81st American Crafts & Historic Homes Tour
My goal is to create paintings that capture subjects you may overlook, subjects that are all around you.
I do a lot of 1800’s historical sightseeing and enjoy that time period. I work with light, the use of light and dark and playing with shadows. My paintings are realistic with an underlying subtle abstract use of the brush. I take pride in being prolific, I paint everyday and am honored to earn my living as an artist…painting.
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.
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.
Hazelton’s hooked rugs are all her own original designs. Inspirations come from antique quilts, tole trays, weather vanes, photos, geometric patterns and creative imagining. All rugs are hooked on new linen.
Handmade brooms are constructed of broomcorn and sapling handles or hand-shaped wooden handles. Various sizes of domestic brushes, including kitchen and clothing brushes, are made using only broomcorn and twine. The history of broom-making, including Shaker and Appalachian influences, are discussed during show demonstrations.
Withnell is passionate about fiber arts and particularly enjoys spinning yarns from animals she has bred, delivered, raised and cared for. Weaving allows her creative needs to explore color and texture, while designing unique items. Susan Withnell was the 2020 Waterford Fair Artisan of the Year!
Botanical portraits are pierced, forged, reticulated, granulated, fabricated repoussé body and architectural adornment. This sculptor takes the jewel out of jewelry focusing on undulating and textural surfaces. Asymmetry and kinetic features lend surprising grace to the larger scale of this work.
As in nature, each piece is as unique as its botanical choice though there are many works in each series. Inspired by Spanish Moss and vines hanging from live oak trees, Taos morning glories, calla lilies, ivy, grapes, dogwood, the Heart Armor and Harriet Tubman series evolved from an inverted milkweed pod for a more abstract appearance. A constant voice in this work is the supple technique of diminished diameter forging. Sterling, 80/20 silver, 14-18 K yellow and rose gold, copper and bronze are occasionally combined with rare gems and Akoya pearls. Historically significant botanical symbols are interpreted with contemporary flair using classic techniques.
The Ray family has been participating in the Fair for more than 38 years, and are pleased to be joined by their son, Dennis, who continues the family’s tradition of creating natural botanical wearable art through a unique copper electroforming technique.
Dennis says “My art has been my sole vocation and my passion. Every year, I travel around the world on a mission to collect samples from nature, historic trees, vineyard leaves, noteworthy plant cuttings and return to my studio where I capture them in copper. Often finished with lush patinas and accent paint, each piece I create is one of a kind just as in nature.”
They have been honored to work on special projects with the White House, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the World Wildlife Fund. Their work is also featured in Madeleine Albright’s book Read My Pins.