Archive for the ‘Featured Artists’ Category

June, 2011 Featured Artist: Sherry Venegas with Paperfacets!

Saturday, June 4th, 2011

Featured Artist of the Month: Sherry Venegas (Paperfacets) and her tea bag folding (the art of folding paper). Also known as Miniature Kaleidoscopic Origami.

Sherry Venegas owner of Paperfacets

Sherry Venegas owner of Paperfacets

I first met Sherry at the Claremont Farmer’s Market on a Sunday. I was immediately drawn to her table because she had the most intricate and beautiful folded paper art on cards, book markers, tags, all kinds of stuff made out of paper.

As a young girl I have always been drawn to paper, the texture, the color, the design on it. I remember my mom telling me that I played with the Christmas wrapping paper more than the toy it came in as I unwrapped my presents! I don’t remember that, but it sounds about right. Even now as an adult I love paper! All kinds! I especially love scrapbook paper, homemade paper, journals, diaries, paper tablets, you name it. I use paper all the time. For my personal life and my creative life.

When Sherry told me that what she did was called Tea Bag Folding, I immediately thought, wow! What a weird name to call it (as it may sound to you as well). So here’s a short bit about where and how tea bag folding came about. Click HERE.

I immediately bought two small books on how to tea bag fold and some cards that were created from Sherry. I really appreciate Sherry for her sense of generosity in sharing her techniques and information. She put together tons of online resources, tutorials and other information on how you can tea bag fold from home off the internet without having to buy a book to learn it. Here are some links to check out:

The Best in Tea Bag Folding:

http://www.squidoo.com/tea-bag-folding

Paperfacets TBF (Tea Bag Folding) instructions start @www.squidoo.com/tea-bag-folding-for-children-and-beginners

Make a Paper Flower Rosette (easy step by step photo tutorial):

http://www.squidoo.com/paper-flower-rosette-decoration

 

Here is a favorite item I bought from Sherry. A flower greeting card!

Paperfacets-My Flower Card I bought!

Paperfacets-My Flower Card I bought!

Paperfacets-My Flower Card Close up!

Paperfacets-My Flower Card Close up!

Now on to the interview with Sherry Venegas with Paperfacets:

1. Sherry, tell  us a bit about Paperfacets. An introduction of how this came about and your website address/contact information so we can look you up online:

In 2002 I discovered paper folding in the tea bag folding style. I slowly got my feet wet with design ideas for greetings while still working at AT&T. After 39 years I retired from the phone company and have enjoyed paper folding since. My web name is Paperfacets and my main contact site is www.squidoo.com//lensmasters/paperfacets and I have an ETSY shop under paperfacets. All my greeting designs are unique and “at the moment” original in color and motif. The paper goods I create include bookmarks, gift tags, two sizes of greetings and new eclectic items that just have to be made.

(Sherry aka Paperfacets (Fanciful Paper Goods) can be seen once a month at the Claremont Farmer’s Market Sunday morning. Schedule is on her ETSY shop: http://www.etsy.com/paperfacets. From there you can index all her web pages at the bottom of the page.)

Paperfacets Greeting Card:Mixed Media Monoprint

Paperfacets Greeting Card:Mixed Media Monoprint

 

2. Tell us a brief history about Paperfacets, what you are doing now, a bit about your journey:

By the time I retired from the phone company after 39 years, I was selling cards and paper items at craft fairs, and maintained and established web shops at eBay and ETSY. During this time I became interested in the writing website, Squidoo. I started writing about tea bag folding and other interests.

Paperfacets Book Markers

Paperfacets Book Markers

 

3. Sherry, can you tell us about your typical day, and why this is so special to you?

My day starts on the computer and ends with paper folding. Not much time for the regular household chores, though I do some gardening most days. Paper folding and Squidoo is intertwined. I have several showcase pages of my past designs. Fans can get an idea of how my creations may look; in the end, each new item is new and different with always an element of surprise.

As the recession progressed I lost my fan base on the web shops but I am actively setting up my display and offering my paper wares at the Claremont Farmer’s Market once a month.

