Wendy Fetterman

         Wendy is originally from Groton, CT. She has lived in Penn Run, PA, for the last 22 years. Wendy has always loved to paint, and was drawn to basket weaving when a friend showed her a basket she had made. She started weaving at a Continuing Ed Class at IUP, nineteen years ago and loved it from the beginning. It has been great fun, for her, learning to merge two of her favorite art forms, painting and weaving. Wendy shows her baskets across the region and has recently started teaching her own classes with IUP Continuing Ed.

Wendy's baskets range from traditional utilitarian work to creative sculptural pieces. Her craftsmanship is always impeccable and the toll painting makes each work unique. The basket pictured is designed to hold four coffee mugs and can be used to serve a group or to store your mugs, or coffee supplies. Stop in and see more of Wendy's work, as well the other artists represented here at the gallery, and pick up that special Christmas gift.

Our Espresso Bar still has a variety of seasonal drinks available as well.

Chuck & Lynne CD Release Party

  Before we start looking to next month and the new year, there is still a lot to do in 2013. First we have to help Chuck Potthast & Lynne Jones celebrate their newest CD, "There Was A Time".
A collection of some of your favorite soft rock, through the years.  And in keeping with the season they'll play a little Christmas music as well.

So pick up a bottle of wine and stop in for some great music and good company this Friday evening from 

6 to 8.

Annie Dehgan

"The framework for what I create comes from reinterpreting traditional patterns in unusual ways. New and recycled fibers in cotton, linen, silk, and wool are my raw materials. My hand-dyed fabrics are pattern folded, mechanical, and organic dye resists. Each piece is intended to be functional and to be used daily while the the pattern and color are meant to be enjoyed. Most of my adult life has been spent living on a farm here in Northern Indiana County. However, I love visiting the ocean and desert. Everything organic is inspiring." Annie

In this piece, called "Rusting Into Winter", Annie has used a variety of fabrics, some of them commercial, many of them recycled from a variety of clothing. There's pieces from a silk tie, a woman's wool blazer and a silk kimono. The inspiration for this work is drawn from November's gray skies, and the oak leaves that still cling to their branches as fall turns into winter. Annie has done several table runners for the gallery and they always sell. Her work touches something in everyone, as they relate to the coloring, textures, and imagery drawn from nature. Come on in and take look while it's still here, and prepare yourself for our quilt show coming in January.

Cora Smith

Cora Smith is a self-taught artist, originally from Chicago, Illinois.  Her love of art developed when she was young by pouring over large books that contained the works of the old masters, as well as the images of early american artists.  She has been drawing as long as she can remember.  She began doing commissioned portraits in 1988 and continued to pursue her love of art after moving to Pennsylvania in 1991.  Over the years, the need to promote art in the rural areas of PA became evident.  In 2004, with the love and support of family and friends, she opened a studio/gallery called The Kyrie Gallery in the town of Mahaffey, PA, where she lives with her husband, Bruce.  She has three children: Sara (Gary), Kyle (Christy) and Sophia and two grandsons, Ethan and Aaron.

Untitled Cat
Oil on Canvas
$300.00

Cats, cats, cats.  A popular subject, but a crowd favorite! This particular cat looks as though it was posing just for Cora to paint.  The smooth brush strokes used, combined with the realistic subdued colors in this cats fur makes her come to life. The fluidity from this cats body to limbs, as well as her muscles to her plumper parts somehow creates an endearing and lovable quality towards this painting.  It may just make you want to go and scoop this adorable cat right up, out of the painting and into your arms.

Check out our espresso bar and let our skilled baristas make you some fantastic coffee or tea, all while you view all that our gallery and our 63 other amazing artists!

December at the Gallery

It's Christmas at The Artists Hand Gallery & Espresso Bar

   The Gallery/Espresso Bar is decorated with lights and trees and stars, the Christmas music is playing softly in the background, and we are celebrating the season.

We have childrens' Make & Take on the schedule, Christmas Parties, and Christmas music. And don't forget the Santa Show, 25 different Santas drawn and hand colored by Ken Vinton.  So stop in and join us for the holidays. Meet your friends here for a warm drink and casual atmosphere and maybe you will find that perfect gift for that special someone.

Music Nights

Friday, December 13 from 6-8, join us for a Christmas sing along with the Jeffer and other local musicians. Bring your singing voice and be prepared for a great time!

Friday, December 20 from 6-8 Remaining Green will be our musical guests. Stop by and enjoy the sounds of rock & roll from one of Indiana's favorite local groups.

Artists in the Window

Saturday, December 7 from 11-3, Jonelle Summerfield will paint in oils and share some of her fantastic work.

Saturday, December 14 from 11-3, Tracy Hibsman will demonstrate working with metals and she will have some of her silver PMC for sale.

Saturday, December 21 from 11-3, Chere Winnek-Shawer will make bead jewelry and she will have some of her original jewelry designs for sale.

Classes

Childrens' Make & Take workshops Saturday, December 7 & 14, 10-11:30 AM and 12 to 1:30 PM.

