Posts in Studio Artist
Karin Berg
 

Karin berg


ABOUT THE ARTIST

I have always been drawn to pottery ever since I made my first piece as a child. It wasn’t until I was looking for a way to de‐stress from my corporate job that I signed up for my pottery class – and I’ve been a “potter” since. I’ve found the touch, feel, and making aspects of clay addictive. My inspiration comes from many sources even though you might not find explicit direct links to my work. All sorts of primitive pottery, the works of Joan Miro, fabric art, and the clean lines of Scandinavian design are all of interest to me.

I choose to make many types of container forms but am continually drawn back to making bottles or forms with spouts as well as coil built bowls. I use both coil and slab building techniques as I find these techniques restful and endlessly fascinating. My hope is that my pots bring pleasure to those who pick them up and use them.


ARTIST GALLERY

 
Mikkii Bendotti
 

mikki bendotti


ABOUT THE ARTIST

From the time I was a little girl, growing up in Ohio, I have been sketching people, animals, and their surroundings. I can remember sketching horses in second grade. If I did not chatter too much during class, my second-grade teacher would reward me by posting my horse art work on the classroom walls.

As I grew older, rather than taking traditional class notes, I perfected the ability to draw illustrations of what my teacher was teaching us in class. I used the illustrations to study for test and ... Wow! amazed my teacher with making high grades in all of my subjects!

When I had my own students, I taught my students how to use drawings to help them retain information visually. And, they also were very successful in passing tests and being promoted to the next grade.

As an Elementary School Principal, I sketched our students and teachers engaged in the learning process to reinforce the great teaching and instruction taking place. Art in the practical sense has been a constant in my life, because it translates our "Verbal Learning into Visual Learning - and Vice-Versa"

Now that I am retired, I’m working with oils and watercolors, however, I prefer acrylics. Most often, I paint people engaged in the “Human Experience” called life. My goal is to communicate something very unique about the people I paint – something that a camera might not pick up. When I paint a portrait, if successful, there is a point while I am painting, that the person in the painting truly seems to look back at me and – for a moment we become one in the same place within a “Human Experience.” I can think of nothing more rewarding! I have taught others how to draw and paint portraits. I have seen the same joy on their faces when they achieve the personal essence in their art work. And, they too have experienced the “Human Experience.”

As I continue to enhance my “Art Vision and Missions Quest,” I hope to acquire the required knowledge, skills, and experience to be able to create art that reflects one of my favorite Bible verses:
“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report ... think (paint) on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

I truly am looking forward to becoming a member of Ground Floor Artists, and have the opportunity to develop both professional and personal powerful colleague relationships. I have been juried into local artists organizations exhibits including*:

  • Arizona Artist Guild (11/19/17, 3/4/18,2/25/18,4/25/21) Now a Juried Member

  • Glendale Art Council (1/10/18,1/8/19,1/3/20)

  • Portrait Artists of Arizona (11/2/19,10/3/19,1/8/20)

  • Scottsdale Artist School (1/28/19,1/21/20,1/8/21)

*Art pieces selected for "Ground Floor Artist Directory" have been previously Juried by one of the above "Local Artist Organizations".


ARTIST GALLERY

 
Joanne Allen-Walker
 

Joanne Allen-Walker


ABOUT THE ARTIST

I’ve been called a creative, mixed media artist, floral designer, crafter and simply an artist. If there was only one simple phrase for everything I’ve done, I’d love it.

Years ago, I started with pressed flowers and I showed samples to a local shop. The owner liked the work but wanted to pay pennies for it. Deflated, I walked out of the shop and noticed a new craft gallery across the way. I walked across the street and presented to the owner. She liked my work and offered me a space. And so started a wonderful friendship that still exists today.

I started with pressed flowers from my garden and then moved to larger flowers, dried and silk arrangements, mosaics and painted furniture. I was also doing craft shows, working with designers and local shops to create custom items.

