Destination 33

My name is Betty Lester and I have been a jewelry lover all my life. When I was a girl I always wanted to be a gypsy for Halloween because then I could ware all the jewelry I wanted. My husband is a rockbound and I would go with him to rock and gem shows. I loved the beautiful polished stones and when I saw them made into pendants using the art of wire wrapping, I had to learn to do that. I have taken several classes at the William Holland School of Lapidary Arts in Georgia. I specialize in pendents and necklaces but also have bracelets, earrings and rings. I hand pick all my stones which for me is half the fun, the hunt for just the right stone. I work in both sterling silver and 14 karat gold filled wire. In addition to natural polished stone I also use beads and Dicroic glass in my designs. The piece pictured is purple jade wrapped in gold wire. I now live in Norwalk, IA but Perry is my home town and I look forward to participating in this show.

Artist Philosophy
Chad Elliott strives to create music and art that inspires, uplifts and moves his audience emotionally by relating life experiences through dream-like imagery. Elliott also works to open new doors for youth by providing unique art and music education.

Art Biography: Elliott’s paintings and ceramics reflect his earthy intonations and carry a feeling of finding place without placement and home where no house stands. He is a monument to the proverb, “All those who wander are not lost.”

Elliott is a graduate of Graceland University in Lamoni, IA with a bachelor of arts in ceramics and has since collected graduate credits from the University of Montana in Missoula, MT. Early in his career, he was recognized for his artistic ability by being chosen as the “Best of Show” at the Iowa Student Artists Exhibit in 1995.

At the Guthrie Grove Camp in Guthrie Center, IA, Elliott has created murals with youth. He has also created large murals for businesses including Shaky Tree Coffee in Spencer, IA. Elliott served as an artist in residence for TreeBed Design in Vallejo, CA in 2004 as well as Arts on Grand in Spencer, IA from 2005-2008.

In 2008 Elliott created the first-ever “People Project,” an ephemeral artwork for the organization ArtsLIVE during the University of Okoboji Winter Games in Okoboji, IA. During the Project he positioned 175 people on the ice of a frozen lake in the shape of a stylized turtle, which was photographed from an air plane.

My work is derived from the natural world, regardless of the technique I employ. I find opportunities for creativity occurs when I look at this natural world; I choose to focus on the often over-looked aspects of small things, the web of leaves in a bush, the flash of a butterfly’s wings, or the subtle color in a blossom. As I “play” with what I observe, scale and texture become important. Often I am drawn to surface qualities in nature. Sticks and stones, bones and tree trunks and knobby gnarled wooden stumps are often the “stuff” from which my work is made! For the past year and a half I have been experimenting with the batik process applying it to paper instead of silk fabric. Previously I had used this technique which I learned in Iowa’s Sister State of Malaysia as a visiting artist and for nearly twelve years had worked it primarily on silk fabric in a technique known as “silk seti”. The application of the technique to a Japanese paper called Hosho allowed me to use dye colors which are simply “luscious” to look at and lines that were indeed like the delicate webs I found in the world outside my windows. It was possible in this technique to magnify my delight in the small things of the natural world over and over again!.

Art is like breathing, I just do it. If I don’t everything else doesn’t function as well unless I put all my creative energy back to work. I have been creating in some form all my life. Some works have turned into life lessons, some an attempt to reach out to others and all have been part of the journey of finding my place at that moment in time. That place is always changing. I reflect it in my works through the use of mixed media. I am not seeking perfection and in blending of media, objects and whatever else is in reach is how I choose to express how I need to find what is beautiful among the things that don’t always make sense.

I am a self taught artist that works in mixed media, any media for that matter but I don't tend to follow the rules. I have been selling my works for 20 years and picture framing for just as long. Inspired by nature and life experience, my work vary in subject.

I love change and experience. I feel the next evolution of my art coming over the horizon and I am running to meet it.

I live to learn and grow, my art evolves with me. When I have nothing left to know or say then I will be done. I am just at the beginning.

Sculptures
by
John B Brommel LLC

Biography

John Brommel was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa where he now resides. His informal education in art started as a childhood interest which grew into a habit of daily study. Five years in a trade school and 35 years as a steamfitter taught John invaluable knowledge of welding and working in carbon steel, stainless steel, brass, copper, aluminum and bronze. He is truly a life time learner.