I enjoy visitor interactions about the paper folding and offer creations for sale and little giveaways highlighting the Squidoo pages I created about tea bag folding.

Paperfacets Greeting Card: Valentine's Day

Paperfacets Greeting Card: Valentine's Day

 

4. What are your future goals and dreams for Paperfacets?

I very much strive to limit the footprint my wares produce. I reuse “what is out there” and find uses for most of my scraps of paper. This also keeps the cost of my creations down. I always give that savings to my customers. I will continue to present paper folding ideas on Squidoo and create items for others to enjoy. After all, the writing and the paper folding both have those elements of surprise, creating thrills that can’t be matched.

Paperfacets-Jungle Heart Greeting Card

Paperfacets-Jungle Heart Greeting Card

 

Thank you Sherry for letting us interview you and I know I’ll be seeing you at the Claremont Farmer’s Market which is located in Southern California.

Interview done by Ann Lihl owner of Simply the Best Creations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paperfacets-My Greeting Card Flower Close up!

May, 2011 Featured Artist: Renaissance Austin with Raghouse International!

Saturday, May 7th, 2011

Featured Artist of the Month: Renaissance Austin of Raghouse International, creator and designer of beautiful crocheted clothes, homemade jewelry, and much more.+

Renaissance and I met through Facebook about a year or so ago. She lives in the Los Angeles area like me, but I have yet to meet her in person. I do love and am quite inspired by her many talents and skills as an artist, business person, and how she can JUGGLE so many things at one time! Not only does she crochet her own clothing line (dresses, scarfs, hats, tops and even earrings, and much much more), she is a professional photographer who uses her own models (friends and people she knows), and she is her best marketer of all, from what I see. She also is a singer and has  a beautiful voice. She has done many projects with her singing (along with her brother), and she has a drive and focus that I admire from a distance. She also teaches at Joann’s (craft and sewing store) where she teaches others how to crochet their own clothes. The list doesn’t stop and I am breathless even thinking about it all. She’s probably doing other things I don’t even know about……

Anyways, now time for the interview. Here is a bit about Renaissance and her journey and how to contact her and view her beautiful treasures. I love homemade goodies. It makes me feel good to have things that you can’t find in a mainstream store!

Renaissance Austin

Renaissance Austin, owner of Raghouse International

1. Renaissance, can you tell us about yourself, how we can contact you and let us know where we can check out your beautiful accessories? Also, tell us what makes your products different than anyone else.

Hello, I am Renaissance Marie Austin owner of Raghouse International Boutique at www.raghouseinternational.com. I produce very unique handmade crochet and knitwear apparel and accessories for men and women. What makes Raghouse International different is that I focus on taking a traditional craft of traditional ideas, and create as far away from the norm as possible.

We can be reached at raghouseinternational@yahoo.com.

Handmade Apparel and Accessories:

http://www.raghouseinternational.com

ETSY Store:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/raghousenternational

Promotional Merchandise and Graphic Apparel

http://www.zazzle.com/raghinternational.com*

BLOG:

http://artfulchatterbyrenaissance.blogspot.com

Body Knit Top in Celery by Renaissance Austin

Body Knit Top in Celery by Renaissance Austin

2. Renaissance, tell us how you started on your journey of doing what you love, and tell us about  any experience or education which helped you along the way.

I started crocheting at the age of eight and continued on through high school. I studied fashion design and fashion marketing in high school and college. My path was set for me as I come from a family of very artistic people, seamstress, designers, crochet and knit artists. I didn’t think to start a business until the year 2000 when I saw a crocheted item I was able to make. I created that one product, started selling it, and the rest is history!

Mellow Yellow Knit Summer Dress by Renaissance Austin

Mellow Yellow Knit Summer Dress by Renaissance Austin

3. Tell us more in detail about your product (why it’s special to you), what your day is like, and who has inspired you:

I truly love texture and the feel of various fibers. That is what makes me so passionate about creating. I love working with all types of fibers that can be created into anything. I crochet and knit daily with a lot of love. If I am satisfied when the project is complete, then 100% of the time my customers are satisfied as I have a very high standard of what I believe quality is. My grandmother always told me that when you make something, the inside should be just as great at the outside.

