We have a winner......

Hey there. How have you been?

Just got back from the Maine holiday a couple of hours ago. Plum tuckered out but remembered pick a winner of Risa Tritabaugh's original painting, Among The Flowers.

Among The Flowers by Risa Tritabaugh

So, with help from random.org, the lucky winner is.....

Sarah  from Sadie Kate's Crafts & Such

Congrats, Sarah! I will contact you today with instructions for claiming your prize.

Many thanks to Risa for donating this wonderful prize! If you missed Risa's features earlier this month, be sure to check them out - click here for a studio tour & here for a visit with the artist.

Also thank you to all who took the time to leave a comment & enter this great giveaway. The next Thursday Giveaway will be announced on 8/26, with a random drawing held on 9/9. 

However, if you pop back before then I have a little something up my sleeve. It just might take me a couple of days to get it posted. 

'Tis my 18th Anniversary tomorrow (where did the time go?) so I may be a bit scarce this weekend. I'll catch up with you soon though.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!

Enter to win an original painting from Risa Tritabaugh - ends 8/12

 

Hello again. Where has the time gone? 

Is your summer flying by? Mine sure is. I almost can't believe it already time to announce a new Thursday Giveaway. (By the way, if you are looking for the 2 winners of Jacquelyn Berl's prints click here). 

The new prize has been generously donated by mixed media artist Risa Tritabaugh. Did you catch Risa's Studio Tour on this blog last Saturday? If not, go check it out. I'll wait for you....dum de dum...hmmm..mmmm..mmmm...

Risa in the studio

Now wasn't that fun? Great space, huh? Lucky for us Risa is back to share more of her art & thoughts. on creativity.... And she brought a new prize for the next random drawing!! On 8/12 one lucky winner will take home her original painting Among The Flowers. Giveaway & prize details are at the bottom of this post. 

For now, put your feet up & stay awhile. I've got AC and tall glasses of iced tea. So beat the heat and visit with Risa for a few minutes while I go scrounge up some cookies....

Time Flies by Risa Tritabaugh

RT: Four years ago I entered a new phase of my life. I was basically done raising my two children as a single parent. Young adults, my "children" were ready to branch out on their own. And after 20 years of being single, I was getting married...to a man that encouraged  me to pursue my art!

Risa's Studio

RT: My hubby and I rented an artist studio to share. For the first time in my life, I had a dedicated creative space–a space where I could make a mess and not have to put everything away after each work session! 

work in progress

RT: I started painting like crazy! I love going to my studio, putting on my music, and painting the day away. A lot of things have changed since I moved into that studio space–

RT: I’ve created lots of new works and have opened my studio to the public for several Art Crawls (open studio events). Currently I am participating in two art crawls each year, plus a monthly open studio event. I am also looking for opportunities to show my work at other venues.

Risa & her painting Force Of Nature featured on a magazine

RT: I am tackling new technology to promote my art--I have been writing a blog for several years now and love combining my love for writing and painting there. I opened an Etsy shop. I’m on Facebook and Twitter! I just created my own website, http://www.createdbyrisa.com !

RT: My hubby and I moved from our apartment into a nearby artist co-operative building. I have kept my Jax studio for painting and making messes, but also do some work in my new Tilsner space. We love living in the artist community of Lowertown St. Paul!

RT: Recently I was laid off from my job as a social worker and have decided to spend this summer painting. (Why not make lemonade out of lemons?!) Having the time to pursue my art full-time has allowed me to finish a lot of older pieces and start several new series.

works in progress

RT: I primarily work with acrylics on canvas, but have begun doing some mixed media work as well. My artwork explores many subject matters and themes, often drawing from my life experiences. Through my art I look at what is hard in life and what brings us beauty. I explore relationships and the forces that keep us going. I love using bold, intense colors (like those on my studio walls) and playing with texture. I hope my artwork reflects my passion and energy.

RT: My latest work has been focused more on the “what brings us beauty” part. My soul just needs that right now. I think the whole world needs that right now. 

works in progress

RT: When I found out that I might be laid off, I went into the studio and knew that I needed to paint hope. The Hope Garden series was born. I’ve started a new series that features more muted teals and purples, but also features flowers and birds. It is bringing me a sense of peace and calm in a world that feels a little crazy and uncertain.

Untitled by Risa Tritabaugh

 RT: I’m determined to continue making art and to share it with others. I turn 50 later this year–and that feels like a major milestone. I’ve reached that point in my life when it’s not too late to dream, but it is getting too late to put my dreams on hold. And I’ve decided to DREAM BIG.

Among The Flowers by Risa Tritabaugh

Risa, thanks so much for stopping by today and sharing your vibrant artwork! And thank you for donating your original painting, Among The Flowers to the next Thursday Giveaway on August 12th!