In 1979 John started sculpting in wood. Ten years later he taught himself to sculpt in stone. Then about 1998 he finally migrated to sculpting in metals. He started doing airbrush paintings in 2004.

He has works in private collections in Iowa as well as numerous other states. About 50% of the art John does is commissioned.


Statement


“My art is a never ending journey of discovery and invention. I avidly recycle and repurpose material, drawing from diverse technical genres, searching out new and innovative applications. I greatly enjoy the interplay of energies and ideas in the execution of commissioned works. The work ethic and sense of efficiency practiced in my 35 years as a steamfitter are invaluable in the execution of my work.”

I choose to represent myself through the creation of wood-fired ceramic objects. These objects are vehicles for personal expression. They are a way to relieve my overwhelming desire to create with my hands.
The transformation wood-firing imparts on the materials continually brings about new challenges in my artistic journey. Most importantly these challenges inspire new ideas. The results from each firing help me refine my intentions. My goals are to explore the surfaces of each piece and exploit the subtle nuances that give each piece a distinct identity. Each detail that could easily be overlooked is emphasized; for example, the tension in a thick stretched slab, or the cracks that are revealed by folded clay. I am aware of the way my touch is recorded in the clay. This touch considers line quality and visual versus physical weight. By emphasizing these qualities I inform the viewer about the stages I have guided the work through.
Adding surface variation to each piece creates points of interest, and helps to draw the eye around the forms. Texture adds another layer of information which enhances the three dimensional quality of my work. Continually exploring new ways to stack objects in the kiln has increased the visual appeal of my work; for example, exposing the way wood ash travels around the belly of a bottle when fired on its side, or the way the flames dive between objects stacked directly atop one another. By creating diversity in form and surface I am able to enhance the livelihood and content of my work. This diversity emphasizes the sensuous, tactile qualities inherent in the ceramic medium.
I am on a journey where progress is measured by discoveries. These discoveries reveal themselves with research. This development of ideas happens over time, from object to object, kiln firing to kiln firing. As I refine my artistic voice, my ceramic objects become a true representation of myself. With these considerations in mind, I desire to create objects of beauty and vitality that have a sense of rightness about them.

My name is Kelly Moore and I've been designing my own jewelry for many years and have been selling jewelry for the past 2-3 years. It all started with a stained glass class I took about 9 years ago, and have evolved from there. My husband presented me with a Dremel tool for Christmas three years ago and I haven't stopped cutting or polishing since. Currently I like to combine copper, silver, glass and porcelain in my pieces, but I'll use anything that I think looks good. If it can be soldered, enameled or riveted, I use it! I experiment a lot and am always looking for unique ideas. Some of my pieces are the result of a mistake or accident, not easily duplicated. These to me, are the best ones. I like the phrase "what if" and use it frequently. Most of my inspiration comes from nature, but my husband and friends are always ready with feedback as well. I feel very blessed and grateful that others enjoy my jewelry as much as I do! You can see more on my website MoondancebyKelly.com or visit my display at Flowers by Donna Jean in Woodward. Hope to see you in November!

I have painted most of my life and have owned The Folk Art Shop in Valley Junction, with 2 of my daughters for 29 years , until we closed it last summer.
While I enjoy 'easel painting', working with driftwood has provided a way to be creative in all sorts of new ways. I enjoy having my hands on each piece ,keeping the integrity of every creation.

I have enjoyed special orders. They sometimes have helped evolve a variety of driftwood pieces, including fish, angels, Liberties, rabbits pilgrims, turkeys, decoys, etc.

Nadine has studied and painted most of her adult life. Her paintings include landscapes, florals, street scenes and portraits. She is fascinated with nature. Through her work she attempts to convey the natural beauty in all things.

Her patrons include the World Food Prize, Bankers Trust Company, John Deere Credit Services, The National Pork Producers Council, and the State of Iowa Capitol Building.

She is a signature member of the Iowa Watercolor Society and has taught at the Des Moines Art Center.

The Permanent Collection was started in 2006 by Sarah McCoy in Des Moines Iowa. The Permanent Collection offers cards, invitations, announcements, broadsides and artist books. Everything is handmade and letterpress printed in central Iowa. Each card and broadside is printed letterpress usually in a limited edition and is hand printed on a Vandercook SP 15 printing press making it an original and slightly different inking than the others.