Typically, my days consist of operating business all day long. I block out time to create pieces, do my marketing and promotions online, shoot video for my youtube channel and discuss marketing and future goals with my brother who is one of my advisors. Other days I am running off to work to teach crochet to students then I am back to the lab to put in more work, which includes a lot of paperwork, revising business plans and looking for additional business resources.

Hand Knit Royal Blue Neck Warmer by Renaissance Austin

Hand Knit Royal Blue Neck Warmer by Renaissance Austin

4. Tell us about your future goals and dreams:

There is so much I want to accomplish in life and building this brand has been an amazing journey. I am looking forward to more wholesale orders which will distribute my products farther and wider. Because I love visual communication greatly, I work hard on taking my photography and fashion campaigns to higher levels by shooting and capturing visuals in the upmost professional manner as possible.

Earth Tones Chunky Wooden Bracelet by Renaissance Austin

Earth Tones Chunky Wooden Bracelet by Renaissance Austin

 

Thank you Renaissance for the interview, and I wish you the best in your dreams for the future of Raghouse International.

I love supporting other artists, and I personally love buying homemade goodies for my home and my person, my friends and my family. I like to share my creative friends with everyone so we can all support each other. It’s important to keep art and creativity alive!

 

April, 2011 Featured Artist: Steve Farr with Farr Art* Paintings!

Saturday, April 2nd, 2011

Every first Saturday of the month, from February to November of the year, I will be featuring  a new artist that I admire, appreciate and want to know more about, on my blog. This month the spotlight lands on Steve Farr with Farr* Art (he is a painter) and Farr* Art Images (his digital paintings).

Steve paints on canvas and on the computer. He paints on canvas, takes pictures of his work or scans it into the computer to be uploaded to his sites to sell online, and he paints on his computer using a wacom tablet (digital paintings). He uploads these images onto his ArtWanted.com Store and Red Bubble Store, where you can purchase mugs, posters, greeting cards and more with his art designs. He seldom sells his originals so he can use them in a gallery or show.

I met Steve Farr through Facebook, and I found him to be very personable, kind and VERY supportive of my art work as well. He is a FARR* out painter who uses very bold and bright colors and I found his work to be very original, colorful, and vibrant! He has a flare for the comic book hero look, and even a dreamy fantasy and nature kind of style of painting— but it’s much more than that! There is no particular style he does (and I personally don’t label myself to keep myself open to any and all styles) as I’ve heard Steve say as well……so let’s meet Steve…..

Steve Farr with Farr Art and Farr Art Images

Meet Artist Steve Farr!

Interview with Steve Farr:

1. Steve, tell us about yourself, what you do and what makes you different from other painters:

My name is Steve Farr and I’m a self- taught artist from Chicago. In 2004, I created Farr*Art Images. What is “Farr*Art”?? Farr*Art is not just paintings, but art  that represents my mood, my feelings, and my positive vibes, which I try to convey through ideas & color.  The link to my Face book page is: https://www.facebook.com/FarrArtImages?ref=nf My artwork can be purchased at these two sites:  http://www.artwanted.com/farrartimages http://www.redbubble.com/people/farrart.

Steve Farr - Empty Night On Moondusted Oasis

Steve Farr - Empty Night On Moondusted Oasis

2. Steve, can you give us a bit of history about yourself, your creative journey, experience, any education to help you become the painter you are today?

I began drawing at the age of five, so art is something I’ve done and always wanted to do from a very early age.  My mom would buy me the Dr. Seuss books and I loved the characters in them so much, I tried to draw and color my own. I was rough on coloring books too. I couldn’t just color them like most kids, I had to make patterns, designs and textures out of colors. I had an early drive to be original!  Later, around age 9, I began collecting comic books, then creating and drawing my own. I developed a following of through school and I really didn’t think I drew all that well, but everyone liked my stories! So I was on my way!

