When did you first know you wanted to be an artist and/or start your business?

I have always experimented with one artistic medium or another but never found true fulfillment until I discovered stained glass. A friend took a class, put a piece in her entry door, and I thought that if she could do it, I could. I took the class and so it began. To this day I still tell her, jokingly, that my obsession is all her fault.

What inspires you as an artist?

An idea for a design will come to me. I like to think I have a keen awareness of line and style. There are times when I draw something and think it will never work. A few days later I will revisit the drawing and realize that it’s not all that bad. It’s amazing what the eraser end of a pencil can do.

Describe your “perfect day” creating your particular art

Jazz or Brazilian music coming from the sound system. It’s warm in the studio. The glass is “performing” the way I hoped it would, meaning it is cutting without any problem. The pieces fit. When I’m unaware that eight hours have passed, it has been a perfect day. When I cut the glass and it doesn’t cut me, then it has been a REALLY perfect day.

What is your favorite aspect of participating in Art Shows, like the Gresham Art Walk? If you are a returning artist what keeps you coming back to the Gresham Art Walk?

At an art show I get to meet the most incredible and unselfish people. We artists are such a warm and inviting community. Then there is the “people watching”. And the conversations with prospective buyers, or the curious and interested. Whether I sell my work or not, although selling is preferable, because of all that I can never say I have had a bad day. And I keep coming back to the Gresham Art Walk for those reasons added to the fact that the group and its volunteers are more than generous with their assistance.

What tips could you give other artists just starting out in your medium?

If working with glass has taught me anything, it has taught me patience. Have total faith in your project. Commit to it. Finish it, no matter what. I once created a lamp that was thought to be the most unattractive thing anyone had ever seen. Someone purchased it. That someone liked it.

When did you first know you wanted to be an artist and/or start your business?

The Last Year in High School, beginning of College- running track inspired me to notice my surroundings and textures. I had a unique perspective of what I saw and wanted to share it with people, it snowballed into a business.

What inspires you as an artist?

Texture, movement, color & light, nature, water… the everyday items that go unnoticed until brought to life on canvas. Life is a gift and we sometimes have to stop and take notice of the simpler things. I paint water mostly because water is cleansing, fluid, takes the shape of whatever you pour it into it can be refreshing on a hot summer day or destructive during a storm …Life is fluid, like water and all the ecosystems it helps support or destroy.

Describe your “perfect day” creating your particular art

When an Idea or concept comes together in one sitting. My Art usually takes several days, weeks or months to build the coral layers, or weave a canvas to create a topographical map.

What is your favorite aspect of participating in Art Shows, like the Gresham Art Walk? If you are a returning artist what keeps you coming back to the Gresham Art Walk?

Meeting people face to face it is important. We can all hide behind technology now a days , but when you have the opportunity to paint live and show the public hands on what you do, it can be an amazing experience for all involved.

What tips could you give other artists just starting out in your medium?

Practice and experiment, finding your style and rhythm. What artists inspire you, research and study what you want to paint and get to know that topic well. Become the element you are painting and know all it’s potential properties.

When did you first know you wanted to be an artist and/or start your business?

We love to see what we create from the bare minimum of  things.

What inspires you as an artist?

My wife.

Describe your “perfect day” creating your particular art

Monday,  Tuesday, Wednesday, etc, etc, etc.  Everyday is a perfect day for art!

What is your favorite aspect of participating in Art Shows, like the Gresham Art Walk? If you are a returning artist what keeps you coming back to the Gresham Art Walk?

We love to meet the other artists and learn about the  things we have in common.

What tips could you give other artists just starting out in your medium?

Everyone has tallent and sometimes it just takes awhile to get it all sorted out.

When did you first know you wanted to be an artist and/or start your business?

I have always enjoyed being creative, even as a child I would love to use my imagination and create wonderful works of “art”. However, my creations were never acknowledged in school because realistic drawings were not something that I could produce. In later life I was fortunate to have Teri Neville introduce me to stained glass and then later to fused glass. Teri is, in my opinion, one of the most creative and talented teachers that I know. She willing shared her knowledge with any one who took a class from her. It was through her encouragement that I had the courage to take a leap of faith and enter the Gresham Art Walk four years ago.

What inspires you as an artist?

The world around me is a constant inspiration for my glass. One only has to open ones eyes to see the shapes and colors that surround us. A stand of Birch trees with their white bark and black markings are just waiting to be put into a glass project. The glorious sunrise or sunset with all the vibrant colors and wisps of clouds calls out to be interpreted on a beautiful platter. Sometimes the glistening water in a cool stream challenges me to try to interpret it in glass. So you see I am never at a loss for inspiration. Or it can be just a beautiful piece of glass that is waiting to be worked into something that gives pleasure to anyone who see it.

