Meet Pamela Steinman from Fine &
Wearable Art...
I’m Pamela Steinman and I have had a passion for creating since I
was old enough to communicate. I studied painting, drawing & sculpture at
The Cleveland Institute of Art and later was introduced to a variety of crafts
while pursuing a degree in art education at Kent State University. A keen
interest in writing and music (I play the organ as well) sometimes sidetrack my
visual art & craft endeavors. There are never enough hours in the day!
I have been making jewelry since 1989, sewing since the 1960’s and
making “art” since I was 18 months old. So
far, I have done three Avant-Garde shows.
Everything and anything is an inspiration. I challenge myself to
see mundane things in a new light: elements of nature in my own backyard,
wildlife, flowers, ( I have been a professional floral designer for over 30
years.) Photography. The history of fashion and art historical references. New
materials are exciting as is discovering new ways of using old materials,
alone, or in combination (as in my plectrum jewelry where I combine PVC and
celluloid with traditional metals, gemstones & glass.) Technology has added
a plethora of creative possibilities in terms of design & technique.
The drive to create and the desire to explore a variety of media
make me do this and the recognition by teachers, friends and relatives have encouraged me.
My creative process is intuitive and organic. I start with a
general idea of what I want to make and let the materials lead me. For example:
My Plectrum Pins were inspired by Victorian sash pins and my Plectrum Flapper
Bags by the metal mesh flapper bags of the 1920’s, updated vintage styles
crafted from modern materials.
I will be happy to be here just doing what I’m doing five
years from now.
There really is no message behind my work. I’m just aiming for
excellence in craftsmanship, decent design, and originality. I’m striving to
create collections of interrelated objects. (i.e. “Lilies” watercolor/“Lilies”
notecard/ “Lilies” fabric design on infinity scarf, tote, & purse lining,
etc.) I want to offer people something well-made and different.
Meet Jeri Kuzma from Poppycock Chalk...
My name is Jeri Kuzma -
I am a "emtpy nester" who wanted more in my life than my day
job. Poppycockchalk is my way to get those creative juices flowing!
I started this new venture in July of 2017.
Strongsville will be my
first show with Avant-Garde, and I'm really excited!
I create Chalk Art that
can be loved by all ages! From my 7yr old granddaughter to grown-ups who
enjoy rustic chalk art. I was inspired by a friend who is an attorney in Long
Island - she shared her work, so I thought...why not?
I was in fine art
classes in school & have always considered myself creative - but between
jobs, children and husbands (I'm on number 2 - he's a keeper), life got in the
way.
My chalking is the best
"de-stressor". I love being able to create something special
for others.
In 5 years from now, I
hope to continue to inspire others to
Chalk! I love teaching Chalk Art in Workshops.
The message behind my
work would be to enjoy the little things!
You can find me on
Facebook: Chalk Courture by Jeri Kuzma, Designer
Meet Linda Lucas from Creative Originals...
My name is Linda Lucas. I live in the Willoughby, Ohio area.
I was born, raised and went to college in Michigan. After
graduation I started my managerial career with JoAnn Fabrics in southern Ohio.
Eight years later, I took a position with Lane Bryant and moved to the
Greater Cleveland area. Several long, burnt out years in retail later, I
starting working in office/secretarial positions, then making my way into the
legal field. I just started my 14th year for the third law
firm I’ve worked at in the last 24 years. I also spend approximately 16
hours a week for my son who is a real estate appraiser.
My “creative” path began when I learned to sew in the first grade.
By the time I reached high school, sewing didn’t hold much of a challenge
for me any longer. During my teen years I had also worked for my father,
who was a residential building contractor and learned about construction and
blueprints. I went to Siena Heights College in Adrian, Michigan for a
Fashion Merchandising degree to widen my horizons, possibly into interior
design or buying. After my junior year, I was given an opportunity to
take a one-semester internship at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New
York City. Having grown up in a small, rural community, life in the big
city, even for a few months, was an eye-opener.
I actually begin bead crafting just after my younger sister passed
away. She’d had a few beads that I brought home with me and I was
determined to make something with them. The more I got into the “process”
and trying to visualize a final product, the more my training in fabrics,
classroom studies, experience in building and the adventure in New York came
together.
“Linda’s Originals” is definitely what I am. I’m not much of
a sketcher, but I certainly “see things” in my head. I can walk through
every aisle of a hardware store and see things that might become part of
something else. Into my cart it goes. (Needless to say, I have a
large stash of odds and ends and know they’ll become part of something
someday.)
Each project is also a learning experience for me – whether good
or bad. I recycle/repurpose/re-invent most of the things I make.
I just see things differently and outside the box. I rarely make
two of the same thing. I may make something with a similar concept, but
I’ll use different supplies or colors so it looks different and is truly one of
a kind. After all, once I’ve made something one way, I’ve done it.
There is so much more out there to try.
The last several years I have developed an “eye” for unusual
photography. A lot of people at work can’t wait for me to come back from
a vacation to see my “take” on normal sights.
I needed a creative “outlet” from all the cut and dried routine of
my day jobs. But most days I was so stressed, I have to leave the
creative endeavors for the weekends. I don’t have a website or Etsy page.
I barely have time to do all the creative projects I want to do, and
would prefer to spend my time creating than uploading. Perhaps, if I
decide to go part-time on my daytime job or retire fully, I may open a small
shop.
Meet Wendy Frick from Wendy Frick
Creations...
My name
is Wendy and I am a lifelong resident of NE Ohio. I have been happily
married for 17 years and am the mom to two wonderful boys. I have been working
with alcohol inks and acrylics for about a year.
My
friends and I started going to paint and sip nights at various places around
town, which in turn led to finding out that we could look up tutorials on
YouTube and create paintings at home. Tutorials on YouTube led me to
alcohol inks and I was hooked as soon as I tried them!
My
experimentation with alcohol inks also led me to acrylic pour flow painting,
and again, I was hooked! What I love about both is the unpredictability
and the ebb and flow of the inks and paints.
Even if
I have a vision of what I want to create in my mind, the finished pieces rarely
come out as I envisioned. Most of the time they are better than I could have
imagined. I think I am most inspired by nature and just by different
color combinations that pop into my head. I would describe my creative process
as spontaneous. Most of the time random ideas just appear to me that I
immediately have to try, which usually fuels more and more ideas.
I have found that I am drawn most to creating
abstract works because my day to day work involves being precise and accurate
with dates and costs. I like not being able to have complete control over
the outcome of a piece.
The
thing that I would like most for people to see in my work is that there is
beauty in chaos. Most of us have hectic, crazy day to day lives but if we
can stop just for a moment and look around we will always be able to see
something beautiful.
2017 Strongsville Fall Avant-Garde Art & Craft Show
