Thursday, May 12, 2011

May Member Interview: Donna Sloma

Donna Sloma


What inspires you to create?
Pretty much anything I walk past, thumb through, watch, or shop for! I am always attracted to color combinations and textures. The towels displayed in Target, to the ads in a health journal, get my mind going with the possibilities.

When did you decide to pursue art or did art pursue you?
I have created since I was young and in school; and scouts. It was always a pretty great idea to spend time doing something and ending up with a product! When I moved to North Carolina in 1998, I became a stay at home mother. Many years of Cub Scout leading, class “momming”, and religious education perfected my kid-art skills. But so many of the ideas that capture the imagination of kids also can be altered to suit adult tastes!

If you weren’t an artist, what would you be?
I can’t imagine not being an artist. But if I didn’t have the opportunity to pursue art like I do now, I can see myself having gone back to school over the last few years, probably to refresh my nursing.

What other jobs have you had which aided you on your artistic path?
I found a local store several years ago, and used to buy craft supplies there. I ended up teaching art/craft classes and loved sharing my techniques with others.



At the art supply store, which section do you gravitate to first?
Now and forever, it’s the paper.

What new technique or art form would you like to learn? Do you have plans to do so?
I really love beeswax collage! I took a class last year with Suze Weinberg, who made it so much fun, and before that, I was introduced to the medium by our very own Christine Candora-Hickey! I am taking an encaustic workshop this month with Patricia Baldwin Seggebruch!

If you could do anything, and knew you could not fail, what would you choose to do?
I would definitely own a store! (craft store, consignment gallery, co-op, etc)


With your work in it Donna, it would be a wonderful place!  Thanks for the interview.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Come Meet Alyson Stanfield!

Alyson B. Stanfield, author of
I'd Rather Be in the Studio!

image credit: Kimberly Lennox

Alyson Stanfield, founder of Art Biz Coach and author of I’d Rather Be in the Studio! The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion is coming to Raleigh to celebrate the release of the updated and expanded edition of her book, which helps artists promote and sell their art.

The Carolina Mixed Media Art Guild will host a book party for Alyson, and here are the details:

Date:  Saturday, May 21, 2011

Location:  VAE (Visual Art Exchange) 325 Blake Street, Raleigh 27601

Time:  5:00


Alyson is going to talk for a little bit, answer your questions, and sign books, which will be available for sale, for $25 plus tax. She says she sits behind her computer too much and loves to get out and meet artists in new places. She’s coming all the way from her home in Colorado, and hopes to have time to visit some of our art venues, including the North Carolina Museum of Art while she's here.
We would love for you pass along this book party invitation to all of the artists you know--the more the merrier! 

We hope to see you there.