       Allie Chang will teach printmaking and card making on December 7

       Colleen MacIntosh will lead students in painting a silk scarf on December 14

Photography with Ron Juliette, Saturday, December 14 at 3

       

       When is Enough Enough: Exploring the Camera Shutter

Seasonal Drinks 

Mocha Mint Latte

Chocolate Chai Latte

Peppermint Tea

Mint White Hot Chocolate

Stuck in Between Seasons? Pumpkin Gingerbread Latte

Special Holiday Hours

Monday, December 23 Espresso Bar & Gallery 10 to 6

Tuesday, December 24 Espresso Bar & Gallery 10-3

The Gallery/Espresso Bar will be closed Thursday, December 19, beginning at 5 for a private event.

Coffee for the Masses

                 Having a cup of coffee can benefit you in a myriad of ways.  Whether providing you with anti-oxidants, a sense of clarity, or a warm feeling inside, just eight ounces can turn your day in the right direction.  Let a cold chill of wind sweep you into the Artists Hand and a wafting aroma of decadent coffee.  One of our trained baristas will be happy to make you a hand-crafted drink to your liking.  The winter season at The Artists Hand offers you a range of holiday-themed beverages including a Peppermint Mocha Latte, Gingerbread Spice Latte, Chai Spice Latte or Peppermint Tea, in addition to our year-round menu.  We provide you with the perfect blend of a relaxing environment to visit with friends and enjoy a specialty drink and array of baked treats from Six Hands Bakery.  Bring your own company or have a chat with a barista about the art that surrounds you.  Feel free to bring a book and lounge around the gallery enjoying a drink or two!

Shana Kraynak

Shana Kraynak is a PhD candidate, college instructor, poet, photographer, and hockey enthusiast.  Though photography is more of a dedicated hobby, her photographs have been published in a variety of literary magazines and have been used on professional websites and ESPN television programming.  Her work has also been on display at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, as well as published in a book celebrating LACMA's famed Urban Lights.  Travelling throughout our disparate and gorgeous country has given Shana a unique perspective and a fascination with capturing familiar images in unfamiliar ways.  Though seemingly incongruous, natural landscapes and city scapes are equally important in the scope of her work.  Shana's goal is to bring new life and unique perspectives to man-made structures and natural constructions through composition and with minimal editing.

Joshua Tree
Photography
$200.00

Photography is a hard art to master, with that being said Shana has done an excellent job accomplishing just that.  This photo, entitled "Joshua Tree" takes perspective and nature to a place where the viewer could loose themselves.  Black and white photos are simple yet intriguing and have a way at showing their true subject and meaning without spelling it out to you exactly.  These qualities are all included in this one photo.  Different people will see different things, and this photo will somehow relate to their life in a way that it may not for the next person.  That's what's great about this kind of photography, and makes this photo a true piece of art. 

Come look at Shana's many photos as well as all the other art work in the Gallery, you could even have a cup of coffee or tea made by our very talented baristas!

Marion Grelle

A native of the Indiana ares, Marion graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a BS degree and an MA degree in Fine Art.  After teaching art in the public school system for a number of years, she decided to paint full time.  Aside from painting her career expanded to include graphics and illustration.  Her work has garnered awards in national exhibits and is included in both private and corporate collections.  She is an honorary member of the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society, Pittsburgh, PA.  Her painting "Favorite Shoes" was chosen for the Pittsburgh Watercolor Society's 50th anniversary catalog cover.

Cat on Deck
Watercolor
$300.00

Marion's watercolor entitled "Cat on Deck" is an expressive piece with a fun and playful context.  Cats are always a fun subject to put into works of art, with their unexpected and curious demeanor it's always entertaining to catch them in action.  This particular painting offers that sense of action and curiosity very well.  Movement is also a large part of why this work is successful. The technique and clarity of this watercolor is fantastic, with it's vibrant and calming color combination and clean crisp lines it would truly be a great addition to ones collection.    

When you come to check out this work and the other 63 artists in the studio don't forget to get a nice cup of coffee or tea from our Espresso Bar to warm you up on these cold days!

Beverly Young

Beverly Young received a B.S. degree in education, majoring in English and minoring in Art, from Kent State University.  After moving to Pennsylvania, she graduated with a B.S. in nursing from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.  She directed plays for the IUP Student Union Association in the early 1970s and in 1979 she became business and publicity manager for the IUP Theater-By-The-Grove where she worked until her retirement in 1989.  Interested in the visual arts all her life, she took advantage for her retirement to enroll in private collections in Pennsylvania and Florida.  She hopes that any of her paintings that survive her, 'Hello, out there.  I lived on this Earth a little while, too.  Isn't it a wonderful journey!'

Day's Catch
$200.00

"Day's Catch" has a unique sense of vision.  This fun subject matter, fish and sea-life, brings whimsy to Beverly's painting.  The movement produced due to the color and composition gives this painting depth, making this 'Day's Catch' very appealing. Your eye won't be able to get enough of this painting with the subject leading you around the piece, making you feel as though you need to take a vacation to a tropical retreat.  Perfect for a home of any kind, come and check it out in person at the Gallery, while getting a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or tea!

Whatsoever Lovely Designs Jewelry Trunk Show

Artists will set up in the Espresso bar, and demonstrate how they work, and have their work for sale.