Dear Reader, thank you for visiting as well. If you have a moment, please leave Risa a comment & let her know what is on your mind. Your comment will also enter you in the random drawing for Among The Flowers, an acrylic painting on canvas This painting measures 8" x 10" and is signed by the artist.

To enter this random drawing, leave a comment on this blog before 1 a.m. (EST) on 8/12. The lucky winner will be selected using random.org. Prize ships free to winner. Please note this contest is open to USA addresses only.

Want to see more of Risa's studio and art? You can find her online:

Blog: http://www.createdbyrisa.blogspot.com 
Website: http://www.createdbyrisa.com 
Etsy: http://www.createdbyrisa.etsy.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/createdbyrisa
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/createdbyrisa

If you're in the St. Paul Minnesota area, and would like to attend one of the local gallery hops, drop Risa a note at any of the above locations. She'll let you know the next time her studio will be open to the public.

Studio Tour # 28 - Risa Tritabaugh

Hey There!  Ready to go? 

Today we're off to St. Paul, Minnesota to tour the vibrant art studio of painter/mixed media artist Risa Tritabaugh. Last May Risa gave us a sneak peek into her creative world in this Saturday post.

Risa's studio - all photos courtesy of Risa Tritabaugh

She is also featured in the Summer 2010 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors Studios Magazine.  A great issue by the way (which also happens to showcase a few other studios previously featured on this blog). 

Summer 2010 issue

I had the good fortune to meet Risa through the Melange Team on Etsy, a creative & supportive group of mixed media artists who sell their art online at Etsy.com. Yummy colors abound in both Risa's spirited artwork & wonderful studio! There is a cheerful energy in her rich pallet that always makes me smile.  Now I'm going to get out of the way so Risa can show you around her fun candy colored space - Enjoy!

Sunrise by Risa Tritabaugh

 RT: When I was planning to move in with my soon-to-be hubby nearly four years ago, we knew that we needed more space. There was just no way we were going to be able to combine two households into a 2-bedroom apartment. So we decided to rent an artist studio in our neighborhood. By renting and sharing a studio, we could resolve some of our space issues. My hubby could have his office there and I could have a place to paint. It sounded like a win-win situation.

RT: We made an appointment to look at a studio in the nearby Jax building. The Jax is a very old building, primarily filled with artist work studios. I had been to the Jax during a recent Art Crawl (open studio event) and loved the “feel” of the building. The building was a little rustic, but maybe because of that, it reminded me of my high school art classroom. It had great creative energy.

RT: We walked into the empty studio and I was immediately impressed with the amount of light pouring through the windows–something very important to a painter. It had great wall space with lots of opportunity for exhibiting artwork (including a little front entryway “gallery”). And finally, it had lots of storage space. When the landlord told us someone else was looking at it later that day, my hubby and I looked at each other and in unison said, “We’ll take it.”

Rebirth by Risa Tritabaugh

RT: Before we moved all our stuff in, we painted the space. It went from drab and dingy to bright and warm. I bought paint at a discount paint store where I could only buy one gallon of any particular color. I picked a few purplish-blues and two different tones of magenta–not what I would paint my home, but great for a creative space.  I have had many visitors on dreary, cold rainy days comment that the space really feels warm and inviting. 

RT: With paint on the walls, it was time to start putting paint on canvas. For the first time in my life, I had a dedicated creative space–a space where I could make a mess and not have to put everything away after each work session! I had raised my two children as a single parent, and having the time and space to make art was always a challenge. For years, my only work space was a corner of my bedroom or perhaps the dining room table.

Hope Garden (work in progress) by Risa Tritabaugh

RT: For me, it also works to have my painting space away from home. I can make a mess and not worry about it. When I go to the studio I escape the distractions at home. There's no t.v. or computer--just my stereo that plays music as I paint (and sometimes do a little dancing)! I have a wall of shelves that hold bins that organize my stuff and a large work table in the center of the room.
 

RT: The studio is my creative oasis away from home!

Thank you Risa for showing us around  your colorful world!  

And thanks to everyone who stopped by for today's tour. Please leave a comment & tell Risa what you think. It is your ongoing interest that keeps these tours coming! Also, if you like to  share your creative space, just drop me a comment or email (found in my profile).

Want to see more of Risa's work & world? Find her online 
Blog: http://www.createdbyrisa.blogspot.com 
Website: http://www.createdbyrisa.com 
Etsy: http://www.createdbyrisa.etsy.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/createdbyrisa
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/createdbyrisa

Risa returns Thursday to tell us a little more about herself & her work. She is also  donating an original painting for the next Thursday Giveaway. To find out more about this contest be sure to pop back here on 7/29.

