WELCOME TO
FEATURED ARTISTS
here on this page you will get to learn about many wonderful artists, in a wide array of mediums.....! Take your time and read what they have to say about their art, how they got started, what motivates them, and more....! Be sure to visit their links to their blogs, web pages, and Etsy shops! I know the artists will be more than happy to provide you with further information.
I will be featuring as many artists in the coming weeks, as time allows. If you are an artist or know of an artist you would like to see featured here, please feel free to contact me. My contact information is below.
introducing my first featured artist - kate E. austin
Kate E. Austin was raised in
Killington, Vermont, and now resides in Glens Falls, New York. The complicated
story of how she came to be there winds through her artwork. She has had two
solo shows locally in 2007 and is seeking new venues to show and an opportunity
to use the degree she's on the verge of earning from Empire State College. Kate
is the Co-President for the North Country Arts Center and an exhibiting and
active member of five local arts organizations. She is available for
commissions, and also is available for website design.
dive
by artist. Kate austin
"Dive" was inspired by a poem of the same name penned and performed by slam poet Andrea Gibson (www.andreagibson.com). It's also about resurfacing after a long time spent "underwater".
Here is what Kate has to say about her art:
1. What
led you to start creating your art?
I've always wanted to be an artist, ever since I was three and visited the
Norman Rockwell Museum in Rutland, Vermont. I saw his art hanging on the
walls and went home to draw pictures because I wanted to sell my art, too!
It's been uphill since.
2. How
did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?
I'm a Jill of all trades -
I wouldn't say I've buckled down to just one medium right yet. I love to
experiment, and my latest work has been inks, acrylics, and watercolor on yupo,
playing with texture and color through the use of salt, rubbing alcohol, and
Windex. I just want to keep trying new things!
3. What
aspect of creating your art do you find the most enjoyable?
I like that I can try to express what's in my head, that I can make a picture
with my hands that shows you what I'm thinking or what I've gone through better
than if I were to try to tell you in a conversation. I also love that I
can discover new patterns that occur in nature, and manipulate them. It's
a little like playing God, making these creations.
4. What
message, if any, do you want to convey with your art?
There's so much I have to
say - I want to tell people about how I grew up, about silly thoughts I have,
about how interconnected we are with everything else and how amazing that is,
about the universe, about me... It's a new message with each painting, but
it's always told from my perspective. That's why I don't really enjoy
creating paintings of lakes and mountains - while that's beautiful, it's
something we all see... I want to share something that only I can tell
you.
5. What
advice do you have for other artists?
Don't throw anything away.
Sign everything. Use the highest quality materials you can afford.
Get your work OUT THERE! Don't be embarrassed. Push boundaries.
Challenge yourself. Talk to people about your art. Ask for criticism,
but let it roll off your back. DON'T GIVE UP!
YOU MAY VISIT KATE'S ETSY SHOP, BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW THE PHOTOS, OR CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO VISIT THAT PARTICULAR ITEM IN HER SHOP!!
Kate's work may be viewed at the following links:
THANKS KATE, FOR SHARING YOUR WORK AND IDEAS!
INTRODUCING RONALYN HURLEY
& HER "REBORN" BABIES
CHLOE
READ BELOW TO SEE WHAT RONALYN HAS TO SAY ABOUT HER "BABIES".
I have been "reborning" for several years and it still excites me each time I transform a doll into a Reborn. To see the doll come to "life" never ceases to amaze me, even after all this time.
"Reborning" is the art of transforming a
plain vinyl doll into a doll that looks like a real baby. These dolls are no
longer toys; they become cherished collectibles.
Chloe is all dressed up in her adorable crocheted
dress and tights, for a trip to Grandma's. Bathed, fed, and very sleepy, she
just couldn't stay awake any longer. Baby Chloe was reborn from a plain, vinyl
doll. Her realistic complexion and blushing were accomplished with non-toxic,
Genesis Heat-Set paints, applied in several layers and baked after each layer.
You don't have to worry about fading or rubbing off. Her hair is a high quality
mohair wig, cut in a cute style to complement her features. Her hand-applied
eyelashes add to the realism.
What led you to start
creating your art?
I saw a Reborn doll on Ebay several years ago,
loved it and wanted to learn how to make one for myself. I went online to find
instructions and joined a couple of Reborn Doll Yahoo groups. The instructions
were pretty basic, but I learned a lot from the groups. After finishing my first
one I was hooked. I became better and better at it and eventually started
selling them on Ebay and to acquaintances and co-workers.
What aspect of
creating your art do you find the most enjoyable?
I love seeing the dolls "come alive" as I
work on them. I accomplish that with several layers of Genesis heat-set oil
paints.
I am working on a line of child-safe Reborns that children can play with.
THANKS, RONALYN for sharing your adorable
babies with us! If you'd like to see more of Ronalyn's work be sure to visit her
sites below.
RONALYN'S
BLOG
AWORLDOFCREATIVITY
BEAUTIFULMEMORIES
(Etsy Shop)
MY DESIGN COLLECTIBLES (Etsy Shop)
You may also directly view the babies in Ronalyn's Etsy shop by clicking on one of the images below. This will get you directly to that particular baby.
INTRODUCING PAM QUEVEDO
BELOW, IN PAM'S OWN WORDS, SHE WILL TELL YOU ABOUT WHO SHE IS AND WHAT HAS
INSPIRED HER TO CREATE HER WONDERFUL DESIGNS.
Hi, my name is Pamela Quevedo. I'm a stay at home mom to 2
wonderful little girls. I've been creating stuff since I can remember & I've
never stopped teaching myself new things.
HERE IS PAM'S DESCRIPTION OF HER BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF WORK SHOWN ABOVE:
This piece began life as one half of a pattern for a
collar called Portrait. I modified the pattern for that half into this amazing
piece of neck art. Enhanced with clear Swarovski crystals and gray rounds it
measures 14 inches laid flat & 4 inched wide at the center. It closes with a
sterling silver lobster clasp.
PAM, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL, INTRICATE DESIGN! YOUR CREATIONS GIVE NEW
MEANING TO THE TERM "TATTING"!
What led you to start creating your
art?
I simply got bored with knitting and crochet a couple of
years ago so I went looking for something new. I found needle tatting online and
taught myself.
How did you decide what medium you
wanted to work with?
Most tatting is done with very small thread, but I taught
myself with crochet thread. I loved the bold look of the larger thread. I
occasionally love to tat with sock yarn as well. It works up so nicely.
What aspect of creating your art do
you find the most enjoyable?
I have a compulsive need to keep my hands busy. Tatting
jewelry not only fulfills that need, but also allows me to update a fiber art
that has long been associated with doilies and grandmothers.
What message, if any, do you want to
convey with your art?
I really want people to see tatting as a modern art. I want
them to see my pieces as both a link to the past and a very wearable piece of
jewelry.
What advice do you have for other
artists?
I always tell people to make what they love. Don't be
tempted to cater to a current trend just to sell something. If you create art
for art’s sake, then you will always be satisfied with your work whether it
sells or not.
THANK YOU, PAM, FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SHARE YOUR
THOUGHTS AND ART WITH US! If you'd like to see more of Pam's work be sure to
visit her links below:
PAM'S ETSY SHOP
PAM'S BLOG
BELOW IS PAM'S ETSY MINI. CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO GO DIRECTLY TO THAT ITEM IN
HER SHOP.
More artists will be coming soon, so do stop back for a visit.
If you have any questions, comments or would like to "chat" with me, I'd be happy to hear from you. My contact information is below.
Donna Ziegler
W274 S8825 Ridgeway Road
Mukwonago, WI 53149
(262) 352-4120
or
