Everything on ‘Paper’: Works by Hefferlin-Akhriev family on display at Townsend Atelier [photos]

Last week, while hanging works by Daud Akhriev, Timur Akhriev and Melissa Hefferlin for a new show, Townsend Atelier owner Peggy Townsend took a short break to talk about the works with a visitor.

Nearly 40 pieces leaned against walls, tables and chairs or lay flat on the floor, and another 30 or so were to be delivered that afternoon. Leafing through what she already had, Townsend began listing all of the various types of mediums represented.

She had to take a breath twice to get through the list. They represent works done in oil, watercolor, linoleum, gouache, etchings, drawings, pastels, copper-plate etchings, egg tempera, landscapes, beachscapes, equestrian figures, dancers, wildlife and portraits.

While that list is long, the characteristics that bind the pieces together is shorter. Each piece was done on paper, leading to the show’s name, “Paper.” And the three artists who created them are family members – Hefferlin is wife to Daud Akhriev and stepmom to Timur Akhriev. All three artists live in Chattanooga and also have a studio in Spain.

“Paper” will remain on display in the studio on East 11th Street through April 6 during regular hours and by appointment.

The one word that immediately comes to mind in describing the artists is “prolific.”

“They are all prolific – and talented,” Townsend said. “This is only a fraction of their works from the studio here. They have more in their studio in Spain.”

Townsend said that the artists have shown their works together in the past, but it has been a while. All of the works in “Paper” are for sale, with prices ranging from $40 to $40,000.

Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.