2009 Artissimo Artists
Lisa Ayres
Working with many kinds of metal for over 15 years, Lisa currently uses sterling silver and semi-precious stones to make her unique jewelry creations. Her contemporary designs, based largely on circles and spirals, are inspired by ancient symbols evoking individuality, evolution, and beauty. In addition to being a silversmith, Lisa is also a local visual arts educator, with a Masters in Education degree in the Arts. You can find her work at www.lsayresdesigns.com
Dean & Paula Blangger
Dean and Paula Blangger are a husband and wife art team. Although their mediums are different, they work side-by-side in a small shack, which they named Escape Art Studio, fleeing their hectic professional worlds of engineering and public relations into the magical world of art.
Dean creates surprising painted furniture pieces in colorful, creative and sometimes kooky ways to connect people with objects of comfort, beauty, and pure fun.
Paula has two artistic loves – photography and clay. She plays at capturing light-filled images that produce a feeling of connection and wonder. She also plays with clay, creating imaginative female figures to call forth their owners’ power, wisdom, and joy.
Jen Zeiger
Kathy Bush
Bead Boutique
Kathy and Jen are part of a family of very talented women. Kathy, Jen's mother, is the owner of Bead Boutique in North Canton, Ohio. While her children were growing up she always kept them very involved in arts and crafts. This continues into their life today. Jen graduated from Kent State University in 2005 with a degree in Jewelry and Metals. She currently works full time at Bead Boutique. Jen also has an online business selling her handmade lampwork beads. You can view her work at www.zbeadz.com.
Josef Austin and Marilyn Cook
Josef studied art in high school and went on to study at Kent State University. He owned a successful silk screening and embroidery business, designing logos, etc. for several years. He became interested in jewelry design approximately five years ago. He creates pendants, rings and bracelets using sterling silver and gold filled components. He incorporates the use of precious and semi-precious gems and fossils and stones.
Marilyn has taken classes in ceramics and jewelry design for several years from various professionals. She owned a successful ceramic studio, selling finished pieces to gift shops, for several years. In 2005 she began collaboration with her brother, Josef, to market their jewelry. Marilyn’s love is creating interesting and beautiful necklaces and earrings.
Liz DeBellis
As an artist my two greatest loves are printmaking and fiber arts. I create art that has one or both of these aspects in it. I create wall hangings, bags, and more traditional print art. I currently have a quilt in Quilt National '09.
Laura Donnelly
Artist’s Statement: I have worked with visual forms in a creative way for as long as I can remember. After devoting over 30 years to teaching art in public and private schools, two universities and museums, I’m delighted to begin my next chapter in life, working full time in my own studio, just steps from my house. I love working with clay because it is a natural medium. With this gift from mother nature, along with water, some fire (heat) and guiding hands, it can feed the soul while providing functional ware and/or thought provoking forms. The wheel keeps me centered. The clay keeps me humble. The kiln provides mystery to my life right now. http://web.mac.com/lauradonnelly1/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html
DaQuane Finley
DaQuane Finley holds a Bachelor's degree in Art Education from Olivet Nazarene University. He taught school for two years before turning to Social Work and providing Art Therapy for teenage boys for two years as well. Finley works primarily in watercolors and oils but has a flair for pen and ink, which he uses to create t-shirt designs for his business "DEsigns Inspirational Wear". In February of 2009 DaQuane had a month long exhibit at Stark State College in which he displayed his works in all these mediums plus pastels.
Donna Fuchs
I currently live in Canton and come from a family of artists. I studied art at The University of Tennessee and moved from painting to contemporary quilt design/quilt making. This ultimately led to designing specialty items for interior designers. In the last five years I have been designing and hand
crafting art jewelry which involves lampworking, silver smithing and wirewraping.
Russ Hench
I can remember excelling in art as far back as first grade and all throughout my years in school, this being the only subject that held any interest for me.
