Feature Artist: Sandy Mastroni

This week's featured artist from Sharing Stitches is Sandy Mastroni.  Sandy is an extremely talented artist whose paintings are featured in galleries all over the country such as this one.  Click here to see some of the work they carry of hers.
Sandy is a very humble artist, but I told her I was going to tell you all about her anyway.  :) 
She has illustrated two book covers, both for Antrim House Books.  She's been a working artist for 35 years, selling in gift shops, catalogs, and art shows.  She has a wonderful etsy shop too filled with art dolls, pillows, clocks, prints, original paintings, and illustrations.
Sandy is a very intelligent and fascinating woman.  I am enthralled with her anthropomorphic work...everyone and everything she makes has it's own personality.  She is also multi-talented.  She combines her paintings to make mixed-media pieces.  Her sewn pieces and sculptures are amazing.

Sandy has so much work to look at that you may be at her flickr site all day long!

Check her out here:

Blog:  http://smastroni.blogspot.com/

Etsy shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/sandymastroni

Flickr:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandymastroni/

Thanks for indulging me Sandy.  You are an amazing artist!

Featured Artist: Sarah Wyman

Oh, I am so happy to introduce you to Sarah Wyman.
I happen to think she is an artistic genius. 
I love her textures so much.  I love the eyes, in every single piece. 
I own three of her prints, but one day I hope to own a very large original.
I love all of the artists in Sharing Stitches, but Sarah's art touches my heart in a way I can't even explain.
Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your paintings with the world.
Her interview is below:

Tell us about your art, Sarah. What kind of style do you consider it and what are your favorite mediums to work with?
My art is considered mixed-media, collage, modern and folk. Primarily I create female figurative pieces, though have recently began a series of bird paintings. I use acrylic paints, charcoal, pencil, oil pastels and colored pencils as mediums as well as lots of paper, usually vintage or antique atlases and magazines. I would say the paper collage element of my work is my favorite material and am always on the look out for beautiful maps to use. Lately I have been tearing up paper into little pieces and treating it almost as a mosaic.

What inspires you?
Art history inspires me. Learning about the great masters of the past and how and why they created the work they did. It makes the pieces I see in museums and books so much richer and real to me. I am near completion of a degree in art education and will have a minor in art history. I can’t wait to share my passion with my students and enrich the history and social studies lessons they will have in regular classes.

 How do you define "artistic success"?
I achieve artistic success each time I complete a painting. I feel proud of each thing I accomplish, (even when it’s not great) because I feel like I am learning and growing every time I pick up a paintbrush. So many people say they wish they could paint, and I say you can! I wasn’t born knowing how to mix colors and render, but through years of working at it I am finally getting somewhere. Not everyone has the high level of interest in art that I have and that is the difference. I don’t think it’s a mystical gift that was bestowed upon me, it was just that art is my passion and therefore I am happiest when doing ‘art’.

Did you enjoy art as a child? When did you learn how to sew?

I have always enjoyed art. I remember getting so excited when a Highlights magazine would feature a craft, like making a caterpillar out of egg cartons. I’m in awe of all the great books and shows and materials kids have now to get them inspired and crafting. But I get to experience it all over again now with my two kids. The first thing I sewed (with my mom’s help) was a little red felt stocking for a school project. Then in sixth grade I got a sewing machine as a birthday present and started making clothes for my Cabbage Patch doll. I love sewing, but have not had much time for it lately.

Is there a part of the day that you enjoy creating the most? Tell us how a typical creative day may go for you.
I like creating in the morning, when I’m fresh and energetic. It doesn’t always work out though, between kids and other obligations. The ideal morning is when both kids have school and I have at least two hours till I have to pick up my preschool age daughter. I prefer to do packaging and listing items in the evening, when I’m slowing down after the busy day. Someday I would like to treat this more as a business with regular hours, but that is a ways off, till my kids are both in full day school. Until then I just do the best I can, and try to be the best mom for them because they are growing up too fast!

Go check her out and send her some love:
 
http://sarahgreenweeds.blogspot.com/
http://shop.ebay.com/green_weeds/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=
http://www.etsy.com/shop/sarahwyman

Featured Artist: Danita

This week's Featured Artist from Sharing Stitches is Danita.