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By the way, have you entered the current random drawing? On 7/29 two lucky winners will get their choice of prints from artist Jacquelyn Berl (a.k.a. Ascender Rises Above). Prints measure 11" x 17" each. Leave a comment on this blog before 1 a.m. (EST) on 7/29 to enter this random drawing. Click here to view prints to choose from & Click Here For Giveaway Details & an interview with Jacquelyn.

Studio Tour Sneak Peeks + A Great Giveaway

Welcome back to another Studio Tour Saturday!

How have you been this week?

I'm mixing things up a little today. Inspired by the Summer 2010 issue of Cloth Paper Scissors Studios Magazine, we're taking a quick peek at a few different spaces today.

(First we'll revisit 2 painters previously featured here on ArtSnark's. Then a sneak peek of 2 upcoming tours. Then we'll end with an announcement for a new random drawing.)


I was very excited to check out this edition of CPS Studios. I love peeking "behind the curtain" and this magazine features 30 studios over 148 pages. Now that is a lot of eye-candy!!

Also, several artists I've met through Etsy (and other online artsy venues) shared their creative spaces in this fun summer issue. Two have been featured on this blog before - Click any photo to revisit their tours:

Last summer we dropped in on Pam Carriker.

She had just given her studio a makeover using paint, 1 new chair, and items she already owned throughout her home.

What is Pam up to now? Her article Making Time For Studio Time can be found in CPS Summer Studios 2010 along with more photos of her studio (pages 104 & 105). Pam is putting the final touches on her upcoming book, Art At The Speed Of Life. This is in addition to painting, writing magazine articles, conducting workshops & teaching online classes. She is 1 busy lady! To find out about all of her projects, visit pamcarriker.com. You can also purchase her art through PamCarriker.etsy.com

On Jan. 1 Jodi Ohl invited us into her new studio, the Sweet Retreat

She had just purchased her first house. With it came a wonderful room lined with many built in shelves - just perfect for an art studio! Jodi likes to work on several pieces at a time and this room gives her the space to do that. Plus she can take a break without worrying about cluttering up the house with works in progress (she used to work on her dining room table).

So what has Jodi been up to lately? She continues to publish articles and tutorials in various art & craft magazines. Jodi shares her creative space on pages 131 & 132 of the new CPS studios. This year she has been very busy teaching workshops and online classes, as well as vending at Art Fairs. And all the while she is still creating! Read about Jodi's current projects on her blog sweetrepeats.blogspot.com. You can also see her art at her etsy shop, LucySweetLucy.

Now For Some Sneaky Peekies!

Both of these artists are in the new CPS Studios. The photos shown here are not from that magazine. They have been provided by the artists. I look forward to featuring both of these wonderful ladies on this blog later this summer.

Force of Nature by Rida Tritabaugh

Risa Tritabaugh is thrilled to posses a separate studio space after years of creating wherever she could around the house.

It is located in an artist filled building near her home. Easy to get to, but far enough away that she can set her cares aside and concentrate on her colorful pieces. Click on the photos to visit her blog, createdbyrisa.blogspot.com.

In July Risa will take us on a larger photo tour of her vibrant space. Until then you can see more of her studio on pages 118 & 119 in CPS Studios. And if you find yourself in St Paul, MN on the 1st Friday of any month, visit her studio during the open studio events held in lower St Paul. (visit her blog for details).

KC Willis new she needed a bigger space when she stumbled upon the house that would become Lipstick Ranch.

Lipstick ranch houses an art gallery, studios and workshop rooms. It even has a relaxing sun porch where KC can let her imagination wander. Take a peek inside her wonderful bungalow. It has such charisma!

KC's artwork is full of lush layers that evoke a feeling of history... and mystery.

Being Bernhardt by KC Willis

Her studio gives off that same intriguing vibe of years gone by.

I look forward to featuring KC later this summer & hope you will join me for her studio tour. In the meantime, you can read about Lipstick Ranch on pages 95 - 98 of the current CPS Studios. Find out more about her workshops at collagecamp.ning.com. Take a look around her website lipstickranch.com to learn about her artwork as well as classes & Collage Camp dvds.

There are many more artists & creative spaces in the current issue of CPS Studios. If you love going behind the scenes, I recommend tracking down a copy. You can find it at bookstores & craft shops, as well as on the Cloth Paper Scissors website.

Want to win a free copy?

I picked up an extra one the other day which I will ship to 1 lucky winner. Leave a comment on this blog before 1 a.m. on 6/5 to enter this random drawing. Please make sure to leave an email (if it isn't in your blog profile). This random drawing is open worldwide. Prize ships free to winner.

Thanks for popping by today. It has been a lot of fun! And thank you to all of the artist who open up their world to give the rest of us a peek at where they work their magic!

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By the way have you entered next Thursday's drawing for a Mosaic from Tortuga Tile Works? Click here for details & photo of this colorful prize.