Janine Feminella : THE FIVE QUESTION INTERVIEW

June 2, 2021Leave a comment

Janine Feminella is creator and owner of Sreang. She creates hand crafted powerful jewelry with hammered brass, electro-formed copper, raw copper, natural gemstones, healing crystals, gold and sterling silver. She lives in Smithville, Texas with her husband Joseph. They own Sign and Banner Texas, a local print shop in nearby Bastrop, Texas.

1. Why did you choose to live in Bastrop County?

My husband Joseph and I moved to Bastrop county from western Massachusetts back in 2008. we were looking for a change of scenery and decided it would be fun to try Austin, so we bought a house we found online in Elgin, packed our cat and car and headed south.

2. What compels you to spend time creating?

Growing up, my mother was always making things… sewing, crafting, making baskets, wood burning, calligraphy, you name it. She really instilled in me this passion to always be creating and trying new things. Working with my hands and watching something transpire from beginning to end helps keep me grounded and out of my head so much.

3. Tell me three things you’ve learned in the past five years.

How important it is to set boundaries.
Love is so much more powerful than hate, nothing transcends love.
To let go of the things in which I have no control.

4. What are you currently making, reading, watching, or listening to?

Well, i’ve been a little consumed lately with researching my family history and building a family tree. I’ve been specifically interested in tracing my maternal lineage back as far as possible in Ireland. Nobody in my family knew the name of my mother’s great grandmother and I was able to find her searching through handwritten baptism records. It’s been an amazing way for me to connect with and honor my ancestors.

5. Cake or Pie?

Definitely cake, chocolate cake all day long.

Instagram @_sreang

Etsy Sreang

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Ashley Smith: The Five Question Interview

March 17, 2020January 26, 2021Leave a comment

Ashley Smith and her husband Kyle opened The Clever Tiger on June 14th, 2018. Their vision is to serve, inspire, and lead in the growth and sustainment of the art community. In less than two years it has become a natural community hub for art events and art activities for adults and children.

Ashley is a painter and ceramic sculpture artist. Her husband Kyle is a custom framer and woodworker. They live near downtown Elgin with their three daughters.

1. Why did you move to Elgin?

I grew up in Elgin, moved away, and then moved back 2 different times. In total, I have lived in Elgin for about 20 years but only started getting to know the community after opening the local gallery. Before this, I spent so much time commuting that I was never able to spend time enjoying Elgin. As a child, my parents commuted to Austin for work, I went to primary school in Round Rock, and as an adult, I traveled to Austin and San Antonio for work and college.

2. What compels you to spend time creating?

Creating is the one talent that I have always been confident of. Before creating art full-time, I helped create products, projects, business plans, etc. I find that teaching actually propels my creating by forcing consistent practice and designing lesson plans for a variety of ages and skill levels.

3. Tell me three things you’ve learned in the past five years.

Children are the most creative souls around and if we do not nurture this creativity, they are in danger of losing it.

If you tap into your deepest emotions and “failures”, creating leads to inspiration and deeper thought for others.

You can only grow if you push boundaries and try something you never have before.

*“Thom Yorke” 4’x4′ Acrylic on wood panel*

4. What are you currently making, reading, watching, or listening to?

Currently, I am working on a painting series of old Elgin, Texas buildings, a new portrait series, and beginning work on my next solo exhibition (re-defining the works of masters.) While painting, I mostly listen to Thom Yorke, Mars Volta, and anything that help tap into the vibe of the specific piece.

5. Cake or Pie?

Pie. I prefer homemade pie to any cake in existence. I love making apple pie, and wish blueberry was much more prevalent.

@artby_ashsmith
theclevertiger.com
@theclevertiger

Lee Charlton: The Five Question Interview

February 18, 2020January 26, 2021Leave a comment

Lee Charlton is the artist/owner at Felting Farmer Lady where she creates sculptures with wool, spins, and knits. She also sells hand-dyed fibers, roving, and handspun yarns for other fiber enthusiasts.

She lives on a small homestead farm in Central Texas with her husband and a host of critters.

1. Why did you move to Elgin?

We moved to Bastrop County in 1985 along with a group of friends when we found a most beautiful spot of land in the western part of the county. It just happened to be in the Elgin ISD. We raised 3 children here, all of whom attended the Elgin public schools. In 2005 we bought a sweet little farm just south of Elgin which we share with 2 sheep, a pig, 3 donkeys, an old bull, 4 dogs and a cat. The farm welcomes all sorts of visitors and especially the grandchildren.

2. What compels you to spend time creating?

I am not one that holds still well and love when my hands are busy. Taking wool and creating beauty just fills my heart, it’s plain and simple.

3. Tell me three things you’ve learned in the past five years.

I have always done crafty things but until I retired in 2011, had never attempted an art form that needed to be developed over time. In the last five years I have learned to keep at it over and over and over again until what is in my mind communicates with what my hands create and the result pleases me. I have learned how to run a small business, all sorts of social media promotional stuff that is a pain but necessary and tackled creating a website which I am quite proud of.

4. What are you currently making, reading, watching, or listening to?

Hmmm, I have to divide my time between creating product for my on-line business (I sell wool to others who do needle felting and spinning so process a lot of raw wool by washing and dyeing) and my own creating. Needle felting is creating sculptures with wool. I also spin yarn, knit and most recently, have dived into botanical printing. Botanical printing is a process that draws out the tannins from leaves onto wool/silk and cotton fabrics. I use natural dyes to modify these prints as well.

This time of year I am busy planning upcoming workshops, doing taxes and all the fiddly stuff one has to do. I have several large projects swirling in my head that I want to tackle this year. Spring will be a lovely time to get started.