New Year, New Ambassador. Introducing Ann Barnes

It’s a new year and one of the changes that has come around is the addition of our newest R&A Ambassador, Ann Sullivan Barnes. We’ve been fans of Ann for quite some time and it is a match made in heaven. We look forward to sharing in her Creativity.

We asked Ann a few questions so you can get to know her better:

What fills your time when you are not creating?

When I am not creating, I can be found spending time with my family, or reading a good book. I love visiting museums and learning about the masters. I have such an appreciation for historical art and architecture and how it has been influenced throughout the years, as well as how it influences the design and styles we see today.

What are your favorite materials to use when you create?

I use all types of mediums in my work. My first love is probably inks and paper. The inks both by themselves and with stamps/stencils. I always enjoy experimenting with new techniques and finishes, and I especially appreciate unexpected outcomes. I like to incorporate found objects from nature, ephemera and miscellaneous bits and pieces.

Where do you find inspiration for your art and how do you stay inspired?

I can always find inspiration in the incredible beauty that Mother Nature provides. I am also inspired by historical architecture and sacred spaces and objects. My faith is often reflected in my art. I stay inspired by being observant; noticing the minute details in ornate building elements or on my daily walks at the park, something as simple as a tree silhouette or as glorious as a sunrise can inspire me.

What is your signature style?

This is a tough question for me. I feel like my style is constantly evolving. It is heavily steeped in tradition and may even be considered classic. I have a thing for maintaining scale and proportion and especially details.

If you could meet with anyone, living or deceased, who do you feel you could spend hours in a chat over a cup of tea/coffee?

There are so many names I could give you for this question, Brunelleschi, Raphael, Le Corbusier; but, probably the person I would most like to sit and have a discussion with would be Leonardo DaVinci. He was such a master of proportion and scale and was an amazing scholar. He has always intrigued me as both an architect and an artist, I would love to understand more.

What is your favorite quote?

There are many wonderful quotes that mean a lot to me, but if I am to be honest, I have to say, " it is what it is" is my favorite, most used quote. This is true in both art and life, I am a realist at heart; when something turns out different than expected, its a challenge to figure out the best way to work with it and, most often, that process and the result are their own reward.

Here is a link to Ann’s guest post on The Muse

To read Ann’s Bio and the bio’s of our other Ambassadors check out the Ambassador Page

Welcome to the RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Team, Darlene Madden!

We are super stoked to have the ridiculously talented and multifaceted Darlene Madden joining our RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador team.  Her unique style and multidimensional approach to art shows in her creations and her cheeky, fun-loving personality is a perfect match!  Let's get to know the beautiful Darlene a bit more.

What fills your time when you are not creating?

When I am not creating, I am thinking about new creations!!! As a full time artist and instructor, I am always looking at the world through “potential eyes.” I love to find and use wonderful treasures and incorporate them in my art.  My philosophy is everyday can be an artistic experience and I strive to live this way.  Creating and gratitude are my mainstays. My husband Gord and I have 5 children and 7 grandchildren. All of these amazing individuals just enrich our everyday lives as we are lucky that they all live near us!

What are your favorite materials to use when you create?

My favorite materials in my toolbox are polymer clay, paint, vintage jewelry and found objects. It is very easy for me to grab these elements and make interesting connections because they all seem to easily relate to each other. 

Where do you find inspiration for your art and how do you stay inspired?

I have no trouble finding inspiration.  I find it in nature, music, books.  

What is your signature style?

My signature style can best be described in one word:  TEXTURE. I am drawn to it like a bee to a flower and I just love using it in most of my work.

If you could meet with anyone, living or deceased, who do you feel you could spend hours in a chat over a cup of tea or coffee?

If I could spend time with someone who I am totally intrigued by it would be Georgia OʼKeefe.  I hiked the area she lived in while in New Mexico and I loved it!  I totally respect her for finding her own creative voice and using it.

What is your favorite quote?

My favourite quote is, “We are mosaics... pieces of light, love , history, stars...glued together with magic and music and words.” --Anita Krishan

We are thrilled that Darlene will be joining us on our horizon broadening and comfort zone busting journey through creativity and cannot wait to see what magic she shares with us and all of you.  If you'd like to connect with Darlene, you can find her at Inspiro Mixed Media, on Facebook at Inspiro Mixed Media Works, on Instagram under @InspiroMixedMedia, or via email at Info@MyInspiro.com.

#RALiteraryHauntings Halloween Challenge with RELICS & ARTIFACTS®

Every year, we do a Halloween challenge within our Relics & Artifacts® Tribe on Facebook.  This year, we are going to ratchet up our typical Halloween challenge a bit since we are all about the challenging, inspiring, and really stepping out of our creative comfort zones.

For this year's spooktacular, we are going to tap into literary history and provide our own interpretations that will be illustrated through our art. Art is also about exploring other realms and letting those artful realms inspire us. Often, a big inspiration for artists, aside from life, is literature.

With this one, please read the literary passages below. They are from two classic spooky, scary, writings by two authors who are almost synonymous with Halloween. The first is from Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart”. The second is from Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”.

Choose the passage that resonates with you and haunts your soul.  Create a piece of art using MUSE Art Stamps, resin, craft blanks, and whatever else calls to you that illustrates your chosen passage based on your interpretation.

Be sure to use #RALiteraryHauntings in your upload to be entered! When uploading your piece, please be sure to provide a brief background story on your interpretation and what about your chosen passage moved you to make you chose. Who knows? We might feature your piece and story on the Muse!

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“The Tell-Tale Heart”
Edgar Allan Poe

“Presently, I heard a slight groan, and I knew it was the groan of mortal terror. It was not a groan of pain or of grief--oh no!--it was the low stifled sound that arises from the bottom of the soul when overcharged with awe. I knew the sound well. Many a night, just at midnight, when all the world slept, it has welled up from my own bosom, deepening, with its dreadful echo, the terrors that distracted me.”

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“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Washington Irving

“Certain it is, the place still continues under the sway of some witching power, that holds a spell over the minds of the good people, causing them to walk in a continual reverie. They are given to all kinds of marvelous beliefs, are subject to trances and visions, and frequently see strange sights, and hear music and voices in the air.”

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All submissions are due by midnight October 31.  You can enter your piece by joining our Relics & Artifact® Tribe on Facebook or by using #RALiteraryHauntings on Instagram.

Introducing RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Rochelle Gaukel

We here at Relics & Artifacts® just could not contain our enthusiasm after seeing the work done by Rochelle Gaukel.  After seeing her Santos doll, her work with meerschaum, as well as with other mediums, it was obvious that we needed to ask her to join our family.  And she said YES!

Let's get to know Rochelle a wee bit more.

What fills my time?
When I'm not creating I am usually found either outside in the garden or at my part time job at Home Depot.

Favorite materials to use:
My favorite materials to use are etched metals, clay and solder.

Inspiration for art and how do I stay inspired:
Inspiration for my art usually comes from an old vintage photo, vintage papers, bits and bobs from the past, an old piece of jewelry, religious images and relics. I stay inspired by always trying to get into my studio at least once a week. When I am preparing for a show, you will find me in there more often!

If I could meet with anyone it would be:
Michaelangelo. I love all of his art and style.

Favorite quote:
Be True To Yourself

We are thrilled to welcome Rochelle on our awesome journey and hope you find her work equally inspiring.  If you would like to connect with Rochelle you can find her on her website, Whatever Lola Wants Lola Gets, on Facebook at Whatever Lola Wants Jewelry or her personal page.  You can check out her Instagram (Rochelle Gaukel or WhateverLolaWantsJewelry) Tumblr (RochelletheJewelryArtist), and Pinterest.
 

"On Angel Wings We Soar!": A Very Cool Feature with RELICS & ARTIFACTS® Ambassador Milagros Rivera

Since you already know our Christmas here in Puerto Rico lasts long into the New Year, I thought I would share this tree with you. If you take a closer look at the presents underneath the tree, you'll see they are all David Yurman bags.  Yes, David Yurman, the jeweler!  Don't I wish they were all for me, but an even closer look would reveal this:  Relics & Artifacts® ornaments!!!!

I made *50* of these beautiful chandelier pendant ornaments for this display.  My eternal thanks to David for rushing them out to me!

This year has been a whirlwind for me. I can't even begin to describe all the good things and opportunities I have been given.  The words "grateful" and "blessed" have been on my heart all year. Going back to the way it all started, I remember doing my New Year's Resolution this way:

It was actually good to go back and read my last post of 2015 and all the hope I had for 2016.  As the new year approaches, I bid you creativity, opportunities and wings, as I feel that on angel wings we soar!

Supply List:
Relics & Artifacts® Chandelier Pendants