Since retiring, I’ve been able to allow my creative side to flourish by exploring different ideas and mediums such as art dolls, blackout poetry, and ink line drawing.


ARTIST GALLERY

 
Sarah Simmerman
 

Sarah simmerman


ABOUT THE ARTIST

From her studio in Surprise, Arizona, Sarah combines vivid colors, dynamic textures, and geometric forms to create bold abstract compositions. Her abstract style has been built from years of practicing art in a variety of styles and mediums. Sarah is inspired by the beauty of the Phoenix area, often using colors and abstracted shapes she sees along the hiking trail. Many of her pieces are introspective, a therapeutic release for emotions and challenges she experiences throughout life. Her original abstract paintings can be seen in exhibitions around the valley, recognizable by her unique style and technique.

Sarah began her studies in art at a young age, taking art classes after school and eventually ended up following this passion to attend the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Throughout her studies, Sarah has experimented with multiple disciplines and mediums but primarily works with acrylics.

www.sarahsimmerman.com
www.instagram.com/sarahsim_art
www.facebook.com/ArtbySarahSim/


ARTIST GALLERY

 
Linda Bergeron

Linda Bergeron


ABOUT THE ARTIST

Linda’s passion for art began at a very young age; in the midwest, where she was born and raised.

After studying abroad, years of travel, employment, and living on both coasts; she eventually put down roots in the Pacific Northwest. There, she painted professionally and taught art to high school students for three decades. Recently turning a new chapter, Linda retired, and now snowbirding has landed her here in sunny Arizona.

Her creativity is inspired by capturing nature’s beauty and life experiences. She paints with emotive imagery and fearless stamina in a dream state, leaving behind preconceived notions. Engaging with color’s voice, navigating her way towards truth; Linda strikes balance between light and dark, subconscious and conscious and dances on the line between ambiguity and clarity. Her brush strokes morph into compelling colors until the canvas no longer yearns for attention.

She capitalizes on the uncomfortable interaction of high contrast, bold textures, color, reflective materials and endless layers that deeply transcend a multitude of perspectives. The intimate dialog that emanates from these perspectives is what continually feeds her unyielding determination to paint.

BA in Fine Art and Communications MACI University of St. Thomas
Artist Trusts Edge program, Seattle WA

"We must remain as close to the flowers, grass, and the butterflies as the child is who is not yet so much taller than they." — Friedrich Nietzsche


ARTIST GALLERY

Diane Palley

Diane Palley


ABOUT THE ARTIST

An Artistic soul all her life, Diane began a serious career as an artist in college. She has grown artistically throughout her entire (-OMG- Very Long) life starting with block printing, discovering and innovating batik, falling in love with watercolor – and experiencing success with pastels, acrylics, oils and hand building in clay.

She brings with her an unparalleled skill as a Watercolor Instructor with her UNIQUE TEACHING METHOD. Diane has the ability to connect with diverse students and is committed to elevating the classes so that they are engaging and rewarding. She fosters a supportive and inspiring environment that is enjoyable to all skill levels – even the “I’m not artistic,” “I can’t draw a straight line” beginners. Her lessons give class painters some tried and true techniques, and each additional lesson brings more techniques, so eventually even new painters build enough methods to approach any subject they desire. Seasoned painters experience growth.

Along the way (if she remembers to enter a piece) her work has been awarded in Newport Beach, Studio City, Los Angeles and Del Mar, CA. Her works are held in the permanent collections of Home Savings and Loan, Price Waterhouse and Bank of America. Her work is also held by many Private Collectors around the world.

Over two decades ago, Diane was so fortunate to be chosen to teach on Cruise Ships and see so much of the world. Inspiration is everywhere! She continues to explore different media and techniques, and each project ramps up her enthusiasm. Her hope is that her art reflects her ongoing creativity, happy spirit and wish to spread joy.


ARTIST GALLERY

Cyndi Hamilton

Cyndi Hamilton 


ABOUT THE ARTIST

I have a background in interior design and I'm passionate about pottery. 


ARTIST GALLERY