Piece by Piece is an organization committed to providing art opportunities to underserved communities. Their mission is to empower residents who have experienced homelessness or economic insecurity by providing free mosaic art workshops enabling them to build confidence, earn supplementary income, and promote wellness and an improved quality of life. Through mosaic art, Piece by Piece offers a platform for artistic expression, personal growth, and community engagement, emphasizing sustainability and empowerment.

We were excited to get the chance to talk to a couple artists from Piece by Piece!

Where are you from and does that affect your work?

Andrea: I am from Jalisco, Mexico. The vibrant colors of home, with its lush flora & fauna, has helped make me more mindful about the use of color in my work.

Victor: I’m from Oaxaca in South Mexico, it doesn’t really affect my work! I like to work with my hands in general, and Piece by Piece is like therapy. My mind is relaxed when putting mosaic pieces in place.

Who are your biggest artistic influence?
Andrea: Definitely our instructors Luz & Dawn, as well as Jose (Piece by Piece Artist) in the social enterprise team. I wish one day that I will be like them!

Victor: My biggest artistic influence is Frida Kahlo. She’s a very very strong woman, I like her colorful form of expression, dress, & history.

How do you define success as an artist?

Andrea: When people like what I do, that’s successful.

Victor: When I am established with enough money such that I can concentrate all my efforts on new projects.

What would you say is the hardest part of your creation process?

Andrea: Picking and choosing colors! Some of the preliminary decisions are the hardest to make - the rest is easier.

Victor: The hardest part of the process is selecting the materials and choosing colors in preparation for the project! We use many materials of different sizes, such as ceramic, glass, tile, and they must be organized in specific to each project.

Andrea’s breast cancer symbol piece

How has your style changed over time?

Andrea: It changes all the time! Before I thought I was good, but now I think I’m a little bit better. There’s always room for improvement, but I’m at a point now where I’m very happy with what I make, and that didn’t happen a lot before.

Victor: I think I haven’t changed my style. When I came I preferred and loved pique assiette for the variety of materials that could be applied to each piece, and I still prefer it!

What is your favorite piece that you have created and why?

Andrea: I like the glass-on-glass breast cancer symbol that I did. That’s my number one, because that represents a lot; it means a lot to me. The second one is the mirror with the flowers because you reflect yourself and the flowers surround you.

Victor: I like the huge Mandela I made with the social enterprise team at Piece by Piece. I enjoyed the process, and using tile with ceramic invoked a pique assiette style which looked lovely.

Anything special you would like to share?

Andrea: I enjoy mosaic, this is like therapy to me. It’s helped me emotionally, physically, this is more than I was looking for, a lot more than I was looking for when I first started coming to Piece by Piece’s mosaic classes.

Victor: I like Piece by Piece because it is like a family. Sometimes people are angry, relaxed, happy, like a family. We talk about and support each other through our problems. 

We are so excited to explore your collection in person!

Find Piece by Piece at Pasadena ARTWalk on September 21st & 22nd.
Website | https://www.piecebypiece.org/

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/piecebypiecela

Jennifer

Do you have a story behind your business name?

Chickens on the Moon Publishing, which is my parent company, is named after a plot line in a book series that is due out in the coming months. In general though, it's meant to represent the idea that there are no rules when it comes to imagination, especially when you are creating for children. 

Jambo Jennifer Puzzles was named for the friendly greeting you get all over Africa. It means hello but it is always said with a bright smile and a genuine warmth to make you feel welcome.  I get to experience this time and time again when I am there photographing animals for my puzzles and books.

Love the meaning behind Chickens on the Moon, and I bet that is such a great experience being able to photograph animals in Africa. Tell us how did you get start?

I come by this business honestly. First and foremost, as a mom! But I also had a 20 year career in photography and a bit of magazine writing. And always in the background I wrote poems and stories. So when it came time to put down my 40 pound backpack of camera equipment it was easy to decide what to do next - children's books and wildlife puzzles!