Describe your “perfect day” creating your particular art

My perfect day would start with a good cup of coffee and a walk down to my studio. The sun would be shining and the red wing black bird would be calling for a mate. Once at the studio I would turn on the lights, start the music and then open the kiln to see what surprise would be waiting inside. One never knows what to expect when firing a piece, it can be exciting to view what you put in the day before and see what changes happened in the process of fusing. Once I have satisfied my curiosity it would be time to get to work on the next project. Another part of a perfect day would be no cuts, glass that cuts like you want it to, friends stopping by for a chat and at the end of a day a glass of good red wine!

What is your favorite aspect of participating in Art Shows, like the Gresham Art Walk? If you are a returning artist what keeps you coming back to the Gresham Art Walk?

When preparing for an event like the Gresham Art Walk their is an anticipation that starts weeks and months before the date. It is this whole process that kicks into gear that motivates me to produce and be creative. Once at the event, all of the help that is given by the volunteers makes set up easy and the excitement starts to build. It is a chance to see artists that you haven’t seen since last year. There is a feeling of community that builds throughout the day. This art show is so well organized it runs like a well oiled wheel. The Art Walk Committee is so welcoming and friendly, o the music and entertainment throughout the day is good and the crowds of people are wonderful. This is why I keep coming back!

What tips could you give other artists just starting out in your medium?

The advise that I would give anyone wanting to create with glass is to get a large box of band aids and a great teacher and mentor like Teri. If it weren’t for her I would not be where I am today. She set me on a path that has no end. Thank you Teri.

When did you first know you wanted to be an artist and/or start your business?

Riette:  I’ve always been interested in pottery and the creative process.  After Anneke and I became friends, we decided to take a hand building class at Georgies in North Portland.  From the first time I touched the clay, I knew I would like to learn everything about it.  Since Anneke and I share the same vision, passion and ideas of what we want to create, it made perfect sense to pursue our passion for pottery together.

Anneke: Art and creativity makes life beautiful and meaningful and I’ve always known that I will have to create to be happy. I love working with clay, I love the smell of it, the feel of it and the endless possibilities that it has. Making a piece that can turn somebody’s everyday ordinary to the extraordinary and sharing our South African heritage with people inspired me to start our business.

What inspires you as an artist?

We are both from South Africa, a country with a diverse culture and rich heritage.  This combination provides us with a unique canvas on which to work from.  We’re inspired by the work of many potters in South Africa.  We also appreciates the privilege of living in the Portland area, and we incorporate the many landmarks or Oregon in our works with hand-carved stamps.

Describe your “perfect day” creating your particular art

As mothers with young children, a perfect day of hand building starts with a quiet house, no kids around and all chores done. However, this perfect day does not present itself too often, so we have to make work with multi-tasking. We always find that we do the most creative work when there is no pressure to produce.  We can just let our imagination go and take our time to make the most of this gift that pottery is to us.

What is your favorite aspect of participating in Art Shows, like the Gresham Art Walk? If you are a returning artist what keeps you coming back to the Gresham Art Walk?

Participating in Art Shows and interacting with the Public are very important to us. We welcome comments and constructive criticism about our work, because it is so important to see our work through the eyes of the public. Often this is the chance to meet with returning customers and savoring in the compliment of meeting new folks through word-of-mouth marketing. We also love to talk to people about South Africa. We are always amazed at the talent of the other artists at the shows and feel privileged to exhibit our work with them. The Northwest provides great opportunities, such as the Gresham Art Walk, for local artists to exhibit their work.

What tips could you give other artists just starting out in your medium?

Enjoy the process and follow your heart.  Believe in your work and trust your instincts.  Hand building is so rewarding and a very creative process.  We love that every piece is different and has the look and feel of a hand built product.  It reflects the time, effort and love that were put into each piece.  It takes time, but it is worth every second!

When did you first know you wanted to be an artist and/or start your business?

I was in high school when I first started using the potter’s wheel, but it probably in my first year of college when I realized that creating pottery is a necessary part of my life.  I started my modest pottery business so I could sell my work to make room for the new work I was making; in essence the business only exists to help me continue creating new work.

What inspires you as an artist?

My greatest inspiration is Nature.  Nature is full of such beauty, such simplicity, and at the same time such complexity, I cannot even comprehend.  I particularly enjoy incorporating natural processes in my work, a good example being my crystalline pottery.  These crystals grow on my work as they do in nature, simply sped up by heatwork (and in the same basic way most crystals form–with a nucleus surrounded by an organization of molecules).  I am also influence by other potters work, architectural ideas, patterns, and so on.  I try to look at things in different ways to gain new perspectives (one of my most common methods is trying to look at things upside-down, or inside-out).