Danita is a self-taught mixed-media artist who makes Original Paintings, Collages, Mixed Media Creations, as well as Original Art Dolls, Soft Sculpture Plush Dolls, ACEO Cards, Giclee Prints and Fiber Art. 
I have been a fan of Danita for years. She has FANTASTIC rendentions of one of favorite all time artists, Frida Kahlo.  It seems like there is no medium that Danita cannot conquer.  Her style is so unique and I love going over to her Etsy shop to see what brilliant things she has created every week.
She has also been published in almost 15 magazines to date. Whew!  She is one super talented lady!

Below is an interview with her:

What inspires you?
 Beauty and the absence of it. I live in a city with many problems and I use art as a way to scape from all of that. Some days there are so many bad news that I just want to create something beautiful for a change and when I'm creating I forget about everything.

Tell us about your art. What kind of style do you consider it and what are your favorite mediums to work with?
 I think I illustrate my thoughts in mixed media. I love working with paper and acrylics and gouaches adding touches of pencil and pastels. It's difficult to chose just one medium to work with because it all depends on the mood I want to give to the final piece. I also m
ake dolls, jewelry and fiber art. All of them I enjoy very much so picking just one would be very difficult.

 How do you define "artistic success"?
For me artistic success is when I create something from my heart and people responds to that in a positive way.

 Did you enjoy art as a child?
 Yes! I've always enjoyed drawing and painting and I remember that I used to make miniature figures with modeling clay and followed a TV show that taught how to make stuff.
When did you learn how to sew?
I'm still learning!

 Is there a part of the day that you enjoy creating the most?
At night, when I have nothing else to do or anybody calling for my attention. Tell us how a typical creative day may go for you. I usually check my mail and facebook in the morning after dropping my daughter at school. I have to pick her up early so I only have about 3 hours to work and I usually spend them listing, answering questions, taking pics or anything that can be interrupted with no trouble. In the afternoon I usually do my mom chores and after I put my daughter to bed then my creative work really starts. I usually work from 8 pm to 12 or 1 am. I choose what I'll be doing and prepare my materials, put some music and start working. I usually work nonstop until my husband starts nagging that it's too late and then I wake up from my creative slumber and go to bed. Next day, repeat and rinse.

Blog: http://danitaart.blogspot.com/
 
Shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/danitashop
 
 flickr:  www.flickr.com/ photos/danitaart
 
 facebook: danita art
 
Thanks Danita!  You rock!

Featured Artist: Lori Vliegen

Lori is the Featured Artist this week from Sharing Stitches.

I have to say that Lori is a dream to work with.  Not only is she extremely talented, but her work is meticulous.  Every little stitch is perfectly placed.  Her lines are clean.  She has beautiful writing, and great color choice.  If I owned a licensing company, I would have Lori's stuff strewn all over Hallmark!

Oh, and did I mention how sweet she is?

Here is her artist's interview:

1. Tell us about your art, Lori. What kind of style do you consider it and what are your favorite mediums to work with?

To satisfy the textile side of my work, I’m currently having fun with fabrics, threads, buttons, beads, ribbon, hand-carved stamps, recycled dryer sheets, and anything else I can get my hands on. For my paper side, I love using watercolor pencils and micron pens to create playful, whimsical doodles in my journals.

2. What inspires you?

Just about everything.....especially if chocolate is involved.

3. How do you define "artistic success"?

When someone tells me that something I’ve created has spoken to them, it’s the greatest compliment I could receive!

4. Did you enjoy art as a child? When did you learn how to sew?

I loved arts and crafts when I was a kid! My mother taught me some simple sewing stitches, and I began making clothes for my troll dolls and barbies.....and my first “fabrics” were kleenex! Then I discovered embroidery, crewel and counted cross-stitch, and I’ve been stitching ever since!

5. Is there a part of the day that you enjoy creating the most? Tell us how a typical creative day may go for you.

I love to take advantage of the natural light that streams through my windows in the morning. My favorite days are when life allows me to just sit and be creative during this small pocket of sunshine time!