Very cool. What inspires you to create?

My company specializes in unplugged fun, to try to help parents and teachers combat the onslaught of screen options in our world today. I think it's really important for kids (and adults!) to be able to still enjoy themselves away from a screen.

So true. What is a typical studio day like for you?

Right now I'm doing a LOT of puzzles! Literally putting the pieces together so that I can photograph them at different stages for marketing. I'm also working very hard on my Becky Barnes book series. The first two books will be released together (hopefully this winter). I do the lettering myself and so it takes a good bit of time. So in short, I don't really have a typical day as my projects are many and varied!

What is your favorite part of being an artist?

Right now I'm completely obsessed with my alphabet puzzles and the explorer cards that come with them. I love that when you buy a Jambo Jennifer Puzzle, you also get to learn all about the animal that it features. That was very important to me as I developed the product. Even the 1000 piece puzzles come with an Explorer Card because I feel strongly even adults still love to learn.

Do you have a favorite product that you have created and why?

I do love Africa Dreaming - I think it's the perfect bedtime book but it also has a lot of adult fans because of the intimate wildlife photography.  

What do you like most about Arvada?

I'm a relatively new resident here so I am still learning about my hometown! I love Old Town of course, and the parks are amazing. I'm partial to the one across the street from our house - I can photograph turtles, ducks, muskrats, herons, bullfrogs... the wildlife here is so abundant, even in the city. But also, my camera and I can be above 14,000 feet with my beloved mountain goats in just a little over a hour!

What can we expect to see from you at Jackalope?

I hope families will discover me so that they can have a few new items to share with their kids when they know they've had enough screen time for the day. I try to make sure my creations are fun for the whole family to experience together, whether they are reading one of my books aloud or learning from one of my puzzles that bighorn sheep can ram each other at 40mph! 

Anything special you’d like to share?

It's never too late to reinvent yourself. I turned 50 last year and I started my company at age 48. If you aren't happy or can no longer do what you've always done, dream big and go for it.

Find Jambo Jennifer Puzzles & Books at Jackalope Arvada this October 5th & 6th, 2024

Cherish and Lacy | Literary Blooms

Where are you from and does that affect your work?

We are from Portland, OR which we think has a direct impact on our business model and our work. Portland is known for being an environmentally conscience and responsible city, with an emphasis on recycling and reducing waste. Around 320 million books end up in our landfills each year… 320 million! Our goal with Literary Blooms is to reduce book waste by transforming old, damaged books that would otherwise end up in the landfill, into beautiful paper roses that will last in your home forever!

Portland is also the home to one of the country’s largest independent bookstores, Powell’s City of Books. We are avid book lovers and readers, often spending our weekends and extra spending money on new and used books!

That is so many books! Who/what is your biggest artistic influence?
Our biggest artistic influences are the authors who write the books that we make our flowers from! We started Literary Blooms for Lacy’s wedding, by selecting books that were special to her and her husband. We love making flowers from classic, timeless stories like Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. We also love making flowers from children’s books with beautiful illustrations like Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak.

How do you define success as an artist?

Success as an artist is an ever-fluctuating thing. We both consider ourselves lucky and successful to have Literary Blooms be our full-time jobs. But the biggest meter of success for us is connecting with fellow book lovers. When our flowers cause an emotional response from people who love the stories we love and appreciate seeing them brought to life in another medium, there is no feeling like it!

What would you say is the hardest part of the creation process?

The hardest part of our creative process is time. Every single one of our petals are hand drawn, cut by hand, curled individually, and then glued onto our stems one at a time. Each flower takes us about an hour to make from start to finish, and we’ve been making them for over six years! We have experimented with different tools to streamline our process, like the Circuit machine and die-cut machines, but our flowers are as special as they are because we take so much time making sure illustrations are featured and that titles and character names are easily seen. As soon as you look at one of our flowers, we hope you instantly recognize what book they are made from. That is something that can only be accomplished in our step-by-step, handmade process.

