Meet The 2023 Barrel of Heart Artists

 Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Darryl Montez Tucker is a Wellbeing Consultant for Humana and is married with four kids, three of whom have autism. Darryl discovered his talent while attending a “paint and sip” with his wife and is excited by the challenge of creating his art piece on a bourbon barrel. His passion is finger painting, and he hopes to pursue a full-time art career one day. 

    “Art is essential because it relaxes me and takes me to another space where I can express myself on canvas. Art is important to Louisville because it speaks to each person differently, and people respect that.” 

    If the public should vote for Darryl’s design as their favorite, he plans to support Families for Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT) of Louisville. 

 Marty finds inspiration everywhere and is motivated to paint to escape her stressful career. “ The pandemic has taken an enormous toll; creating is my release. As soon as paint hits the canvas, the stress melts away.” Art provides Marty with much-needed balance. “It restores my mind. 

It has become something I can’t give up.”

    According to Marty, “Art is essential to Louisville. It bridges a gap between people with different backgrounds and of different generations. Art is all-inclusive, allowing anyone to express themselves regardless of age, race, sex, religion, or socioeconomic status. It breaks down barriers.” 

She signs her art with her nickname, “Martimar,” because she can. “Unlike in my career where rules are sacred, I make my own rules in my art business.”

 From the bottle to the barrel, Keith Anderson is taking on yet another bourbon-related artistic challenge. The Louisville native is the first artist with the distinction of designing the Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby bottle for two consecutive years, in 2018 and 2019. Keith is also the first Brown-Forman employee and the first African-American to hold the honor of his artwork appearing on the Limited Edition bottle. 

    Keith sees Bourbon with HeART as another unique opportunity to showcase his artwork and get his name out there for more exposure. But as with any creative project, this one has a more profound significance, “For me, art is my life. Not only do I enjoy art, but it is also therapeutic. It's like therapy for the mind, body, and soul.”

 “As an artist, I love painting on anything from paper to canvas to a mural and even clothes. However, this is a new surface for me. Being raised in Louisville, Kentucky, and proud of it, and knowing how big bourbon and races are here, one thing I wanted to do along with a list of things in my art life is painting a barrel.” Clay Mata is “a self-taught Chicana artist who loves to paint, eat, and travel.” She enjoys life with her wife and pets and works full-time as a Geek Squad repair agent.

    Her Mexican culture and her Chicago birthplace's street art and graffiti inspire Clay. “Also, being raised in Louisville gave me another vision, which is why my work is a little mix of everything and is usually bright.” She describes art as her drug. “It is the key to keeping me motivated, relaxed, destressed, calm, and happy; most importantly, it is fun.”  

 Chimel is excited about the opportunity and challenge of displaying his art on a barrel for Bourbon with HeART. “I've painted art on wine bottles, ornaments, and ceramics, but never on a barrel.” Inspired by everyday things, he loves combining different colors to make art come to life.

    Sharing his talent with the world is important to Chimel. “I'm happiest when I'm creating art. It's my gift to anyone needing something to smile about. Seeing Louisville, Kentucky light up with bright, colorful art brings people together.” 

    His mother, Helena, says Chimel is something special. “He has autism, but that doesn’t define him. His art does,” she says as she gestures to several vibrant canvases. “My son is self-taught. I had to watch and see it one day. My son paints with both hands, He’s ambidextrous, and I’ve never seen an artist do that.” 

Janet Hoard loves a project, and Bourbon with HeART has come along at just the right time. “Projects are my thing!” she says. “What better way to get excited than to start a new art challenge? I cannot express how honored I feel to be a part of this.”

    After 35 years with FedEx®, retirement allows Janet to pursue art full-time. “Oil painting is my passion; illustration is my dream.” She is married with two children and was the first woman in Kentucky to win the State Truck Driving Championship representing FedEx®.      

    “Challenges inspire me. The research involved in a new project brings out the motivation to create. My inspiration also comes from all things in nature, all the colors, textures, and even sounds everywhere I look.” Raised with art all around her, Janet considers art part of her being. She even married an artist.

