Tell us about your artwork.
Hi, I’m Sandy Lindbland, I love to create colorful, expressionistic pet portraits using acrylic and pastel and impressionistic type landscapes.

Describe how art is important to society.
Lots of times folks contact me to create a custom commission of their pets, as I catch the feeling of their animals’ personality!

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I am an outgoing artist looking for cool subjects to paint that capture the light.

Has your style changed over time?
Yes . . . more colorful, and more lively.

Describe your dream project.
Creating a really large painting!

What superpower would you have and why?
Working with vibrant colors to create living things!

___________

Read Sandy’s previous interview here.
___________

Tell us about your artwork.
I’m Ann Ranlett. I create highly detailed drawings in scratchboard. I explain the scratchboard technique as “drawing white with a knife”. I use a commercially prepared board (Ampersand brand) that has a sturdy archival base, a white clay layer and a black top layer. I scratch through the black with an X-acto knife to reveal the white, using a variety of stroke widths and lengths to create textures and values. After I complete the scratching, I can add color or shades of grey with watercolor and/or ink.

Describe how art is important to society.
Art gives people a break. When someone looks at a piece of art, for that time, whatever may be on their mind is secondary. They can be transported to another place, they can personally relate to the subject, they can wonder what the artist was thinking. As an artist, it gives me a break too – when I’m creating, I’m focused on the process and my knowledge of the subject, nothing else.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I’m very technical. I may have an emotional connection to the subject, but the process is entirely about creating an image with my technical skills.

Has your style changed over time?
Yes, my scratchboard work is more detailed than when I first began focusing on it as my primary medium. I’ve been using color on my scratchboards for a while now, but I didn’t in the earlier days.

Describe your dream project.
To create a series of African animal drawings based on my own photos taken on safari. I have yet to travel to Africa, so that’s a pretty tall order (giraffe reference: intentional).

What superpower would you have and why?
I’d like the power of invisibility. It would be fascinating to go out and about and see things without the influence of my presence.

___________

Read Ann’s previous interview here.
___________

Tell us about your artwork.
Hi, I’m Linda Miller. I use acrylic paints to create detailed, colorful, realistic (sometimes exaggerated) images.

Describe how art is important to society.
We need to be reminded to focus on the profound wonder and exquisite beauty of the natural world.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I live to paint. For me, it is very much a meditation that brings me peace and happiness. I paint with the idea that improvement is a goal and always a possibility.

Has your style changed over time?
Yes. I have learned to add depth, detail, more color, and vibrancy to my work.

Describe your dream project.
To paint without a single thought of making a living, or of where the artwork(s) will end up.

What superpower would you have and why?
I’d pick something small like being able to create a peaceful, healthy planet.

___________

Read Linda’s previous interview here.
___________

Tell us about your artwork.
I’m Suzanne Hambleton. I create fine art photographic images of landscapes and tabletop still life. The genre that is displayed in the Auburn Old Town Gallery is tabletop still life photography. Most of the images are considered low key. I have been studying and creating this type of work for about six years.

Describe how art is important to society.
Art is important in several ways. It’s a tool for cultural exchange, it helps the artist and the viewer process emotions, it can show different perspectives. All these are important to society.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I am a storyteller. I strive to have an ability to tell a story with my art.

Has your style changed over time?
Yes, I started as a sports photographer, then I practiced my craft as a landscape photographer, and now I’m a still life and landscape fine art photographer.

Describe your dream project.
My dream job is to have an unlimited budget to create a still life of produce and flowers.

What superpower would you have and why?
I’d like to be able to stop wars and bring peace to the world. Wouldn’t that be lovely?

___________

Read Suzanne’s previous interview here.
___________

Tell us about your artwork.
Hi, I’m Stacy Pedri. My photography is mostly wildlife with a few added landscapes and rural treasurers.

Describe how art is important to society.
Our society is filled with art all around us. I feel Art usually relates to a time, memory or emotion for the viewer. It is important to convey these messages to our society.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I am a time and place artist. When I take the time to break out the camera, I can make any place my inspiration.

Has your style changed over time?
I have definitely become a better viewer of the area that surrounds me. I like to take time to look for the unusual however with wildlife it is often just being in the right time and place and observing their actions and behavior with patients.

Describe your dream project.
My dream project is to travel the USA with my hubby, our trailer and of course my camera.

What superpower would you have and why?
Time travel would be my superpower choice to be able to go back in time and or back to a specific moment.

___________

Read Stacy’s previous interview here.
___________

Tell us about your artwork.
I’m Louise McGowan Bezark. I take an often dirty and occasionally unattractive form (gourd) and work with it through techniques and tools to bring out the best of each unique set of qualities. Through the treatments and finishes on each piece, they are often mistaken for ceramic.

Describe how art is important to society.
Art can change our experience, it often brings forth emotions, enjoyment, and inspiration. Art helps us to connect, it promotes creativity and teaches us about things we have yet to experience. Art has the power to aid in our unity, to inform and expand our understanding of the world around is and Art has the power to expand our joy in life.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I would describe myself as a grateful artist. To have the time to create art is a huge gift and when I remember how happy I am making art that my collectors tell me is lovely to look at, that inspires me to continue. I would also describe myself as an artist that is present enough while using tools that could be hazardous to fingers and limbs, and at the same time, allowing my mind to take a few steps back from running the show. This dance is wonderful to experience, and it translates into the essence of my work.

Has your style changed over time?
The style of my work has changed over time, now I am much more willing to use color that I might not have been drawn to in the past. I have the sense that the lines of my work are even simpler than in previous phases. It feels as though my style changes with every new piece created, really.

Describe your dream project.
My dream project happens every time I allow my inner voice to be calm and quiet enough for each gourd to inform and guide my steps.

What superpower would you have and why?
My choice of superpowers would be to have the ability to reach into the core of every human so that each one feels seen and loved. That would change the world.

___________

Read Louise’s previous interview here.
___________