Describe your “perfect day” creating your particular art

My perfect day for creating is a day when nothing is forced.  I do not have to worry about deadlines or particular requests.  I am simply left alone, and can make whatever I want how and when I see fit.

What is your favorite aspect of participating in Art Shows, like the Gresham Art Walk? If you are a returning artist what keeps you coming back to the Gresham Art Walk?

My favorite aspect of participating in Art Shows is the interaction with people.  I like to talk about the things I love (ceramics in this case), and I like to talk about them with others who also share the interest.  It is a great feeling to see somebody who genuinely appreciates something that I have made; I still haven’t figured out exactly how I feel about it, though I know I am humbly complimented by these moments!  The Gresham Art Walk seems to be more concerned with the art in the booths, rather than the booths containing the art.  I particularly enjoy Gresham because I feel this fair lacks the pretentiousness that can sometimes be found in other fairs.

What tips could you give other artists just starting out in your medium?

My advice to others starting out in ceramics would be to create whatever makes you happy, and don’t worry about what anybody else has to say about it (not to say that listening to others’ advice and learning from it is not a great idea–it is).  Nobody creates ceramics to get rich, and if they did they would be missing the point of creating.  Make something beautiful in your own eyes, and if others enjoy it too, then great!!

When did you first know you wanted to be an artist and/or start your business?

Hmmm….Doug and I still do not think of ourselves as “artists”…we’re really just having a good time!  I (Judy) got started in the early 90′s and it took some “prodding” to get Doug involved…LOL. Doug is the True metal worker of the family and he taught me to cut and weld…and then encouraged me to do more. At first we were doing as a just a hobby, but it has now Bloomed into a full time affair.

What inspires you as an artist?

We get our inspiration from our customers and our sense of humor…we love the “Whimsy” of our items.

Describe your “perfect day” creating your particular art

The perfect day…when the unexpected happens and one of us creates something we think is wonderful….without ever meaning to….:)

What is your favorite aspect of participating in Art Shows, like the Gresham Art Walk? If you are a returning artist what keeps you coming back to the Gresham Art Walk?

Again…the customer is at the top of the list. We always say ” We have the BEST customers!” and we do. We love to see them, visit, hear about where they have put one of our pieces AND what they would like to see added to the collection!

Then  there is the other Artists…they never cease to Amaze us!
Shows…well they are just the most FUN ever! When a promoter loves what they do..it shows…in the art they have in their show, the visitors they entice to come, the little touches that make it so desirable for all….like you guys do!

What tips could you give other artists just starting out in your medium?

To the new artist…Stay true to YOURSELF! Remember.. this is not Wall Street…have FUN!

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When did you first know you wanted to be an artist and/or start your business?

I was interested in art since childhood. In high school during the late 50′s I studied under renowned California watercolorist Richard Yip. I minored in art in college, but majored in biology. After graduate school, I bought a professional-type camera and began taking photographs, but just as a hobby. Many years later, after retirement, I turned the hobby into a business.

What inspires you as an artist?

I’m inspired by nature and design. I enjoy a good composition.

Describe your “perfect day” creating your particular art

Unlike some photographers, I do not take a lot of pictures. I pick and choose. I’ll see something that may make a good photo, but only if conditions are right. In such a case, I’ll keep returning to the subject until lighting and everything else are perfect. Then I shoot. These are the days I like best.

What is your favorite aspect of participating in Art Shows, like the Gresham Art Walk? If you are a returning artist what keeps you coming back to the Gresham Art Walk?

My favorite part of art shows is meeting and talking to people and seeing the work of other artists.

What tips could you give other artists just starting out in your medium?

In addition to being a photographer, I’ve started teaching photography. I think the best advice for a starting photographer is first know your camera so you can take advantage of its various functions, and second, learn good composition.

When did you first know you wanted to be an artist and/or start your business?

I painted as a hobby for many years, giving work as cards and gifts to my family and friends. Putting my work into shows was a natural extension of what I was already doing and as things grew, my business was the next logical step. As my expertise grew, I began to teach art as a way to share the joy of creating with others. I now teach watercolor, drawing, colored pencil, acrylic, pastel, and workshops like mixed media painting. I really enjoy my classes and I love seeing how everyone individually interprets the information to create individual works of art. I learn from everyone in my classes! So, my business has become a combination of creating art and teaching and encouraging others to create art.

What inspires you as an artist?