That is very cool. How has your style changed over time?

Our goal with Literary Blooms is to honor the stories we are using and to make our flowers look as realistic as possible. When we first started, we used thin, plain floral wire, and our petals were smaller which didn’t allow for much of the story to be easily recognizable. We have adapted our petal shapes and sizes to be large enough to feature as much of the stories as possible, and our stems are now on a thicker, green stem with rich, dark green leaves. One of the greatest compliments we receive is how realistic the flowers look now!

What is your favorite piece that you have created and why?

One of the best things about our product is that it is so easily customizable! We often get requests for custom orders and our favorite thing is to see what other people come up with creatively! The greatest honor for us has been making flowers for weddings. We make bridal bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces, and more! Being able to help happy couples add a personal touch to their big day by using stories that are important to them is always so special for us!

What do you love most about Pasadena?

Pasadena is one of our favorite areas in LA! We love the diverse, artistic community. Pasadena is also home to one of our favorite independent bookstores in Octavia’s Bookshelf. This bookstore celebrates Black authors, queer authors, and dozens of independent artists. It is a beautiful, welcoming shop that always has an amazing selection!

Find Literary Blooms at Jackalope Pasadena on April 27th & 28th, 2024.

Website: Www.literaryblooms.com

Instagram: @literaryblooms

Carey Appel | Once Upon a Storybox

Where are you from and does that affect your work?

I’m originally from Los Angeles, but it is Ojai, California that inspired my art. We raised chickens there and my love for them combined with my love of miniature sparked this endeavor.

Aside from Ojai; who/what is your biggest influence in creating?

My BIGGEST art influence is Virginia McCracken – a Santa Barbara artist who creates miniature scenes in vintage cigar boxes with luscious art backgrounds and handmade animals and accessories.

How do you define success as an artist?

“Success” as an artist is the ultimate satisfaction of placing your art in homes of patrons for whom it resonates. That being said, success is also achieved, I think, simply in seeing how people are enchanted by what you design/make.

What would you say is the hardest part of the creation process?

The hardest part of the creation process for me - -  is incorporating a bit of whimsy, or the unexpected, into each storybox.  Because it’s easy to go for what is aesthetically pleasing. But it must be more than that.  It must tell a story within the storybox.  With a quote, or a scene, that reveals something else that may be going on . . . .

How has your style changed over time?

My style has gotten more sophisticated . . .I’ve begun making my own wooden doors, stucco, and stone, incorporating my love of old doorways.  Additionally, the intervention of AI allows me to design more intricate interiors to make a more 3-dimensional background to the miniatures in the scene.

That is so fun! What is your favorite piece that you have created and why?

My favorite is a real toss up – but I love this one because of the bougainvillea climbing the windows and the chick peeking out from the inside . . . I love the color combo.  It has sold; but I will work on another!

Very cute and colorful! What do you love most about Pasadena?

Pasadena is special to me.  I had a home store (Salutations Home) there for many years until I retired to Ojai in 2015.  I love the gentility of this charming community – it’s art, culture, beauty, historic homes . . parts of Pasadena remind me of a bygone era from my childhood.

Catch Once Upon a Storybox at Jackalope Pasadena on April 27th & 28th, 2024.

Website: www.onceuponastorybox.com

Instagram: @onceuponastorybox

JoeJo+Nebria Home Fragrances Team: Marco, Christine, and John.

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?  

Our mix of backgrounds is pretty cool—there's Marco, the artist from the Philippines; John, the visionary from Scotland; and Christine, the business-savvy yet creatively-driven designer from Los Angeles. Together, we blend seamlessly, creating a well-rounded team. We all bring something different to the table, making it a perfect match.

Who/what are your biggest artistic influences?

Probably a blend of Jo Malone and Diptyque fragrances, drawn not just from their captivating brand identities, but also from the sheer elegance of their scents.

