Thursday, February 27, 2014



Book a private party with us today! Bring in a group of at least five people with some food and wine, and we'll provide you with an artist of your choice with whom you can create your own masterpieces!  Give us a call or email us to schedule your party. Check out our website for more!
http://www.theartistshandgallery.com/workshops/
KAREN LEONARDO

 Karen Leonardo has been a lampwork beadmaker and jewelry designer since 1996. She has written 2 books; Creating Lampwork Beads for Jewelry and Art Bead Jewelry “Seasons in Glass.” Karen is the former Regional Director for the Mid Atlantic States for the International Society of Glass Beadmakers. Her accomplishments include honors in the art world, as well as the business world, with nominations and awards such as Pennsylvania Artist of the Year and The International Who’s Who of Business Women and Entrepreneurs. She can be found at www.leonardolampwork.com .


            

Mixing the elegant and traditional with the delicate and lighthearted, Karen has provided our gallery with a perfect array of beautiful, handmade beaded jewelry. Her work encompasses a seemingly wide range of influence; while some pieces look as if to be derived from geometric Islamic lamps with added 3-dimensional facets, others are much more western and contemporary, like the set of cheerleader earrings above. A great selection of Karen’s work is available for purchase here at the Artists Hand! 

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

KIM CONOVER-LOAR

            “As a teacher of art, I work in a wide variety of media. My favorite of these is metal. I bring my many years as an illustrator to the detailed designs of my acid-etched copper pieces and my joy of collecting beach glass to my sterling silver/glass pieces. Much of the beach glass is from the island of Murano; the glass making center of Venice. The ceramic pendants are made from “found” pieces as well. Each piece is hand crafted with care for the enjoyment of the wearer as well as the observer.”

                                                                                    -Kim Conover-Loar



 The enjoyment Kim finds in the creation of her pieces is evident. Each work, small or large, is made truly unique with her interesting blend of found pieces and exotic elements, and the combination creates stunning and elegant wearable pieces of jewelry. Kim’s earrings and necklaces are made of stones and other precious materials including carnelian cabochon, baroque pearls, malachite, Czeck glass beads, and opal. These beautiful pieces are on display and for sale in our gallery!

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

TRISH DODSON


            Trish has always been interested in making art. She went to Indiana University of Pennsylvania for both her undergraduate degree in Art Education as well as her Masters in Art. She has given many workshops on making paper and had several local shows of her work. Her artwork can be found in collections from Massachusetts to Florida and Minnesota to London, England. She has been very involved in the Indiana Art Association, having founded the yearly summer Arts Camp for local students in
grades 1-12.




            Trish has several different pieces in our gallery in an array of media. Above is an acrylic piece entitled A Good Day at Yellow Creek, where the viewer joins the lone kayaker on the lake. Trish also has a collection of pieces created from handmade paper. Some favorites include a series of pins called Trish’s Fishes and Birds at Play. All of her works are vivid and colorful depictions of landscapes and nature, and we have no doubt she has a piece to suit every taste!

Thursday, February 6, 2014

CHRISTY CULP

Christy Culp, a ceramic artist, started working with clay at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1989. Working in red earthenware and majolica glazes allows her to paint multiple layers of glazes, creating luscious fruit imagery. Images of cherries and pears are reminiscent of vintage kitchens and table linens from the women in her family. When not working in her studio, 2 Pears Pottery in Kittanning, Christy teaches high school art classes. Her functional kitchenware is food safe, microwaveable, and dishwasher safe.




Christy’s use of majoilica glaze recalls surface design techniques dating back to 15th c. Spain and Renaissance Italy, making her work the perfect combination of both traditional decorative techniques and the modernity of contemporary aesthetics and functionality. This makes for all-around beautiful and useful piece for your home, and especially your kitchen with Christy’s uniquely lustrous and colorful fruit motifs.