Steve Farr-Night of the Groovy Grapes

Steve Farr-Night of the Groovy Grapes

3. Can you tell us in more detail why your painting is so special to you?

I always liked most forms of art, but I never really started painting until a Junior in high school. I took a couple of painting classes, where I learned the different mediums and I was hooked! It always amazed me how (for instance), everyone in the class would be assigned to paint the same subject or still life, but everyone’s painting was distinctly different. I guess that’s when I learned about “styles”. As for my style, well I don’t like labels because I feel they create boundaries that may limit ones progression as an artist. Originality is a must for me. I love to experiment with “non-traditional” color combinations. I was once told that “I use the weirdest color combinations, but that I always seem to make them work!”

“Art is my passion, and my passion is Art!” I’m inspired by dreams, music, movies, mythology, childhood memories, and everyday life. Whatever the mood calls for!! I’ll often start out a painting, with no idea where its going to take me, but I think that’s what makes art exciting for me! An empty canvas is a “beautiful” thing because the possibilities are endless!!  With a blank canvas and some music, I can go anywhere my mind can take me!!

Steve Farr - Return To Cypress

Steve Farr - Return To Cypress

4. What are your future goals and dreams for Farr* Art and Farr*Art Images?

I was such an admirer of the story and success of  Microsoft  Corp and became a fan of and adhered to the original vision of  Bill  Gates, when he  said that he wanted to have a personal computer on every desk and in every home. Mine is similar. One day I would like have some Farr*Art in every home and business. A lofty goal, but I’ll get there!  I especially have hope for this everytime I go into someone’s home and see bare walls or go into an office or business and see “bad” art on the walls, I think to myself: “hmm, this would be a great place for some “Farr*Art”!!

Thank you Steve for letting me interview you for Featured Artist of the Month! By the way, I love YOUR trees!! As you know, I love painting trees myself! This SPEARMINT FOREST picture you see below is my favorite so far that I have seen of Steve’s. I know I haven’t seen all of his work, but I’ve seen quite a few pieces in the last few months to say that THIS ONE is my favorite!!

Steve Farr - Spearmint Forest

Steve Farr - Spearmint Forest

Please leave Steve a comment or a question below in the comments section! He would love to hear from you!

March, 2011 Featured Artist: Lisa Turkel, “RAW” Beauty Artisan!

Saturday, March 5th, 2011
Lisa Ann Turkel with Shimmer Organics

Lisa Ann Turkel with Shimmer Organics

Featured Artist of the Month: Lisa Ann Turkel with Shimmer Organics-Raw Beauty Products!

Many of you who follow my blog know that I love to post a new natural beauty recipe once a week. I also love to try out new beauty products that other people create, especially and ONLY when they really benefit me and my health. I try to use only the best products for my skin. Products that are made from natural earth made ingredients without unnecessary petro-chemicals and other substances that are harmful for my health and the health of my pets and anyone around me. The best beauty products are not the kind that last forever on a shelf somewhere but the kind made from fruit, vegetables, mineral clays, and other raw materials that are from the earth, trees, and plants.

This month I’d like to feature a natural beauty artist, Lisa Turkel with Shimmer Organics. Lisa and I met on Facebook through a mutual friend. I was attracted by her presence from her picture and I wanted to be her friend. I also noticed that she created raw beauty products, the kind of product I wanted to try, and we immediately became friends right away. She offered to send me samples and I am happy and thrilled to be sharing with you what I experienced along with her interview of her journey as well as her future goals for her homemade raw soaps, masks and more.

First I want to say that my face felt so soft and vibrant after trying Lisa’s Mandarin and Honey Rivitalizing Facial Mask! My favorite by far! And I had no reactions on my skin as I am prone to allergic breakouts due to synthetic fragrances and other strong chemicals that are often put in products, even so called natural products on store’s shelves. I can always tell by the smell of a product if I will like it or be allergic to it, and anything strong to me tells me that it is far from being natural, unless it has essential oils in it which is of a different smell that is either welcoming or not, depending on what you like. I personally love the clean, earthy smells and often times vanilla and cinnamon spicy smells. I don’t like strong flowery smells very much or even fruity smells. Lisa’s products look and smell like they are from the earth (made from clay) and my skin soaked up every bit of it very nicely.