Thanks Lori!  You are so talented!

blog:

http://www.elviestudio.blogspot.com/

etsy:
http://www.elviestudio.etsy.com/

flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/elviestudio/

Featured Artist:Heather from Audrey Eclectic

Aren't these bookmarks lovely? I love the artwork combined with the tattered lace and velvet strips.

They are made from today Featured Artist, Heather from Audrey Eclectic. Heather's work is so romantic. Her layered collages are my favorite! I was so pleased to have Heather's work featured in Sharing Stitches. Her style is so uniquely different. Learn more about her here in todays interview.

Hi Heather! Will you tell us a little bit about your art?

What kind of style do you consider it and what are your favorite mediums to work with?

I call my art 'mixed media folk art.' I love to do portraits with an old-timey vibe, but use modern techniques to create them. I usually work on canvas or wood and use various papers for my collage. Then I paint the portraits with acrylics.

Did you enjoy art as a child? When did you learn how to sew?

I've loved to draw since I was very little. I was ruining furniture with my drawings by the time I was 3 ;) sewing took much longer. I've only really learned to sew in the past few years, although I did take some home ec. classes in junior high (but promptly forgot everything they taught me!) With the help of my friend Holly Hall of Sweetheartville.com, I've learned to not fear my sewing machine

What inspires you?

History....old photos...stories....nature.....my home, in the middle of the prairie :) my family, faith, and being blessed with love.
Is there a part of the day that you enjoy creating the most? Tell us how a typical creative day may go for you.
I feel like I am much more focused and clearer in the mornings. Love the morning light too. I try my best to paint at night after my little one has gone to bed, but I find its best not to paint tired. That's when I make mistakes.

Please go check out her website. Her portfolio is full of so many beautiful pieces!

Links:
http://www.audreyeclectic.com/
blog: http://reverieart.blogspot.com/
shop: http://audreyeclectic.bigcartel.com/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/audreyeclectic/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Audrey-Eclectic/136160023297?ref=ts

Sharing Stitches: Featured Artist: Sara Mincy

Hi everyone.
I am so excited that the release of my new book, Sharing Stitches, is coming soon. However, it is not really "my" book, because it is a compilation of many talented artists and sewers that made this book possible. Every week I'd like to introduce you to one of the participants who created at least one or two projects for the book.

This week I'd like to introduce you to Sara Mincy. At the time that the book came into conception, I had just fallen in love with Sara and her blog. She immediately struck me as someone I wanted to work with. Sara is a very talented artist, but at the time we started the book, she really wasn't that into sewing. Because the book has projects geared for first-time sewers as well as advanced sewers, Sara's style was a perfect match for the book!


Sara, tell us about your art. What kind of style do you consider it and what are your favorite mediums to work with?

I love to paint on canvas using acrylic paint. I call it modern folk art. I do a lot of quotes and verses.


What inspires you?

Going shopping! I love a great store display- I can go to Old Navy or Target or Pier 1 and get ideas for a painting just by seeing prints and patterns and colors. I also get a lot of inspiration from magazines. Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion is a huge inspiration to me and I have almost every issue that was put out...so sad that she does not publish the magazine anymore!

How do you define "artistic success"?

When you get to do what you love and other people love it too! I know it is not necessary for other people to love your work to be qualified as an artist- but it is such an encouragement to me when people what to hang my art in their homes!

Did you enjoy art as a child? When did you learn how to sew?

I always enjoyed art- coloring, drawing, painting, sewing, etc. My mom taught me to sew when I was young- can't remember when we started. I made a quilt for a doll once. And I made 2 dresses for myself in high school.

Is there a part of the day that you enjoy creating the most? Tell us how a typical creative day may go for you.

I usually create in the afternoons when the kids are having a nap or quiet time. I can't create in the midst of chaos- so the kids have to be occupied! Evenings are good too. I love the quiet and solitude of going into my art room and putting on some music and painting or sewing or decoupaging.

Her blog: sara-mincy.blogspot.com
Her etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/sarasart

Sara has such a fun style, not only with her art, but with her home decor, clothing, and everything she does! Thanks Sara!