Friday, September 16, 2011

Exhibitor Spotlight: Claudia McGill

Claudia McGill Art
Claudia McGill
Wyncote, PA

Years with Doylestown Arts Festival:

10 years

Website:
www.claudiamcgill.com

Facebook:
Claudia McGill

Favorite Place to Visit in Bucks County:
Fonthill; Mercer Museum; Moravian Tile Works.

Favorite Thing to Do in Doylestown:
Walk around looking at the wonderful buildings and finding new quirky shops and restaurants.

About the Artist:
I'm a self-taught artist working in collage/mixed media and in clay. I make collages from found papers as well as papers I've painted. My clay work is handbuilt and features tiles and sculptures. No matter what I'm working on, my motto is, "Give it a try and see what happens!"


About the Work (What/who has inspired you?):
I enjoy looking at all kinds of art and I think I've learned something from almost any artist's work I've viewed. I'm inspired to keep working just because I think it's so much fun to make art.

Samples of Work:




Sponsor Spotlight: Univest



Univest Corporation of
Pennsylvania has a robust history of strong performance and steady and stable growth as a result of its focused and disciplined approach to managing the business. Our team of experienced professionals is committed to delivering quality experiences and integrated financial solutions to help our customers realize their financial dreams. Our employees have voted us one of the Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania for five consecutive years and together, we're now working to be the best integrated financial solutions provider in the market.

Univest is a full-service financial institution with 135 years of experience in delivering financial solutions including personal and business banking, online banking, residential mortgages, insurance products, investment and wealth advisory solutions.

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Sponsor Spotlight: The Thompson Organization



Since 1969, our success at The Thompson Organization has been built upon our commitment to customer service and excellence. Jack Thompson opened the first local Toyota dealership in 1969, and with hard work and perseverance, additional dealerships were acquired: BMW in 1986, Lexus in 1989, Scion in 2004, and Volkswagen, Porsche and Audi in 2010.

We strive day-in and day-out to meet the needs of our clients, both in the showroom and in our service department. When you purchase your next vehicle from us, you'll be treated with courtesy and respect by our friendly, knowledgeable salespeople who genuinely care about your concerns.

Mr. Thompson has always said, "I'm not in the car business, I'm in the people business." He understands just how important it is to give back to his community, and does so by donating to local events – including the Doylestown Arts Festival, which The Thompson Organization has sponsored since 1992. "We are thrilled to continue our participation in the Doylestown Arts Festival," says his daughter, Laura Thompson Barnes, Vice President of The Thompson Organization. "It really is a great way for people to experience everything this community has to offer."

Our original motto has remained the same throughout all these years: "We won't meet your automotive needs, we'll exceed them." Thompson provides you the very best experience - from the moment you walk into our showrooms, for the life of your vehicle and beyond.

Experience The Thompson Difference!

Monday, September 12, 2011

Exhibitor Spotlight: Timothy Neal


WoodWorksbyTim LLC

Timothy Neal
Wales, PA

Years with Doylestown Arts Festival:

3 years

Website:
www.woodworksbytim.com


Favorite Place to Visit in Bucks County:
Tyler State Park

About the Artist:
I'm a local arts & crafts person who resides with my wife in North Wales, PA.  I'm basically a self taught woodworker, although in recent years I've added to my skill set by attended courses at several prominent woodworking schools.  I've been woodworking for over 20 years, but only recently formed my own company, WoodWorksbyTim LLC, and now sell my wares under that umbrella. 

About the Work (What/who has inspired you?):
I'm basically a self-taught woodworker, but I do remember watching The New Yankee Workshop on TV and being inspired by the projects that the host, Norm Abrams, would build. Preferring not to specialize, I would describe my work as eclectic. I enjoy crafting everything from simple cutting boards, to complex Pennsylvania Spice Boxes. Most of the items I make are intended to be given as gifts, or are of a decorative nature. While I mainly work with wood, I also use acrylics in some of my creations.

Samples of Work:



Thursday, September 08, 2011

Exhibitor Spotlight: Jennifer Roche

Bezalel Jewels
Jennifer Roche
Philadelphia, PA

Years with Doylestown Arts Festival:

 3 years

Website:
www.bezaleljewels.etsy.com

Facebook:
Bezalel Jewels

Favorite Place to Visit in Bucks County:
I love Washington Crossing Historical Park! What an amazing piece of American and Pennsylvania history.