I’m very much inspired by nature: especially vistas, plants and animals. I really love to bird watch, see the wildflowers, visit gardens, look at rock patterns, shadow patterns and watch the light change during the day. One day I’ll notice curves, another day I’ll be blown away by the light filtering through the leaves of a tree, or the atch clouds change and see the sunset reflected in a river. Our world is so beautiful and there’s so many ways to utilize and combine the designs of nature in a piece of art.

Describe your “perfect day”  creating your particular art

A ‘perfect day’ starts out free of obligation, interruption and the need to go anywhere or do anything else besides art. Then I can concentrate on current projects and allow myself to really have dialogue with my painting, adding the colors, shapes and values to make my work really stand out. I usually work on more than one piece at a time which means that I’m probably beginning one or more pieces, in the middle of one or more pieces and hopefully close to finishing a piece or 2. I’ll have all of my current work up in all of its various stages, always trying to figure out—where do I go from here? I find it best to try to finish pieces in the morning as I just seem to know what to do then and if I’m working in the evening that can be a great time to start a new piece as the first layer is fun and worry free. On a really special day, the paint just flows off of the brush to the paper or canvas in the perfect way to really make a great painting. A bonus is bike ride or walk which makes a nice break on a ‘perfect day.’

What is your favorite aspect of  participating in Art Shows, like the Gresham Art Walk? If you are a returning artist what keeps you coming back to the Gresham Art Walk?

I like the ‘community’ of shows. It’s great to see friends and compare notes with other artists. It’s really fun to meet people and show returning acquaintances and clients my new work. As a returning artist to the Gresham Art Walk, I really like the location, the organization, the really cheerful volunteers, and friendly faces. And I always appreciate the variety of this show and the large number of visitors.

What tips could you give other artists just starting out in your medium?

Do what moves you, keep doing it and never give up.

Why did you start your business?

I started designing jewelry for myself and people kept telling me I should sell it since it was different than what they saw in stores. The wheels started spinning and the business name, image, etc. came about. It’s important for me to give back with what I do so I had to make some decisions before I got started. At the time, I was helping take care of a wonderful woman who had cancer and decided I could design bracelets that represented different cancers in which part of the proceeds would go towards finding a cure. Currently, I design bracelets that represent six different cancers where part of the proceeds go back to their foundations. I also design a line of jewelry that the purchase of stones goes back to Nairobi tribal women in Kenya. This is my sixth year designing jewelry for the Oregon Rose Festival Court. It’s rewarding to help others and that’s why I continue my work since I feel that is what life is suppose to be about. It’s a lot of work owning my own business and I spend many hours at it. However, when you do something you love, it doesn’t feel like work. I never get tired of what I do. Each day is a new adventure and opportunity for me to grow as a person.

What inspires you as an artist?

My clients and people who stop by at events and comment on my work makes me want to work even harder to create new designs to keep them coming back for more. It makes me feel good to have a customer purchase something for somebody special and they – or the person on the receiving end – contact me and tell me how perfect the piece was and how much they enjoy it and the compliments they receive. It makes me happy to have people feel good when they wear my jewelry. I always say glamour is an inside job but I can help make people sparkle on the outside.

Describe your “perfect day” creating your particular art.

A perfect day to create would be no interruptions from the outside world other than some chocolate and a mocha with whip cream. I get excited to see a strand of semi-precious stones and have a vision of what the piece of jewelry will be before I get started. I call myself a “gem nerd”. I love researching stones and their meanings. It’s rewarding to see jewelry designs I envision become a reality – especially a design that leads to a new jewelry collection for my business. It keeps things fresh and helps me grow as a person.

What is your favorite aspect of participating in Art Shows like the Gresham Art Walk? If you are a returning artist, what keeps you coming back to the Gresham Art Walk?

The people who stop by my booth are my favorite aspect of an event. I’m a story person and everybody has their own story about their life that I enjoy hearing. I meet so many fascinating people who have wonderful stories about who they are. I enjoy getting to know other artists at events and have made many wonderful friends and purchased a lot of wonderful art from them. There’s always a treasure to be found!

Gresham Art Walk is such an awesome event! There’s nothing like pulling up early in the morning to a dark, quiet street and watch it come alive hour by hour with so much energy and life. The event is so well organized and the organizers think of everything for us artisans to make it a wonderful experience. I love this show!

What tips could you give other artists just starting out in your medium?

Be original and create what inspires you. You will develop your own “image” — maybe not even realizing you have a specific style to what you make. It’s rewarding to have a client, or stranger, tell you that they recognized your jewelry on somebody and knew it was yours because of the design. Work hard, appreciate your clients and be grateful for what you have.