I am a big kid who adores animals, being outside (preferably on my Onewheel), and hanging with friends. No matter the venue, I am usually the one in the corner befriending the wildlife. 

I find inspiration most often in nature and literature. When you are outside, you are unknowingly passing by hundreds of secret little worlds. I love looking around me and listening. Is that ant carrying something? Who is it for? You could witness a field mouse scurry into a hidden nook… what type of furniture would he have in there?

Art, to me, is an escape, a place I can visit after the world has been too dark. It’s a place where the sun is always shining, and I can hear my mom’s voice cheering me on.

 He is a visual artist, illustrator, and graphic designer. Originally from Kentuckiana, he received a BFA from The Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in 2004. 

His work has been featured in publications, galleries, and commercials across the US and internationally. He has partnered with many organizations in Louisville, including Kentucky Performing Arts, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Stage One Family Theatre, Kentucky Opera, Speed Art Museum, Louisville Ballet, Louisville Downtown Partnership, and Churchill Downs. 

In 2021, he was the official poster artist for the Kentucky Derby Festival. Andy is currently represented at Kore Gallery in Louisville. 

 Originally from Madrid, Spain, Lianne Alcon lived in New York City for twenty years before moving to Louisville several months ago. The artist and textile designer finds inspiration through  everyday life - the vibrant colors of flowers or the tone of the sky, the way the light hits objects, prints, and textures. “I find the motivation to create moods and feelings, sometimes experiencing a burst of creativity and a need to purge emotions,” says Lianne. “My goal is to convey the surrounding us and inspire others to embrace our colorful and beautiful world.”

    Lianne is excited to be part of Bourbon with HeART, allowing her to meet other local artists through a unique platform. Participating in a community art project is also a priority, as it will benefit a local charity. Lianne’s charity of choice is Blanket Louisville. 

       David and Terri find inspiration in people, society, nature, and animals. “As painters and photographers, we see what is around us differently. Our eyes are trained to notice composition, light, and color. When we see something that speaks to our hearts, we want to share it through art so that others may also experience it.” They believe the arts build community, bringing Louisvillians together to “connect, learn, empathize, and grow together.”

    The Sierras’ charity of choice is Refuge for Women, providing a safe place for victims of sex trafficking. “We are so grateful for the opportunity to be involved in Bourbon with HeART. We hope that many people will be encouraged by this partnership, and it will be an ongoing event to benefit our city.”   

 Sebastian Duverge has expressed himself through art since his boyhood and is on the autism spectrum. “I do not speak much with my voice. But I've found that I can say a lot with my art, and one of the main things I want to say is that welcoming and including everyone is great. Let's do that more.” 

   Bourbon with HeART is the perfect opportunity to bring those talents together. “Also, I am a Kentuckian, and bourbon is a big deal here in Kentucky, so I like the idea of connecting with and promoting Kentucky in this way.” 

    If Sebastian’s barrel design wins, he plans to name Mattingly Edge as the beneficiary.  For many years, Sebastian has received support, encouragement, and community through Mattingly Edge. “Without the support from Mattingly, I would not be the artist I am now.”

 An equine artist and photographer based here in Louisville, Rickelle Nelson has drawn and painted horses science she was a child. “The horses have always been a part of my art, having grown up with them. Capturing their beauty and personalities motivates me to strive to become a better artist.” Rickelle is now the Horseman's Relations and Reservations Manager at the Kentucky Derby Museum on the grounds of the historic Churchill Downs racetrack. 

    “My art and horses are an important part of my life,” says Rickelle. “Painting is not only a way of expression for me, but it has also been a big part of my healing from cancer. It was an important outlet when going through treatments to help me to be able to focus on something positive, as well as bringing me peace.”

  “I draw and paint all the time, but I never did anything with it,” says April Jeffreys, who has expressed herself through art since age two. “This is my big chance to show everybody that I can do anything.” April is currently disabled but recently received certification as an Adult Peer Support Specialist and interviewed with a local mental health center “striving to help people with mental health struggles live full lives.” 

