Artist Highlight - Amanda Vandever

Hometown: 

Columbia IL.

Preferred Mediums: 

Canon 50d Camera

　

How many years have you participated in the Art on the Bluffs, Inc. Art Walk?

First Year

　

Where did you go to school, earn a degree, or formally study art? 

 Southwestern Illinois College

What is your art about & what inspires your work?

Normal and everyday things, experienced in a different way. I'm inspired just by seeing things around me and think to myself.  “What can I turn this into or wouldn't that look amazing at this angle”. If I modify this picture, it will bring out the beauty that could otherwise go unseen.

　

What is your creative process like? 

I take a picture of one object in many different ways. Then sometimes distort the image to what I refer to as painting.

How or when in your life did you know you wanted to be an artist? 

Around two years ago I started taking pictures and enjoyed every piece I created.   Now I'm just continuing to learn as I grow.  I enjoy all that is applied to capture interesting things.  .

　

Where can your work be viewed? 

Bean Tree Cafe in Waterloo, Curves in Columbia, Peachy Yogurt Bar in Belleville and alvphotographyonline.com. Also followed on Facebook at ALVphotography.

　

What shows have you displayed in?

First Show

　

What do you most enjoy about the art scene in St. Louis/Metro East? 

The different and creative ways each person expresses themselves.

Artist Highlight - Maria Gottlieb

Hometown:

 I was born and raised in Kirksville, MO. My family moved to Ballwin (suburb of St. Louis, MO) when I was 12 years old.

Preferred Mediums:

My work consists of ceramic, mostly porcelain; other natural and organic materials, as well as some glass and metal materials.  I have recently been able to combine my passion of creating with clay and my love for jewelry to make Ceramics as Wearable Art.

How many years have you participated in the Art on the Bluffs, Inc. Art Walk? 

This will be my 4th year with AOTB.  The staff has always been very friendly and accommodating.  I keep coming back because of the people who come to this event!  I love meeting all of the people who stop at my booth and talk about their tastes in jewelry as well as their own creative experiences.

Where did you go to school, earn a degree, or formally study art?

I graduated with a BS in Art Education from SIUE.  I plan on going back there to get a Masters in Ceramics and Metalsmithing.  I love teaching children as much as I love teaching adults how to be creative.  I had a great experience with all of my art teachers growing up, so much that I wanted to be just like them.

What is your art about & what inspires your work?

I have always been drawn to contrasts that exist in nature, as well as texture, shape, and that anything handmade can make something sentimental.  Color, texture, weight, pattern, symmetry, and contrast are all variable that you can find in my work.

What is your creative process like? 

I am very lucky to have a spare bedroom converted into a studio space. Everyday I go there to collect my thoughts and begin creating.  I normally make a set of ceramic beads first.  I play in clay; I make designs as they come to me.  After the pieces are fired and glazed I usually turn them into a pendant or incorporate the ceramic pieces into a necklace or other piece of jewelry.  I like to experiment with new techniques and try something different every now and again.  I talk with like minded women who enjoy making jewelry and get inspired by them.  I look online for techniques and pretty glazes that I could incorporate into my work.  Inspiration is all around us, everyday I get inspired to create and make something new.

How or when in your life did you know you wanted to be an artist?

I sort of just became an artist over the years of making art in school, I wanted to continue the craft as I graduated and got older.  When I was in high school, every piece of my artwork was put into the gallery and display cases.  This was a huge encouragement for me to peruse the arts as a teenager.  I fell in love with pottery in high school, mainly because of my teacher Pam McCormick.  She made me confident to go above and beyond the typical assignment.  Taking the skills she taught me, I made beautiful ceramic work, things that I still cherish to this day.  After high school I took classes at Meramec community college.  My ceramics professor/artist Jim Ibur was another great motivation for me to continue in the art world.  He taught me how to throw clay on a wheel for the first time in my life, and I was hooked.  I continued my arts education at SIUE, taking a summer long primitive ceramics class from professor/artist Paul Dresang.  With him I got to experience firing a RAKU kiln, a wood burning kiln, and a pit fire kiln along with a few other ways to fire pottery; all of which were invaluable to me.

Where can your work be viewed?  

