Faith Bradburn Keller, Painter, Tells Her Story

Putting brush to canvas for me has always seemed natural and something I was meant to do.  I primarily paint in oils and acrylics and, today, paint mostly landscapes.

Malta Landscape, Acrylic on Canvas, 9x13 - Malta is one of my favorite places to visit -
The landscape is varied and has Middle Eastern influences

As a teenager, I was greatly influenced by Caravaggio and other Italian masters and found myself studying countless paintings. I loved his use of Chiaroscuro and the exaggerated poses he painted. Because of my love of the Italian masters, I have always been drawn to the charm of Europe, especially Italy.

Cape Sounion at Sunset, Acrylic on Canvas, 11x14 -
Beautiful view outside of Athens, next to the Temple of Poseidon

Three years ago I landed a job teaching painting for a cruise line. Little did I know then how that ‘job’ would add so much richness to my life! Since then I have traveled most of the world by sea while teaching painting workshops, lecturing and demonstrating painting techniques to travelers. My travels have taken me to places I had only dreamed of before and have filled me with thankfulness and creative inspiration.

The Conqueror, Acrylic on Canvas, 16x29 - Italy -
Lonely olive tree I saw in a botanical garden that has managed to survive the effects of erosion

Immersing myself in this new adventure of teaching while traveling gave me the confidence to realize that I CAN become the artist I’ve always dreamt to be. I have found renewed strength and courage and have no fear of stepping out to experience uncharted waters within myself or, literally, the world. I just completed my last voyage and have returned home to Sarasota, Florida to focus solely on painting and teaching (on dry land for a change).

Learning from other cultures, speaking and relating to new people, some who have become forever friends, has helped me grow and more intimately understand that we are all similar.  No matter where we live, we each want what is best for our family, our country, and ourselves. I also found a spiritual connection to a Creator who loves us enough to design a new sunset, with an ever-changing array of colors every single day, for our viewing pleasure.

In The Wilderness, Acrylic on Panel, 8x10 -
Rhodes, Greece 

Wherever we docked, the first place I headed to was the museum. I was eager to set my eyes on and devour the art I had only seen in books. Some museums I visited more than once, because once was not enough. I also sought out markets, parks and old buildings, and walked down streets imagining who had walked those same streets before me. Who touched those same walls and tripped on the same jutted cobblestones? It is thrilling to know that those same places were once graced with the likes of Da Vinci, Tintoretto, Michelangelo and, of course, Caravaggio.

Old Timer, Acrylic on Canvas, 16x29 - Olive trees live for hundreds of years -
I was inspired by the gnarled twisted trunks that continue to thrive and produce fruit

I love painting landscapes because they tell a story. Landscapes continually change. The same scene at different times of the day can take on a completely different mood just by the changing light, and I seek to capture that in my paintings. That is why I enjoy painting on location, en plein air, because it allows me to experience the scene as it happens -- to actually witness the light, colors and feel of the place. I also take dozens of photos to use as reference when I’m back in the studio. That combined with fond memories of the port we’re sailing from inform my paintings.

The Fence, Oil on Canvas, 14x18 - Kefalonia, Greece -
One of the northern islands that is more green and lush than the other greek islands

To see more of Faith’s work, please visit: 

www.FaithBradburnKeller.com. You can connect with her on Facebook and on LinkedIn.

This is Week 31 of 52 Artists in 52 Weeks. Thank you for reading and sharing Faith’s post today.

Su Griggs, Ceramic Sculpture Artist, Tells Her Story

Although I studied painting and illustration in art school, my work in recent years has been focused on ceramic sculpture. I am intrigued by the figure and how it can express the complex world of human emotions. By tearing off the masks we choose to wear by our own nature, or those imposed on us by others or society, we begin to understand what it is to be human and how we are connected.

This angel, above, tells the story of connection, to nature and the earth. The sun, moon, trees, fish and birds are carved in the clay before I bisque fire the piece. They symbolize her essence. I use a low fire clay body and a slab/coil method of construction.

I am motivated by a desire to connect to a creative energy and to have a deeper experience within myself of being inspired (in spirit). Influenced by classical realism and surrealism, I like to re-interpret that era and apply it to the present, with a contemporary twist. I may embed found or recycled items into the piece to invoke a sense of wonder and mystery.