Favorite Thing to Do in Doylestown:
Enjoy the natural beauty and shop!

About the Artist:
I am a stay at home mom of 3 wonderful kids with a passion for metals and stones.I hope to inspire other moms to use their gifts and not loose themselves as they raise thier families. I am so blessed to create jewelry that are small sculptures and works of art. They are art to wear rather than hang on the wall. Really the best canvas is the wonderful women who wear them. I hope to make women feel like a million dollars even in jeans!

About the Work (What/who has inspired you?):
I love using unique stones, especially sparkly druzies. I am especially enamored with raw and natural stones and like to push the limits with them. The stones dictate the piece for me.

Inspiration finds itself in many forms. Sometimes my children inspire me, some times it is my faith, sometimes it is nature around me.

Samples of Work:




Wednesday, September 07, 2011

Exhibitor Spotlight: Nurit Bland


Sew Designed & Unique Gifts
Nurit Bland
Doylestown, PA

Years with Doylestown Arts Festival:

12 years

Facebook:
Sew Designed & Unique Gifts

Favorite Place to Visit in Bucks County:
I love driving on all of the back roads and visiting all of the quaint towns that dot Bucks County.

Favorite Thing to Do in Doylestown:
Go to the Farmer's Market Saturday morning.

About the Artist:

I have been interested in art my whole life. My father was a commercial artist and my mother a seamstress. I have been doing art shows for the last 12 years and just opened a shop in Doylestown, featuring 20 local artists and crafters.

About the Work (What/who has inspired you?):
Fabrics, I just love fabrics - the texture and colors have unlimited possibilities!

Samples of Work:




Monday, September 05, 2011

Exhibitor Spotlight: Shannon Presti


Shannon Presti Photography
& The Doylestown Store

Shannon Presti
Doylestown, PA

Years with Doylestown Arts Festival:

5 years

Website:
www.shannonprestiphotography.com

www.thedoylestownstore.com

Facebook:
Shannon Presti Photography
The Doylestown Store


Favorite Place to Visit in Bucks County:

I LOVE Henry Mercer everything! I think we are so lucky to have such an incredible, unique history here. Bucks County is blessed with such beautiful landscapes, architecture, history and people.

Favorite Thing to Do in Doylestown:
I am obsessed with Jules Thin Crust Pizza. I would eat it everyday if I could. I love all their creative flavor combinations, as well as the awesome organic bonus! I am also a bit obsessed with Raymer's chocolates. I love that Raymer's is family owned, super friendly and super delicious. The dark chocolate caramel covered pretzel sticks are to die for! Lilies of the Field, Poor Richard's, and A Special Gift are some more Doylestown faves. And you might see me at Mugg's every once in a while. ;)

About the Artist:
Born and raised in Doylestown, PA- I have a huge family that have been my biggest supporters and fans, God bless them all. I attended Arizona State where I studied art education and photography. Fell in love with the southwest, but missed the four seasons (autumn mostly) and came back home. I've been shooting wedding photography for over 7 years and LOVE to do it! I LOVE and need to travel and find that different cultures inspire and amaze me.

About the Work (What/who has inspired you?):
I have been inspired by many people; my mother who has always been crafty and interested in art, my father who inspires the business side of me as well as encouraging me to do what i'm passionate about, my grandfathers who have shown me by example that having your own business is work and perseverance, my brother who always 'ups my resale value' and most of all my sister who is inspiring in everything she does, she motivates me and inspires me with all the beauty that she is.

Samples of Work:





Friday, August 26, 2011

Exhibitor Spotlight: Yara Supplee



Solaris Designs
Yara Supplee
Souderton, PA

Years with Doylestown Arts Festival:

9 years

Website: 
www.solarisdesigns.com


Favorite Place to Visit in Bucks County:
Tabora Farm

Favorite Thing to Do in Doylestown:
Yoga class at Sun Dog

About the Artist:
For as long as I can remember, I've created some form of jewelry. I think it started with macrame friendship bracelets when I was a child.  I eventually discovered wire working and I've been hooked ever since.

Being primarily self taught, I try to learn a new technique each year. This year I've added some soldering skills and can't wait to show off a bunch of new items at this year's festival!