Bill Double will work in pastels
Marion Grelle will watercolor
Karen Leonardo, Barb Pennington, and Chere Winnek-Shawer will demonstrate their unique approaches to jewelry
Jonelle Summerfiled paints in oils
and
Tracy Hibsman works in metal

Be sure and mark you calendars!

Coming Up In November

     Join us in the last days of pumpkin spice lattes and crisp fall days with the range of events we have planned for November! 

Live Music Friday Nights

• November 1^st, 6-8 Meg and Moses
• November 8^th, 5:30-8 Wolves in Sheeps Clothing with Jeffrey
• November 15^th, 6-8 Ryan Long
• November 22^nd, 6-8 Lynne and Chuck
• Join us for a Christmas themed music night.

Events

• November 1^st through December 24^th, 6-8 Christmas at the Gallery, The Santa Show, by Ken Vinton.  Opening Reception: Friday, November 22^nd
• Tuesday, November 5^th, 6-7 Theatre-by-the-Grove sings selections from Next Thing You Know, a musical preview from the new musical by Joshua Sazman and Ryan Cunningham.  Presented by the IUP Department of Theater and Dance and the Acorn Project.  Directed by Ryan Thornhill with musical direction by Spencer Hartman. 
• Thursday, November 7^th, 5-7:30 Alisa DeStefano Jewelry Show
• Friday, November 8^th, 5-9 Wine Walk
• Get your tickets for the Downtown Indiana Wine Walk at the Artist’s Hand.  Sample wines from 10 different award-winning wineries at participating retailers in Downtown Indiana and visit with wine reps throughout the evening.  Proceeds benefit the Downtown Indiana Main St. & Elm Street programs
•  Advance tickets: $20/person or $35/couple; Night of event: $25/person.
• Saturday, November 9^th, 6-8 Live Music, John Stowell and Stanley Chipaitis
• Beginning November 9^th, Artists in Residence every Saturday morning from 11-3PM
• Artists will demonstrate their talents and have their work for sale.
• Monday, November 11^th, 10-1 Veterans Day Parade
• Thursday, November 14^th, 7pm Shutter Group
• Friday, November 22^nd
• 6-8, Opening reception, The Santa Show by Ken Vinton 
• Light Up Night: It's A Wonderful Life Holiday Festival & Parade

Classes

Children’s Make and Take Workshops, Saturdays (November 2^nd, 9^th, and 16^th)
10-11:30 & 12-1, Cost 20$ per child

Saturday, November 16^th, 3-5: Photography for Beginners with Ron Juliette

• Depth of What? Mastering What is and What is Not in Focus
• Bring a camera and learn something new about photography
• Cost 35$ per person

All registration information is available on our website www.theartistshandgallery.com

David Young

David Young received B.A. and M.A. degrees in English at Kent State and a Ph. D. in English at Ohio State.  He began teaching in the English Department at IUP in 1968.  In 1961, his wife, Beverly, suggested buying a camera to take snapshots-an event which was to change his life.  He became an avid photographer with a number of exhibits in Ohio and Pennsylvania.  In 1978 he was invited to join the Communications Media Department at IUP to teach photography, a position he held until his retirement in 1989.  His works are in museums and private collections and his involvement with photography continues, mainly in the rapidly evolving field of digital photography.

Leaf & Rock
Digital Color Print
$175.00

Image photography is a very subjective medium to work with and is either very literal or very abstract.  David is combining these two processes to create one cohesive work.  This is of a literal object but they do not read as such when your eye first looks at this.  The contrast among these objects in both color and texture make this picture very appealing and balanced in color, texture, and composition.  An unusual and fantastic print of nature is right here our Gallery!

Come check out the Espresso Bar while browsing the studio! Enjoy the warmth of our coffee made by our skilled baristas on these cool fall days!

JJ Altrogge

"When I was a boy of 5 or 6 years of age, I was fascinated with the Sunday comic strips.  So I tried my own.  That's how I got started in 'art.'  After my discharge from the army, the Texaco geologists convinced me to get a degree in geology rather than commercial art.  In 1964 I came to Indiana, PA where Dave McNaughton and I started a painters' group meeting Monday evenings in the basement of the Episcopal Church.  All my children became interested in art.  In fact, my oldest son, Mark, and I sold many paintings at a local restaurant.  In 1994 I began to send hand-painted birthday cards to all my relatives and my friends in the Lord of Life Church.  By now I have made nearly 5,000 cards in this endeavor."

Sidewalk in Paducah
Oil on Canvas
$300.00

Perspective, depth and color are what makes "Sidewalk in Pudacah" a phenomenal work of art.  The color and perspective move your eye throughout the piece, making you want to take in every bit of detail JJ has put into this oil painting.  This painting has a unique style and creates a sense of fluidity throughout the piece.  The use of color makes this a fun and vibrant work that can be put in any setting, making it a great find for any home!

Come check out all 64 artists works here at the gallery while you enjoy a delicious coffee from our espresso bar!

