Children's Activity

Grabman, Marie-Helene

Marie-Helene Grabman

Mixed media

Using surgical scissors, I create cut paper designs from a single sheet of black or white paper, creating the dramatic effect of light versus dark with small bits of color (painted or cut paper) for focal points. A few of my designs have added layers of cut paper over the base cutting to create a dimensional effect.

The art is called “scherenschnitte”–or scissor cutting, a very old art form that developed in Switzerland and Germany in the 1500’s. The process is like woodcutting: you start with a blank resource and create the art by cutting parts of it away. Precision is paramount and it demands full concentration. Many of the cut lines are no thicker than thread-width. The paper is attached to the base mat with only small dots of glue so that the cutting floats within the frame, creating shadows. I feel this is an important part of the composition and it also works to identify the paper cutting from a pen and ink work or print.

Kid Friendly! Watch as a cutting is started then take it home and finish it yourself. Learn about the history of this almost lost art.

scissorcutter.com

Gladfelter, Kimberly

Poplar Hollow Studio

Mixed Media

Unique and one-of-a-kind mixed media folk art is created primarily with gourds. Many of the gourds are grown on the PA farm where I reside with my husband and co-artist, Bob. The shape of the gourd is studied to determine what it wants to be. No two gourds are alike having various shapes, sizes and textures. Sometimes a piece is created by individually hand-painting a gourd with it’s original unaltered shape using layers of acrylic paint with meticulous attention to detail. Other times mixed media work is created with paper clay hand-sculpted onto or over the gourd altering its shape and then hand-painted. A multi-step, hand-rubbed aging technique using an umber wash finishes each piece before sealing and adds to the old fashioned charm. Most of the pieces are whimsical and holiday themed. The simplicity of country life on the family farm, the changing seasons, an affinity for treasures from a bygone era and holiday traditions…these things are all celebrated in my work.

PoplarHollowStudio.net

DeWitt, Robert & Dominique

Wood

We are a couple who live and work together. 42 years ago, we formed a business venture, an on-going partnership, when we chose to create traditional hand-tooled kitchen utensils and wooden vessels.

Our deep appreciation and reverence for trees are reflected in our approach to making long-lasting, functional art pieces.

We refined our skills, techniques, finishes and our artistry challenged us and guided us to making custom commission furniture.

DeWittWoodworking.net

Dabbs, Laurel

Wood

Crudely fashioned or exquisitely detailed, decoys provided a means of luring migratory waterfowl close enough to be an important staple in the diet of the Colonists, whose early years were harsh before crops became established. Dabbs’ gunning decoys start as eight-foot planks of white cedar, winter-cut and air-dried for at least two years. Sitting on a carving bench, she demonstrates every technique in a step-by-step process that shows a decoy’s progress from start to finish. Using antique handtools (a hatchet, mallet and gouge, spokeshave and carving knife), the head is doweled for strength before being attached to the hollowed-out body. Durable house paint assures a sturdy finish that stands up to the rigors of field use, and inletted lead makes sure the decoy self-rights in choppy water or sits nicely on a mantel. The tradition and history of the work are as important as the style and form of Dabbs’ carvings, as each decoy must be seaworthy and durable, as well as beautiful.

laureldabbs.com

Bognar, Tom & Carole

Callaway Colonials

Mixed Media

Having an interest in history and art, the Bognars have combined both decorative and utilitarian items from gourds-Folk Art Gourd Pottery. Throughout history there are many references to gourds. As the world’s oldest pottery, they have been used for their functionality as containers of all sorts worldwide. During the fair they will explain the background and historical use of gourds and the preparation of them through cutting and cleaning. A gourd that is planted one year, dries for months, and is ready for use the following year is a unique interest to the public.

The techniques used on their work includes: carving, watercolor, paint, pen & ink, dye work, and wood burning. Our line consists of bowls, baskets, jugs, vases, canisters, pockets, clocks, and pitchers. Designs are inspired by historical motifs, botanical/nature, graphics, and seasonal.

Bognars gourd work has been featured in magazines, television and part of other quality art events.

Shriver, Alison

Alison Shriver Designs

Mixed Media

Inspired by a collection of early family silhouettes, Shriver began creating silhouette collages incorporating antique papers with original ideas. When creating an original, the hand cut silhouette is the main subject, it is juxtaposed with relevant maps, stamps, antique ledgers & letters, beach collections, fossils, leaves, branches, wax seals, etc.

The silhouette collages are of many different subjects, including sailing ships, antique chairs, tables, dog breeds, cats, tea pots, pitchers, tureens, sea life, birds, butterflies, farm animals, horses, presidents & famous peoples silhouettes.

Shriver has been creating, exhibiting & selling original art around the world for nearly 30 years. The work continues to evolve each year which is extremely rewarding.

AlisonShriver.com

McKellar, Judith

Judith McKellar

Mixed Media

The sculptors of the Renaissance inspired McKellar to major in sculpture in college where she learned both ancient and modern techniques, among them bas relief. Relief means that the subject matter physically stands out from the background in varying heights to simulate atmospheric perspective. Her work emphasizes the natural world, including flora and fauna as well as domestic animals. Each piece is designed, modeled and cast by McKellar personally.

[email protected]

Jeffords, Barbara

Mixed Media

Art has been a part of Jeffords’ life since she was a child watching her father paint. He instilled a love of the beauty of nature and the simple things in life that mean so much to all of us. She has been painting professionally for around twenty years. Growing up in a rural setting with farms and glorious beauty of the seasons is what inspires her paintings. It’s fun to bring the beauty of the countryside and maybe an untold story of an old house or barn to life! Jeffords always has a story in mind behind the landscape and people in her art. Her hope is that the artwork will bring you to another place. A place where you can feel the breeze in the fields, the comfort and warmth of another time and the contentment of “Home”.

Kid Friendly! Children can watch Barbara as she shows them how to take basic shapes and turn them into animals.

facebook.com/Barbara-Jeffords