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Home > Artist Bios- Christmas in July
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Untitled Document
Dawn
Benedetto |
poppi
is the fun and clever alter ego of dawn benedetto. it's a line of jewelry
that doesn't take life too seriously. the glass and sterling rings are
dawn's invention and are unique in that they stretch to fit most everyone.
poppi adds a splash of color to jeans or an extra spark to ignite a little
black dress; heck, it'll even brighten up a trip to the grocery store.
if nothing else, it's a statement. poppi laughs. poppi flirts. poppi screams.
poppi says it all without you saying a thing. |
If
you're curious about the day to day happenings, check out our blog. |
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Walter
Borotto |
As
a young teenager I remember reading paperback mysteries under a huge oak
tree outside my parents’ neighborhood grocery store in Dalton, Massachusetts,
a small town located in the heart of the Berkshires. I can recall pulling
books from the bookrack and getting locked in those novels as the fragrant
summer breeze of Berkshire County tried to turn the pages before I was
done reading them. I can still recall thinking that someday I’d
be able to write books like that on my own; I knew I could do it.
Well, the
idea stayed dormant for over thirty years while I did what I thought I
should have been doing for a living (it’s all such baloney sometimes)
until I rekindled my infatuation with writing novels. Now, an additional
fifteen years after that, and many mistakes and many failures later, I’ve
put out my second novel titled Presidential Risk. People ask, “How
in the world did you think of that?” and it pleases me immensely
to know that they liked the story. It’s the ultimate reward for
any writer.
He is a graduate of Union College in Schenectady, New York, and George
Washington University in Washington, D.C. He is the author of one previous
novel titled The Dealership. He has two children, and lives with his wife
of thirty years in Gaithersburg, Maryland. |
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Betsy
Curry |
Betsy Curry
creates decorative designs— I call them her "snowflakes"
because every one is different. It is just a marvel to me how she picks
up a blank ball and proceeds to create some wonderful intricate design--then
another--then another---and every one is totally unique.
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Jackie
Ehle |
| Jackie
Ehle loves animals and music, combining the two in her art -- and adding
a little of her own special lagniappe -- to create whimsical pet portraits
and various other creations. Born New Orleans, Louisiana, on August 7,
1968, Jackie moved to Alexandria, Virginia, where she attended T.C. Williams
High School and was voted "Most Successful" at Class of '86's
10th Reunion. Jackie attended Southeastern Louisiana University as a freshman
and then returned to Northern Virginia to continue a focus on art, her
lifelong passion. She took classes at Northern Virginia Community College,
the Corcoran School of Art, the Smithsonian, and the Alexandria Art League.
She worked
for Torpedo Factory artists Marcel, David Cochran, and the late Clay Huffman,
all mentors who encouraged her to pursue her art education at Virginia
Commonwealth University in Richmond, where she received a Bachelor of
Fine Arts in Painting and Printmaking from VCU in 1992. Jackie then moved
to New York City where she worked as a docent at both the American Folk
Art Museum and the Whitney Museum, where later she worked as a jewelry
buyer, and free lance window designer at the Whitney's "Store Next
Door." Jackie also has volunteered and worked as an art teacher at
both the Meer Discovery Center in Central Park in NYC and at the Alexandria
Boys and Girls Club. More recently, she taught art at E. Brook Lee Middle
School in Silver Spring, Maryland, in a program sponsored by the Maryland
College of Art & Design to integrate art into the curriculum at this
magnet school for Gifted and Talented, and learning disabled students. |
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Norma
Lasher |
Norma
Lasher does beautiful oil paintings of Old Town scenes "in the round"
on glass balls. (I've been collecting them for some years—I have
a Torpedo Factory, a Ramsey House, Trice Alley fire station, Founders
Park, various street scenes—they're exquisite paintings, and all
done from photos of actual Old Town locations so they're very recognizable
(even as they're sort of distorted on their spherical ground) and appealing,
especially for those of us who are connected to the community. And it's
so interesting to watch her execute them. |
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| Pat Palermino |
My
name is Patricia Palermino and I’m an American Folk Art Artist.
I’m a self taught folk artist who has been painting since I can
remember. I’ve been publishing my unique collection of folk art
paintings as prints and note cards for 20 years and have been showing
my paintings in many galleries around the world. I live in Alexandria,
Virginia with my family, where I create my paintings in my home studio
because this is where I feel most inspired to paint. Many of my paintings
have depicted the quaint villages, festivals, fairs and parades so common
in the Alexandria area and nearby Washington, D.C. My paintings are primitive
folk art prints and historical folk art prints that portray a true experience
of those places. Painting has been my passion since I was a little girl
and will always be a part of my life.
My love for
America is inspiring and patriotic to me. I started painting scenes of
America in 1979, capturing its cities, countryside, seacoasts, farmlands,
and forests. I use vibrant colors and a cast of playful characters to
create an array of magical scenes that combine a whimsical spirit with
a hint of nostalgia. My cheerful and detailed paintings capture viewers
of all ages evoking smiles and pleasant memories to last forever! When
I paint, my prints allow you to live in the scene and be able smell, taste
and hear what you see. Like most contemporary folk artists, I focus on
happy and historical events and holidays that result in my joyous paintings.
American cities are fascinating to me and I make frequent visits to places
like New York City and capture what I experience in my paintings.
My artwork
can be seen and purchased on my online gallery, my Alexandria gallery
and numerous other galleries across the US. My paintings are seen in very
historical places including the White House, the National Archives, Winterthur
Museum, the American Museum in Bath, England, the National Horticultural
Society and others. My artwork has appeared on many posters and publications
including the program cover of the National Easter Egg Roll at the White
House, the UNICEF Corporate Christmas Card Collection, Historic Alexandria,
Gadsby's Tavern Museum, Gunston Hall Museum, Woodlawn Plantation Museum,
Winterthur Museum's Point to Point Races, United Card of Japan and others.
Original paintings are sold at the Frank J. Miele Gallery in New York
City. |
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| David Strand |
Timeless
designs, clean lines, elegance, attention to detail. These are the hallmarks
of David Strand Designs™. David Strand was an avid collector and
worked in the ornament industry for many years before forming David Strand
Designs™. The idea sprang from a desire to obtain ornaments for
his own tree that he was unable to find in the marketplace. Retail clients
shared his frustration and encouraged him to start his own company.In
2006 David formed David Strand Designs™ and began working with European
workshops. He introduced his first collection in 2007. David’s designs
are imaginative and autobiographical in nature. They’re inspired
by family and friends, childhood memories, favorite books, music, movies,
hobbies and travels around the world. David’s ornaments and holiday
decorations are handmade by European artisans using the finest materials
and time honored techniques. A firm believer in quality over quantity,
David produces his ornaments and holiday decorations in limited numbers.
His glass ornaments are mouth-blown and are lined with silver for additional
radiance. They are hand-painted by skilled artisans and are further embellished
with glitter and Austrian crystals.All of David’s designs are unique
and are conceived and executed with emotion and great care. Please take
a moment to appreciate the concept, the fine painting and the delicate
application of glitter. Whether purchased as a gift or as an addition
to your own collection, an ornament or holiday decoration by David Strand
Designs™ will delight your eyes and stimulate your senses.David
Strand Designs™ is available through a select group of better retailers. |
| www.davidstranddesigns.com |
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| Teresa Scott
Woodside |
Writer,
illustrator, and international artist has brought her beloved Clemmie®
to life with her new books that cross borders and touches hearts.
Teresa’s
journey into her career has been an interesting one. While working on
her Doctorate in Child Development and Family Relations, Teresa realized
she also had a desire to nurture her creative side. While drawing and
painting in her spare time, the creative arts soon became her true passion.
With a love
of classical painting, Teresa later traveled to Europe to study the techniques
of the Old Masters. Today, her works can be found from the White House,
Governor’s Mansions, Dignitaries, and to private citizens throughout
the world.
The Old Masters
were not the only influence to Teresa. She was especially influenced by
the art of Peanuts® cartoonist, Charles Schulz, during her childhood
years.
Teresa’s love of life and its’simplest moments have brought
about the creations of her new children’s books. The books are based
upon her beloved English Bulldog, Clemmie.
Teresa lives
in Alexandria, VA with her husband Paul and can be reached through her
website . |
| www.teresascottwoodsidecreations.com |
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