There are three places I currently have work online.

www.mariagotart.com

www.facebook.com/mariagotartonline

www.etsy.com/shop/mariagotart

I do at home “Paint Your Own Pottery and Glass” parties. A mobile pottery studio!

www.thrownmud.com

www.facebook.com/thrownmud

I teach Jewelry Classes at Michaels Arts and Crafts store in Florissant, MO.

www.facebook.com/jewelryclassatmichaels

Upcoming shows:

“Lady Bug Beads” Bead Art Show, St. Louis, MO. 63119. September 29^th, 2012.

Fall Craft Fair, Florissant MO. 63031.  October 14^th, 2012.

Jobie Boutique, St. Louis, MO. October 20^th, 2012.

St. Angela Merici - Craft Fair, St. Louis, MO. 63034. November 3^rd, 2012.

What shows have you displayed in?

St. Angela Merici School Craft Fair, St. Louis, MO. 2011- Present

Jobie Boutique, St. Louis. 2010 - Present

Art On The Bluffs, Columbia IL.  2009-Present

Fall Craft Fair, Florissant MO. 2007 - Present

Consigned work at “Beat It” bead store on Main St. Edwardsville, IL

Graduate and Undergraduate Best of Arts show. SIUE, Spring 2009. 

Fort Gondo Art Gallery. St. Louis, MO, Spring 2008. 

Undergraduate Art Show. SIUE, Fall 2007.

Art East.  SIUE, Fall 2007.

Artist Highlight - Ron Vivod

Hometown: 

Collinsville,IL

Preferred Mediums:

Photo Digital Imagery 

How many years have you participated in the Art on the Bluffs, Inc. Art Walk? 

Only in the first year

 

Where did you go to school, earn a degree, or formally study art?

Washington U., St. Louis, SIUE degree

What is your art about & what inspires your work? 

Fantasies of wildlife and nature in Southwestern Illinois, especially along the Great River Road. My work is inspired by the beauty of nature, an entity that is being pummeled into oblivion by the movement of man. 

 

What is your creative process like?

Using my own photography, I reconstruct it and draw into it digitally to create unique fantastic images. 

How or when in your life did you know you wanted to be an artist?

Grade school

Where can your work be viewed?  

Mississippi Mud Gallery, Art Saint Louis, Lost Arts & antiques in Edwardsville, Jacoby Art Gallery in Alton, The Illinois State Museum Artisans Shop at Rend Lake and in various Art Fairs in IL and MO. 

What shows have you displayed in?

Art Saint Louis, St. Louis Artists Guild, Edwardsville Arts Center, Jacoby Arts Center, The Center in Rolla, The Heights in Richmond Heights, Soulard Art Mart Gallery, The Gray Gallery at Quincy University, Eastern Illinois University, SIUE, Northwest Cultural Council in IL

What do you most enjoy about the art scene in St. Louis/Metro East? 

Praise and encouragement, plus my impression that the public in this area are very knowledgeable and appreciative of art.

Artist Highlight - Terry Guffey Vermillion

Hometown:

Fenton, Mo

Preferred Mediums:

Acrylic on canvas.

How many years have you participated in the Art on the Bluffs, Inc? Art Walk? 

This is the first year.

Where did you go to school, earn a degree, or formally study art?

MA in Studio Art from Lindenwood University.  I was fortunate to study with Myron Kozman of the Bauhaus movement.

What is your art about & what inspires your work?

I paint images and impressions from my life.  Life passes around me at 100 miles an hour as I travel through the day. It leaves me with colors and shapes that I put on canvas. Sometimes the images are concrete, sometimes they are abstract. But each painting has a little of the motion and color of today.  The color will grab your attention first and then the shapes emerge.  With an extensive exposure to the entertainment arts, I want my artwork to grab the viewer, keep the viewer involved, and even invite them back to view again. Like a good movie you want to watch over and over, fine art should call you back to look, to think, and to wonder.

What is your creative process like? 

I don’t think I have one.  I go to my studio and paint.  I have enough ideas in my head to last 3 lifetimes!

Where can your work be viewed? 

http://www.vermillionart.com

What shows have you displayed in?

There are too many to name. I always have art showing somewhere, lately in Sequim, WA and St. Tammany Art Center, Louisiana.

What do you most enjoy about the art scene in St. Louis/Metro East?

The best part is the dedication of both professionals and volunteers to finding and creating opportunities for artists.  Artists badly need a group of people who can connect the artist with the art collector.

Artist Highlight - Diane Balber

Hometown:

St. Louis

Preferred Mediums:

Jewelry-Fine Silver

How many years have you participated in the Art on the Bluffs, Inc. Art Walk?

This is my first year.

Where did you go to school, earn a degree, or formally study art?

