Tuesday, November 26, 2013

St. Augustine Art and Craft Festival


Karen and Mark Tuttle, Jewlers

 
This week we are highlighting artists participating in the 48th Annual St. Augustine Art & Craft Festival, this Saturday & Sunday in St. Augustine, FL. www.staugustineartfestival.com

Artists Karen & Mark Tuttle
Artists: Karen and Mark Tuttle, Jewlers
Location: St. Petersburg, FL

How did you get your start as an artist?
14 years ago Karen and Mark began their training in sculptured jewelry. After honing their craft for four years, and getting involved in a local craft show, the Tuttles began applying to, and getting accepted by, fine art shows.

The Tuttles began participating in festivals about 10 years ago. They enjoy the process of creating awe-inspiring creations.  “Customers can tell the difference between passion and someone who is just trying to get by,” said Tuttle.

Advice to artists just starting out?
Their advice to young artists is to bring their passion and commitment to the craft, and a healthy dose of financial pragmatism.  “An artist has to have the passion, learn their craft, ask questions, and don’t get too financially involved until you know for sure you have the passion and commitment. If you have passion and commitment, success will come,” said Tuttle.

Monday, November 25, 2013

St. Augustine Art and Craft Festival

Adam Newman, Sculptor


This week we are highlighting artists participating in the 48th Annual St. Augustine Art & Craft Festival, this Saturday & Sunday in St. Augustine, FL. www.staugustineartfestival.com

"Sporty" by sculptor Adam Newman
Artist: Adam Newman, Sculptor
Location: Suwanee, GA

Come and see Adam demonstrate the art of sculpture at his booth, #E2, 3:30-4:00pm Saturday, November 30.


What makes participating in a festival different than a gallery?
Newman began participating in art festivals about 10 years ago. He enjoys participating in art shows because of the opportunity to interact with people viewing his work, which in turn becomes part of the creative process. “Sometimes at an art show I will pick a person and make a little something for them free of charge. It’s worth it just to see them leave happier than when they got there,” said Newman.

He creates his sculptures of fish, lizards and other creatures from copper wire and other materials and draws his inspiration from the materials themselves. “Sometimes it’s the shape and scale of the objects that dictates where the pieces is going. Some of the spontaneous pieces are really neat because they just kind of happen on their own,” explains Newman.

Words of Wisdom?
His advice to young artists is to enjoy the creative process and not worry about perfection. “Just go for a smile and let it happen,” he advises. “You never know when an unexpected mistake or uncontrolled happening of reality put forth by an errant brushstroke can be a happy accident.”

Sunday, November 24, 2013

St. Augustine Art and Craft Festival


Lawrence Packard, Illustrator

This week we are highlighting artists participating in the 48th Annual St. Augustine Art & Craft Festival, this Saturday & Sunday in St. Augustine, FL. www.staugustineartfestival.com

Artist Lawrence Packard
Artist: Lawrence Packard, Illustrator
Location: Pensacola, FL

Come and see Lawrence demonstrate the art of marine illustration at his booth, #K7, 11:30 to noon, Sunday, December 1.


What draws you to participate in art festivals? 
Packard began participating in art festivals with his wife in 2003. Originally from New Orleans, Packard’s home and studio, along with years of collected art work, were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Rather than rebuild, he and his wife bought a motor home and expanded their art show schedule to include shows from Maine to Key West, participating in about 20-24 fine art shows per year.

How did you get your start as an artist?
Packard began drawing in 1968, he was a with a Combat Air Control team in Vietnam. In an era before camera phones, Packard sketched the scenes he saw to capture them. Stationed near the South China Sea, he sketched the local fishing boats. “They were small, single sail sampans, but they had character. In spite of their rag-tag appearance, they were graceful under sail,” Packard recalls.

After discharge from the Air Force, he began drawing sailing ships using nautical charts as canvas. Packard created his work at Jackson Square, in New Orleans, giving people the opportunity to appreciate not just the work, but the creative process. “I had my spot on the ‘fence’ and like all of the artists on the square at that time, I created my work right there,” said Packard.

While creating the work is a reward unto itself, Packard enjoys seeing the different ways that his work connects with viewers. A map may depict an area special to them, or a ship may be a story brought to life. “The most memorable was an old gentleman who started crying in my tent at the Krasl Art show In St. Joseph, Michigan. The ship I had drawn was lost in a storm over 80 years before – it had been his ship. The story I told was of one survivor – it was his story,” said Packard. 

Words of Wisdom for young artists?
His advice to young artists is to have a passion for what you do, don’t ever give up, adapt to the situation at hand and it will help you to overcome obstacles. “Last and most important, my wife and I have been together for almost 50 years. Find the right person to share your art and your life,” he advises.

Saturday, November 23, 2013

St. Augustine Art and Craft Festival

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Artist: Susan McDonald, Botanical Illustrator


We all love to go to art festivals and admire the work, but what is the process behind the beautiful work on display?

This week we  highlight artists who will demonstrate their skills and creative process during the 48th Annual St. Augustine Art & Craft Festival, this Saturday & Sunday in St. Augustine, FL. www.staugustineartfestival.com/

Artist Susan Mc Donald
Artist: Susan McDonald, Botanical Illustrator
Location: Fleming Island, FL

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Come and see Susan demonstrate the art of botanical illustration at her booth, #O5, Saturday November 30, from 2:00-2:30.


What do you enjoy most about participating in art festivals?
McDonald began participating in festivals three years ago, and enjoys the opportunity to offer reasonably priced artwork of images that resonate with the viewer.  “I enjoy talking with people about the plants and seeing viewers recognize ones that they have seen before in the wild,” said McDonald.

Why Botanical Illustration?
McDonald was drawn to botanical illustration after receiving her undergraduate degree in biology.  It is an art form that dates back several hundred years, and while its main purpose is to portray plants for scientific purposes, it is a place where the arts and the sciences truly unite.

Words of Wisdom for young artists?
Her advice to young artists is to have two careers - one as a way to make money for a few years and the other to make art.  “I finished an undergraduate degree in biology and used my science background to teach school … the B.A. degree helped me to negotiate the early financial requirements of independent living and the cost of art supplies,” said McDonald.

Monday, November 4, 2013

Viva Florida!

Winners from Viva Florida Our popular Viva Florida show had more entries than ever this year. This annual show which celebrates all the sights that are uniquely Florida will hang in our Main and South Galleries through the end of December. Many thanks to Larry Moore for lending us his talents and judging the show. Larry is a devoted naturalist who's career spans more than thirty years and dozens of awards. You can view Larry's work on his website Larrymoorestudios.com.

And the winners are...


Best of Show, Jean Wagner Troemel Award:
Gene Roberds, Bromeliads and Maples
Diane Bradley, Gene Roberds, Jean Wagner Troemel
First Place: Roger Bansemer, The White Mansion
Second Place: Cindy Wilson, Burned Pine Forest

Third Place: Marla Pennington,
Sea Turtles on Crescent Beach
Fourth Place: Mary Rhopa la Cierra,
Mappa Santo Augustine 1777 NU View
Honorable Mention:
Martin Gould, Old Back Street
Honorable Mention:
Nancy Hamlin-Vogler, Water/Sky IX: Tidal
Not Pictured: Honorable Mentions Theodore Morris, Pedro Menendez de Aviles
& Susan Moxon, Shell Bluff Park.