Blue Heron Artisan Gallery - Port Washington, WI

Blue Heron Artisan Gallery

102 E Pier Street

Port Washington, WI

Above is a photo of the Blue Heron Artisan Gallery which recently opened in the charming city of Port Washington, WI.  The gallery is housed in the 1929 historical old fire engine house, which is on the National Register of historic places.

I was recently contacted by the owner/operator of the gallery, Bette Langford, to see if I was interested in putting my fiber fantasy art in the gallery.  I will now be offering my one-of-a-kind, original designed fiber fantasy figures and jewelry for sale at the gallery. This is a great alternative to doing art shows! Below are photos of my creations in the glass case where they will be on display for sale. What I have currently available at the gallery (as of 7/29/12) is what is pictured in each of these 4 photos.  I will be periodically changing the selections in the form of new fairies, mermaids, and fiber fantasy jewelry....fairy face pins, hand knit necklaces, butterfly pins, hand knit beaded earrings and more.  If you live in the area, be sure to stop by for a visit.  There is a lot of great art to look at and buy!

Any artists who are interested in having their work displayed in the gallery, should feel free to contact Betty Langford for further information. As of this past Sunday, July 29th, Bette said she has 3 glass cases still available such as the one pictured below, and approximately 30 walls spaces available. The rental fees are very reasonable.

Below are photos showing several of the artists already displaying their work in the gallery. Bette is also an artist and creates one-of-a-kind driftwood sculptures as shown in the photos below.

Artist, Bette Langford

Artist, Bette Langford

These wall quilts were gorgeous!

The Gallery also has "The Heron's Gift Shop" located in the office area on the main floor where you will find fine collectibles and jewelry.

I will be putting updated photos of the various artists out here, so do stop back for a visit.  Any artists interested in being in the gallery, be sure to contact Betty Langford.  You may contact Bette at the Gallery at: 262-268-0243 or visit blueheronport.com

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - Artist, Painter, Illustrator, Gwen Duda at GwensArtDreamscape

Gwen Duda Fine Art Original Oil Painting-titled While I Lie Here...

I'm happy to weclome Gwen Duda, a fine artist and illustrator to be a featured artist here on DZFANTASY. Gwen creates her paintings using oils, acrylics, watercolor and more as her mediums.  Be sure to pay a visit to Gwen's Etsy shop....GWENS ART DREAMSCAPE!  You will find a wonderful variety in her subject matter.

But first....take some time to read Gwen's interview below.  I always find it fascinating to learn a bit about the artist behind the wonderful creations.

What led you to start creating your art?

I was just doing it without any outer motivation. It was totally inner driven. I have always been creating, as a young child as far back as I can remember.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

Oils are luscious, mysterious. Acrylics are fast and immediate. I like both. I would love to sculpt, work with glass, metal, clay. I would love to design clothing work with textiles. Papers are beautiful. I would need nine lifetimes to even feel slightly satiated creatively. For now I paint and to get proficient in that skill one does have to study in that area. Painting is the medium that allows me to convey emotions, to help the viewer experience their own life, their own responses, their own emotional terrain. I think that is why I stay focused on it.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

Just that, the engagement of the viewer and how it interacts with their world view, their emotional terrain.

Gwen Duda Original Acrylic Painting titled- While the Cat is Away

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable to describe your art, what would you choose and why?

*laughing* Hmmm, maybe grapes in that you can drink them juiced, ferment them to wine and they change your perception, eat them and be refreshed, or be more than sweetened having them as jam or jelly. My work is eclectic, yet has an similar emotive ability through all my work.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your "creativity", what would that be and why?

Music - I think it is even MORE communicative in that it needs no language to convey its message or to connect.

Gwen Duda Fine Art Original Oil Painting 16 in x 16 in Sunflower - Direct from Artist

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art?

Each piece has it's own value, its own message to the viewer, and I let it be between them.

What advice do you hve for other artists/crafters?

I paint, I create because I have to. It's part of who I am, it's genetically imbued in my cells I guess you would say. Each has to determine for themselves why they do what they do and why they want to continue or not. Keep the flame alive and don't look to the outside for validation of your work. It's nice if you get it but it won't motivate you consistently. Good luck and good art to you!

Gwen, thanks so much for taking the time to share your thoughts and artistic creativity with all of us.  You not only express yourself well with a brush, but also with words.  Great thoughts and paintings!
 
To learn more about Gwen and her creations, be sure to visit her links below:
 

BLOG

GWEN'S WEBPAGE

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - MoKoPo Creations

The Women - 11 x 14 Fine Art Print

CLICK on above photo to learn more about this colorful print

Welcome, Megan and her Etsy shop, MoKoPo, where you will find delightful colorful fine art prints, stunning original paintings, along with journals and sketch books.

Take a moment to learn more about this very talented artist by reading her interview below.
What led you to startcreating your art/craft?

