Artist of the Month - January Judy McLaughlin-Ryan Q&A with Judy McLaughlin-Ryan
A:: My painting is inspired by various meaningful themes, which I tend to then follow in series paintings. I used to paint more serious realism, but in the past two years, my paintings have been more connected to dream worlds and primitive beings, like dogs and tigers. When I travel, I bask in visuals, which I store for the following year of painting. In 2004 it was China, followed by the "Blue China" series. Last year, I presented a workshop in Croatia, which has led me to paint a canine I met named "Frock". Q: When did you start painting, and why? A:: I started painting as a child, because I loved paintings hanging in my childhood home, which had watchful eyes. I painted protectors with eyes. It just never stopped. I have always painted something. Q: What would you like to convey through your paintings? A: Q: What would you like to tell your fellow artists and customers? A: I would like to tell my fellow artists to never give up. I look at my canvas sometimes and it stares back at me with a blankness and an emptiness, but as soon as I muster up the courage to place my brush in the paint, doors open, and then more doors open. To my customers, bring that love into your home. Q: Anything else you’d like to tell about yourself and your art? A:
Artist of the Month - December Alejandra Kearl Q&A with Alejandra Kearl
A: It is my line of children's clothing & accessories. I wanted to create a unique, stylish and fun line of designs for babies & children. I use the best fabrics, original patterns and beautiful prints and the results are true boutique quality items, individually handcrafted, rarely seen today. Boys and Girls alike will be in comfort and in style. Q: Do you have any special holiday items available at the Artists' Web? A: Yes, I currently have Holiday dresses for girls and some fun winter outfits for boys. Q: How and why did you start? A: Q: Where/how did you learn to design? A: My mother, aunts and grandmother are all accomplished seamstresses. I was always surrounded by their beautiful creations and inspired by their hard work. I learned the beginnings of design by watching them, making my own clothes, making gifts, etc. Q: What are your greatest inspirations in creating your designs?
A: Q: What are your hopes for the years to come? A: I hope to continue creating unique clothes & accessories that parents and children love. For more information on Alejandra Kearl, stop in the store or visit her websites at www.alejandrakearl.com and www.thebabychicboutique.com !!
Artist of the Month - November Danielle Gill of Wonderful Day Designs Q&A with Danielle Gill
A: Wonderful Day Designs is an outlet for a need to create and share items that I love. How fun it is to take fantastic materials and use techniques that have been learned from awesome people to create unique and special items for special people! Q: Why are Wonderful Day Designs considered "Happy" items? A: They are considered "happy" items because they evoke "happiness". Simple little things like the soft texture of thick corduroy, the cute arrangement of a polka-dotted bow, little blinking owls on a material used- all of these things are something that make me smile and I hope it makes others smile too :) I try to put a lot of care and heart into the items I make, I want others to feel that and know that I want them to be blessed too! Q: How and why did you start? A: Q: How long have you been doing it? A: Wonderful Day Designs has been up and running for about a year now- but I've been creating and crafting all my life! Q: Where/how did you learn to design? A: Q: What are your greatest inspirations in creating your designs? A: The materials themselves! What I create is usually based on what would work best with that material. Hmm, though lately I've been very inspired to create "baby" items such as bibs, blankets, embroidered onesies and baby shoes! My inspiration for these items is my very own soon-to-be-here little man! My husband and I are expecting our first in January- and I think my excitement is reflected in the items I am always making now :) Q: What are your hopes for the years to come? A: Well, being a Mom will definitely come first- but I will also continue to grow Wonderful Day Designs. In the future I hope to offer more baby items and as my own child (children) grows I would like to make versatile, durable and cute children's clothing and accessories with an emphasis on "boy" items. There are a lot of really adorable items out there, but they are mostly for girls! Where are all the really great boy items? Boys need strong clothes to handle their roughness- but its gotta be stylish too :)
|
I attempt to convey a mood which moves the soul and heart. If a person looks at my painting and feels a sense of closeness to his or her own heart, I feel my painting has accomplished its purpose. I love beauty to put it simply.
I am in private practice as a psychotherapist, and my art merges the world of psychology and art. I traveled to Croatia to present two workshops at The European Conference on Traumatic Stress, focus on Trust and Forgiveness. With all that is occurring in our precious world today, with all of the turmoil, giving birth to beauty and hope is critical. Everyone has a gem within. At the conference center I met an artist and her dog "Frock." As all of the professionals, primarily from Europe, gathered, Frock continued to evoke compassion in others, as he insisted on playing basketball with the attendees. He was a mascot. Just Google my name, Judy McLaughlin-Ryan, and you will find art and psychology.
I've always loved sewing and designing, after the birth of my first baby (five years ago) I followed those passions and created my own line of clothing. 
In my opinion design is something you are always learning. I am constantly seeking new sources of inspiration. I love looking at old magazines, pictures and fabrics to get new ideas and create new designs.
This venture was started out of my home studio mainly because I wanted to be able to create and share items that I loved with others that would appreciate them as well! It has been hard work and a bit stressful at times (when isn't life stressful though?) but with the help of my ever supportive and AWESOME husband and through God's direction and guidance I've been able to get up off the ground! My products are available in many brick-and-mortar stores as well as online (with customers as far as the UK, New Zealand, and Australia). 
Mostly I learned how to design and create from my amazing and crafty Mom. Some of my earliest memories are of her and her sewing machine, whether she was making clothes for me, quilts for gifts, or p.j.s for my Dad and brothers! I would sit surrounded by piles of fabric while she was working and try to make doll clothes or blankets of my own. Later I acquired skills in other areas from some precious people. My Grandmother shared her passion for crochet, my Nana passed down her Singer sewing machine to me (as well as a Serger), my rad Dad taught me woodworking, and I had a wonderful art teacher who patiently worked with me on painting for about 10 years.