Featured Artists
Photographer Ian Creitz
Photographer Ian Creitz has been playing with photography since he was in high school but his interest increased in 2004 when he was given his first digital camera. “From there I continued to grow in my craft. Ever few years I upgrade my equipment and continue teaching myself and picking up tips from other seasoned photographers,” he says.
Cloth artist Luann Gilligan
Welcome to our newest member, Luann Gilligan of Round Lake, New York, who joined Valley Artisans Market in December of 2016.
Luann has been fascinated and intrigued by fabric all of her life. She has been sewing since she was 12 years old and has enjoyed all kinds of handwork: embroidery, quilting, silkscreen and surface design using paints and dyes. She went to school for clothing and textile design then went on to have an interesting path working as a sample maker for Carter’s Childrenswear, doing theater costuming work and partnering in a small company that designed and produced figure skating apparel. She has also worked doing bridal alterations.
Decades of loving fabric has led to a wonderful collection of cloth. “I’ve collected a lot, mostly in the category of bits and pieces,” she says. She stumbled upon Shibori while trying to figure out a way to make something with all those bits and pieces.
“My current work is dying natural fiber cloth with natural indigo plant dye. I use a technique called Shibori, which involves folding, clamping, stitching, twisting the fabric, then dipping it repeatedly in the dye vat. Everything is then washed, cut and sewn together,” she says.
Shibori is like tie-dye. The way Luann folds or twists the fabric will result in different patterns and designs with some areas of the cloth remaining white from being tightly wound up.
Luann currently has table runners and table toppers for sale at VAM and is interested in new twists on traditional methods for her work. “I’m interested in more experimentation with the circle theme and in moving away from the very traditional examples of shibori to develop more abstract pieces for the wall or for art quilts,” she says. “I’m also quite infatuated at the moment with sacred geometry and the Fibonacci number series for design layout.”
When she isn’t immersed in the joys of fabric, Luann is busy with many fascinating jobs, including working with an autistic child, cooking for an alternative food store, as well as finishing an apprenticeship to become a Reiki Master. She is certified to teach yoga and meditation and is developing a Conscious Breathing course for people who are stressed and overwhelmed. “Everyday is different, and I squeeze the art work in where I can,” she says.
For more information about Luann, check her bio.
Gourd artist Chung-Ah Park
If you have walked into Valley Artisans Market, you have probably been immediately attracted to the gourd houses made by artist Chung-Ah Park. A dried gourd is cut open, given windows and doors and made into a sweet room, decorated like a dollhouse with wallpaper, rugs, tables, beds, desks and the like. The rooms have beautiful details, some very sparse and some with a variety of her carefully handmade items. No matter their subject, each one is charming and innovative, and radiate the care and attention to detail that Chung-Ah gives all of her creations. “I love making things and love the whole process of designing, solving problems, and the actual hands-on part. When I am making these gourd houses, my thoughts are all about the process and nothing else. It relaxes and gives me energy at the same time.”
Chung-Ah grew up in Korea where gourds were common. “I always thought they were magical,” she says. “When I began to grow vegetables in my garden [in upstate New York], I learned that gourds could be grown around here by starting the seeds indoors to give the plants the necessary long growing period. Having many dried gourds around the house naturally made me think about making them into useful or beautiful objects.” (She grew gourds for about 15 years, which supplied her needs, but sometimes when she is looking for a particular shape of gourd, she orders from an Amish farm in Pennsylvania.)
A true artist, Chung-Ah isn’t happy unless she is creating. She has tried her hands in sewing, weaving, pastel drawing, print making, book making, card making, pottery, and gourd craft. “I took some time off from gourd craft while I was doing pottery, but I came back to gourds a couple of years ago.” She would still like to try pottery again without using glazes, but right now she is having fun with the gourds. “I love the simplicity of the gourd and the fact I can grow them in my garden and it does not require chemicals in comparison to ceramics. I still would love to explore more of all these media I have tried so far though. I would like to create a piece of artwork which combines all the crafts I have done.”
Because she works part-time as a gardener, Chung-Ah finds much of her design inspiration from nature. “Nature is always the most influential inspiration for me, but I also get inspired by art and crafts of other artisans and artists around the world.”
Sometimes inspiration seems to happen spontaneously, but more often “I sit down and think about how I can design some particular type of pieces.”
Chung-Ah has been having new inspiration lately for her gourd work. “I have been making decorative lights/lamps and am having fun with it. I am not sure whether they will sell or not, but I like making and having them around for myself,” she says. The gourds use energy-efficient LED lightbulbs which run on lithium batteries. Two different lights are available: either a color-changing bulb without a timer or an amber-colored bulb with a four-hour timers. (The light will turn on and stay lit for four hours and then turn itself off; 24 hours later, it will turn itself back on.) Because the gourds have little skylights in them or intricate designs cut into them by using a tiny motorized saw, they cast beautiful shadows and designs on the walls around them.
We look forward to all the ways Chung-Ah will continue to express herself in her gourds and all of her other artwork.
Two truths and a lie with Peggy-Gray
Clothing designer Peggy Gray, of 22 Shades of Gray, is up next in our Two Truths and a Lie contest. Which is the lie?!
1. I exhibited my designs on a runway in NYC.
2. I worked for an international designer.
3. My designs were highlighted in an upscale home living magazine.
The lie was #1. Thanks for playing!
Valley Artisans Market is celebrating our 35th year in business with a contest: Two Truths and a Lie. Each week, from Sept. 18-Nov. 20, we will post two truths and a lie about one of our members on our FaceBook page. Guess the lie correctly by responding in the FaceBook post and you will be entered into a drawing to receive 35 percent off ONE item at VAM. (Yes, you can receive a discount off of an expensive painting, an item out of a Small Gallery show, or that piece you have had your eye on that is just out of reach.) The more correct guesses, the better your chances are of winning. The drawing will be held at VAM during our Holiday Open House on Nov. 26, 2016. To be a winner, you must sign up for our monthly email newsletter; find the link at the bottom of this page on our website. The winner will be notified via our newsletter. Winners must come into the market to make their purchase in person. Good luck!
Input your answer on our FaceBook page by Nov. 20 when the answer will be revealed.
Two truths and a lie with Debra-Ann Salat
Embroiderer Debra-Ann Salat is up next in our Two Truths and a Lie contest. Which is the lie?!
1. I fell out of a moving truck in the swamps of New Jersey.
2. I was a medical assistant who couldn’t stand the sight of blood.
3. When not embroidering, I am a master chef.
The lie was #3. Thanks for playing!
Valley Artisans Market is celebrating our 35th year in business with a contest: Two Truths and a Lie. Each week, from Sept. 18-Nov. 20, we will post two truths and a lie about one of our members on our FaceBook page. Guess the lie correctly by responding in the FaceBook post and you will be entered into a drawing to receive 35 percent off ONE item at VAM. (Yes, you can receive a discount off of an expensive painting, an item out of a Small Gallery show, or that piece you have had your eye on that is just out of reach.) The more correct guesses, the better your chances are of winning. The drawing will be held at VAM during our Holiday Open House on Nov. 26, 2016. To be a winner, you must sign up for our monthly email newsletter; find the link at the bottom of this page on our website. The winner will be notified via our newsletter. Winners must come into the market to make their purchase in person. Good luck!
Input your answer on our FaceBook page by Nov. 13 when the answer will be revealed and the next question will be posted.
Two truths and a lie with Barbara Sarvis
Painter Barbara Sarvis is up next in our Two Truths and a Lie contest. Which is the lie?!
1. I met Obama the night before his first election.
2. I have a brown belt in karate.
3. I attended Woodstock and didn’t stay for any of the performances.
The lie is #2. Thanks for playing!
Valley Artisans Market is celebrating our 35th year in business with a contest: Two Truths and a Lie. Each week, from Sept. 18-Nov. 20, we will post two truths and a lie about one of our members on our FaceBook page. Guess the lie correctly by responding in the FaceBook post and you will be entered into a drawing to receive 35 percent off ONE item at VAM. (Yes, you can receive a discount off of an expensive painting, an item out of a Small Gallery show, or that piece you have had your eye on that is just out of reach.) The more correct guesses, the better your chances are of winning. The drawing will be held at VAM during our Holiday Open House on Nov. 26, 2016. To be a winner, you must sign up for our monthly email newsletter; find the link at the bottom of this page on our website. The winner will be notified via our newsletter. Winners must come into the market to make their purchase in person. Good luck!
Input your answer on our FaceBook page by Nov. 6 when the answer will be revealed and the next question will be posted.
Two truths and a lie with Cheryl Gutmaker
Glass artist Cheryl Gutmaker has some interesting entries for our Two Truths and a Lie contest. Which is the lie?!
1. I have parasailed, ridden in a hot air balloon, flown in a helicopter, dived in a submarine, driven a motorcycle, sailed a catamaran, and bicycled across NY state.
2. Viridian Catchpenny was my LARP character’s name.
3. I was the lead singer of a band made up of teachers.
The lie was #3. Thanks for playing!
Valley Artisans Market is celebrating our 35th year in business with a contest: Two Truths and a Lie. Each week, from Sept. 18-Nov. 20, we will post two truths and a lie about one of our members on our FaceBook page. Guess the lie correctly by responding in the FaceBook post and you will be entered into a drawing to receive 35 percent off ONE item at VAM. (Yes, you can receive a discount off of an expensive painting, an item out of a Small Gallery show, or that piece you have had your eye on that is just out of reach.) The more correct guesses, the better your chances are of winning. The drawing will be held at VAM during our Holiday Open House on Nov. 26, 2016. To be a winner, you must sign up for our monthly email newsletter; find the link at the bottom of this page on our website. The winner will be notified via our newsletter. Winners must come into the market to make their purchase in person. Good luck!
Input your answer on our FaceBook page by Oct. 30 when the answer will be revealed and the next question will be posted.
Two truths and a lie with Martha Starke
Paper and botanical artist Martha Starke continues our Two Truths and a Lie contest. Which is the lie?!
1. I own a painting created by a convicted felon who painted it while in prison for art forgery.
2. My favorite piece of art is a sculpture made mostly of human hair.
3. I traded clothing or toiletries for most of the art that decorates my home.
Number 2 was the lie. Thanks for playing!
Valley Artisans Market is celebrating our 35th year in business with a contest: Two Truths and a Lie. Each week, from Sept. 18-Nov. 20, we will post two truths and a lie about one of our members on our FaceBook page. Guess the lie correctly by responding in the FaceBook post and you will be entered into a drawing to receive 35 percent off ONE item at VAM. (Yes, you can receive a discount off of an expensive painting, an item out of a Small Gallery show, or that piece you have had your eye on that is just out of reach.) The more correct guesses, the better your chances are of winning. The drawing will be held at VAM during our Holiday Open House on Nov. 26, 2016. To be a winner, you must sign up for our monthly email newsletter; find the link at the bottom of this page on our website. The winner will be notified via our newsletter. Winners must come into the market to make their purchase in person. Good luck!
Input your answer on our FaceBook page by Oct. 23 when the answer will be revealed and the next question will be posted.
Two truths and a lie with Carolyn Kibbe
Valley Artisans Market is celebrating our 35th year in business with a contest: Two Truths and a Lie. Each week, from Sept. 18-Nov. 20, we will post two truths and a lie about one of our members on our FaceBook page. Guess the lie correctly by responding in the FaceBook post and you will be entered into a drawing to receive 35 percent off ONE item at VAM. (Yes, you can receive a discount off of an expensive painting, an item out of a Small Gallery show, or that piece you have had your eye on that is just out of reach.) The more correct guesses, the better your chances are of winning. The drawing will be held at VAM during our Holiday Open House on Nov. 26, 2016. To be a winner, you must sign up for our monthly email newsletter; find the link at the bottom of this page on our website. The winner will be notified via our newsletter. Winners must come into the market to make their purchase in person. Good luck!
Painter Carolyn Kibbe continues our contest. Which is the lie?!
1. As a kid, I often rode my horse standing up on her back.
2. I was a Classics major at Berkeley.
3. I am a Trekkie
The lie is #2. Thanks for playing!
Input your answer on our FaceBook page by Oct. 16 when the answer will be revealed and the next question will be posted.
Two truths and a lie with Jerry Moppert
Valley Artisans Market is celebrating our 35th year in business with a contest: Two Truths and a Lie. Each week, from Sept. 18-Nov. 20, we will post two truths and a lie about one of our members on our FaceBook page. Guess the lie correctly by responding in the FaceBook post and you will be entered into a drawing to receive 35 percent off ONE item at VAM. (Yes, you can receive a discount off of an expensive painting, an item out of a Small Gallery show, or that piece you have had your eye on that is just out of reach.) The more correct guesses, the better your chances are of winning. The drawing will be held at VAM during our Holiday Open House on Nov. 26, 2016. To be a winner, you must sign up for our monthly email newsletter; find the link at the bottom of this page on our website. The winner will be notified via our newsletter. Winners must come into the market to make their purchase in person. Good luck!
Woodworker Jerry Moppert continues our contest. Which is the lie?!
1. In my 50s, I had to abort a cross country solo bicycle trip after 5 weeks because of repeated bee sting allergy.
2. I talked my way out of a kidnapping/robbery attempt in Ethiopia.
3. I was at the original Woodstock and didn’t do drugs.
Thanks for playing – the lie is #1!
Input your answer on our FaceBook page by Oct. 9 when the answer will be revealed and the next question will be posted.