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2016 Ames Area Studio Tour: Meet the Artist - Art Ciccotti

8/27/2016

The 2016 Ames Area Studio Tour will be Saturday, October 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, October 9 from noon to 4 p.m. Over the next few weeks we'll introduce you to our artists and attempt to give you a small glimpse of what you might see when you visit their studios. We hope you are able to join us!
Find more information here.

Art Ciccotti - Ciccotti Art Glass [2306 258th St., Ames]

Art grew up in California and went to college at Iowa State, which is where he discovered his love of creating. He was in the glass blowing club, and it was here that he developed an interest in this art form that has since shaped his life.

After graduating, Art built his first studio in Ames. After a few years, he moved a few miles outside of town, where he could have more space. This is where you will find his studio today.

Like many artists, Art has personally built most of his heating equipment in his studio. It was interesting to learn from him that a knowledge of welding is necessary to successfully hand blow glass.

His current favorite technique to use is called a ‘switched-axis.’ This is a method of blowing glass during which you switch the axis point, making a swirl shape in the colors. The process is tedious but it is very rewarding, and the final product is well worth it.

Art understands that most people do not realize the investment is takes to make a piece of glass. This is not only with regard to the massive equipment stock it requires, but also the complicated ‘choreographed dance,’ a glass blower must learn in order to heat and successfully shape the glass.

During The Studio Tour, Art hopes visitors have a true ‘wow’ experience. Blown glass is something we do not see very often! He is also excited for people become more aware of his location outside of Ames so that he can gain more customers.

If the Studio Tour dates do not work out for visitors, Art also has workshops during the winter. He would love to see you!

Learn more about Art Ciccotti, his work, and the Ames Area Studio Tour by visiting our website, here.

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2016 Ames Area Studio Tour: Meet the Artists - Brainmill Maker Lab, Reliable Street

8/23/2016

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Brainmill Maker Lab [4625 Reliable St., Ames]
Collective Space / Varied Works

If you’re someone looking for a center for community arts and culture, look no further! The Brainmill Maker Lab on Reliable Street is in the works, and will be open to the public early next year. “Our goal is to be an all inclusive community space that nurtures and supports global arts and culture,” says Lyndsay Nissen, one of the six co- founders of the up-and-coming space.

“What exactly does this include?” one may ask. The space, which was formerly home to the Doboy Feedmill and warehouse, is projected to include a small coffee shop, a gallery, a computer lab for programming, and a workspace with access to tools for woodworking, welding, 3D printing, and more. “We want to provide a communal space for non-traditional media artists to work,” says Nissen.

One community-based project that the group has been currently working on is a free community bike share titled “Zebra Bikes.” The project includes a plethora of donated bikes that are now painted in black and white stripes. “The idea is about free roaming and the simple joy of riding bikes,” Nissen says.

Although the space isn’t officially set to open until January, the artists are excited to share their new space during the Studio Tour. “The space is about people coming and saying ‘We want to do this’ and us saying ‘Yes go ahead.’ We hope everyone can get involved and get inspired,” says Nissen.

There is a great article about the project here.

Learn more about Reliable Street, the Brainmill Maker Lab, and the Ames Area Studio Tour by visiting our website, here.

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2016 Ames Area Studio Tour: Meet the Artist - Barbara Walton

8/23/2016

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Barbara Walton [312 Main St., Ames]
Encaustic Painting

Ever witnessed a painting being done using wax? Whether you have or not, Barbara Walton, an encaustic and oil painter, has a lot of talent to share.

In 2002, Walton started experimenting with beeswax, which she believes is the ultimate “vehicle” of expression for her work. One cool fact is that painting with beeswax is a technique that dates all the way back to approximately 500 A.D., meaning that it predates even oil painting!

“Ever since I was young, I knew I wanted to create,” says the renowned encaustic painter. Although Walton primarily focuses on her experiences and the expression of nature in her work, her work prior to a series is also quite interesting.

“Before I start, I have to clear my mind,” she says, and then added, “I create 2x2 foot modulos so that I can figuratively leave the room and simply set the intention for my work.”

Now a professor in Iowa State University’s Design College, Walton primarily instructs painting classes. “If I can give any advice to my students, it is that if something isn’t working, attack it,” she says.

To watch Barb’s own unique process, you can visit her during the Studio Tour in October, where she will be doing some demonstrations of encaustic painting and how it works as a medium.

Learn more about Barb Walton, her work, and the Ames Area Studio Tour by visiting our website, here.

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2016 Ames Area Studio Tour: Meet the Artist - Molly Nagel

8/23/2016

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Molly Nagel - Upper Story Studio [518 Broad St, Suite 3, Story City]
Painting & Mixed Media Sculpture

From Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Molly got her bachelor and master’s degree at Iowa State University. Wishing to pursue independent studio practice, Story City became her new home after the city worked with her to find some amazing studio space. As a part of her partnership with the community, Molly offers as many classes as she can for as many age groups as possible. If it sounds interesting, she’ll do it.

