Carter's Gallery Presents The Westchase Artists Society!

May 4th was the Artist's Reception held at Carter's Gallery.  Reporting in and what a great reception and what a great show!  It's so much fun when our group gets together and we do put on a great party, if we say so ourselves.  Lots of appetizers accompanied by a wonderful lemon and cucumber infused water provided by Carter's Gallery.  Our hosts have been so gracious and we're so appreciative to Michelle and her crew for the hard work that they put into seting up the show. 

Lots of hard work went into the planning of the reception, and Susan Whitaker, stepped up and did a fantastic job.  Toni Crosby helped to coordinate the food and not a soul went hungry on Toni's watch.  Teresa Trubilla, our fearless leader and President, did a spectacular job in getting the word out to the press and online venues.  I think everyone can agree that we had a wonderful flow of people coming through and loving our work. 

Carter's Gallery is a wonderful new gallery that has a spectacular selection of unique, high quality art, home decor and gift items.  I got the feeling that I was walking through an art festival, but without the heat and humidity.  They've spent a lot of time searching for just the right pieces to make their gallery special.  It's great not to have to drive over to St. Pete to find that special something.  And, with the addition of the Westchase Artists Society's selections, what better place to shop for Mother's Day, Father's Day and any other holiday coming up. 

March 2013 Artist of the Month

This month's Westchase Artists Society Artist of the Month is the wonderfully talented Nancy Cross.  Nancy is a relatively new member to the group and a fabulous addition to the club.  Without delay, here's Nancy's interview:

1.  Tell us a little about yourself.
I like to paint ocean scenes and am now interested in painting birds. I paint in acrylics. I also like to garden. I am active in my church, Lutheran Church of Our Savior.

2. What made you want to become an artist?
Vacations on the California coast inspired me. And, I love color, especially the cool colors.

3. Describe your creative process.
I am inspired by photos I have taken at the beach or pictures of lighthouses. I usually paint on a 16x20 canvas. That seems about the right size for me.

4. What are your favorite movies, books or groups?
The movies I like to see are romantic comedies. Books would be mysteries. Past groups have been art leagues in California and Louisiana. in Tampa, it would be the garden club, the Gadabouts and church groups.

5. What groups are you affiliated with?
Right now, I am affiliated with the Westchase Artists Society.

6. In 10 years, where do you see yourself?
In 10 years, I hope to still be painting and improving my work.

November 2012 Artist of the Month

 

 

For the month of November's Westchase Artist of the Month it's our pleasure to present to you Linita Calvacca.  Linita is a relatively new member to the Westchase Artists Society, so it's great to get to know her a little bit better through this feature.  Enjoy!

 

Question:Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I have lived in the Tampa Bay area all of my life. I am married to a wonderful man Michael Calvacca we have a wonderful son Richie he married a beautiful woman Amy ....and now the reward is two grandsons Zachary and Dylan. All of my spare time is spent enjoying life as a Nana and as a daughter to my 83 year old mother. In a few years I plan on retiring from my now 27 year career as an accountant, at that time I want to devote time to my love of art. I have a beautiful little dog "Chloe Bella" that I enjoy.

 

Question: What first made you want to become an artist?

At an early age I was exposed to art. My father, although he never became able monetarily to live off of or support his family from his art work, always enjoyed drawing, painting and wood carving. After retiring my father was able to enjoy his continued love of painting and did sell many of his works. Also my brother was an artist that did show and sell many of his paintings in Manhattan where he lived most of his life. I have always admired and felt envious of anyone that could put on paper or canvas something beautiful...I wanted that ability.

Question: Describe your creative process.

I began studying under Vanessa Montenegro about a year ago after looking online to find someone to teach me to draw from photos. She did just that! In the past six months I have been commissioned to do several drawings of pets, children and family portraits from photos and at this point have sold many of my paintings. I am now working with acrylics and painting original landscapes. One of my landscapes  "Lettuce Lake Boardwalk" was one of 39 paintings selected to be exhibited at The Tampa Bay Lightning Forum for the Lightning season. I currently have a website Http://Artbylinita.com/

                                                             

                                                                                                                                                                      Question: Favorite books, movies, groups, websites?

