ve gotten that made all the difference both personally and professionally?

CA: Have faith in yourself. My mother always instilled the belief in me that I could do anything I wanted to. Most of the time what’s stopping you from doing something is the belief that you can’t.

AR: What’s the best piece of business advice you could provide for creative entrepreneurs starting out? 

CA: Research! Research creatives and businesses you love, read a million articles, reach out to people in your community and network. Also remember to be patient and give yourself a break!

Saturday In The Garden. ©ChambersAustelle

Purple and Red Wrap. ©ChambersAustelle

Unnamed  ©ChambersAustelle

AR: Who are some of your favorite artists/makers? What do you love about their work?

CA: Sophie Treppendahl – I love how painterly she is and how she can make any subject matter interesting.

Freckled Pottery – I have always loved pottery and her vases and mugs are just the best. They are so simply and her color choices pair perfectly with the freckled glazes.

Jane Pope Jewelry – Jane makes to most beautiful custom rings. She is definitely on the top of my wish list.

AR: What’s your advice for mixing old with new?

CA: Do it! If you’re having trouble knowing where to start, I’d suggest adding a few modern accessories, like lighting fixtures and rugs, to vintage/antique furniture.

Photo: ©GrayBenko Design: Chassity Evans of @LookLingerLove for @CoralHouseHarbourIsland

Photo: ©AlyssaRosenheck Design: Lindsay Rhodes Interiors 

AR: What’s your favorite housewarming gift?

CA: Plant, candle, or original art (or all three if I really love you).

AR: Design book you’ll always have on your shelf?

CA: New Nordic Design. My brother brought it back for me from one of his Europe trips, so it wins by sentimental default. 

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The New Southern | Shop Spotlight: Amanda McClements, Owner of Salt & Sundry and Little Leaf

Amanda McClements is the product of two “free-spirited, food-loving parents from North Carolina,” she says, and that upbringing “inspired my passion for hospitality and eclectic style.” After writing about travel and food for ten years, she started “dreaming up a place that brought together beautiful goods—a place that would inspire people to entertain and create beautiful spaces.” 

In 2012, a space opened up in Washington, D.C.’s Union Market, an eclectic food market in an area of the city whose rise and development has been greatly chronicled. McClements jumped on the chance, and within two years of opening up Salt & Sundry, she was opening a second location near D.C.’s Logan Circle. Now, in addition to that, she owns two outposts of Little Leaf, a plant and paper shop.   

McClements thinks of her style as “Southern bohemian,” a laidback and relaxed aesthetic that’s a bit unexpected, she says. Her influences come from music, art, and the beauty of diverse cultures, a mindset that could be the definition of the New Southern. Southern style is no longer reserved for the South, and in the case of McClements, her global perspective “comes through in the goods we stock, like vintage textiles from South America and mud cloth pillows from West Africa.”

Here, get to know the creative force behind D.C.’s beloved brand, and a born-and-raised Southerner whose entrepreneurial mind is helping shape the next generation of creatives. 

Alyssa Rosenheck: What innovative trends are you seeing with Southern style across the country?  

Amanda McClements: Southern hospitality is legendary, but I’ve loved seeing a move toward more comfortable and casual entertaining. Formality has given way to a more relaxed approach that’s a lot easier to pull off. So while you might still pull out your grandma’s china for a dinner party, you’re mixing it up with modern, laid-back touches to dial the vibe down a bit.

AR: How have you mastered the growth of your brand? 

AM: Mastered is a strong word: it’s more like manage. I have an incredible team (about 40 strong now!) and I find few things more rewarding than watching them become empowered and learn to lead. I know I can’t do it alone, so supporting and nurturing the team around me has been key to managing our growth

Salt & Sundry 

Salt & Sundry

Salt & Sundry 

AR: What advice do you have for female entrepreneurs? 

AM: Remember that your experience won't necessarily look like anyone else's. When I got started, I looked to others to tell me how to do things “right”…this is what running a business is like, this is how you manage people, this is how you manage finances. But I've learned that while other people's lessons can certainly inform you, your path will be your own, and you actually have a choice in how you do it.

AR: The place you go to get inspired? 

AM: A new city. I love that moment when wheels touch down on the runway of a place I’ve never been. I get a surge of excitement and anticipation

Little Leaf 

AR: Who are some of your favorite artists/makers?

AM: My father is a carpenter in Durham, North Carolina, and we sell his beautiful farm tables made from reclaimed and locally milled wood. Like a good carpenter’s daughter, I’m smitten with the stories of the old wood and I love imagining the people who walked on the boards, what they wore and cooked, and how they lived. A few other Southern makers I’m a huge fan of are Honeycomb Studio in Atlanta, Settle’s sweet ceramics and Son of a Sailor’s modern jewelry, both in Austin, and Big Spoon’s addictive nut butters out of Durham.    

AR: What’s your advice for mixing old with new? 

AM: Just do it! I love a layered look where older pieces get a fresh feel from their contemporary neighbors. The uniting thread just needs to be that you love them.

AR: What’s you go-to housewarming gift?

AM: Salt has been a symbolic gift throughout history, bringing luck, health, and flavor. I love to pair one of our artisan sea salts—like Bull’s Bay from Charleston or JQ Dickinson from West Virginia—with a handmade salt cellar.  

Little Leaf  

AR: Tell us something we probably don’t know. 

AM: One of the houses I lived in growing up had an outhouse.

AR: What’s the greatest color combination that ever existed? 

AM: Black + white. I know they’re not exactly colors, but still. It doesn’t get more crisp and modern than black and white. 

AR: What does “The New Southern” mean to you? 

AM: There are a lot of misconceptions about the South, and to me, The New Southern means shining a light on a culture that’s diverse, modern, and savvy.

Amanda McClements, Salt & Sundry Photo: Taylor Kampa Olson

Salt & Sundry 

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