Molly knew she wanted to be creative at a young age; she would draw for four hours while driving to her grandparents. Even as young as 5, her drawings were very intricate. She always had an eye for patterns and simply stuck with it.

Molly has been influenced by art and artists of all styles and mediums throughout history, and she sees every day as an opportunity to learn new things. Molly believes that this combination of history and new information is sure to bring about artistic inspiration.

Molly’s studio is full of amazing work, but her favorite piece is her life-size painting of grizzly bear. At 9 feet tall, it is very realistic and full of personality! Another breakout piece for Molly has been an abstract horse mural. Both of these pieces, and many others, show Molly’s love of animals and nature.

The advice Molly has received about creativity is, “Don’t be afraid to mess up!” Things will be imperfect, and you work from there. This helps you grow as an artist.

Molly hopes visitors on the Studio Tour will gain appreciation for the work she does, see the classes she has to offer, and maybe even be inspired to take on the work of becoming an artist.

Don’t miss this opportunity to spend time with Molly in her beautiful studio. She would love to meet you!

Learn more about Molly Nagel, her work, and the Ames Area Studio Tour by visiting our website, here.

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2016 Ames Area Studio Tour: Meet the Artists - Creative Artists' Studio of Ames

8/13/2016

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Creative Artists' Studio of Ames [130 S. Sheldon Ave., Suite 108, Ames]
Clay, Fiber, Encaustics, Metal, Paper, Ink, and Watercolor

“Fifteen years and going strong” is a great way to describe the Creative Artists’ Studios of Ames, or CASA.

“What is CASA?” one may ask. Well, with thirty participating artists, the co-op runs solely on its volunteers. “All of the artists have a studio space and access to materials in exchange for some chores and external duties,” says Lee Anne Willson, one of the founders of the organization.

The purpose of CASA is to allow local artists to work, learn, and share their expertise with one another, as well as with the public. “It helps to have a place to get away from things, a place where everyone is affirming and reassuring to one another in regards to their work, and this is that place,” said Willson. She also mentioned it’s a great place for recent graduates of the University to establish themselves before entering the professional art world.

While the majority of artists work with clay in either shared or private space, there is a wide variety in media from photography to paper and fiber arts. There is also an active gallery space, where the CASA artists, as well as local artists, are invited to display their work.

In participating in the upcoming Studio Tour, the artists are excited to do some demonstrations for the public, as well as show people the context of what CASA is. “We hope that people can learn how a situation like this works and how we function as an encourager of the arts, making it easier for artists to pursue their careers,” says Willson.

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2016 Ames Area Studio Tour: Meet the Artist - Catherine Huisman

8/13/2016

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Catherine Huisman - Just My Stuff Textile Art [200 Crane Ave., Ames]
Quilted Art Pillows and Wall Hangings

Catherine has had an interest in fabrics since a young age. She entered college in Pella, Iowa as an education major, but eventually changed her major to art education to better fit her interests. After graduation, she was a middle school art teacher in northern Iowa. Eventually, Catherine moved back to central Iowa, where she taught English for the majority of her career. However, she always found ways to incorporate art into her lesson plans.

Catherine knew that after retirement she would work hard to make art one of her primary hobbies. In 2009, she attended the fiber arts festival at Grinnell College, and while talking to a textile artist at the festival, she realized this is what she needed to be doing!
In 2012, she became more serious about her pillow covers and started participating in shows.

Catherine is inspired by nature landscapes, whether found in photos she has taken or in other forms of art she has seen. She crafts fabric landscapes in the pillows and handbags she creates, using precise stitching to accentuate subtle key points, such as clouds or rivers. Catherine also names each textile art she makes, and her favorite piece is still the very first pillow cover she ever made.

If Catherine had to give advice to someone chasing a creative career, she would remind them that they must have the passion to back it up. “If you don’t have the passion, the creativity is not going to come.”

At the Studio Tour, Catherine simply hopes visitors will come to see her studio and work in person, regardless if there are any purchases made. She is always open to making new friends!

Learn more about Catherine Huisman, her work, and the Ames Area Studio Tour by visiting our website, here.

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2016 Ames Area Studio Tour: Meet the Artist - Kristi Carlson

8/13/2016

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Kristi Carlson [713 16th St., Ames]
Painting, Drawing, and Printmaking

Kristi Carlson is a is landscape artist who uses small spaces for extreme detail. She often enlarges the landscapes she’s sketched and prints them to blocks of wood. She tries to show the landscapes exactly as they’re seen, and has even made maps out of the landscapes she draws. She’s made half and full panoramic view landscapes and also oil paints.