How do you define success as an artist?

We believe that achieving success as an artist involves a blend of creative fulfillment, recognition, validation, financial stability, and leaving behind a lasting legacy

Well said! What is the hardest part of your creation process?

The most challenging aspect of the creative process lies in precisely matching each scent to its corresponding location. Our goal is to transport our customers to these places so convincingly that they can almost feel as if they were there themselves, fully immersed in the experience.

Very cool. How has your brand changed over time?

As a new company, we're in the process of honing our style and brand identity. Rather than making changes, we're focused on maintaining a dynamic approach, constantly evolving to stay current, fresh, and innovative.

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

Our most prized creation undoubtedly lies in our vegan repurposing containers. Meticulously designed to showcase our delightful array of scented candles and home and body sprays, they are ingeniously crafted for multifunctional use. These containers seamlessly transform into homes for various items such as jewelry, lipsticks, makeup essentials, cotton, medications, and treats for your beloved pets. From candies to mints, nuts to edibles, the possibilities are endless! Additionally, they offer a perfect solution for keeping your workspace neat and organized by conveniently storing paperclips and small accessories.

Awesome! What do you love most about Pasadena?

What we adore about Pasadena is its proximity to the vibrant energy of the big city while offering the serene charm of a distant, picturesque town. From its eclectic shops and exquisite dining spots to its diverse architectural wonders, Pasadena encapsulates a captivating blend of urban excitement and small-town allure. And, of course, the Huntington Rose Garden Tea Room stands out as an absolute gem, adding to the city's undeniable charm and appeal.

Catch JoeJo+Nebria Home Fragrances at Jackalope Pasadena on April 27th & 28th, 2024.

Website: https://joejonebria.com

Instagram: @joejonebria

Lauren Jane

Where are you from and does that affect your work?  

I grew up in Memphis, TN surrounded by music, art and nature. I grew up out in the country playing in fields and in the woods. So much of my inspiration has come from all things nature and my love for the outdoors. My creativity originally manifested through music in the early years of my adult life. Since then my creativity has evolved into art on canvas and handcrafted jewelry. These memories were my early love for jewelry.

What is your biggest artistic influence?

Nature inspires me. California sunsets, the ocean, and trees. Any kind of abstract art is incredibly inspiring. I love that it can mean something unique to each person.

How do you define success as an artist?

The passion and experience of the process is how I define success. I love the outcome and of course sharing it with the world. But the act of creating puts me into a blissful state of presence which I love.

What is the hardest part of your creation process?

Sometimes when I want to try out a new idea, theme or color scheme it can be difficult to precisely execute what’s in my head. Usually in these moments, I try to let go and focus only on the main ingredients for that piece. Sometimes it's a shape or color scheme and from there I just let my creativity flow with no pressure.

How has your style changed over time?

Over time I have evolved to really love utilizing alcohol inks as my primary medium. My style has expanded from very bright colors to more recently neutral tones.

What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

This painting, Coral Reef, is one of my favorites. I truly just let my creativity flow and this piece evolved over the course of several weeks. It reminds me of the gorgeous coral reefs in the Caribbean which is one of my favorite places to visit.

What do you love most about Burbank?

My best friend (we’ve been friends since we were 2 and both grew up in Memphis together) and her two sweet boys live here so that’s my number one reason! ;) I absolutely love the vibe in the Burbank neighborhoods. Everything is so walkable and there are so many gorgeous trees!

Is there anything else that you would like to share?

I love cats! I lived in Shanghai, China for 4 years back in the late 2000’s and adopted 2 cats while I lived there. One is still with us, Sasha, and she is 16 years old.

Catch Lauren Jane Designs at Jackalope Burbank this December 9th & 10th!

Website: www.laurenjanedesigns.com

Instagram: @laurenjanedesigns

Amber with Original Remix

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?  