For many years out of school, I developed my skills with watercolor painting and am quite pleased with my successes. As time passed, I found that I was less enthusiastic about my watercolors and gave myself permission to let them rest. Along with my watercolor work, I also stumbled upon an art form called Repoussage or metal embossing. This proved to be a nice change to my very tight watercolor work. I continue to enjoy this medium.
I have now replaced my watercolor work with large, mixed media canvas creations. I find ways to apply paint to the canvas other than using brushes. Sometimes I attach some of my previously created watercolor work or some of my photographs to the canvas which give me a starting point or theme for these pieces. Adding various found, purchased or other unexpected items to these canvasses lift these somewhat typical flat pieces to a three dimensional work and employ my organizational skills and my "good eye" for rhythm and composition. The end result for me is very satisfying and I am really enthused about this new chapter in my creative journey.
Jeannie John—Aggie’s Attic
I have been working with different mediums for years. It wasn't until my mother, Aggie, was ill that I really decided to make it more than just a hobby. She gave me the inspiration to take the plunge and see if what I loved to do would be accepted. The designing of my pendants using scrabble tiles and dominos is again a reflection of my time with her. We played Scrabble all the time and it just brings back those memories to me. The pictures and ephemera used on my pendants bring a smile to the faces of so many people as they remember something of their life, whether it be the Beatles, Alice in Wonderland, or some other picture. I love what I do and feel lucky for that. I do custom orders also, so if you have a picture you would like on a bracelet or pendant, please contact me at jeannie@aggiesattic.com
Sally Lamb
My background is in photography. I studied at the Cooper School of Art and attended numerous workshops. I also had a one-woman show at the Massillon Museum.
I'm still drawn to the black and white image and feel most exposed letting people see the world through my eyes.
I started creating jewelry last year to have pieces that meant something to me that I wanted to wear. I love the color of silver, the sculptural and textural possibilities. The accessibility of jewelry as an art form, as well as its relative permanence, appeals to me. It's fun to see how my work has changed in the past year. Each piece is a portrait of who I was when it was made.
Ted Lawson
Ted’s initial art training came during high school in Phoenix, Arizona. Ted always remained interested in art but a tour in the US Navy and a career in engineering interrupted his early progress. Even though Ted maintains a full time job in the energy industry, he remains excited about art in general and watercolor in particular. Ted has since studied with nationally known instructors Gerald Brommer, Tony Couch and Fred Graff and continues training and development in watercolor composition and design with Canton artist Bette Elliott in the Thursday critique class.
Ted works in watercolors and acrylics primarily in a representational style however he experiments with non objective and abstract styles. He leaves it up to the viewer to use his or her own intellect and experiences to find the underlying meanings.
Ted likes to create art using "the things that people see and use everyday" as his inspiration. His ideas involving common everyday scenes or objects spring from his extensive foreign and domestic travels as well as glimpses of New York City. Ted continuously strives to accomplish the goal of creating something that is entertaining and thought provoking for other people to look at and enjoy.
Born in Terre Haute, Indiana, Ted resides in Canton, Ohio with his wife Patricia, a high school Spanish teacher. They have one daughter, Emily who lives in NYC and works in the entertainment industry managing live productions for Broadway.
Ted is a signature member of the Ohio Watercolor Society. Even though he got a late start he is an award winning artist and has been juried into Regional, State and International Exhibitions which include:
MASSILLON MUSEUM
Best of Show
NORTH CANTON MAY SHOW
First Place
OHIO WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
MIDWEST WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
Lakes Region Watercolor Guild Award
TRANSPARENT WATERCOLOR SOCIETY OF AMERICA
AMERICAN WATERCOLOR SOCIETY
Helen Lewis -- Illuminating Words
My love of letters and words, both the visual aspect of their shape, and the beauty and impact of their meaning, inspires my calligraphy,
mixed-media collage, and design work. I am fascinated with the curve of an "E" or the elegant flow of old script. I love the stirring in
my heart as I read a meaningful quote. My art combines my own lettering with various ephemera and elements, such as snippets of old
text, correspondence, and old photographs. I have a B.A. in Communications from Mt. Union College. blhl@ohio.net
Jamille Lindsey--Jewelry by Jamille
I grew up with my foot in the art world as my Mother was a fashion designer in New York City. I have been designing jewelry for 21 years, with each piece being an inspiration in memory of her.