Michael Smithhammer

"My intention is to provide viewers with an exhilarating, disorienting, sense of wonder, similar to what one experiences while in a foreign country.  It increases ones awareness of the link between mind and world.  I work in an improvisational manor, responding to how and what the material presents.  When I first started, painting, and drawing was enough.  Later I started producing objects in wood, clay, metal, fibers and plastics.  Each material provides a particular challenge and resistance stimulating the process.  Fabrication is an act of communication.  I fabricate objects and images that are the embodiment of what I know lies beyond abstraction.  There is energy in things such as plants, animals, human anatomy, and of course, space.  There is also engineering or design, which dazzles and amazes with its infinite permutations."

Calm III
Ceramic
$625.00

Combining form and function, Michael has created a very unique and interesting piece of furniture.  When ceramics are involved we typically think of pottery, figurines or vessels, Michael has taken this stereotype to a whole other level with his creation of "Calm III."  This piece takes furniture that's typically made out of wood and replacing it with clay, creating irregular shapes and textures, giving this work a new outlook as to what can be made and how it can be used.  This is one artist that I do believe has more function and form to combine for the world to see!

Don't forget to come and check Michael's work out in person, along with the other 63 artists here at the Gallery!  Enjoy the shop with our famous coffee prepared by our fabulous baristas! 

Nancy Smeltzer

Trained in culinary arts, Nancy Smeltzer feels that many of her pieces are meant to be utilized in the everyday rituals of eating and drinking.  Birds, plants and animals that live around the Smicksburg community are often reflected on her pottery.  She has been apart of a great number of shows, exhibits and workshops. Nancy tells us, "My work is thrown, altered and decorated with images of birds and the natural world.  I continue to be fascinated with the way the fire, ash and salt lend their finishing touches to embellish these pots."

Owlet Teapot
Ceramic
$72.00

This "Owlet Teapot" is the pure definition of whimsy.  The Owlet Teapot is perfect for that one of a kind find that's actually functional!  The Owlet Teapot is one item that anyone would be envious to have.  The neutral, subdued colors with the painted and carved owl bring this piece alive.  Adding in the ornamental owl on the top brings this teapot to the height of tea pot selection.  This would be one teapot you'd always want to have around.

To admire this piece along with Nancys' other works and the other amazing artists come visit us and don't forget about our wonderful coffee shop! Definitely worth the trip out to us!

Wilbur Hosler

Wilbur was born and raised in Lancaster County, PA.  He was an auctioneer in that area for 20 years.  Then, he entered pastoral ministry, served as a pastor in Ohio for nine years, and then moved to Indiana County.  He served in the ministry in Penn Run for 17 years.  Upon retirement, he moved to Clymer and set up a wood working shop.  He’s a member of the Indiana Wood Turners Associated.  Wilbur often drops his own trees, have them sawed and then air-dried.  He enjoys turning and making small furniture. 

Wilbur Hosler

Sapwood/Hard Maple Burl Bowl

Wood Turning

$95.00

Wilbur's passion and talent always come out in his wood turning.  This Sapwood and Hard Maple bowl puts a great spin to the classic wooden bowl.  Polished to perfection and with its immaculate shape makes this one piece to be desired.  Organic grain lines carry this piece as a whole and makes this even more aesthetically appealing to the eye.  Any of Wilbur's wood pieces would make a great addition to any home, but particularly this one.

Come on out to check out Wilbur and the other artists' work in the gallery while enjoying a cup of coffee from our espresso bar, it won't be a disappointment!

Victoria Dicken

Victoria Dicken, a native of Indiana County graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh with an Associate's Degree in Graphic Design.  She has been in the photographic industry for 20 years and has traveled the world teaching photographers and retouchers the art of digital retouching and illustration.  She presently lives in Northern Indiana County with her husband and three boys.  The beauty of her farm and fiber related prints, note cards and bookmarks shouldn't be missed.

Breezedale
Photo Illustration
$200.00

Victoria has taken photography illustration to a whole new level with this piece.  The manipulation of the colors in a sepia tone is what makes this work exceptional.  The content, design, color and angle makes me want to go back to the days of the 1860's when the building was built.  This would make a great addition to anyone's home who loves that old-time feel or wants a piece of  Indiana University of Pennsylvania history. 

Look at this work representing history along with many other great pieces in the Gallery along with our great treats and delicious coffee made by our very own baristas!

Coming Up In October

 Fall officially arrives on Sunday and we are looking to October. We have a full line up for our Friday Night music hours, classes for kids of all ages, and Homecoming!

• Live Music Friday Nights 
• October 4; Perennial favorite Al Craige plays for the Potters Tour Opening
• October 11; Brad Yoder, for an Encore visit from Pittsburgh Come listen to some great acoustic originals
• October 18; Unplugged - WIUPFM acoustic hour
• TBA; we're talking to a local folk group STAY TUNED

• Events
• Friday, October 4, 6-8 Potters Tour Exhibition Opening
• 
  
• Saturday, October 5, 6-8 - Book Signing with Bob Santos
• Champions in the Wilderness: Fifty-Two Devotional Readings to Guide and Strengthen Emerging Overcomers, by Bob Santos.  Bob Santos has written Champions in the Wlderness based on his own experience of finding God near during seasons when He felt so distant.
• Saturday & Sunday, October 19 & 20, 10-5 - The Potters Tour 
• Pick up a map at the Gallery and take a tour of Indiana County while visiting the studios of 11 local potters and guests.