I am from Denver Colorado. This affects my work because I love being outdoors and am greatly inspired by nature in my designs. I really like plants and enjoy creating out of the ordinary items with them (such as live plant jewelry)! 

Who / what are your biggest artistic influences?

I would say one of my biggest design influences is clean cut modern designs sometimes mixed with a bit of retro. This is reflective in my branding and logo, as well as my Root Vases which have a very clean aesthetic. You can see a bit of mid-century retro twist reflective in the gold that I use as part of my jewelry, and in how I style my vendor space at markets. 

How do you define success as an artist?

I define success as an artist as being able to create truly unique items, bringing them into the world from an idea, to a sketch at times, to a finished product that brings joy and a smile to people's faces.   

Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

Yes. Art and design help me in other areas of my life by providing an outlet for my creativity to flow. I also use art and design to create aesthetically pleasing and welcoming spaces in my own home.     

How have you developed your skill at your craft?

I have worked on developing my skill-set by continuing to develop new products, and by utilizing various tools in the workshop I work in, such as a CNC machine, drills, etc. My background is in product design and a lot of my designs are influenced by that. I like to call it "Craft meets Design." I also do multiple prototypes of a design continually refining and improving it until I feel it's ready to be presented. I also ask for feedback on a new product I may be working on.     

Very cool! What’s the hardest part of your creation process?

I think the hardest part is the patience required to complete a product from sketch or prototype to something I'm proud of and ready to present to the world.   

What is your favorite item you’ve created and why?

That's a tough one. Like choosing your favorite kid, lol. I love each product for different reasons but if I had to pick one, I think it would be my line of Live Air Plant and Live Cactus Earrings. They truly puzzle people, cause people to stop and do a double-take. Then the delight on their faces when they realize the plants are real is what I love the most. When I was developing the Live Cactus Earrings, I had a lot of skeptics (understandably). I did many iterations of the pot before I decided on the one I make and use today, and I love that I proved the skeptics wrong about this being a valid product. People are confused by them, but at the same time, love them.  

We can’t wait to see those in person! Catch Original Remix at Jackalope Arvada on October 14th, & 15th

Website: originalremix.com

Instagram: @original__remix/

Alyssa Webb

Who / what are your biggest artistic influences?

I have many influences in the world of candle makers, but as far as main influence, I enjoy the candle makers that follow sustainable practices using high-quality ingredients and are transparent with their customers on best candle burning practices.

How do you define success as an artist?

Being able to adapt to change quickly.  What might be popular in scent right now might not be popular next season.  I am always reading about trending accords in the fragrance world and trying to incorporate them into my custom blends in one way or another for seasonal changes.  

Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

Being a candle maker is therapeutic for me.  Luxe Intuition was born during the pandemic, and candle making was a way for me to disconnect from all the turmoil and uncertainty.  Three years later, it is still a way for me to disconnect from this crazy world we live in.  Creating candles for people knowing they typically light them for relaxation or some form of enjoyment, brings me joy in knowing I can spread light to them in their time of disconnecting from the world.     

How have you developed your skill at your craft?

Through education and trial and error.  With candle making, there is an exorbitant amount of testing and retesting needed before you can sell a successfully made candle.  A candle that burns evenly down and burns clean without sooting has gone through extensive research to perfect that blend.  Luxe Intuitions custom blended scents undergo about 4-6 months of full testing to ensure our customers' best possible high-quality candles. 

We only use high-grade vegan-friendly oils that blend well into our sustainable coconut-apricot wax blend.  Our coconut wax will burn cleaner and longer than traditional soy wax, and our coconut wax blend will give an amazing hot throw from start to finish giving you an enjoyable aroma versus an over the top hit you in the face scent.  We are not about having the strongest candle in the room, as most of those are extremely toxic and have exceeded the limit of how much oil they should be using in the candle.  Luxe Intuition Candles create an ambiance like no other and last a very long time, up to 80 hours for our 12 oz candles, and we are proud to say our customers enjoy this the most about our line.   