In many of my designs I try to use some vintage and antique beads to add a slice of the past to the present. The continual search for unusual elements and top quality components; crystal, semi-precious gems, glass and Czech polished beads, just to mention a few, make each piece one of a kind.
From casual to classic, in the end it is your style and personality that make each piece come to life. I thank God for blessing me and bringing into my life so many outstanding women and many new friends. I can be reached at 330-484-5268 for custom orders.
Kristina Malcolm
My art and jewelry explore the beauty of nature; integrating the organic qualities in classic Art Nouveau, Gothic and Native styles.
To support my high standards and integrity in my designs, I avoid using synthetic materials and adhesives. Each piece is individually created - a
true one-of-a-kind piece.
J. Kevin Maxwell
My art is the result of Nature’s genetic roulette wheel. God-given talent runs for generations in my family. I am the first fool, however, to receive all “art genes” and little else. I could discern the difference between Cerise and hot pink at 18 months, and to this day still contemplate the correct social/political applications of each. (ARG!)
Of course I admit that as a child I also thought that if I painted a pony it would come to life! (WELL!)
My daytime life defines me as an Architectural/Interior Designer. The joke is that I am still just a little kid in love with his Crayon box. Currently I am in love with making colors stand up off the page and Grab you. (BY THE EYEBALLS!)
I swear my crayons dance around my room at night! Watch my paintings long enough and they will start dancing for you, but only if you look at them with the eye of your inner child.
Educational Background: I attended the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, the University of Cincinnati, and am currently attending critique classes with Nancy Stewart Matin. Humorous notes: I won my first art prize at seven years of age for a “do not pollute” poster and was on television for 1 ½ minutes! At eight I won a prize for the best handmade book and original story. At fourteen I won first prize for a realistic oil portrait. I have just returned to fine arts after a twenty year sabbatical, and I continue to create with flair and enthusiasm! I am deeply grateful for the encouragement of my friends and fellow professional artists.
Carol Mendenhall
Carol Mendenhall grew up in Virginia and North Carolina. She graduated from the University of North Carolina with a B.S. degree. Later, she received her Masters degree from Ashland University. One of her first painting teachers was Dr. Gregory Ivy at U.N.C. Later influences were Marc Moon, and Leroy Flint, who let her bring paintings to him on a monthly basis for him to critique (some were still wet!). At the time she was teaching full time and rearing four children. She has also taken workshops with Lee Weiss, Al Brouilette, Gerald Brommer, Don Getz, Judith Carducci, Pat San Soucie, Bette Elliott and Wanda Montgomery. Since retiring after 35 years of teaching art, she has thoroughly enjoyed having the time to be a painter at long last.
Artist’s Statement
Painting is pure joy for me. Perhaps it is because I have waited so long to pursue it. I feel that the painting is the statement. There is creativity inside each one of us and the differences between each of us are what makes our creations so exciting! My pictures rarely begin with a drawing but with a manipulation of form, color and space; darks and lights; movement and areas of stillness. As the painting begins to develop, it begins to have a life of its own and declare for itself a direction that is sometimes a surprising one, completely unexpected. As the artist, my job is to nudge it in the direction it seeks. The difficulty is in trying to find the right balance that makes the result communicate an idea or present a paradox or a provocative combination of forms that sets up a reflective thought process for the viewer. It is my hope that each viewer finds something that touches him or her in a personal way.
