Dottie Lou Crisp, Crocheter and Mixed Media Artist, Tells Her Story

I never thought of myself as an artist. In the past I have been an actor, a singer, an attorney, a consumer advocate, and now, in retirement, the metamorphosis has begun . . . finally.

Crocheting has been a part of my life since I was 5 years old when my MomMom taught me how to crochet; however, it wasn't until I retired from the practice of law that I really began to enjoy the art of it all.  

It is so much fun to just create little creatures from a hook and yarn. Watching them develop their own personalities is a most pleasant pastime. I have found that it is very rewarding to take the drawings made by young children, and turn them into 3-dimensional creatures. The children really love it too.

A couple of years ago, after reconnecting with friends from high school, I started exploring the wonderful art of mixed media!! Talk about an eye opening experience! This is certainly where I have really found a niche. 

First, I started working with some acrylic paints and some darling rubber stamps from RubberMoon!  (I love their stamps so much). Then I took a couple of on-line classes from KaePea  (aka Kristen Powers of RubberMoon & The Moon and the Maker) and now, I want to try everything ... well, maybe not oils so much. 

I just finished taking some more classes from KaePea while she was a visiting artist at The Queen's Ink in Savage, Maryland. It was such a learning experience, not only to take her classes, but also to meet lots of wonderful artists from the east coast and hear their respective stories.

I, for one, heartily recommend retirement. It has certainly allowed me to spread my wings and learn to fly! 

Love to all!  xoxo 
dottie lou crisp
aka Dottie Lou LaDiDas

This is Week 35 of 52 Artists in 52 Weeks. Thank you for reading and sharing Dottie Lou's story today!

Kristen Powers, Mixed Media Maker/Artist, Tells Her Story

Hi everyone! I am Kae Pea (pronounced. K.P.).  It is my nickname, which is short for Kristen Powers. I like my given name but I sign my work Kae Pea because it is, I think, visually pleasing and a bit whimsical, much like my art.

I have been an artist since age 4, when I found a box of oil pastels in my mom’s closet and melted them, one by one, down the wall heater. I remember this incident well and can still remember the delight I felt as I discovered that the pastel would melt so beautifully and the colors ran together in a puddle of cool, rainbow-y drippings. I also remember that though my mom was not thrilled at the loss of her pastels, she never reprimanded me and actually praised my experimental curiosity and my obvious artistic skill! That experience would be the guidepost for my life and my mom never waivered in her support of my artistic endeavors.

Now days, it's called being a “mixed media” artist but the simple fact is, I am a maker. I have no prejudice when it comes to art materials. I love it all and I enjoy and work in many mediums.

I was a self-taught artist until the age of 41, when I had the brilliant idea that I should go to college and get my degree. In May of 2011, at age 45, I graduated Magna Cum Laude with my BFA in Studio Art and a concentration in Graphic Design. That is a feat I am very proud of considering I had three children, two of which were still in elementary school! I sure don’t think it is necessary to have an art degree to be an artist but it was a wonderful and fulfilling experience and possibly one of the best things I have ever done for myself.

After many serendipitous events and the Universe presenting me with flashing arrows along my path, I now own two art stamp companies, RubberMoon and BlueLuna Press. Designing rubber stamps is perfect for my love of illustration. Creating samples and projects is perfect for my love of crafting and running the business end of things is perfect for my love of being an entrepreneur! I also paint and teach creative workshops in addition to running The Moon and The Maker, a studio and retail space here in Louisiana, Missouri.

It is a lot of hats to wear but I cannot imagine any other life. I love being creative every day in one way or another and doing all these things keeps my active imagination constantly challenged and fueled. Because... life on earth without art is just ....'eh'..., right?

This is Week 30 of 52 Artists in 52 Weeks. Thank you for reading and sharing Kae Pea’s story today.

In the Blink of an Eye - A Guest Artist Post for RubberMoon Arts Blog

Knowing . . .  a profound, deep knowing continually flows through me. It is not easy to define or explain yet it is there, as sure as my next blink. A knowing so intense that the mere thought of you made it nearly impossible for me to catch my breath.

Yes, I was a dreamer, or as you so finely said,  ‘A weaver of impossible possibilities and what if’s’. You saw the dreamer in me and begged me to give myself to you. Trusting you, I took a chance and shared my deepest secrets. You devoured them, as you did me, and we melted into a dream-filled boat that carried us over challenging seas.

Ever so gingerly, we cultivated deep love, understanding and respect as we tended to and nurtured our rose-colored garden. Time passed and we continued living our respective lives, mastering our craft, choosing other lovers, yet always knowing there was an unspoken bond calling us back together again.

I awoke years later to find I had blinked and you were gone. But wait! I was the dreamer and you were my dream. Many summers and winters came, ships passed, and still I dreaded the night, refusing to allow myself the luxury to dream again.

Then one recent morning I awoke to find that as I blinked the sleep away, I noticed my wounds had healed and the beautiful rose-colored garden, once parched and forgotten, is bursting with new impossible possibilities and  ‘what if’s’.

I am a dreamer and you were once my dream.

********************

This is a mixed media collage based on the RubberMoon stamp #417 (Dreamer) which reads: “When I was a dreamer and you were my dream”. The moment I saw that stamp, I instantly knew what to do with it. It pulled together all the words that had been wandering around in my head for so long and this piece came together easily.

My hope is that this collage theme is universal and you can relate to the quote whether it resonates as a lost love, a new-found joy, or a deep knowing and understanding that you are on the right path.

In addition to the RubberMoon stamp, I used:

Liquitex acrylic paints, 

Ranger acid-free pearl mica powders, 

Derwent Inktense watercolor chalk blocks, 

Archival India ink, 

handmade paper, a photography print and torn up letters to create this collage.

You can check out more of my stories and other artist’s stories on my blog at Artists Tell Their Stories. Thanks for reading my post today.

Blessings and may all your dreams be fulfilled!

Brenda