Very cool! What’s the hardest part of your creation process?

Creating the perfect scent.  Scent if so subjective, and only some people enjoy the same aromas.  So to ease this never ending battle we try to have something for everyone throughout our collections that are still unique and intriguing to our customers.  We pride ourselves in creating custom scent blends you won't find anywhere else.  

What’s the best thing about being an artist?

The best thing about candle making is when I am at an event and a customer comes up to me and says “Your candles last forever and I don't get headaches from them!”  You will not believe how many people I get that tell me they can't burn candles because they get nauseous or extreme migraines, and then once they have had ours burning and it doesn't happen to them, it is such a relief and breath of fresh air.  This is actually how Luxe Intuition came to fruition.  I am extremely sensitive to scent.  I developed the line around my sensitivities and created candles that were enjoyable and safe to burn.  I have attracted this type of customer and now I have a growing community of customers that can now enjoy candles safely without having headaches or nausea.  

What is your favorite item you’ve created and why?

I have a love for nature and being outdoors.  One of my favorite places to go, and is also very close in distance to where I live, is Waterton Canyon.  When I developed my Colorado candle collection, I knew I had to incorporate notes that made me feel like I was there even if I wasn't.  And wouldn't you know, this custom blended scent creation happens to be our top seller for 2023.  We also ended up calling it Waterton Canyon, and this candle is gifted time and time again with return purchases, and we hope to keep this scent around for a long time as long as our customers keep enjoying it.  

And finally, what do you love most about Colorado?

The ever-evolving landscape of makers.  I have met many talented artists over the last few years of attending events, and their talent always blows me away.  We have a huge amount of artisans that continue to emerge, and I love the appreciation from customers that understand what it takes to make our products, and they value a quality over-quantity approach in consumed goods.       

We will plant a tree with every purchase you make with Luxe Intuition through a global organization called One Tree Planted.  They go into areas devastated by fires and destruction and create biodiversity through reforestation programs.  Something else I would like to share is our wedding candle collection.  This special collection is fully customizable and makes great gifts for out-of-town guests, bridal parties, bridal showers; and we even have a special candle engraved with the words I Do for the couple to light on their special day to calm the wedding day jitters and to relight at anniversaries.  We also recently launched room & linen sprays.  These are also made with vegan-friendly oils and complement the candles in our collections.   

Catch Luxe Intuition at Jackalope Arvada on October 14th, & 15th

Website: www.luxeintuition.com

Facebook: www.facebnook.com/luxeintuition

Instagram: @luxeintuition

Sara of Slow Burn

Where are you from and does that affect your work?  

Como Park (St Paul, MN) is my home. Minnesota has a beautiful landscape of lakes and the simplicity of the prairie has always had a profound impact on me. I realize that part of my passion and love for candle making comes from the simplicity of this landscape. For me, there is no reason to alter beeswax from its pure form (color and scent) which allows me to practice simplicity in my production efforts. Additionally, I proudly source my beeswax locally. In doing so, I support the local economy, the family-run apiary who supplies me with my wax, and the local bees!

Love that! Who / what are your biggest artistic influences?

I am currently obsessed with Lex Lazarewicz (@buttermilk_ceramics), Clara Infante (@shopcopito), and Liz Spencer (@thedogwooddyer).

How do you define success as an artist?

I feel successful when I experience pride in my work and business efforts. Acknowledgement from others of my efforts doesn't hurt either ;)

Does your art help you in other areas of your life?

Slow Burn is the result of my mindfulness practice. It all started as a part of my morning routine to ground my energy and center my mind, but it has grown into so much more than I ever imagined. As the business grows I continuously remind myself of the love I have for the process of candle making and try not to get caught up in the stress of a growing business.

How have you developed your skill at your craft?