Mandarin and Honey Revitalizing Mask in 2.5 ounces and 4.5 ounces

Mandarin and Honey Revitalizing Mask in 2.5 ounces and 4.5 ounces

I also tried her soaps and I love them! Again, very earthy and clean and it left no residue on my skin. I felt like I was using a very good quality product that was good for my skin as many soaps leave my skin feeling dry.

Moroccan Chamomile Pure Luxury Cleansing Bar

Moroccan Chamomile Pure Luxury Cleansing Bar

Here is the interview with Lisa and her journey with Shimmer Organics:

 

1. Lisa, please tell us about yourself and also how you stand out from other companies who create beauty products, and how we can contact you for information on your wonderful skin products:

My name is Lisa Ann Turkel and my website is: http://ShimmerOrganics.artfire.com. My contact info is ShimmerOrganics@yahoo.com.

I create handcrafted organic and raw skin care and body care products – and they are created with love using pure and raw ingredients. I put my heart and soul into every product that I make, and my products are handcrafted with Love.  Each ingredient is added by hand, blended by me… and the finished product is uniquely original and contains the loving energy I put into them. I care deeply about my customers and I am very passionate about creating pure skin care and body care products.  What makes my products special is that they are handcrafted with Love – are very balancing and great for all skin types – and I only choose ingredients for their healing and restorative properties.

2. Lisa, give me a brief history about yourself and how you came about creating Shimmer Organics:

I studied to be an esthetician, and that’s when I realized that I had a strong interest in creating pure skin care and body care products. My motivating energy is creating pure products and making a positive difference in the lives of others.

3. Lisa, can you explain in more detail why making these products means a lot to you, why it is so special?

I started creating my organic and raw clay mask in October 2008.  I used to have problem skin with acne and I have tried many different products on the market, including prescription medicine from a dermatologist and over-the-counter products.  Nothing worked—and many of them irritated my already sensitive skin.  So, I decided to make my own skin care line using organic, raw, and pure ingredients.  I did a lot of research, purchased my ingredients and started formulating my mask. And that’s how I created the Mandarin and Honey Revitalizing Mask. I decided to make my organic masks as Christmas gifts for my friends and family, and everyone loved them!  They all encouraged me to sell them, and that’s how ShimmerOrganics was born!

My skin is healthier and looks better than it has ever looked, and it is such a wonderful feeling helping others to have healthy, youthful and beautiful skin! Many people who have been using the Mandarin and Honey Revitalizing Mask started asking me when I was going to have an organic cleanser to go with the mask. I use the mask twice a week… and I also wanted to have a pure, gentle, deep cleansing cleanser that is wonderful for our skin and can be used daily. I started researching, and then ordered the Organic, Raw and Wild Harvested ingredients. Then I started formulating… then formulating again and again and again… until I finally created ShimmerOrganics Pure Luxury Cleansing Bars. And they are multi-purpose, and can be used on our face, body AND hair! I love the deep cleansing, softening and smoothing benefits that I get from using the Pure Luxury Cleansing Bars.

Oh wow, Lisa! I didn’t know those cleansing bars could be used on hair too!! That’s awesome! I will have to try that on my hair next!

That brings me to my next question….

4. Lisa, what are the main ingredients in your product? The “raw” ingredients that  you use? And please tell the people that are new to “raw” what that means?

The Key ingredients in the Mandarin and Honey Revitalizing Mask are: pure clay minerals, raw and organic aloe vera, raw and organic antioxidant rich oils, raw and organic honey and an organic blend of healing essential oils.

The Key ingredients in the Pure Luxury Cleansing Bars are: Virgin palm kernel oil, pure, unrefined shea butter, potash produced from the ashes of plantain leaves and local tree barks and organic, raw and wild harvested ingredients blended in at a low temperature to keep the life energy within the ingredients practically untouched.

Raw ingredients are not prepared by the action of heat, and they are not altered from their natural state.

