Lifelong Ohio resident, retired July, 2015. Masters in Finance and that is pretty much
the work that I did for 35 years. Creating
with my hands appeals to me, as I’m able to share the beauty of things one is
able to see and feel as opposed the concepts surrounding abstract numbers,
which was my work.
I have my Mom and Dad to thank for stimulating an interest
in wood burning, wood carving, and basket weaving using Florida pine needles
and raffia from Afghanistan and teenie pine cones from Australia. My folks wintered in Florida for many years
and I always looked forward to those ‘leave the snow behind’ visits to them. We spent hours learning about making things,
shelling, collecting fossilized shark teeth and…playing bingo!
The creative pursuits began about 30 years ago and, before
retirement, were sporadic at best. The dolphins
and birds, baskets and ornaments crafted were gifted to family and
friends. I will continue to learn and
carve and wood burn in the future.
Through time, working with wood surfaced as my preference and, combined
with a love for Christmas, resulted in focusing on ornaments. Wood carving and wood burning and
painting…this has become my favorite ‘making things art’ and I will continue to
experiment, exhibit and expand in the future.
My Dad taught me basket weaving and I still have a video of
him demonstrating the craft. The baskets
here will be the final editions for me…the weaving requires time, patience and
really good eyesight and well…. you understand, I am sure.
I have my oldest daughter to thank for inspiring any
painting that I have done (she teaches art at a local high school, is very
talented and practiced in the arts. She
is a grand teacher).
The message behind the work is simple…to enjoy the beauty of
God’s gifts from nature through the transformation of a branch or block of wood
into an object that provides joy and peace visually and tangibly.
Meet Judy and Steve Brackenrich from Judy's Jewelry Basket...
My wife, Judy, and I have been at this a few years now. She has been collecting and repurposing vintage jewelry since the seventies. I have been working in silver smithing and the art of creating for about six years now, prior to that my creativity was devoted to painting.
We have both been retired for about 5 years now, so we enjoy our time collecting, creating, and doing the craft show circuit. In particular the Advant-Garde shows. I don't know the exact amount of Advant-Garde shows we have attended, but it's close to 10.
We have several categories where we primarily concentrate our creative thought processes. They are repurposing vintage jewelry, broken china jewelry, sterling silver jewelry, and steampunk. A lot of our creations are a collaborative process. I'll start a design and Judy will add more defining features and vice versa. We truly enjoy what we do and are having tons of fun in the process.
Meet Cindy Hudson from Grandma's House
I
was in the third grade, drawing on a piece of scrap cardboard, when my great
aunt (an accomplished artist) exclaimed “She’s an artist!” From that day forward I felt creatively validated
. Additionally, in the rural Amish
community where I spent my childhood, girls were expected to learn to sew. Thanks to my patient mother, it’s a gift for
which I’m ever grateful.
Today,
working for American Greetings, I am surrounded by tremendous art and creative
gifts which feed my soul daily. I
continue to write, draw, sew, craft, and any other pursuit that stimulates my
creative muse. In fact, I’ve been teased
that I am incapable of sitting still – my hands must be moving at all times!
I
currently live on the west side of Cleveland, work full time for American
Greetings and enjoy my sweetheart, my Mom, sisters, sons, their families and my
grandsons. Warning – do not ask me about them – I will
pull out an abundance of photos!
I
am also a freelance writer working through an author brokerage. My artwork has
been featured on the Today Show and displayed in juried art shows. I have created various custom commissioned
pieces of art and am happy to discuss any personal art requests.
This
is my first show and I hope everyone enjoys my work so I can meet everyone
again at future Avant-Garde events!
Meet Theresa Solt from SweetTee Creations
My name is Theresa Solt, I live in North Olmsted. I started crafting at a young age. I like doing anything from crocheting, jewelry making, scrap booking, card making.
Now that I found vinyl I can't stop! Everything from Iron-ons , glass etching, ornaments, water bottles to GLASS BLOCKS!!
I was gently nudged by a friend to sell my glass blocks at craft shows. This is my first season for selling and I am very excited to start. I am hoping to increase my sales so I can work less at my daytime job. I feel like I was created to create! It makes me happy to make things and I hope my creations make others happy too!
2017 Rocky River Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