With just a slight turn of the head or closed eye, the piece will convey a story. It may capture a feeling of whimsy or playfulness, or convey an inner world, one of wonder and mystery, or sadness and loss. Two people may look at the same piece and read different things into it. I like to keep it ambiguous in this way so as to open the imagination of the viewer, rather than telling the complete story.

I was fortunate to travel abroad a lot growing up, as my father was a tour director, and I was amazed by the skill and beauty reflected in the works of art at the major museums. I think my imagination was inspired by these travels and how uniquely expressive the artwork reflected different cultures.

My inspiration comes from everywhere really; music, literature, philosophy, science, quantum physics and nature, to name a few. I go in my studio each day to work, with music or an audio book playing in the background. Although, my starting point may be a sketch, I particularly like making a series of miniatures as they let me get into the flow. I like to step out of the way and become the observer. Interesting things can happen that way. The creative process takes over and I constantly surprise myself!

My work can be seen in my Sarasota home studio by appointment, at one of the fine art events around the country where I exhibit, or at the galleries that carry my work. For a compete list of venues, please visit SuGriggsAllen.com.

You can also connect with Su on Facebook. This is Week 29 of 52 Artists in 52 Weeks. Thank you for reading and sharing Su’s story today!

Barbara Gerdeman, Mixed Media Artist, Tells Her Story

My background includes a degree in Advertising Design from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and my artistic life/career has been diverse and exciting. I am always looking to experiment with new materials and techniques.

One of the projects that I have had the good fortune to be a part of is iConcept, an annual fundraising fashion show held by the Art Center Sarasota in Sarasota, Florida. It is a standing room only, always sold out event and the funds raised go to support their "Youth Art Education" programs. 

What makes iConcept interesting and unique is that the “fashions” are made by local artists using unconventional materials. Each year about 25 local artists volunteer their time and talent to create these wearable works of art. They are usually auctioned off after the event to the highest bidder.

My first creation was a black velvet dress with geometric shapes stamped on it. The stamps were created from faux finish sample boards. I stamped gold and silver metallic paints and included a matching purse.

Paint Swatch Dress

The 2nd year I purchased a dress at a local Goodwill store as a 'shell' and proceeded to sew hundreds of paper paint sample strips in a pattern of green, blue and black. The after-effect was a fringe feel that moved and swayed as the model walked down the runway. It had a coordinating purse made from 2 black paint trays, paint can handles and was spattered with the colors of paint found on the paint samples. I also made a head piece from paint sticks dipped in the colors, brushes and plastic drop cloths and a necklace made of black beads and silver paint can openers.

Plastic Bag Dress

My 3rd creation was a dress made out of plastic grocery store bags. Mixed in with the bags were pieces from random food boxes. I also made a purse from an ice cream container and a headpiece from food boxes and paper grocery bags. One of my favorite things about the outfit was the mini dress version I made for my model’s toddler daughter. Our local grocery store let me borrow a shopping cart and mom and daughter rocked the runway in their grocery couture.

Astral Queen Dress

The 4th creation was a collaboration piece with a team that included two other artists and my husband. We picked out photos that I had taken around the Sarasota area and made transparencies from them. The assemblage of this piece was quite intense. We had a large hoop skirt that had the transparencies attached to it. We added tulle, wire and lights. The really striking part about this piece was the large circular piece that went behind the model and behind her head. 

Baby Mama Dress

My 5th and most recent creation was an ode to the daily battle that many of us also know as “motherhood”. I created it from plastic baby food containers, lids, baby bottles and pacifiers. It was all spray painted in silver metallic and evolved to resemble a “suit of armor”. Running with this feeling I created a large back piece that also had three silver sprayed baby dolls and a “weapon” that was made from an oversized baby bottle, plastic baby blocks and a gift wrap cardboard tube – all sprayed metallic silver.

In closing I have to say that iConcept has really provided me an avenue to run with my creativity and has enticed me to push the limits of my imagination and even sometimes further than that which I feel I can comfortably create. My ideas are already percolating for next year’s iConcept event!

You can contact Barbara at barbaragerdeman@yahoo.com. For more information about iConcept, contact the Arts Center Sarasota at www.artsarasota.org/iconcept2015.

This is Week 4 of 52 Artists in 52 Weeks. Thank you for reading and sharing Barbara’s post today!