The raw aloe that I use in the Mandarin and Honey Revitalizing Mask is from certified organically grown Aloe Vera plants. Raw and Organic aloe contains amino acids, vitamins and minerals, live enzymes and essential fatty acids. Raw and organic aloe has so many therapeutic qualities. It is very soothing, anti-inflammatory, healing, moisturizing, and is especially beneficial for sensitive and dry skin. The aloe that I use was created by hand and is cold pressed.

I use a wonderful spa quality and mineral rich clay blend in my skin care and body care products. This special clay blend is 100% naturally occurring, unprocessed and sun dried in nature.

Mandarin and Honey and Cacao Mint Pure Luxury Cleansing Bars

Mandarin and Honey and Cacao Mint Pure Luxury Cleansing Bars

5. Last by not least, please tell us about your future goals for Shimmer Organics…

To have a simple, raw and organic beauty skin care and body care line that is effective and affordable – to help people have healthy, youthful and beautiful skin – and beautiful, healthy and shining hair.

I want to have raw and organic beauty skin care and body care parties, and have my products available in natural spas, salons and other health and beauty businesses and institutes. I also want to have my own charities to help women, children and animals. Staying connected with my customers is very important to me. I care deeply about my customers and about creating high quality products.  I am passionate about using only the purest and highest quality ingredients. What we put on our skin is absorbed into our body.  And just as eating healthy is so important, so is using healthy and pure products on our skin and hair. Natural, pure and raw is always best!

Lisa, thank you so much for this awesome interview! I thoroughly enjoyed using your product and I wanted to post your wonderful natural “beauty” creations to share with people that we can use healthy beauty products without the harmful ingredients. Your product is perfect for people who are limited on time because of their busy schedule, people who don’t particularly like to spend time in the kitchen, for people who have sensitive skin, people who have acne or other skin problems, and for those who are concerned about the environment, who want to be ethical in choosing what is best for the earth and themselves.

If you have any questions for Lisa, please leave a comment below and she will be happy to answer them for you. Also, leave a comment to show support and love for Lisa! Thank you Lisa!


 

Featured Artist: Lisa Kasper with Blue Moon Candles!

Saturday, July 3rd, 2010

“It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness….” ~ from Blue Moon Candles website

Lisa Kasper, owner of Blue Moon Candles, LOVES handcrafting candles!! Her passion for candles started many years ago when she was looking for a black candle with a gardenia scent in the stores. She couldn’t find it, so she decided to make her own. Her journey embarked from there. She started taking classes to learn how to make her own style of scented candles. It was a hobby at first, but before you know it, family and friends took notice, and she was making candles for them as well.

Well, like a lot of hobbyists whose passion for making things become popular with others around them, she decided to open up her own candle business, so she could continue her passion for making candles and selling them to anyone who wanted one-especially for people who wanted a particular style, color and scent!

She came up with the title “Blue Moon” because you only see a blue moon once in a while–which is rare–and hence the saying “once in a blue moon”…I know I’ve said it lots of times!! She wanted her candles to be special and it’s rarely you can go into a store and “make” your own candle the size, style, color and scent you want to fit your home the way you want!

Two Blue Moon Candles; handpainted by Ann Lihl

Two candles I ordered-"First Snow" scent; hand painted by Ann Lihl

About her candles: she offers organic veggie wax, soy wax, beeswax, apricot wax, coconut wax, palm wax. Take your pick!! She has a listing of 600 different scents to choose from too! Her scents are based on essential oils, and other blends-all free from phthalates (plasticizers–YUCK!!). If you’re allergic to regular scented candles from just a grocery store or other stores, such as I am, ordering your candles from Lisa just might be the way to go. And, if you’re afraid of trying a scented candle, she can make you an “unscented” candle so you can still enjoy the candle light!

She will design a candle however a person wants it. She has thematic candles and seasonal candles. She has eco-friendly and green candles. She has a pyrate collection, a gothic collection, and fairy collections featuring different styles, shapes, and art–you name it!