I studied design in college and continued taking classes in drawing, painting, ceramics, glass blowing, papermaking and more. Along the way I discovered a new medium know as PMC (Precious Metal Clay).  This is fine silver (.999) in a clay form that allows you to sculpt, construct and hand form pieces. With a strong background in ceramics I was drawn to the ability to create patterns and textures. I took a few classes and have been learning a lot on my own through trial and error and many books.  Recently, I attended the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts to take on some intense studies.

What is your art about & what inspires your work? 

Organic designs that are influenced by nature.  I look for textures and patterns that can incorporate this look such as floral and leaf design.  I want the work to be pieces that can be enjoyed everyday but still have a sense of elegance with a relaxed look.  My work reflects the design I'm drawn to in most mediums as well as decor. 

What is your creative process like?

I like to sketch a lot of my designs to get my concept started.  I pay attention to trends in design and fashion but bring my own style to the pieces.  The textures can help me execute the direction of the designs as well.  I also like to roll out pieces and try different texture to see how they look before the final design. I enjoy creating elements in different shapes with various patterns and playing with these pieces to see what I can create.  

How or when in your life did you know you wanted to be an artist?

I would have to say I've been an artist almost my whole life.  I began taking art classes as early as 10 and had much of my interest in art nurtured by my mother.  She took me to the art museum and enrolled me in art classes.  I continued taking classes in high school, college and after I graduated.  Art and the creative process have always been a constant for me.  About 6 years ago, I quit my regular job and became a full time artist.  It has not been easy but I love what I do and my husband has been a huge supporter.

Where can your work be viewed? 

Mostly at art fairs but I do have my work in a handful of stores and galleries.  You can also see a samples of my work on my website www.dianebalberdesigns.com

What shows have you displayed in?

I travel a lot for shows but here are some of the shows I have done as well as what is coming up soon: Telluride Festival of the Arts, Broad Ripple Art Fair (Indianapolis), American Artisan Festival (Nashville), Midwest Salute to the Arts, Art Fair on the Square (Lake Forest, IL), Edwards Place Fine Art Fair (Springfield, IL), Art in the Park (Highland, Il & St. Louis).  I keep an updated calendar of my shows on my website.

 

What do you most enjoy about the art scene in St. Louis/Metro East? 

There are a lot of really great artists in the metro area (some of which I am happy to own works).  I attend art fairs that I am not in and go to several art openings at many of the wonderful galleries in the area as well.  Many people don't realize that there are great artists here and have a tendency to discount us because we are the Midwest.  I have loyal clients who have come back to me over the years too and with shows like this I hope will increase my exposure. 

Artist Highlight - Susan Rogers

Hometown:

Belleville, IL

Preferred Mediums:

Soft pastel, acrylics, gold, copper and or silver leaf and charcoal.

How many years have you participated in the Art on the Bluffs, Inc. Art Walk?

This will be the first time.

Where did you go to school, earn a degree, or formally study art?

I attended Southwestern Illinois College.

What is your art about & what inspires your work?

My art is about bringing the great outdoors in! Drawn to nature, which includes skies, water, flowers and even weeds! These peaceful scenes help to slow the fast pace of our everyday lives.

What is your creative process like?

Layers of color, using watercolor over a sketch, then pastel and or acrylics. They all work together beautifully.

How or when in your life did you know you wanted to be an artist?

Kindergarten, that large upright easel, newsprint and a desire to create!

Where can your work be viewed? 

Many art fairs and on the Gateway East Artists’ Guild website www.GEAG.net

What shows have you displayed in?

Art on the Square in Belleville, Queeny Park  www.artfairatqueenypark.com, Salute to the Arts in Fairview Heights and many more.

What do you most enjoy about the art scene in St. Louis/Metro East? Being with other artists and sharing my artwork with art lovers, collectors, friends and family. My friend, Debbie Williams and I will be working and displaying together.

Musician Highlight - Second Sojourn

Art on the Bluffs is proud to welcome

Second Sojourn

Back by popular demand 

playing all your Classic Favorites

Saturday, September 22nd

3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

City Hall Center Stage

Please follow the band on their website at 

www.SecondSojourn.com

Art Walk Highlight - Kid's Walk

Art on the Bluffs, Inc. is proud to highlight our Kid’s Walk that is hosted from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm September 22, 2012 located next to Region’s Bank on Main Street in Columbia IL.  Every year we encourage our youth to have fun while participating in creative ways to express themselves artistically.  This year we would like to invite you and your family to join in the fun as we share with you some of the planned activities for the day:

Community Circle - This is a community art project using recycled lids and caps to create a work of art.  We will be attaching the lids and caps to a large board.  