One of the mottos I live by is "when you stop learning, you stop growing" and through extensive research, I have refined my process a few times over. When I first started making candles I would follow the guidelines provided by the mold making manufacturers; specifically with wick sizes. Through countless hours of test burns I have refined the wick selection for each candle style based on which wick will provide the longest and cleanest (drip-free) burn. Additionally, I have a cleaning process that goes above and beyond the standard recommendation and provides an even longer burn time.

What’s the hardest part of your creation process?

Getting the temperature of the air in my workshop just right. It's wild but if the temp is too cold by a few degrees it messes with the way the candles cure. Since my workshop is in the (unfinished) basement of my home, controlling the air temperature can be really tricky.

Oh interesting! What’s your favorite item that you’re created, and why?

Currently it's the Funky Taper. This candle gives you the burn of a classic taper AND a decorative pillar. It's really fun to watch it burn and create an intimate vibe at the dinner table.

What’s the best part about being an artist?

Creating art is a fulfilling journey that I cherish for multiple reasons. Firstly, the immense freedom that accompanies being an artist empowers me to shape my own creative path. Without the constraints of a boss or rigid timelines, I revel in the liberty to experiment with my process and manifest my unique visions. This autonomy not only fosters personal growth but also infuses each candle with authenticity and a true reflection of my inner self.

What do you love most about Minneapolis?

Minneapolis captivates me with its vibrant blend of culture and arts. The city's rich cultural tapestry, manifested through its diverse neighborhoods, offers a constant source of exploration and connection. I am enamored by the thriving arts scene, from the iconic Walker Art Center to the intimate galleries tucked away, each fostering an atmosphere of creativity and expression. The city's commitment to public art and innovative installations further adds to its allure, creating a dynamic environment that continuously ignites my inspiration.

Anything special you’d like to share? One in every three bites of food we eat depends on bees for pollination 🐝💛 Thank you bees!!!

Catch Slow Burn at Jackalope Minneapolis on September 23rd & 24th, 2023.

Web: Slowburncandles.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slow.burn.mn

Instagram: @slow.burn.mn

Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
I grew up in Long Beach, California as an only child & was fortunate enough to be exposed to a few key elements that would heavily influence my life: travel, food, music and art. I earned my BFA in Fine Art Photography and have explored all different mediums of art throughout the past few decades.

Speaking of influences, who/what are your biggest artistic influences?
I am highly influenced by geometric & organic architecture, Art Deco, minimalism & mixed sacred geometry.

We can definitely see how these influences impact your work. How do you define success as an artist?
Being an artist is quite a dynamic experience in many aspects. I think the hardest part can be maintaining confidence throughout the challenging periods we all experience at one point or another.

Good point. How have you developed your skill at your craft?

I have always been open to exploring creative skills. One day in 2014 I walked by a stained glass store & decided I wanted to try it out. I bought a bunch of supplies, watched a few videos, made an embarrassingly terrible piece & immediately fell in love. I did not have the time outside of my full time job to take a class and I dedicated every free moment to teaching myself through trial and error. For two years I made many pieces & gave them away as gifts. I obsessively absorbed any information I could find about the craft & challenged myself to elevate my skill level and develop a unique style.

That is great! What is the hardest part of your creation process?
Saying no! My long career in hospitality (before I quit to be a full time artist) has carried over into this constant struggle to want to take on EVERY request no matter what the circumstance. I am getting better, but still need to say no more often to things that may not serve me (my time, my energy, my design style).

Realizing that is the first step! How has your style changed over time?
It’s really interesting to look back over the past 8 years & identify how my design aesthetic/style has developed. I have always been drawn to geometric forms & when I started working with glass that is all I saw - colors as shapes, individual pieces creating a whole, in its simplest form. I don’t think my style changed much over time within this basic element, but my use and appreciation of color has grown from a monochromatic representation into a full balance & appreciation of how light & texture affect design impact. The patchwork design was the main one that has evolved over time specifically in the way I can just flow with the colors & shapes to create a balanced result, and the skill level is deceivingly difficult.