• Classes
• Children's Make & Take Workshops, Saturdays 10-11:30 & 12-1:30
• Cost $20 per child
• Thursday, October 10 6-8: Eat, Drink, Be Creative with Barb Kubala
• Bring some snacks and a bottle of your favorite beverage and paint a seascape with Barb.
• Cost $40 per person
• Saturday, October 12, 3-5: Photography for Beginners with Ron Juliette
• What is an F:stop and Why Should I Care?
• Bring a camera and learn the basics of photography
• Cost $35 per person

All registration information is available on our website www.theartistshandgallery.com

October is a great time to stop in for a latte or tea at our full service espresso bar.

And don't forget we have great art for sale by local artists!

           

Kaoru Tohara

Kaoru has been teaching photography courses at Pittsburgh Filmmakers and The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, and exhibiting nationally as well as internationally, which includes Tokyo, Canada, and Sweden.  His photographs are silver gelatin prints and archival inkjet prints.  He works in clay and modeling, which he had learned before coming to the United States.

Kaoru Tohara
Tea Pots, Green
$200.00

Kaorus work is an inspiration.  His Tea Pots are an understatement to beauty that combines function with creation.  The details of the decoration to the simplicity of the form makes this tea pot very desirable. Making this item a find and a work of art! Combining the ceramic clay glazed with a serene green color and the copper metal handle makes this all the more unique and beautiful.  A great piece for any kind of decor, this will be the focal point in any household.

Speaking of tea pots we have delicious tea and coffee at our amazing espresso bar! Come and let one of our baristas make you a cup while you look at all of our fantastic pieces of art!

Gregory Jones

...Ansell Adams
Gregory can remember reading this many years ago and how it touched upon what he was trying to convey with his photography.  From the first session in his dark room he built in the basement of his home in the early 70's he knew this would be a love that would last for his lifetime.  He remembers the first image he developed and still looks at that picture after all these years for inspiration.  The guidance he received from his stepfather who was a professional photographer was invaluable. 
Two years ago he retired after 38 years at Indiana Regional Medical Center and is now pursuing landscape and nature photography on a full time basis with his studio located in his home where he does all of his post-production editing, matting and framing.  
When not pursuing the perfect photograph he enjoys gardening, landscaping and riding his motorcycle.  He also works out to stay in shape for those long days on the trail photographing.  
The scenery in Pennsylvania offers much for the photographer to build their craft upon.  At this time, this is the place he is meant to be to develop his craft.

McConnells Mills State Park

Photography

$150.00

At first glance I wasn't sure if this was a painting or photograph.  It is in fact photography.  The image itself looks surreal and as if it's out of a story book.  With it's composition and glorious setting and mysterious qualities who wouldn't want to jump right into this photo? Imagination in hand, you could be anywhere at anytime in this photo and be anyone you'd want to be; the possibilities are endless in this magical work.  From the structure its self, to the hidden spot the photograph is taken from, you can see the detail to getting just the right angle to produce such a grand photograph.  Gregory really knows how to capture what people want and we want more of these fantastic photos!

Come visit us at the Artists Hand and enjoy a cup of coffee from out baristas at the espresso bar, it's definitely worth it!

Lora Marsh

Lora Marsh was born and raised in the small coal-mining town of Windber, PA.  She discovered a passion for art at an early age.  As a small child she remembers creating art at home and then putting it in old frames to hang in her room.  The passion continued through high school where she couldn't seem to find enough time to get to the art room.  There, Lora worked on several school murals and was encouraged by her high school art teacher, Mr. Lambert to pursue a career in art.  After high school, she studied art at Carlow College in Pittsburgh, PA and Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she received a Bachelor's degree in Art Education.  Since then Lora has found plenty of time to be in the art room teaching art at United Jr./Sr. high school and of this year at United Elementary School.  Outside the classroom, Lora is a painter.  She loves working in oils and usually works out of her home studio.

Stormy Sea
Acrylic on Canvas
$400.00

Lora's work entitled "Stormy Sea" instantly makes you rethink life on land.  Seeing the depth and beauty in a painting such as this one makes you believe you're surrounded by the sea. Stormy Sea will make you rethink the saying "after every storm the sun will smile.." This painting really takes that quote and challenges it at a whole other level.  The lighthouse draws your eye into the painting and pulls your attention forward.  The view Lora has captured makes it hard to look away, perfecting the hidden beauty of a storm. This impressive monochromatic painting will make everyone passing by stop to take another look. 

Come to the Artists Hand and check out Lora and many other local artists work, while having a fresh cup of coffee brewed by our own fantastic baristas!

Sandy Pembleton

Sandy Pembleton is from the Indiana area and has been working in stain glass going on 25 years.  She has retired from IUP where she worked for 23 and a half years and also received her BA degree.  She started in glass work when she took classes at Mr. Croup's shop back in 1991.  She started out doing small pieces to hang in windows (sun catchers); then she was asked to do a leaded window.  Now she does whatever someone would like to commission.  She has made pieces that have gone into kitchen cabinets, window inserts for a bathroom and den windows, and a piece to be put in a gun cabinet. 