Black Dripping Gothic Candle

Black Dripping Gothic Pillar Candle

Blood Roses Gothic Pillar Candle by Blue Moon Candles

Blood Roses Gothic Pillar Candle by Blue Moon Candles

Gothic Votive Candles by Blue Moon Candles

Gothic Votive Candles by Blue Moon Candles

Pyrate Tin Candles by Blue Moon Candles

Pyrate Tin Candles by Blue Moon Candles

For more information on Lisa’s candles, how to order them, and what else she offers click here!

Lisa will soon be launching her own natural bath works! She’ll be offering shampoos, conditioners, lotions and body butters, amongst other things! All her products are paraben, phthalates and cruelty free! Her goal is to use all natural ingredients including organic essential oils with carrier oils–if you can’t put it in your mouth, don’t put it on your skin!

Side note: I hand painted the blue candle that I ordered from Lisa –(first picture shown on this article).  Since I love the color blue she made for me and part of my home is partly blue and gold, I wanted to match it….keeping in mind her “blue moon” theme as well. The ribbon that she had wrapped around the candle inspired me to paint that celestial design you see on that candle holder. On the ivory colored candle that has the gold glitter on top….I used matching stickers to bring out the candle more so to fit my decor for my living room. I love metallic colors and so the stickers I had were silver and gold and they blend in quite well with the candle. It was quick and easy and an idea to decorate your own candle holders if you’d like that extra pop!!

If you would like your own candle holder to be hand painted a certain color or design, you can contact me at simplythebestcreations@yahoo.com, or you can simply leave a comment on this blog post saying you’d like for me to contact you.

Featured Artist: Caricatures by Terry Hester

Saturday, June 5th, 2010

Terry Hester is not only a substitute teacher at the high school that I work at in Southern California, but he is also a very talented artist– drawing caricatures, a graphic artist and a song writer–a man of many talents.

Terry told me that when he was a kid, he first started drawing with his fascination of  pigeons…drawing them over and over again. One of the key principles to learning or having any kind of skill is repetition.

Terry mostly does parties and fundraisers with his caricature art. In May, 2010 he drew caricatures of returning soldiers from Afghanistan and their families in a park in Upland, CA. The army gave him a special certificate of appreciation.

Terry Hester doing a caricature of a soldier in Upland, CA

Terry Hester doing a caricature of a soldier at a park in Upland, CA

When the new submarine ride opened up in Disneyland several years ago, he was one of 12 artists chosen to draw caricatures at an appreciation dinner for the night workers at Disneyland. He drew all through the night at the Disneyland Hotel.

Terry used to do his caricatures with a black marker. Now he is doing his drawings in graphite sticks. He found that if he drew with graphite  on a piece of textured paper, he could transfer the texture into his drawings.

His latest challenge is learning to apply color to his caricatures. He says he is making good progress and will soon be putting these up on his website.

The computer caricatures on his website are done in a software application called “FLASH”. He really enjoys programming his art with Flash.

The other computer art he does (that are not caricatures) is done with a software program called “Painter Classic.” He uses a Wacom digital tablet and a mouse pen to do his computer art. He’s been doing computer art this way for ten years.

His dream is to learn how to do real portraits using pastels.

Terry is in the process of updating his website with new art and design.

If you live in the Southern California area and would like to have Terry as a caricature drawer at your party, you can reach him here: Terry’s Caricatures. He charges approximately $100 for a three-four hour time span. In that time frame he can do 25-30 drawings and that equals out to about $4 a drawing, cheaper than most theme parks.

Here are some of Terry’s artwork that I really like. If you’d like to check out more of his artwork, click HERE!

The Forest

The Forest by Terry Hester-done in "Painter Classic"

Foggy Night by Terry Hester

Foggy Night by Terry Hester done in "Painter Classic"

The Tree Guy by Terry Hester

The Tree Guy by Terry Hester-done in "Painter Classic"

Disney Car by Terry Hester

Disney Car by Terry Hester-by hand

Girl Charicature

Girl Caricature-by hand

Beach Girl by Terry Hester

Beach Girl by Terry Hester-done in "Flash" program

Alice by Terry Hester

Alice by Terry Hester-done in "Painter Classic"