Art has been a part of Kristi’s life since she was a little girl growing up in the Chicago area. There were five boys on her father’s side of the family, and they all, including her father, worked professionally in the fine arts. She believes art is part of her DNA.

Kristi went into college thinking she would not pursue a fine arts degree. She had become a little arts fatigued, and wanted to try something new for her career. She took all sorts of classes, including writing and language, but eventually went back to drawing and painting, graduating with a degree in the arts.

She spent most of her adult life in Forest City, Iowa raising a family. Her husband taught at Waldorf University, where she later took a teaching position as well. Kristi earned her Master of Fine Arts while teaching.

It was during her time at Waldorf when she really discovered landscape art. A professor of hers once asked, “How can you make me stop and look?” That question helped her decide to start drawing extremely small and detailed, so you had to look.

Kristi doesn’t pick the most traditionally beautiful spots in Iowa to draw; she likes her vantage to be of simple Iowa countryside. She often parks in a ditch at the entrance of a field, and draws. She uses a view finder to stay lined up and keep the image precise. She likes using mechanical pencils for the sharp points and switches the leads for thicker and thinner strokes.

She’s drawn over one hundred landscapes admits she’s never been much of marketer for her art but only has one goal, for her art to be sold and appreciated.

Learn more about Kristi Carlson, her work, and the Ames Area Studio Tour by visiting our website, here.

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2016 Ames Area Studio Tour: Meet the Artists - Kaukab Merchant

8/7/2016

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Kaukab Merchant - 4u2c Art Studio [2130 McCarthey Rd., Ames]

Multi Media

Kaukab is a multi-media artist from Pakistan. She came to Chicago in the summer of 1992, after being encouraged by her colleagues to come to America to visit the museums and art galleries. Two years later, she married her husband and moved back to America.

She then went to the UK after receiving a field fellowship from the government. She taught at the Common Wealth Institute and visited the art galleries there for four months. After her son was born, she and her husband settled in Ames.

When she was in school, Kaukab never thought she would be an artist. After high school, her principal asked her to teach a children’s art class children before she headed to college. The classes’ topic was Japanese art, and they took the first place award in their local community.

Kaukab then went to college and realized she could continue making her own artwork. After earning a graduate degree in graphic design, she taught for four years at the college she had been attending. She was thrilled when her paintings were chosen to be in the college’s commercial art gallery. It was the turning point of her career.

Kaukab worked very hard on her craft. She was named one the most famous women artists in Pakistan, she received a scholarship for a book designing and illustration course in Lahore, Pakistan. There, she designed author’s book covers and illustrated children’s textbooks. She would also illustrate her father’s books.

When her son was still young, Kaukab designed a papier–mâché finch ornament. This was selected to be a permanent ornament for The White House collection from Iowa. Laura Busch invited Kaukab to the White House to see the grand Christmas tree. This is one of the many honors Kaukab has received in her art career.

Kaukab’s first inspiration as an artist was to teach children. She is also inspired by many artists painting from her home country of Pakistan. When making 3-dimensional art, she is very influenced by Roman architecture. She is continually inspired by everyday designs in the world.

If Kaukab had to give advice to beginners in art, is to not give up. Everyone must start somewhere, and as long there is encouragement in the process, you can accomplish anything.

Kaukab has experimented with nearly every medium of art, and is always willing to teach others her craft. She believes sharing ideas with one another, as she learned while making art in Pakistan, is the best way to get involved in art projects.

Learn more about Kaukab Merchant, her work, and the Ames Area Studio Tour by visiting our website, here.

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2016 Ames Area Studio Tour: Meet the Artists - KHOI Radio

8/7/2016

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KHOI Radio [410 Douglas Ave., Ames]

Community Radio

Ever wondered about the workings behind community-based radio? KHOI community radio can show you just that! Under the direction of Ursula Ruedenberg, the local station is run by a multitude of volunteers, who host different musical and talk shows.

“We really stress the incorporation of the community, and we simply want to introduce people to radio and let them play around with it,” says Ruedenberg.

It was in the 1970’s in Los Angelos that the Ames native first discovered community radio. In fact, to this day, Pacifica, or KPFA, which lies in Berkeley CA, sets the standard for non-commercial, community-based radio stations.

“It is such a great communication tool, for it is active and utilizes language as the most effective and important form of communication - unlike TV and other media,” said Ruedenberg.

In partaking in the upcoming Studio Tours, KHOI plans to offer participation for all visitors by providing instruction in the medium, as well as a chance to go on the air.

“We hope people get a chance to have fun and hopefully learn a bit about themselves by exercising language as the ultimate communication tool, ” says Ruedenberg.

To learn more, be sure to tune in at 89.1 FM or visit www.KHOIFM.org .

Learn more about KHOI, their work, and the Ames Area Studio Tour by visiting our website, here.

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