Suzi Nolt-John
As a child, Suzi was taught to love the arts. Frequent trips to the Massillon Museum
included classes in painting, sculpting, and general art projects in her early years.
She remembers fondly the art sidewalk sales on
Lincoln Wayand 2nd St. NE.While on
vacation her father and two brothers would tour forts and battlefields, while Suzi and
her mother, Jane, would go to art galleries, street shows and museums.
Suzi has tried her hand at various forms of art including acrylic and watercolor
painting, needlework of all kinds, digital art and cartooning, but kept coming back to
her true artistic first love, pottery.
Her first classes in pottery began at the Canton Museum with instructor Bill Shearrow,
known for his delicate thrown vases finished in ^10 reduction and raku. She continued
classes and was accepted as a member of the Canton Potters' Guild. Suzi also studied
under Sam Hoffman, who continues his pottery in Corvalis, Oregon, and Jack Valentine,
owner of Valentine Studios in Hartville, who taught classes at the Massillon Museum. Her studies included classes in ^10 reduction, raku, lowfire, ^6 oxidation firings.
Suzi began teaching both adult and children's classes at the Massillon Museum. In 2002
after a layoff from her fulltime work, she opened Outside the Box Gallery of Art in
Canal Fulton featuring the works of many local artists. It wasn't long until an illness
forced her to put away her wheel and concentrate on her health.
Once recovered, she began again studying pottery by taking a course from Mary Boberski
in 2004. In 2008 she ran into Jack Valentine again and started classes again with him
and is now working independently at the open pot studios at the Massillon Museum. She
considers Jack to be the single most inspirational influence on her art because of the
free and easy nature of his designs.
Presently Suzi is participating in Raku firings with Jack Valentine, creating in her own
home studio, the open pot studio at the Massillon Museum and working in a shared studio
in Jackson Twp. Her website shows many of the pieces she has designed, includes a video
of a raku firing session and a secure shopping cart. It is located at
http://www.OnlyHereInOhio.com.
When not working on her pottery, Suzi is enjoying the company of her 3 grown children
and their spouses, and 4 grandchildren. With 14 years experience, she also creates,
hosts and maintains many websites from her home office in Jackson Twp.
Marilyn Rathbun
I started painting watercolors for a hobby; now I have a collection of paintings. Starting in 2000 I signed up for lessons at The Little Art Gallery, which is located at the North Canton Library. The lessons were taught by Rudy Amantangelo. Also I have received lessons from Cathy Welner and Jack Mulhollen. It has been enjoyable meeting people, going to workshops, and selling paintings along the way. In July I participated in the Gallery on the Greens which was held at the Glenmoor Country Club in Canton Ohio.
Nan Rearick
Nan is a self-taught artist of 30 years working in oils and pastels. Her subject matter includes: still life, florals, landscapes, seascapes, portraiture, animals, etc. She is an active member of:
Canton Museum of Art (Board member 2004-5)
Canton Fine Arts of CMA
Canton Artists League
President 2003,4,5
Secretary 2006, 7
Cuyahoga Valley Art Center
Akron Society of Artists
Massillon Art Museum
North Canton Little Art Gallery (Board member 2008-9)
Served on Board of Christkindl Markt (past 4 years)
Nan has taken classes from Dino Masseroni, Carolyn Lewis, Judy Carduece, Jack Lieberman, Vi Dun-har, and accomplished alla prima painting and plain air painting techniques.
Martha Regula
Martha Regula has been creating one of a kind pieces of jewelry for 15+ years. She has traveled extensively and draws her inspiration from her travels and from nature. Always searching for new ideas and new materials to incorporate into her work, Martha seeks out other artists when she travels both in the states and abroad. She likes to integrate semiprecious stones with “glitzy” stones such as Swarovski crystal and pearls weaving them together with sterling silver wirework .
Martha lives in the country in a log cabin in Northern Ohio and tends to lean towards the colors of nature when designing her pieces. Prior to moving back to her home state of Ohio 10 years ago, she lived for many years in Colorado. Consequently she is also deeply influenced by the colors and textures of the Southwest.
