Different Strokes

Emily Burnham and Chase Tedder put their talents to use through Our Art Adventures, transforming storefronts with vibrant window art in Covington and neighboring communities.

Many businesses throughout Newton County have expanded and enhanced their décor over the last several years, looking beyond their interiors to their storefronts. Unique paintings on glass windows are now commonplace.

Several local artists have broadened their canvas and mural work to offer these types of services, as they add a touch of personal character around entryways. Lifelong resident Emily Burnham started Our Art Adventures alongside boyfriend Chase Tedder in 2023. The couple had hoped to take over another business—In the Light Artistry—from her father and stepmother, who were not painting as many windows as they had in the past.

“I thought, ‘I’ll pick it up,’ since I like art and I like painting,” said Burnham, a graduate of Eastside High School and the University of Georgia, where she majored in film studies and minored in studio art and art history. She worked part time at Covington’s Butcher Block Deli over the years, so she started painting the windows there and went on to service Stalvey’s, its sister restaurant just down the road on U.S. 278. “She made me aware of her artistic ability, and we agreed on what visions we had,” said business owner Sharon Stalvey, who has enlisted the skills of various artists over the years. “She’s got the insight when I tell her what I’m thinking. She’s a fantastic artist, and I couldn’t be happier.”

Burnham sought Tedder’s assistance to aid with designs since he also enjoyed art and grew up with a creative spirit like hers.

“We get to be creative in it. We just want to share our creativity with people and make people happy with the completed work.”
Emily Burnham

“I didn’t really paint. I usually just sketched and drew, so it was out of my comfort zone a little bit in the beginning,” said Tedder, who also graduated from Eastside but did not meet Burnham until they started dating earlier in 2023. “She guided me through it.”

Burnham learned some window painting tips and techniques from her parents, as well as fellow window artist Alex Norwood, who was not taking on as many projects and offered a workshop for aspiring artists. She then taught Tedder—whose father often drew and whose mother worked as a graphic designer at one point—what she had learned so he could provide her with the help she needed.

“We can freestyle,” said Burnham, who also works at local ophthalmologist Dr. Bradley Jacoby’s office. “We try to keep it fun and interesting.”

The couple has painted window fronts for Kellye Personal Fitness in Covington and LadyLike Boutique in Monticello, as well. They most enjoy painting characters from the beloved Peanuts series. “Besides Snoopy, I’d have to say Lucy is my favorite character,” Burnham said. “I love the more girly outfits, the dresses, and I love her hair. Chase loves painting Woodstock, and he really enjoyed getting to paint Peppermint Patty this past Christmas.” They like putting their own touch on things to tie it to the business. At Kellye’s, they put muscle arms on a snowman and dressed up Butcher Block’s July 4 theme with various pet dog characters and hot dogs. In addition, they have created window art with simple flower borders, multi-colored inspirational words and Christmas designs and other holiday-themed patterns.

“I like being able to create our own thing,” Tedder said.

Burnham explained that they usually meet with clients first to get their vision and discuss some ideas, then sketch out a plan and figure out if they need to incorporate different window panels and other building elements into their designs.

“It takes us anywhere between two and four days depending on the amount of windows and the artwork we’re painting,” Burnham said. “We’re a lot faster at it than we were when we started, but the weather also plays a hand in our painting, so that affects the time, as well.” Sometimes, they look online for inspiration but like to make the artwork their own with unique colors, additions and styles.

“We get to be creative in it,” said Burnham, who has a background in set design and also enjoys photography. “We just want to share our creativity and make people happy with the completed work.”

Their services extend beyond storefronts, too.

“We’d love to get a few more businesses to paint, but we’d totally be up for painting things besides windows,” Burnham said. “We could paint murals or create art of other forms for businesses and individuals. We actually have taken on a few little projects recently. We tried our hand at craft paper banners because they’ve become very popular. They can be made for birthdays, showers, weddings and other events.”

To book Our Art Adventures contact them through their business Facebook page or via email at chase.emily.art@gmail.com.

Click here to read more stories by Michelle Floyd.