About the Work (What/who has inspired you?):
Most of my inspiration comes from my love of different and unique stones. Working with semi-precious stones and enhancing their natural beauty is what drives my creative process.

Samples of Work:





Thursday, August 25, 2011

Exhibitor Spotlight: Karen Houser


MyStudio
Karen Houser
Buckingham, PA

Years with Doylestown Arts Festival:

5+ years

Facebook: 
MyStudio


Favorite Place to Visit in Bucks County:
Doylestown! Love the restaurants and shops!

Favorite Thing to Do in Doylestown:
My husband and I love to walk through town, visit the shops, and try out the different restaurants.

About the Artist:
I have spent 23 years teaching art to elementary school students in the Central Bucks School District. I love working with kids! In my spare time (ha ha!), I work in my studio at home. It is a great escape! Most of my work is created during the summer and weekends when I can dovote hours at a time to my art. I began working in clay - tiles and pottery. After a Sunday afternoon glass fusing class, I was hooked! I transformed my studio from clay to glass, and have been cutting, assembliing and fusing glass together since. Recently I discovered that I like to assemble glass pieces into wonderful mosaics! My art is always changing and growing - life inspires me! Stay tuned...

About the Work (What/who has inspired you?):
My favorite artist is Dale Chihuly. I love his glass sculptures, and how the light affects the colors of the glass. I try to include light and reflection in my pieces. I find it challenging choosing color combinations that will create a fantastic glow.

Finding items on the side of the road by someone's trashcan creates great inspiration. Quite often my husband will come home with a piece of ""trash"" he has found for me! It's fun to turn old mirrors, frames, windows, shutters and doors into fantastic new mosaics that become a piece of artwork that can be enjoyed for years to come.

Samples of Work:





Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Exhibitor Spotlight: Ron Smucker



R S Woodart
Ron Smucker
Souderton, PA

Years with Doylestown Arts Festival:

First Year

Website: 
www.rswoodart.com



Favorite Place to Visit in Bucks County:
Enjoy viewing the countryside with the old historic buildings.

Favorite Thing to Do in Doylestown:
I enjoy the downtown with the many fine eating places.

About the Artist:
Ron is a retired educator. The last few years have given more time and opportunities to pursue the lifelong interest in wood working. I find energy in unlocking the inner beauty of wood and creating useful decorative and functional items from local wood. As a part of my personal mission, 25% of all sales are donated to hunger initiatives locally and globally.

About the Work (What/who has inspired you?):
I have been motivated to succeed as I have observed the work of many fine wood turners from the area. Releasing the inner beauty from a piece of wood and finding an interesting final form gives me motivation to continue on with new creations. My works include art pieces, serving platters and bowls, seasonal items and jewelry.

Samples of Work:




Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Exhibitor Spotlight: Bette Conway



Bette Conway Fine Jewelry
Bette Conway
Lansdale, PA

Years with Doylestown Arts Festival:

First Year

Website: 
www.betteconway.com


Favorite Place to Visit in Bucks County:
Lake Nockamixon

Favorite Thing to Do in Doylestown:
Visit the James A. Michener Art Museum.

About the Artist:
A licensed professional Geologist, BS in Geology, Indiana University, Bloomington Indiana Metalsmith for over 19 years, Irish and Old Time Fiddler.

About the Work (What/who has inspired you?):
Bette Conway's passion for nature and natural elements is evident in her creations. While wandering her grandparents' farm in Illinois, and the cornfields and abandoned coalmines of Southern Indiana, she collected rocks and fossils and artifacts that she began to incorporate into jewelry.

  Her fascination with ancient cultures led her to early studies in archeology, which, combined with her love of the environment, led to a degree in environmental geology. Bette has pursued a 26-year career in geology, with jewelry creations remaining a passionate pursuit. Her travels as a geologist and Irish fiddler have opened new worlds for her, and her designs are best described as modern Celtic and contemporary, with natural gemstones and hand worked silver.

Samples of Work:


Monday, August 22, 2011

Exhibitor Spotlight: Margaret Almon and Wayne Stratz



Nutmeg Designs Fine Glass Craft
Margaret Almon and Wayne Stratz
Lansdale, PA

Years with Doylestown Arts Festival:

2 years

Website: 
www.nutmegdesigns.etsy.com

Facebook:
Nutmeg Designs


Favorite Place to Visit in Bucks County:
Peace Valley Park is an oasis! We enjoy walking there, and seeing the cormorants drying their wings, Great Blue Herons, and fall leaves. And to top it off, we can stop at Tabora's for baked goods, and fresh produce.