All of her pieces are truly one of a kind and no two are ever alike. Martha likes to think of each piece of jewelry as a small work of art that can be worn and enjoyed for years.
Mieze Riedel, TWSA, OWS, GWS
Mieze Riedel loved to paint and draw from childhood on. She studied architecture and later pursued a career in watercolor painting.
She studied with many nationally known painters and taught for eight years at the Alliance Art Center. Her work is in collections
worldwide. She has won many awards and is affiliated with many galleries. She is a signature, life memeber of the Transparent
Watercolor Society of America and the Ohio and Georgia Watercolor Societies.
Gail Wetherell-Sack
An artist since birth, I love to play and experiment intuitively with various media, colors, designs and textures. It intrigues me to take things apart and put them back together differently – to combine divergent materials – juxtaposing uncommon pieces, while creating unique collages. The point of my work is centered on “the Play of Imagination”.
Jack Valentine
Jack Valentine was born in Cambridge, Ohio. From a young age he was constantly making things; helping his father paint cars, working on the family fishing boat, and helping with carpentry projects
Jack continued to hone his artistic skills throughout high school, spending all of his free time in the art room painting. Upon graduation, Jack attended The University of Akron, Mary Schiller Myers School of Art. At first, Jack believed he was going to be an art educator. However, Jack was financing his own education. Ceramics had a low materials fee. Jack signed up for the class and never looked back.
During his tenure at Akron, Jack won scholarships and travel grants which enabled him to study wood firing at Paradise Pottery in Arkansas. He also exhibited his art throughout the college, signing up for exhibition space whenever he had the opportunity.
At nineteen, Jack began showing his ceramic sculpture at area art festivals, a practice he carries on to this day for he enjoys interacting with his customers and patrons. He also exhibits in galleries, including Eye Candy in Cleveland and the We Gallery in Akron. Recently, Jack put together a show at Pentagon Gallery in Cleveland with his former mentors and teachers, Sandy Barstow and Donna Webb.
His most recent awards include Third Place in Sculpture at The Akron Arts Expo, Second Place in Fine Arts at Chriskindl Markt in Canton, and First Place in Sculpture at the 67th Annual May Show at the Little Art Gallery in North Canton, Ohio.
Chris Wurst
In the small town of Wadsworth, Ohio, Chris first discovered his passion for art and sculpting in high school under the direction of his art teacher, Jim Weckbacher. At first he tried to sculpt with clay. Because some of his designs were becoming larger and more serpentine, the clay often fell apart. Mr. Weckbacher suggested plaster over a wire frame. This worked well and remains the current medium for his sculptures. He continued to study art and sculpted under the direction of Joanne Lattavo at Walsh College (now Walsh University) in Canton, Ohio. While at Walsh, he received his BA in Psychology and his MA in Counseling and Human Development. After earning his LPCC certification in counseling, Chris has continued to work full time as a therapist for children and their families. During that time, he also earned his black belts in karate and ju-jitsu under the instruction of Dr. Michael Dunphy. Chris continues teaching martial arts classes and private lessons.
Many sculptures are abstract representations of relationships and spirituality. Examples are his “Father,” “Son,” “Mary,” and “Fire” sculptures. Chris recently began showing his art in local shows and galleries. Now he hopes to share his work with a larger audience.
website: chriswurst.com
Isabel Zaldivar
Isabel received art education at the School for the Formation of Educators in Argentina, and continued her art studies at Kent State Stark. She also studied in workshops with Ed Witney, Carol Barns, Bette Elliott and Virginia Cobb. Isabel is a signature member of the Ohio Watercolor Society, has exhibited in many juried art shows and has won several awards. Most recently she was awarded second place in the Winter Show at the Canton Museum of Art. In 2006 she had a solo show at the Little Art Gallery in North Canton.