I love reading my favorite author is John Steinbeck "Grapes of Wrath" "The Red Pony" "Of Mice and Men" another favorite book is "Geisha"

Movies my favorite is One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest or anything with Tom Hanks "Big" "Forrest Gump" "Cast Away""Sleepless in Seattle" any an all.

Any groups affiliated with Moffitt Hospital and All Childrens Hospital ....

Websites..Animal Planet... National geographics.....Blink....Cafe Press......Etsy

 

Question: In ten years I'd like to be...

Wow can't really say ....I know I still want to be a wife, mother, daughter, Nana and maybe in 15 or 20 years what would you call me a Great Nana ....wait I already am....lol

Also hopefully I will have many other proud moments in the art world.

 

Thank you so much Linita.  Great interview.  Stay tuned for upcoming Artists of the Month.

October 2012 Artist of the Month

 

For the month of October we have another wonderfully talented artist to present.  This artist is a relatively new member to our group and we're looking forward to getting to know her better.  Presenting to you Roberta Fallon.

 

Question:  Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Roberta:  I was born in the Bronx in NY and we moved Upstate to Dutchess County after we married to raise our children. I have a son, Randy , who lives up in NY, is married and has a little girl named Caitlin. I also have a daughter, Danielle, who lives in Waterchase with her husband and two children, Alexis 11 and Jack, almost 8. I have been a resident of Florida for 6 years now,

Question: What first made you want to paint?

Roberta:  In 2002 I was spending alot of time in Ocean City, NJ. I had recently found out that an Aunt of mine was a painter. Also, my Father used to talk about painting but never gave it a shot. I decided to take lessons. I went to an Art Society in the area and got a list of artists who gave lessons. One of my favorite artists on the Island was on the list. I called her and that was the start. I worked with a small group of local artists some new to painting and others who were pros. I took lessons whenever I was in NJ and had to stop when we moved here.

Question:  What's your creative process?

Roberta:   I will usually see a photo that attracts me and gets my creative juices flowing. I LOVE to paint my Grandchildren. Of course, most of the paintings take place on the beach. I have one of my Grandson that I call "Funky Jack". It's just so HIM. I use oils and I also love pastels.

Question:  What are your favorite books, movies etc.

Roberta:   Being that I am a romantic at heart I love movies like West Side Story, Grease or anything with a happy ending. My favorite authors are Stephen King, Robin Cook and Dean Koontz. Anything that makes me think " Hmm, could that really happen?".

Question:  What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?

Roberta:   Hopefully still painting. I am starting School at Dunedin Fine Arts Center in the Fall so looking forward to improving my work. 

 

Thanks Roberta for taking the time out for our interview.  It's always fun to find out more about our artists.  Stay tuned for November's Artist of the Month. 

September 2012 Artist of the Month

We are so lucky at the Westchase Artists Society.  Our membership has been growing and we're gaining some very diverse artist members.  One of our relatively new members is Stacy Kinslow.  Stacy brings to us the art of lampwork beadmaking.  And after watching Stacy at work with her torch, I have a new respect for the medium.  So, without further delay, here's Stacy's interview.

Question:  Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Stacy:  I've lived in Tampa all my life.  I have been married for 17 years and am a stay at home mom of a 5 year old.  My mother was always very crafty.  She sewed clothes and costumes, decorated cakes, made candles, even reupholstered furniture.  I have cross-stitched, worked with a scroll saw, and love nature photography.  I started making jewelry, then the glass beads.

Question:  What first made you want to become an artist:
Stacy:  I always had an interest in stained glass and was fascinated by glass blowers, but once I saw a lampworker manipulate melted glass and create a miniature work of art, I was hooked.

Question:  Describe your creative process.
Stacy:   I usually sit down and wonder how this color would look with that color.  There's chemical reactions in the glass, sometimes they work in your favor, sometimes, not.  You can build layers of transparent glass and build something different.  Every bead is unique.  There are so many techniques to learn and practice.  The options are limitless.

Question:  Favorite books, movies, website, groups....
Stacy:   I really enjoyed The Hunger Games, and enjoyed making beads inspired by the book.  I am also enjoying the Enchanted Inc series.

Question:  In ten years, I'd like to be...
Stacy:   Surviving my daughter's teenage years.