Bubbles #1
Stained Glass
$175.00

Sandy's piece "Bubbles" make you believe that you are under the Ocean.  This stained glass piece would be a great addition to anyone's home, nautical or not. The use of glass and wood versus color and texture make this item dynamic and gives the illusion of movement.  Her use of all things round intrigue the viewer into thinking that this is more than just a hanging art piece; it's a limitless piece, sure to get your imagination flowing.

Be sure to come into the Artists Hand to grab a cup of coffee and look at all the wonderful works we have in the Gallery!

Why Buy Art?

    Why buy art when there are so many other things we need? And who says we don't need art? I have collected a few stories about buying art over the the years, and today I'd like to share my favorite one to date. 

I recently opened an e-mail titled "One More Cord- Worthington, PA" by Harold Miller .  It read, "I would like to purchase the above named painting, I believe the price is $450 framed. Could you please advise me on how to best do so, I'm currently in Medicine Lake, Montana." I responded with the typical answer telling the gentleman how to reach me and the methods of payment available. He called that afternoon, and in the course of our conversation I learned his remarkable story. First I learned that he wasn't sure where the Gallery is located and that he hadn't been in Indiana in about a year and a half. Well, that made me a little curious as to how he knew about this particular painting, which is currently part of a solo show by Harold K. Miller at the Artists Hand.  So I asked. And with his permission I'll let him tell his story in his own words. . . .

Dear Mr. Miller,

My family has been in that general area of Armstrong County since the 1790"s, and I just moved to Montana, the whole process from applying to the school for an English teaching post, to being interviewed, hired, and leaving took less than a week.  I arrived at Medicine Lake with only two days to ready myself for my students. In the process I was going to use a power point lecture with a section for us to introduce ourselves to one another. I went to Google to do an image search for Worthington, Pennsylvania when a lovely painting of my great and grandparents farm popped up. My heart stopped and I broke down. I've lived in western Pennsylvania for all of my life and had never possessed a desire to leave, but teaching jobs are nigh on impossible to find, so for the good of my family I headed west. So here I am on the great plains, thirty minutes from Canada and three days from hearth and home. I called my wife and begged her if I could select my Christmas present now, and have just concluded the purchase, after teaching today, with the gallery.

Your painting will be a treasured heirloom for us, and a warm (or should I say cold) reminder of my life now behind . . .

The house and barn were both built by my great grandfather and replaced the older structures.  And the little church in the distant background is Franklin Union Baptist, which my g-g-g-g-great grandfather, John Claypoole, helped found in 1846, so every stroke of your work has deep meaning for me. The farm now belongs to a cousin, Ray Claypoole, and happily he still farms it with care and due diligence.

My heartfelt thanks, God Bless,

Eric Cook

Time and time again I have learned that we buy art because it causes something in us to be touched. Something deep down that moves us at the core of our being. Whether it's a touch of home or something equally archetypal it completes something within. Mr. Cook was not just moved by the familiarity of the image, but by the fact that another person saw and treasured what he sees and treasures in that place. And that person's hand, in this case Harold Miller, is part of the story. I asked Eric Cook if I could share his story because everyone who has heard it has been moved by it, maybe because we've all been homesick at one time or another.

To buy an artwork is to make an investment in yourself. To own something unique that brings you joy. I have many more stories of finding the perfect image or object. And a few about missed opportunities. Each one has a very human element, a very human emotion. Thank you Eric Cook for sharing your story and thank you Harold Miller for sharing your love of our local landscape.

Daria Varner

Daria T. Varner graduated from IUP in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science in Art Education. She then became an elementary art teacher in the Quaker Valley School District. After the first of her four children was born, she retired from her teaching profession. Daria has successfully displayed her oils, acrylics, and watercolors in many of the shows presented by the Indiana Art Association. Her travels to Europe, the Middle East, and the Caribbean have influenced her original pieces of art. She is also a gifted calligrapher, having been the window designer for Luxenberg's Jewelry store for more than 30 years, and taught calligraphy to several classes of adult students.

Spring Morning
Watercolor Collage
$150.00

Daria's watercolor collage pieces will add contemporary flair to your home or collection. The artist has a clear connection to her material of choice, gracefully placing and manipulating fibers in a natural way. The piece above, Spring Morning, is a starburst of information, from the colors and patterns of the paper, to the textures and delicate fibers. Her collages will certainly capture your interest, making you ask questions and wonder - a quintessential aspect of contemporary art. Daria's work is not the type to be glanced over.

Come and see Daria Varner's work, along with the work of over 60 other local artists...and why not try a new flavor of Italian soda from our espresso bar while you're here? Enjoy your last couple of weeks in August by visiting us here at the Artists Hand!

Linda Strawcutter

Linda Strawcutter has been making jewelry for five years. She enjoys using all different kinds of media for her creations: beads, wire, clay, and old vintage beads and jewelry. She has taught beading at a local store and in her home and has given private lessons. She also enjoys making photo mosaics, oil painting, and watercolors and loves trying new art media when she gets the opportunity.

