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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

Exhibitor Spotlight: William Marlin

ABI Woodworking
William Marlin
Bryn Mawr, PA

Years with Doylestown Arts Festival:
First Year

Website:

www.abiwoodworking.com

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:

Exhibitor Spotlight: Andrea Bocchio

Andrea Bocchio Jewelry
Andrea Bocchio
Brooklyn, NY

Years with Doylestown Arts Festival:
2 years

Website:

www.andreabocchio.com

Facebook:
Andrea Bocchio Jewelry 

Favorite Place to Visit in Bucks County:

Tuckamony Farm and Hotel Du Village.

About the Artist:

A Brooklyn based Peruvian artist that loves food and puppies. 

About the Work (What/who has inspired you?):

All work is textile based, incorporating traditional crochet and knitting techniques to create contemporary fashion jewelry.

Samples of Work:

Exhibitor Spotlight: Mark T. Malak

The Barnwood Gallery
Mark T. Malak
Greenfield Township, PA


Years with Doylestown Arts Festival:

First Year

Website:

www.barnwoodgallery.com

About the Artist:

I do oil paintings, pencil drawings and photographs of nature, landscapes and wildlife.  But I also take pictures of whatever catches my eye.  I have a lot of variety in my work, dealing with many subjects that people can relate to.  I've been displaying my work at art shows for six years and I've been painting for twenty years. 

About the Work (What/who has inspired you?):

"I've been enjoying the outdoors for most of my life.  Camping, hiking, fishing and hunting have all been a major part of my life.  Being outdoors so much has inspired me to create artwork that relates to places I've seen and enjoyed.

Samples of Work:

Exhibitor Spotlight: Diane Podolsky

AnniePod Press
Diane Podolsky
Philadelphia, PA


Years with Doylestown Arts Festival:

2 years

Website:

www.anniepod.com

Facebook:
AnniePod Press

Favorite Place to Visit in Bucks County:

Bowman's Hill.

About the Artist:

I am a mixed media artist specializing in Printmaking. My very favorite print mediums to work with are Etching and Linocuts. In addition to making artwork, I am also a teaching artist who works out of area schools, community centers, art centers, and with other artists who want to learn printmaking techniques.

About the Work (What/who has inspired you?):

My Goal is to make high quality, affordable, handmade artwork that bring joy to the viewer. When people pick up my work and smile, I know I am creating something that will enhance their lives in some small way.

Samples of Work:

Exhibitor Spotlight: Kate Welch

Floorcloths by Kate
Kate Welch

Doylestown, PA

Years with Doylestown Arts Festival:

1 year

Website:

www.floorclothsbykate.com

Facebook:
Floorcloths by Kate

Favorite Place to Visit in Bucks County:

I love to visit and walk the streets of Doylestown & New Hope. I also enjoy visiting and shopping at Peddlers Village in Lahaska, PA.

Favorite Thing to Do in Doylestown:

My husband and I are members of the County Theater and we love to go to the rare movies they have to offer. We usually have a bite to eat and a cocktail at one of the many great restaurants in Dtown.

About the Artist:

I have a Bachelors Degree in Art from Rochester Institute of Technology. When I was a little girl in Florida I would put my drawing pad and charcoals in my bicycle basket and ride to a park or the bayou to draw. I always knew I wanted to be an artist. I am always so happy when I am painting or doing something creative.

About the Work (What/who has inspired you?):

Many famous artists inspired me along the way, Van Gogh & Cezanne, for example. But I am also inspired by other lesser known artists. The first person that comes to mind that influenced my attitude and approach to my work is R Roger Remington who was a professor I had at RIT. He pushed me to challenge myself and my thought process towards my art to a higher level. Google him, he's a very cool man!

Samples of Work:

Exhibitor Spotlight: David Hughes

Weatherwood Design LLC
David Hughes

Doylestown, PA

Years with Doylestown Arts Festival:

First Year

Website:

www.weatherwooddesign.com

Favorite Place to Visit in Bucks County:

Michener and Mercer Museums.

Favorite Thing to Do in Doylestown:

Dining out!

About the Artist:

Landscape architect David Hughes started his business, Weatherwood Design, a year and a half ago and has worked with such clients as Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve and many parks and private residence locations.

About the Work (What/who has inspired you?):

Rustic Artists and teacher, Daniel Mack; Tom Wessels, ecologists, gothic architecture and the natural world around us.

Samples of Work:

Exhibitor Spotlight: Jennifer Webb

Warmglass Designs
Jennifer Webb

Amissville, VA

Years with Doylestown Arts Festival:

1 year

Facebook:

Warmglass Designs

Favorite Place to Visit in Bucks County:

My cousin Chip Krauss! Hart Ave.

Favorite Thing to Do in Doylestown:

Eat Blue Chicken at Chips' with his family and other assorted family that comes to town for Doylestown's big fair!

About the Artist:

I have been fusing glass for about 10 years. I take classes regularly to further develop my skills, technique and style. I have recently moved from the 'city' of Fairfax Va. to the 'country' of Amissville Va. It has been a welcomed change and great inspiration for my work.

About the Work (What/who has inspired you?):

I am inspired by the colors in summer foliage and the natural design of everything growing around me. A glass artist Giles Bettison has been of great inspiration in how I put some of my components together. Classes by Roger Thomas, Richard La Londe and Brock Craig have furthered my ability to bring whats swirling around in my head out to the glass.

Samples of Work: