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Spangler, Donna

Fraktur by Donna Selfridge Spangler

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I became interested in the historic art of Fraktur as a hands-on way to blend two core interests in my life – art and history. The traditional designs of the 1700s are my inspiration.

To help ensure our traditional arts continue, I demonstrate at 18th century events, such as Landis Valley Museum and Fort Loudoun Market Fair. For many years I have been recognized as a Master Artisan by the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen and am listed in the Artisan Directory of Early American Life Magazine.

Fraktur has become, for me, so much more than art and history.

www.pafraktur.com

Smith, Andy

Andy Smith Watercolors

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Andy Smith has been a full-time watercolor artist for 36 years. He loves painting antiques and the 1800’s time period and finds his subjects by traveling and sightseeing at historic areas. He loves light and the way it transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary. Andy’s paintings start with a hand-drawing which gives them an intimate feeling. He paints every day, creating fresh paintings and only prints two pieces a year, which retains the integrity of his original paintings.

AndySmithArtist.com

Grabman, Marie-Helene

Marie-Helene Grabman

Mixed media

“Scherenschnitte”, or scissor cutting, is not very well known in this country. The art was introduced here in the 1700’s by immigrants from Switzerland and Germany. Like much of our art during this time, the style changed and American cutwork became very primitive in style. Today, only a handful of artists in this country practice the original, intricate, European style of scissor cutting – my specialty.

In my art, I use acid-free white, text paper or imported black French silhouette paper. Most of my scissor cuttings are cut freehand, from one piece of paper, using European surgical scissors. Occasionally, I will also add multiple layers of sculpted paper on top or below the base cutwork to add focal points of color or to achieve a dimensional effect. My work differs in one important element from the old European and American cuttings…I never completely attach the cuttings to the back mat. Rather, I float them on the mat to create shadows and a 3-dimensional effect that I feel is important to the final composition.

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

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