"Sea Drop" necklace and earrings
$55.00

"Golden Sea" bracelet and earrings
$35.00

Linda's pieces call to mind the exquisite beauty of nature. From the unique shell-like beads to the coordinated color schemes, she is clearly in tune with the earth around her. Her work should remind you of at least one of the places you've been in your life. She has several jewelry pieces and sets for sale here in the gallery, in a variety of colors and materials. We are also offering a mix and match deal for her smaller beaded bracelets ($8 per bracelet of $21 for a set of 3 bracelets).
Be sure to stop into the gallery to see (and try on?) her work in person!

Harold K. Miller

Harold K. Miller, born in 1950, grew up in southern New Jersey. He attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, earning a B.A. in Art in 1972 and a Masters in Printmaking and Education in 1975.

After surviving 32 years in the Pennsylvania public school system, Harold retired in 2006 and began painting full time. Beginning with small plein-air studies, he gradually moved on to larger studio paintings. Of particular interest is a series depicting the farm structures on the Gettysburg battlefield.

Harold resides in Indiana, Pennsylvania with his wife Susan and has been influenced by the work of Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer, N.C. and Andrew Wyeth, and Sidney Laurence.

Corn Stubble - Penn Runn, PA
Oil on linen
$850.00

Reflections and Planes II
Stone Lithograph
$200.00

Harold K. Miller's show, The Eastern Farm: Simple Shapes and Functional Beauty, is currently on display in the gallery. Contained within is a collection of oil paintings shedding light on farm landscapes across various locations in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Also displayed are stone lithographs, which add a unique commentary next to the more traditional subject matter, reinforcing the common thread of simple shapes. Miller's graphic design background echoes throughout his paintings. Geometric shapes are bluntly placed to comprise barns, houses, fields and architecture. Lines and outlines are cut into the thick layers of paint to add more definition. Another impressive feat is the diversity of subject matter within a narrow scope. Cloudy days, dreary evenings, and all seasons are well represented.

Please stop in and see Harold's show, now hanging until August 31! An opening reception will be held on Friday, August 9, from 6-8pm. 

August at the Artists Hand

This eventful summer is not over yet! This August we have a show by Harold Miller gracing our walls and great music for you every Friday night. Downtown Indiana is alive with art and music and we've got quite a showcase here at the Artists Hand this month.



Featured Exhibit
Harold Miller
The Eastern Farm: Simple Shapes and Functional Beauty
August 6-August 31, 2013
Opening Reception: Friday, August 9, 6-8pm

Friday Nights
August 2, 6-8pm: Steve Grace, acoustic guitar
August 16, 6-8pm: David Coffey, acoustic guitar
August 23, 6-8pm: Jim Holmes, acoustic guitar
August 30, 6-8pm: Al Craige, jazz guitar

Other Events
August 15, 4-7pm: The Gap Ministry Music Night
August 29, 5-7pm: Love of Life Event

We hope you decide to join us in all the fun!

Linda van Gehuchten

Linda van Gehuchten first came to Indiana in 1992. She is a wood turner out of Sarver, Pennsylvania, and also a teacher. She teaches her art to interested artists through the Indiana Council for the Arts. She enjoys working with wood and has an incredibly talented way of manipulating it, to make everything from mirrors to clocks, all of which turn out looking spectacular. Linda prefers to work alone but sometimes uses her husband to help with some of her projects.

Bottle Stoppers
$30.00

Chess Board
Inlaid Wood
$300.00

Linda's pieces are timeless examples of the blurred line between function and form, proving that usable pieces can also be aesthetically intriguing. Along with the bottle stoppers and chess board above, Linda has also shared with us some elegant cutting boards and mirrors. Linda's bottle stoppers are a hit among our visitors, impressed with the unique patterns and tones of the wood. Often our patrons will also take a seat and enjoy playing chess with stunning handmade pieces, an experience that enriches the game. By using art in our every day lives, we make the choice to enrich our days with culture and beauty.

Patrick McKelvey

Patrick McKelvey grew up in Indiana, lived in southern Virginia for about 20 years, and then returned to Indiana where he has been doing artwork on and off for the last couple decades. He likes to draw and paint from life and from memory or imagination. The mountains, streams, farms and fields, the people and the houses, the skies, seasons, even the weeds he finds very appealing. Some paintings are done on location, some are based on photographs, while others are complete inventions done in the studio.
He's been doodling and sketching as long as he can remember. In the mid 70's he attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia for two semesters. Prior to that time he worked primarily in pencil, pen and ink, and watercolor. After the Academy he worked almost exclusively in oil, with an occasional pencil drawing now and then.

Country House and Barn
Oil
$390.00

Dead Tree
Oil
$390.00

If you grew up in a rural area, Patrick's work will hit a chord with you. His pieces are embedded with a nostalgic feeling of "home," from the rustic subject matter, to the color saturation, to the frames that surround the painting itself. Even in Dead Tree, a subject which would traditionally warrant a drab color scheme, Patrick commits to the enhanced saturation levels that seem to define his work here in the gallery. The colors glorify the nature that the artist finds so close to his heart.
Stop by the gallery next time you're downtown to see the work of Patrick McKelvey and over 60 other local artists!