Stacy, thank you so much for taking the time to answer our interview questions.  Great interview and fabulous beads!  Please stay tuned and check back with us at the beginning of October for our next Artist of the Month spotlight.

August 2012 Artist of the Month

For the month of August our Artist of the Month is Victoria Tully.  Victoria is a wonderful artist that creates her magic through paper making wonderful handcrafted cards.  Each one is a special piece that takes the art of working with paper to a new level.  It's always great to be able to get to know our artists a little bit better, so without further delay, here's Victoria's interview.

Question:  Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born in Toledo, OH but spent most of my life in Phoenix, AZ. I have lived in the Tampa area for 20 years, almost 17 of those in Westchase. I love being active and involved in the community.

I’m the owner and operator of Victoria Tully Designs. I have always loved art, making things and being creative. Many years ago I began making scrapbooks for myself and family members. One year for Christmas, I tore apart my daughter and son’s baby books, added photos from their childhood through young adulthood and made a big scrapbook for each of them. To this day they say it was the best gift I ever gave them. The following Christmas, I decided to do one for my stepdaughter and stepson and included not only their childhood photos but pictures of their father in his childhood and young adulthood. They loved them! My husband always encouraged me with my scrapbooking hobby and often said he thought I had a natural talent and I should go into business. I would laugh at him!

Then in the spring of 2011, I found myself not knowing what to do. I had recently lost my best friend, husband and my number one encourager of nearly 25 years. I needed something to fill my time and emptiness and give me some degree of happiness. It was my son (who had since become my number one encourager) who sent me an email with a link to a scrapbooking and card making business and said, “Mom, you can do this!” After kicking around the idea for a time, I thought what better business to start than to do something I really love. I had been working on a scrapbook for my neighbor’s 80th birthday celebration and realized the fulfillment and joy I was receiving from creating this keepsake for her. That was the beginning of Victoria Tully Designs…handmade invitations, scrapbooks and greeting cards. On April 27, 2011, Victoria Tully Designs, LLC was filed with the State of Florida.

Question:  What first made you want to become an artist?

This question tickles me. I am still getting accustomed to being referred to as an “artist.” I can’t pinpoint an exact thing that made me want to become an artist. I believe art has always been part of me. More importantly, it has always been God’s plan for me.

Question:  Describe your creative process.

I am inspired by an individual, a happy couple and/or an event. I play around with paper textures, colors, layers and embellishments. God has given me a talent to listen to an individual's vision, along with their likes and dislikes, and then be able to make it come alive in a card, invitation or scrapbook page.

 Question:  movies, website, groups…

My favorite books are anything involving spiritual growth, encouragement and understanding. I read from the Bible daily. I also love books about art, cooking (my second love) and decorating. My favorite website is YouTube. You can find out how to do almost anything on it!

My taste in music is very eclectic. I like pop 40 to jazz and classical. One of my favorite things is the “Shuffle Songs” option on my iPod. I listen to music all day long.

Question:  In ten years, I’d like to be…

Receiving as much joy from my art and clients as I do today! The Lord willing.

July 2012 Artist of the Month

Our Artist of the Month for July is one of the few that have been with our group from the early days.  It's always fun to have Sonya around because she brings a wonderful artistic style to all of our group projects.  So here's a peak into what makes Sonya tick. 

Q.  What made you want to become an artist?

Sonya:  Art is fun and limitless. Creating art has always brought me a tremendous amount of happiness. It’s always been there for me when I need a different perspective in the whirlwind.

 

Q. Describe your creative process.
My work begins with an idea usually inspired by something simple and normally overlooked. It’s quirky with a sense of humor -though often with an underlying message.

I like to keep it stress free and just have fun…trying not to over-think it, but simply enjoy the journey. I prefer bright colors and imperfection.

I’m primarily a painter, but have made all sorts of art from all sorts of things. It’s important to me to explore and grow because that’s all part of the process and delight.

I take many deep breaths and I look up often, reminding myself that every day is a gift from God and beauty is all around us.

So, taking Sonya's lead, I'm taking a deep breath and hoping that you all enjoyed this installment of the Westchase Artists Society's Artist of the Month.  Stay tuned for next month's installment and have an art-filled day!