Tell us about your artwork.
I’m Jane Welles. I paint landscapes in oil and sometimes gouache. I get inspired by painting outside, setting up my easel on the spot, plein air. I like to do small studies on location and if they have potential, I will do a larger version in the studio.

Describe how art is important to society.
For me, as a landscape painter, it is important that art makes a connection for people with the outdoors. Studies have shown that being in touch with nature is beneficial for people’s mental health and well-being. There is beauty all around and paintings can definitely display that.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I am an artist who takes her work seriously and I am constantly trying to grow and learn. Painting for me is a form of expression of how I feel about the landscape. It is a lifelong journey, I have so many things I want to paint, and I wake up every day looking forward to what I will get to create.

Has your style changed over time?
My style has gotten looser over time. I started in watercolor, but I wasn’t entirely happy with it because I felt I was painting like the old paint by number kits. I have worked with pastels which I liked most because of the richness of the color. But I like painting in oil overall the best because of the color and texture it offers.

Describe your dream project.
A dream project would be to open a gallery in Carmel or Montana, or on a smaller scale, do a painting for the White House Christmas card.

What superpower would you have and why?
I would love to be able to fly, it would be so fun to watch my shadow skimming along over the ground! Also, I could fly into remote locations to paint.

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Read Jane’s previous interview here.

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Tell us about your artwork.
I’m Judy Butler and I create whimsical fused glass. It frequently includes animals in whimsical situations.

Describe how art is important to society.
Art is the essence of a society. Without Art there can be no society. It helps us understand who we are and provides context.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I am a full-time artist. My primary medium is fused glass, but I also love painting on glass with enamels- which is then fused into the glass. Working with glass is my passion.

Has your style changed over time?
Initially I created plates and more functional items, however I have gravitated towards creating images with animals. When I look at my early work, I am also aware that it has become more refined.

Describe your dream project.
I would love to do more art for hospitals. I imagine people being able to smile when they see my work – even when they are in a challenging situation.

What superpower would you have and why?
I do have a superpower – it is being able to make people smile when they see my fused glass.

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Read Judy’s previous interview here.

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Tell us about your artwork.
My name is Therese May.  My art is Handwoven Textiles: Original wall hangings, table runners, scarves, shawls, baby blankets and dishtowels.

Describe how art is important to society.
Art inspires creativity in the artist as well as in society. It can arouse joy and move the viewer to tears, so ultimately art can touch people emotionally. It helps us expand our world view, community engagement and cultural competence.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I am passionate about fiber, color and merging them into something special that a customer values and enjoys. I pursue new ideas by taking classes, learning from other weavers and piling my yarn into mounds to decide on colors and patterns. I stay curious.

Has your style changed over time?
My first projects were hilarious. Too much yarn, not enough, miscalculations and projects that were discarded. After weaving for 25 years my math skills have improved, my color theory is more coherent, and my enjoyment has increased.

Describe your dream project.
My dream project is one that I love and has no mistakes!

What superpower would you have and why?
I need a superpower to help me with winding the warp and threading the loom because those are the aspects of weaving that are the most time consuming.

Tell us about your artwork.
Hi, I’m Stacey Lamothe. I love narrative pieces, some things that tells a story. It’s not the same story for everyone. It surprises me when a client tells me why they love their piece and what story it tells them and it’s different than my version. I love that! I like texture, abstract, yoga, nature, plants and animals. These all inspire my art. I also delight in putting text on pendant backs and inside band rings. It’s like a little surprise, mantra or vibe that makes everything more special ❤️

Describe how art is important to society.
My work is uplifting and comforting. It is meant to be a talisman that inspires hope, humor, joy and/or goodness to the wearer. It can also be a connection for like-minded individuals.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I am a positive and heart minded woman who looks for beauty in ANYthing. I can’t walk across the yard without tripping on an epiphany 😉 I love humorous and positive quotes/mantras and I incorporate them into much of my work.

Has your style changed over time?
I no longer allow sales to dictate my style. I have spent years honing my craft. I learn through doing and sometimes by lucky accidents. I know my groove, have my tribe and happily create my art to bring joy.

Describe your dream project.
I am pretty much living my dream. Most days I walk across the driveway to work in my happy place (studio)💓 Every thank you note/text/email I get from customers lets me know I’m on the right track.

What superpower would you have and why?
I would like to be a better listener. I think it would make me a better human.

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Read Stacey’s previous interview here.

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Tell us about your artwork.
Hi, I’m Meg. I am a jeweler and work with sterling silver, gold (primarily as accents), gold-filled and other metals. I enjoy using all sorts of gemstones.

Describe how art is important to society.
Art invokes feelings of all sorts. I believe it helps people enjoy things as well as think about things. Art brings a lot of joy to people every day.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I really love making jewelry and playing with metal and stones. I sometimes lose myself in the process. While I did not think of myself as an artist for many years, belonging to the Auburn Gallery has helped me realize that I have a lot to offer.

Has your style changed over time?
Last month I sized an opal ring that I had made years ago for a client. Surprisingly, I couldn’t even remember making it, although I knew it was my work without a doubt. So, yes, it has.

Describe your dream project.
To make pieces with even more gemstones in them.

What superpower would you have and why?
I would love to be able to magically clean and polish my jewelry pieces without getting my hands dirty in the process. Oh, and that power just might include setting the stones magically, too.

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Read Meg’s previous interview here.

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Tell us about your artwork.
Hi, I’m Doug Parks.  I am a fine art landscape photographer. I work in the digital space but made my start in the film days. I started in photography in my early years. I became more involved in the photographic world when I became a camera repairman. I then branched out to camera sales and printing.

Describe how art is important to society.
Photography can capture time unlike any other media. Landscape images can be used to show the effects of climate change and document the other changes in our natural world.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I am an artist that works with a purpose. There have been many changes in the photographic world and you must constantly examine where you are and adapt to those changes.

Has your style changed over time?
As one who started in film, and primarily black and white, digital has completely changed how I approach my work. I constantly make verbal and written notes when on location so that I do not need to rely on memory when post processing my digital images. In this way I can ensure that what I felt, saw, smelled and experienced comes out in my final image.

Describe your dream project.
I would love to be able to teach photography to children to give them the feeling of time since they really have no concept when young.

What superpower would you have and why?
Patience. Something you must have in the landscape if you want to make images that speak.

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Read Doug’s previous interview here.

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