Favorite Thing to Do in Doylestown:
The James A. Michener Art Museum has been our favorite destination with the incredible Pennsylvania Impressionist Collection, and the Nakashima Reading Room, where you can sit in a Nakashima chair, and feel the peacefulness emanating form the wood.

About the Artist:
Margaret Almon and Wayne Stratz are Nutmeg Designs, glass artists working from their one-bedroom-two-studio-rowhouse in Lansdale, PA. Margaret mosaics wearable art and pieces for the home. Wayne turns his doodling designs into stained glass mandalas, suncatchers and panels. They collaborate on custom slate house numbers. We desire to spread the joy we experience while working with glass to the homes and offices of our supporters and fans.

About the Work (What/who has inspired you?):
Quilts: We are kept warm by an amazing log cabin quilt made by Wayne's grandmother. We love attending quilt shows where we are inspired by the designs and colors.

Nature: Wayne's biology degree shines forth in stained glass birds and vines. Margaret’s nautilus mandalas consistently catch the eye of folk walking outside our booth.

Color and Glass and Jazz: Sometimes it is a color or type of glass which grabs our creative attention, and leads to a new piece. As jazz flows through our studios, we let ourselves free to see what happens. 

Samples of Work:




Friday, August 19, 2011

Exhibitor Spotlight: Tari Zarka



Aspiring Artists of the Earth
Tari Zarka
Dublin, PA

Years with Doylestown Arts Festival:

3 years

Website: 
www.aaote.com

Facebook:
Aspiring Artists of the Earth

Favorite Place to Visit in Bucks County:
There are too many amazing places to mention them all. I have to say that I thoroughly enjoy our parks systems.

Favorite Thing to Do in Doylestown:
Make glass in my studio! After that it would have to be spending time at the parks with my friends.

About the Artist and the Work (What/who has inspired you?):
What drives me to create is what motivates me to be the best person I can be: mood enhancement. When I create something – whether it is a piece of glass, a painting, or a smile on someone’s face – my life’s burdens are lifted. I am also driven by the knowledge that my creations enhance the moods of those who receive them.

I find inspiration everywhere – in the glorious landscape, through the face of adversity, within the cashier at a convenience store, etc. Everything and everyone offers a chance for us to learn and grow.

Ever since I started creating art in the far away corners of my family’s hosiery mill in Bucks County, I have searched to find ways to love what I do each and every day. If something from me inspires another to move toward a life of happiness then I feel that I have done my job. This is the current in my artistic evolution.

Samples of Work:





Thursday, August 18, 2011

Exhibitor Spotlight: William Marlin


ABI Woodworking
William Marlin
Bryn Mawr, PA

Years with Doylestown Arts Festival:

First Year


Website:
Favorite Place to Visit in Bucks County:
Peddlers Village.

Favorite Thing to Do in Doylestown:
Attend the Doylestown Arts Frestival.

About the Artist:
I have been working with wood for well over 30 years - from building tables and display cases to constructing complete built-in libraries. I have also been working with digital and graphic art files for well over 15 years. I have combined these talents with advanced woodworking technology to create the items presented in my website Gallery.

I have a blast doing what I do. I take a lot of pride in designing, creating and building one-of-a-kind pieces. Frankly, my customers are my best salespersons.

Tell me what I can design for your home or office. I'll be more than happy to help.

My studio is located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia.
The items pictured in the website Gallery and in the website Store can be found in homes and businesses throughout the Delaware Valley.

ABI Woodworking displays and sells handcrafted wood pieces and selected images by Arnie Stein at various arts and craft shows, business trade shows and local shops in the area.

About the Work (What/who has inspired you?):
I recently added carvings of iconic places from the Philadelphia area. I had just completed a piece called Boathouse Row when a visitor walked past my studio, stopped cold in his tracks, pointed at the piece and said “I was just down there! How did you do that!?”

What inspires me? The reaction I get from individuals that see my work. Their expressions when they realize that a cherished memory has been preserved in wood. I want to move people with my art. It inspires me to create more.

Samples of Work: