Janet Runyan

Janet has a degree in fine arts from IUP where she studied ceramics with Frank Ross. She has taken a number of graduate classes from Donn Hedman, who has greatly influenced and encouraged her sculptural work. For the past 18 years Janet has taught art in the Marion Center Area School District; her young students have inspired an imaginative spirit in her work. She enjoys using clay to relate subtle commentary to issues that defy resolution. Most of her favorite pieces are hand-built sculptures, she also creates functional ware. Her sculptures are a combination of commentary and whimsy. Her evolving "Rabbit Wars Series" makes no direct statement, but asks you to consider the absurdity of war. Janet uses a comedic approach when coming up with new work. She uses social issues as inspiration for her sculptures. The subject matter of her work helps with the raw feel of the sculptures. She uses a glaze to give the pieces an abstracted 3 dimensional texture. You can catch Janet in our upcoming Potters Tour and she will be in our upcoming show on October 10th here at The Artist Hand.

Tracy Hibsman

Tracy Hibsman

Although she has lived in Indiana for a short time, it has quickly become her home. She loves the people and the pace of life. The plants and animals in the surrounding woods provide her with a beautiful source of inspiration. Her goal is to design jewelry that touches the soul and encourages the wearer to explore life's deeper meanings. She uses symbolism and Bible verses to make her work deeply meaningful.

Her work has a unique continuity that gives a very simplistic feel to even more complex designs. Her Bangles have a rough yet organic form that flows well across the pieces. Much of her work is in a very free-flowing organic form that can be seen as a continuation of her devotion to her work. Based on Bible verse and including a bit of heart and soul in each piece, you can almost feel the amount of love incorporated in each piece when you wear it. 

Barb Kubala

Barb is a retiree of the Indiana Area School District and has been active in the community for many years. As a fiber artist Barb has practiced many different forms of woven techniques, all of which are a stunning display of her talents. Much of her work is done as pin weaving which gives her the flexibility to weave any shape that she draws. Her use of simple non-organic shape is a constant in all of her work, whether it is a wall hanging, a neck piece, or a jacket. 

As a current student of Fiber Arts, I am enthralled by the piece to the left. The piece on the left uses a multitude of processes that include weaving, felting and knitting. The work Barb Kubala does is that of sheer imagination. One of the more enticing aspects of her pieces are the small finite weavings that come together to create a primordial texture. Many of her pieces come out of the picture plane to create 3 dimensional texture. The 3 dimensional appeal attracts your eyes in such a way that, you can observe the image from many different angles and see something new every time. The random placement of materials gives her pieces unity and balance. I am greatly inspired by her work and cannot wait to see what she has in store for us next. 

Barb is one of 56 exceptional artists who showcase their work here at the Artists Hand. Stop by the Artists Hand on 732 Philadelphia Street, Indiana PA Tuesday through Saturday for coffee and a great time. 

Nancy Laird

Nancy is a Punxsutawney, PA, native but has hailed from Indiana, PA, since college days beginning in 1955. She is a member of the Indiana Art Association, The Punxsutawney Art Association and The Indiana Arts Council in PA, and the Dare County Arts Council in NC. Her medium is photography and she encompasses beautiful works of art by capturing nature in its most raw form and by showcasing man-made spectacles as an abstracted surreal futuristic setting.

Her work really shows a compliment of background and foreground. It makes me wonder how long she had to search the area looking for the perfect shot. Many think that photography is simply pointing a camera and capturing an image but that is not at all the case. To simplify such a unique art form is such an absurd way to grasp just how magnificent a medium this is. 

As a fan of photography I can tell Nancy has put some serious time and effort into her work. 

I can tell she uses just her eyes to capture nature and its purity. The way the composition allows you to follow the flow of the piece creates a sort of synergy that gives you a sense of euphoria. Her eyes are her real talent not the camera. It takes a sort of skill to see the world through her lens. I'd love to understand how creates this wonder works of art.

Stop in to the gallery, Tuesday through Saturday, and see Nancy's photography and many other excellent works by local artists

Becky Solar

"Growing up in Indiana County, as the daughter of a coal-minor, and one of 9 children, supplies were limited. We painted with watercolors on the ends of newsprint rolls from the Gazette; and if there were no water colors, with crayons, pencils or anything else we could find."

Above is an excerpt from her bio card in our gallery and I must say her style of art is quite wonderful. The collage pieces she assembles each tell a story. A story that can be interpreted in many differing ways. The one thing that attracted me most about the work is her many contrasting colors and contour line throughout her pieces. 

As the new intern here in the Artist Hand, I can say that a lot of the artwork I will encounter will speak to and through me. The work displayed here is absolutely stunning. I myself have talent but not anywhere close to those such as Becky Solar. I greatly advise people to check out her work.