Color Blend -This project is taking a piece of fabric (muslin) cutting it into a shape (such as a pumpkin or an apple) and then paint using 3 or more colors to create a realistic work of art.  The kids will then use white paint to highlight the shape.  

Action Jackson - The kids will drip lots of different colored paint onto a magnetic sheet then pick up the sheet and let the colors run together and swirl.  This is beautiful when dry and something they can display on the fridge. 

Express Yourself - The kids will have their body traced on a large piece of white paper and then they will create art inside their body with markers, crayons, etc.

Communal Weaving Project – Everyone can contribute his or her efforts to finish this ongoing art project.

Scheduled entertainment at the Kid’s Walk:

10:30-12:00:   Ryan Hoffman Trio Band

12:00-1:00:     Gibault Jazz Band

1:00-2:00:        Karen Lundy and Friends on guitar with vocals

1:00-4:00:       Twist and Bounce will shape balloon figurines for the kids

2:00-3:00:      Marybeth Babcock from the Actor’s Attic

3:00-4:00:      Matt Hake on the Vibraphone

Also back by popular demand is the Bounce House and Face Painting by Jolene Sasser. 

Be sure to stop in at Illini Pediatrics across the street from the Kid’s Walk for Helmets First, First Aid, and Flu Shots.  Also encourage your kids to leave their handprint on the wall for a permanent display!

So please come out and enjoy a day of fun, creativity, music and beautiful art!

Artist Highlight - Michael Gardner

Hometown:

Des Plaines, IL 

Preferred Mediums:

Acrylic, Pen and Ink, and Pencil 

How many years have you participated in the Art on the Bluffs, Inc. Art Walk?:

This is my first year.

Where did you go to school, earn a degree, or formally study art?:

I received my Bachelor’s Degree for Studio Art at Carthage College, Kenosha WI.

What is your art about & what inspires your work?:

My art is about the visceral nature of art itself and its influence through the internal subconscious. Almost anything can inspire my work, but the strongest factor is music. 

What is your creative process like?:

I begin with nothing but a strong urge. With that urge, I dive into the moment. Without the spontaneity of pure inspiration, the work is simply that: work. As I create, I alter, rearrange, and morph subconscious thoughts into a cohesive composition that I don’t even know what it will turn in to. In the end, the work speaks for itself both creatively and visually.

How or when in your life did you know you wanted to be an artist? 

When I was ten I wanted to be an artist. Nothing has changed since. 

Where can your work be viewed? 

On my website at http://visceralmind.webs.com.

What shows have you displayed in?

I have only displayed one individual show in Chicago at Studio Within in 2011. 

What do you most enjoy about the art scene in St. Louis/Metro East?

Experiencing it.

Artist Highlight - Gabriela Figueroa

Hometown:

St. Louis, MO

Lima - Peru

Preferred Mediums:

Jewelry

How many years have you participated in the Art on the Bluffs, Inc. Art Walk?

This is my first year!

Where did you go to school, earn a degree, or formally study art?

I went to Webster University.

What is your art about & what inspires your work?

I love to travel and learn about different cultures. I get inspiration from anything like the texture of a Turkish Kilim to the vibrant colors of traditional Tunisian doors to the exotic sounds of the Amazon jungle. My designs are fun, colorful, and bold, yet classy and timeless. 

What is your creative process like?

Since every single piece of jewelry I design is one of a kind (except for some earrings), each piece has a different process. I may look at a strand of fabulous gemstones and automatically know what I want the necklace or bracelet to look like. Many times, if I can’t get to work at that time, I’ll draw my idea and work on later on.

How or when in your life did you know you wanted to be an artist?

I never decided or wish to be an artist, it just sort of happened.

Where can your work be viewed? 

Currently, I sell my work at art fairs and festivals, through my Etsy site: capricedesigns.etsy.com and at a local boutique Dazzle Me Twice in the Central West End.

What shows have you displayed in?

Taste of St. Louis, Central West End Art Festival, Evanston Ethnic Art Festival, Greentree Festival, Art in the Park @ St. Louis Hills, Peoria Art Festival.

What do you most enjoy about the art scene in St. Louis/Metro East?

I just love how diverse it is and how fast it’s growing, it’s amazing!!