John Eyler

John is a Pennsylvania born artist with a knack for paper folding. His friends know him as "Paper John" or "Origami John." When he was ten years old, he learned how to make a flapping bird. Then in 1992, his sister bought him a book of basic origami. He's been collecting origami books ever since.
He's donated two mobiles, one to the Indiana Free Library and one to ICW vocational services. Recently he completed his goal of a 100 piece mobile. He strives for variety in what he does. Learning a new piece is always exciting! He wishes to thank everyone who gave him books, sold him books, and people who encouraged him through the years.

Animal Kingdom
$300.00

John's piece, Animal Kingdom, is a 100 piece origami mobile spanning approx. 3 feet in length.Using pipe cleaners and string as the main suspension rig, John created a charming display of familiar animals, dinosaurs, and some fantasy animals as well. At face value, the mobile is a fun and colorful piece that catches the eyes of many gallery visitors, but it really takes a closer look to appreciate the effort, craftsmanship, and creativity that went into the piece. Each animal is brought to life by John's methodical selection of colored and patterned paper, drawn-on facial features, and positioning on the mobile. Fish swim together at the bottom of the piece, while birds fly closer to the top. 

There is so much more to see than what is pictured here. Finding your way through his maze of animals, you will discover a kangaroo, skunk, flamingo, elephant, owl, whale, and even a flying dragon. But the only way to experience the wonder of his work is to stop in the gallery and see for yourself! Bring the kids along and come see this small zoo that's housed within our gallery walls.

Fred Hummel

Fred has been specializing in box making since 1990, having been captivated by the unique characteristics of boxes which offer, first, a beauty in and of themselves, followed closely by the insuppressible desire and anticipation of the first opening to reveal a world unto their own. He works with different types of wood and designs in varying degrees of complexity. In the mid 1990s, Fred studied with Wayne Barton, world renowned chip-carver and founder of the Alpine School of Wood Carving. Since then, Fred has been featuring chip-carved boxes made from slow growth Basswood.
Fred is a criminal defense attorney who resides in Indiana, PA with his wife Carol.

Octagon Chip Carved
$300.00

Curly Maple
$450.00

It goes without saying that craftsmanship is something that Fred is both trained and naturally gifted in. Along with this trait, he has an eye for design, transforming natural materials into tightly executed, inorganic shapes. Symmetry and simplicity are principles that define Fred's work. His chip-carved  boxes, as seen in the top photo, carry designs that are created by hand, using a knife or chisel to remove small chips from a flat piece of wood. The designs seem so pristine, it is hard to believe they are cut by hand. But if you look closely you can see small incision marks that give the piece a beautiful character. Fred's Curly Maple piece garners several comments from gallery visitors, remarking on it's stunning sheen. So if you're looking for a vessel to keep your treasures in, stop by the gallery and peruse our collection of Fred Hummel's boxes.

Summer is in full bloom here in Indiana, PA. It's always a great day to come out and visit your all-local art gallery!

Become an Art Maker

We'd like to introduce a new activity here at the Gallery, our "Make It By Hand " station in the Studio. 

When you stop in to the gallery, wander into the back of the space and you will find the above tri-board, and some art materials. Take a minute and play. Paint, build, weave, glue or whatever there is there calling you to take a step and make something of your own. 

This month to celebrate the work of Bill Perry, our solo exhibition, we have a little watercolor station set up. There will be water and paper available, just dip a brush into the water, rub over the surface of the watercolor pad in whatever color is you favorite and get to work, there are no mistakes and you can't make a bad painting. Remember this all about having fun making art. CHILDREN OF ALL AGES WELCOME!

Come in often and make your own statement!

Barbara Pennington

Barbara graduated from Moore College of Art with a BFA in Illustration in 1970. Then she did two internships. One was creating newspaper ads for the theaters in the round like Westbury Music Fair (owned by Barbara Walters' husband, Shelly Gross). The second was illustrating words for students at Philadelphia College for the Deaf.

She became the art director for an advertising agency, Aitken Kynett. Later she became the art director for Visual Communications, an exhibition company. Here she oversaw the production of the artwork and graphics for exhibits up to 3 stories tall.

When she moved back to this area she saw some wire art and decided that she could do it and love it, so she did. She maintains an art studio here in Indiana on the third floor of 647 Philadelphia Street. This is where she creates her free foam sculptures.

Enamel on copper
$25.00

Enamel on copper wrap
$38.00

Now practicing the art of jewelry, Barb has many pieces here in the gallery's display cases. She manipulates wire into organic, yet often recognizable forms. Music lovers would surely enjoy her pair of treble clef and music note earrings, as well as a necklace with music note charms. She uses the wire not only as a design element, but as a functional piece of the jewelry. For example, the red wire necklace shown above employs beautifully coiled wire as a means to hold the pendant to the strand, and even to clasp the necklace in the back, a unique feature that is sure to garner a lot of attention. Another note about Barb's work is her tactful use of color. Combining earth tones with pops of richer colors, she creates a more dynamic composition. Barb has a multitude of unique hand-crafted items in the gallery for you to choose from. Whether you're planning to give someone a thoughtful and personal gift or simply want to sport a statement piece for yourself, Barb's pieces are a sure to satisfy.

Stop into the Artists Hand Gallery and Espresso Bar to see Barb's work, along with the work of other talented local artists, in person!