Patience I am sure is needed. What’s the best thing about being an artist?

My favorite thing about being an artist is to create things that bring joy to others, especially the collaboration process when working with clients on custom projects.

How about a favorite item you have created?

Choosing a favorite creation is hard! There are those that are my favorites because they challenged me towards growth, those that I developed new techniques to accomplish a desired result, and those that just felt like the “best” creation to date. The most meaningful item that I have created is a large rainbow sun panel for a loyal client whom I have previously made some rainbow color way panels. For this sister panel to the others, I was given some general guidance & allowed the freedom to push the design where it “wanted” to go. I was working on this panel just after my father’s passing & was very present to the spiritual embodiment of this particular design, the sun shining its rainbow rays.

We hear you helped create an important piece for this year’s Burning Man. Given that the festival didn’t quite go as planned this year, what happened with your art?  How did it feel to be a part of that?

This year I had the extraordinary opportunity to create a stained glass heart for The Man at Burning Man.   I was told by the crew that every year there is some sort of heart form installed inside The Man, however it is never visible.  This year the heart was intended to symbolize an extremely special commemoration for a longtime member & engineer of the build crew.  For the first time, the heart would be illuminated within this massive structure & the heart would beat with a pulsing light until it burned in front of 70,000 people.  I put more love into this heart than anything I have ever created in 10 years of glassing, knowing that it was being created to live a very short & sacred life.  With the rains that essentially shut the festival down for a few days, the scheduled burn night was postponed - the first time in the history of the event that The Man did not burn on Saturday night.  Watching it burn two nights later was about as cathartic an experience as you can imagine, all while sharing it with tens of thousands of people. 

The Heart is absolutely stunning. Did it survive the burn? 

I was told the next day that someone found some fused glass remnants in the still smoldering ash pile at the base of the man. 

I wonder if that person knows what that little object once was, what it symbolized and how it changed me as an artist. 

Rainbow Sun Panel

The Heart for Burning Man

This sounds like such an incredible & special opportunity. What is a typical day like in the studio for you?

I am very lucky to work out of my home studio workshop space which is a separate building on our property, so I get the benefit of "going to work" but can always be surprise visited by my dogs & chickens, which makes for a pretty silly daily "routine". There are always a minimum of a half dozen projects in progress, ranging from large window panels to a variety of custom design collaborations to decor & jewelry items for the few wholesale accounts I work with. I also am always creating stock for my online shop, items that are always available for purchase. I love my "job" so much that it can be challenging at times to "turn it off" with a set schedule, but I try to stick to 9 hours a day on average. I am also quite fortunate to have some helping hands from two local stained glass artists who help with the massive amount of detail work involved in this craft, such as hours upon hours of grinding, cleaning, polishing & packaging.

What do you love most about Pasadena?

Pasadena has some really incredible history! I particularly love the historic architecture throughout the city, but especially the stunning American Craftsman examples coming out of the Arts and Crafts movement, which included interior design, landscape design, applied arts, and decorative arts. There are so many extraordinary examples of stained glass, the Gamble House being the most famous and accessible.

What will you be bringing to Jackalope?

I will be bringing some specialty creations just for the occasion. In addition to a wide range of colorful suncatchers, window decor & ornaments perfect for gifts, I will have some unique larger panels and mobiles that I only create for the Jackalope shows.

Anything special you’d like to add?
I am thrilled to be participating in Jackalope Artisan Fair again! When I first became a vendor several years ago I was just starting out in my journey of figuring out how to sell my work & I gained such a valuable experience from participating in these events & found genuine support from the maker community & the loyal buyers who come to support this unique event.

Catch Culotta Creations at Jackalope Pasadena on November 18th & 19th!

Where to see more of Culotta Creations:

Website | www.culottacreations.com

Instagram | @culottacreations