Today's Featured Artist - Folkart From The Heart

Today's featured artist is Kim Owens from Folkart From The Heart.

  

 Hi,  I’m Kim Owens.  I reside in sunny California where my very supportive husband has allowed me to create a home studio where I sculpt all of my Folk Art creations.

  

  I got started in my home based business about twenty years ago when I met a gal at church who shared my passion for art. 

  My friend and I took a tole painting class together and from there started our own business of doing home parties.  From there, we branched out to craft fairs.  Once the World Wide Web was born, and became an affordable option, it quickly became my venue of choice.  Of course there is still no substitute for holding a piece of art in your hands, so I do plan to get back into Art Fairs. 

  I started out painting on wood.  I would cut out my own patterns using a scroll saw and then paint each piece with acrylic paint. Soon after I discovered garden art.  So I would sculpt a piece out of clay, create a reusable mold and then cast the piece in concrete.  I still have the original pieces; they still make me smile when I look at them.  From there I discovered Polymer Clay, which I still love to use.  The colors and textures that can be created are endless.  Today however, I am working with my own handmade paper clay. It’s much lighter and more durable than Polymer Clay, and it allows me to be more artistic with my paints and chalks.  I still use Polymer Clay in conjunction with the Paper Clay, but Paper Clay is my medium of choice.

  I will always love making snowmen and Santas, they will always be near and dear to my heart.  But my creative juices are always flowing and new ideas pop into my head faster than I can create them, so the snowmen and Santas have to vie for attention.

  

  Now that my children are grown and starting families of their own, I get to work any time I want to.  I do make sure my house is clean and always ready for company and that I have at least a plan for dinner when my husband comes home, other than that, I’m free to create anytime my muse inspires me.   

  

I would love to someday own my own commercial art studio where my customers can come directly to me, anytime they want to and hold my art in their hands.  I love people and I love to share my art with those that love unique, quality, handcrafted sculptures.

  When I pick up a piece of art, and I see a unique design that is one of a kind created with care, time, love and quality  and I know that I am the only person on the planet that will own that piece of art, then I know it’s handcrafted.  That’s how I want my customers to feel when they hold a piece of my art in their hands.

http://www.folkartfromtheheart.com 

http://www.folkartfromtheheart.etsy.com

http://www.pfattmarketplace.com/folkartfromtheheart.html

Today's Featured Artist - Motherload Toad Factory

Today's featured artist is Robyn Martin of Motherload Toad Factory

How long have you been in business?

Most of my life, which has been long and full. I have three grown children and eight beautiful grandchildren. Next year, I will have been married (YES! To the same patient man!) 50 Years!! I come from a long line of very eccentric, creative women, who are born blessed with the ability to create almost anything. Having no formal training I am not restricted to as to how to make things I just follow my own "inner-artist."


I have owned two Gift Stores, taught an children's extended learning class "Letting your Inner-Artist Out," and professionally painted several murals.


This is part of a 25'X8' wall:



This is me working on a mural in a local Country Club Restaurant, and faux painting their walls. I rarely paint murals now...ladders and I do not get along!

I have been known to paint on almost anything.......Yes, it's a potty!

How did you get started?

I really got inspired in first grade when my teacher entered a finger painting of mine in the County Fair and it not only won first prize but was sold.

What is involved in making your craft?

 Not much thought just a "glimmer" of an idea. Generally, I have several things in the process of being created. Because most of my creations require extensive drying time...I just move on to the next item...Unfortunately, I sometimes forget to get back to some of these things and they have to wait a while for completion. I draft the pattern, sew, sculpt and paint my soft-sculpture items. Some have an inner armature to allow them to stand.  I now am fascinated with soft sculpture mainly crows and other birds, who knows what next week will bring? Several dolls have been waiting to get completed. 

This is the latest: Malachite and Magenta Magpie

AND the Crow Family Pineapple Luau

What is your favorite thing to make?

My real love is paper mache. I have always loved this medium. I make my own paper mach pulp from scratch using my "secret formula." The largest project was a float for a local parade. I paper mached my husbands entire pick-up truck into a blue-eyed, giant green  dinosaur...and then rode on top holding reins made of ribbon. The next year the truck became a covered wagon pulled by a giant Monarch Butterfly...the following year my husband sold his truck!! Now, I mainly create smaller, decorative items like pumpkins and pineapples but I am tempted whenever I see a pick-up truck!

Do you have set hours to work?

No! I am inclined to be a night-owl.....I do work? (what's that?) in my studio several hours every day.

What are your future plans for your business?

I rarely plan anything....wonderful things just happen!

What does handcrafting mean to you?

I am an Artist, always have been and always will be---handcrafting IS me!

Where do you sell your crafts at?

www.motherlodetoad.etsy.com
www.toadsonghollow.etsy.com
www.patternmart.com
And also a boutique I help organize and run every year locally.
The Gold Dust Boutique at the Mace Meadow Golf and Country Club in Pioneer,CA-- Nov. 5th-6th


Some of Robyn's adorable animal patterns.