Oh goodness! This is the type of question that's difficult for most artists. I think as a child I had a very vivid imagination, but that wasn't good enough for me. I needed to put that imagination on paper and make it into some tangible creation. It was how I related to others. I am still like that to this day. When I have trouble explaining what I'm thinking to someone else I find it much easier to just draw it.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

My first steps into the artistic world began with drawing. I would sketch everything, with any medium I had at the moment (pencil, pen, colored pencil, crayons...didn't matter). When I was about 11 years old I discovered Bob Ross' "The Joy of Painting" show on PBS and became completely mesmerized by it. I would tape every episode. I got my first Bob Ross Painting Kit for Christmas in 1996, made a complete mess of my parents' living room, and fell in love with painting. Paint has been my medium of choice since then, both oil and acrylic.

NATIVE WOMAN - Original painting by Megan of MoKoPo
CLICK on photo to learn more about this wonderful painting!

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

Brainstorming! My mind often goes way faster than my hand ever could, so at any given time I have a billion ideas floating around in my head. I also enjoy the challenge of executing those ideas. What ends up on the canvas or paper is often different from what I first set out to do, but that's what makes it fun. It keeps me on my toes!

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

Haha, what a great question! This is probably cheating but I'm going to say a Fruit Salad! I'm addicted to color and many of my paintings contain a broad, bright, juicy spectrum. A fruit salad is also representative of my portfolio as a whole- a bunch of different mediums, themes, and techniques that somehow all mesh together to form a cohesive MoKoPo Fruit Salad!

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

I would love to develop my photography skills. I've dabbled in photography a little bit here and there and I absolutely love the medium, but I have a lot to learn. It's something I'm passionate about getting more experience in.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

I want my art to be fun, light, upbeat, and joyful. I have so much fun creating my work and I want those who see it to feel that same energy. Color is nothing to be afraid of and I hope that some of my color choices push people out of their comfort zone a little bit and allow them to look at color in a different light.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

LOVE what you do! Don't try to create things just because you think people will want to buy them. If your heart isn't in your work, it will show. Find what you love to do and work on developing your craft from there. Finally, never be afraid to challenge yourself and try new things. You might not like the finished product, but you are constantly learning.

Great interview and advice, Megan! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and creativity with everyone.

To learn more about Megan and her art, be sure to visit the links below.

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WEB PAGE

FEATURED ETSY SHOP - VALERIE OF MISTFLOWER STUDIO

Bob, Why the Long Face mixed media mosaic African mask

by Valerie

of

MISTFLOWER STUDIO

What a stunning piece of art....! I love all the colors and intricate design of this African mask! One can only imagine the time and creativity it took to create it.

Let's welcome Valerie of MISTFLOWER on Etsy. Valerie's shop has a wide variety of colorful pieces of her art, ranging from mosaic art, such as the mask above, acrylic paintings, mosaic pendants, colorful mosaic pocket mirrors, and much more! Be sure to pay a visit!

What led you to start creating your art/craft?

I sustained a traumatic brain injury in a multiple car accident thanks to a drunk driver. I had to re-learn how to do many things, and I started putting together children's jigsaw puzzles as a challenge. As I recovered, the puzzles increased in difficulty. I had been an artist for most of my life up until the accident, so when I started feeling well enough to create again, I decided to try making a mosaic because it was like a jigsaw puzzle. That's how it all began.

How did you decide what medium you wanted to work with?

My art is still evolving. First and foremost, I'm a texture junkie. I've dabbled in many mediums, but mosaics and mixed media bring me the most pleasure. I love how chunks of glass feel in my hands.

What aspect of creating your art/craft do you find the most enjoyable?

I love giving things a new life, whether it's broken china, damaged tile, a beautiful broken bottle that I tumble...it all makes my heart sing. As humans, we're all "damaged" to some extent and we're constantly transforming ourselves. Why shouldn't discarded inanimate objects get the opportunity to be a part of something beautiful?

If you had to choose a fruit OR a vegetable, to describe your art/craft, what would you choose, and why?

Hmmm...I was going to say a blackberry, because the texture of the berry reminds me of a mosaic, but that's too easy. I'd have to say an onion because of the multiple layers. You have the protective skin, it can bring a tear to your eye, the layers and layers of onion. It can be used and prepared in so many different ways. It's intricate and intense...two words that are often used to describe me.

If you had to choose one other medium in which to display your “creativity”, what would that be, and why?

I'm really drawn to soft fibers. I would love to learn how to knit and make giant wall hangings that are rich with texture and embellished with things like glass beads and copper wire.

What message, if any, do you want to convey with your art/craft?

I'd like to think that my work tells people to never give up, that something broken can always heal and become whole again and not to be afraid of color.

What advice do you have for other artists/crafters?

Find something that you love and that speaks to you. Your art might not be for everyone, but on Etsy you have a worldwide audience. You're sure to find admirers/buyers. Also, don't give your work away with ridiculously low prices. You're worth more than that, and you'll quickly burn out and feel bitter. Art comes from your heart and soul. Be good to yourself and your art will reflect that.

THANKS, Valerie for a wonderful interview....love your answers, and your work! Don't forget to visit Valerie's links below.

MISTFLOWER STUDIO BLOG

MISTFLOWER STUDIO WEBSITE