Without hesitation, April would choose Bridgehaven Mental Health Services as her $1000 charitable donation recipient. “I've been a member there for only two short years but have made amazing strides in my recovery that wasn't there in the decades before. They offer support, education, and accountability.  I've grown so much in the last two years. I'd like to see them grow and help so many more as they've helped me.” 

I've been a local freelance artist and decor designer in Louisville for 20-plus years! Kentucky, Bourbon, and art are in my blood! 

I find inspiration from the Past and Present; I have an old-school vibe and love the Old Glamour Hollywood days of the 40s and 50s! People and Places Motivate me, and of course, Non-Profits with Missions I connect with... I also find inspiration when planting, potting, and hanging with my Dog, Mr. Benny!

Any art is GREAT art that communicates human emotion...

Art is worth a thousand words.

 Art is vital to Ashley because “it can drive communication and thought on an individual and community level” and can potentially be a catalyst for cultural and social change, educating on various issues. She believes art and creativity are essential to Louisville because they have the potential to break down cultural barriers and build connections when they are easily accessible for anyone to experience.

    Ashley supports Kentucky’s Fairness Campaign for its “grass-roots, non-violent approach that empowers individuals and builds a social justice movement to create lasting change” and is deeply grateful for this opportunity. “Every time my artwork has the chance to be viewed, I feel a great responsibility to do my best and most authentic work to share my time and talent.”

 I am a wife, mother to 3 grown children, and an artist.  I find inspiration in all things. Nature, people, animals, and even common items like a bottle of bourbon. Something as simple as a bottle can be beautiful as the light hits a surface and creates highlights, shadows, and depth. 

Kentucky has such a large and diverse pool of talent. I feel honored to be selected as one of just twenty! I am also excited to have my work displayed at the Frazier History Museum. 

 Art is my safe space.  Whether creating or simply admiring the works of others, it allows me to enter a world that can be defined however I want. 

If my design wins, I'd like to donate to the Home of the Innocents Organization.  I spent quite a bit of my youth in the foster care system, the Home of the Innocents, and what they provide for children in need during very difficult times makes them an organization very close to my heart.  They provide children with what my art has given me, a safe space when the world is in chaos.

  “I love taking different elements from my mind or environment and fusing them into a cohesive piece. I am often motivated to create when I am going through a period of intense emotion.” 

Her mother was also an artist, so art has been integral to Mahalia’s life since childhood and helped her through difficult times. “I now find a lot of self-empowerment through creating and being able to own, celebrate, and share my narrative fully.”

    Should Mahalia’s barrel design come out on top, she plans to support Governor’s School for the Arts, which she attended as a visual artist in 2014. “The fellow artists I met there are friends for life now, and our time there left me with some of the best memories I have from creating.”

   The Card Catalog Speakeasy, Jon Cecil’s bourbon tasting room, was voted one of the top eight home bars in the world by bourbon expert and spirits writer Fred Minnick in 2020 and featured in Louisville Homes & Gardens in July 2021. Jon is excited to share his passion for bourbon and love for Kentucky through his Bourbon with HeART barrel design.

    Jon takes his inspiration from the rolling Kentucky countryside of horse farms and distilleries, downtown Louisville’s Whiskey Row cityscape, and the red velvet curtains of his basement speakeasy, which represent a portal to a different time. “Getting into bourbon, I realized how much art is involved in the industry. Whether it is seen in the distilleries or the labeling on the bottles. However, it is never more prominent than the spirit itself.”

Mrs. Willow's Art Class is full of talented artists. The art class is part of our Adult Development Academy, “The Academy” for short. The Academy is a high-quality lifelong learning experience unlike any other program in the area. 

The Academy offers a full educational curriculum for adults with Down syndrome that have completed high school. The curriculum includes literacy, math, and computer skills, as well as a variety of elective subjects, such as relationships, etiquette, art, music, safety, job readiness, basic health, fitness, nutrition, social engagement, and independent living skills.