Get to know some of the Carriage Barn members!
SEPTEMBER 2024: Jay Wilson and Suzanne Charbonneau
AUGUST 2024: Mallory Weidemann and Derek Freres
JULY 2024: Miggs Burroughs and Susan Finkelstein
JUNE 2024: Jennie Carr and Vanessa Curri
MAY 2024: Andrew Graham and Audrey Zinman
APRIL 2024: Ariel Ling and Lena Booth
MARCH 2024: Jim Fenzel and Heather J. Jones
FEBRUARY 2024: Hooey Wilks and Lauren Van Roden
September Profiles
An Interview with Member, Jay Wilson
*To see more of Jay’s work, visit his website Here
How do you select subjects for your photography?
I’m drawn to unconventional beauty on the streets, often early in the morning or at night. As a photographer, you’re always chasing the light, and so light is what first draws my eye. I travel a lot, and that sense of discovery of a new city or landscape allows you to see things for the first time – everything seems new. For example, I was recently in Montreal and Quebec with my kids, and would leave the hotel by 6am and just wander with my camera. The rising sun would illuminate an old stone wall, or start to penetrate the darkness of a stark alleyway, and that’s what draws me in. More and more, I find myself avoiding photographing conventional beauty, or established landmarks, and instead look for the moods or the vibes of a place. On a completely different level, I can get addicted to shooting waves and surfers – an entirely different style and subject for photography that I simply can’t resist.
You have spearheaded numerous events at the Carriage Barn, like the Photography Exhibition Artist Talk last winter, and hold a prominent position in other artist organizations. Could you explain the benefits of artists being part of an organization, both for themselves and for you personally?
I’ve been honored to serve as President of the Board of Directors of Rowayton Arts Center in Norwalk for the past few years. I’m an exhibiting member there, as well as at Carriage Barn Arts Center, and the Greenwich Art Society. So I get to see the wonderful benefits of these organizations both for artists and the community at large. The chance to exhibit at a wonderful gallery space like Carriage Barn multiple times a year, the annual Waveny Park Arts Fest, and the incredible panels and artists talks that the Carriage Barn puts on make membership so worthwhile. Membership in an arts organization gives artists the opportunity to get their work in front of new audiences, to network and form friendships with other local artists, and to learn – whether through classes or from exhibition jurors or simply from each other.
A brilliant photo can be elevated by… Conversely, a superb photo can be marred by…
I think when determining whether a photo is brilliant or superb is defined, for me, by one thing – does it evoke emotion in the viewer? While that emotion might be the awe in viewing a technically perfect, dramatic landscape photograph, it’s probably more likely in a photograph that is telling a story – or better yet, just a part of a story – leaving the rest of the story up to the viewer’s interpretation. Gregory Crewdson’s work is very much in this vein. And the photograph telling that story or eliciting an emotional response in the viewer doesn’t need to be technically perfect, in fact there’s often more mood or emotion in a photograph that has technical flaws – some blur or noise or whatever. And it doesn’t need to be pretty – it can be dark and moody. One of my favorite photographs of all time is Bruce Davidson’s portrait of Jimmy Armstrong.
An Interview with Member, Suzanne Charbonneau
*To see more of Suzanne’s work, visit her website Here
What unique narrative can a painting convey that other mediums cannot?
All artistic mediums can tell captivating stories in their ways. That’s what art does. So, to the photographers, sculptors, printmakers, and creators out there, this is one oil painter’s perspective.
When I step up to a blank canvas, whether in my studio or outdoors, it’s always daunting. I’ve got my subject, how I see it, how I want to portray it, and how the viewer will feel when they see it. As a painter, the tools and techniques at my disposal give me a chance to make something unique:
- having access to limitless vibrant colors
- creating mystery with lost and found edges
- building texture and dimension with thicker paint (impasto)
- using dark and light values for drama
- making expressive brushstrokes — soft and poetic or bold and intense
- glazing to add luminosity
- using a range of tools for mark-making — brushes, knives, sponges, squeegees, Q-tips, and even seagull feathers (for wispy clouds)
Of course, there are also vastly provocative painting styles — from contemporary to classical. All of these give the painter a chance to create a distinctly immersive visual experience that the viewer can interpret.
Describe your favorite moment witnessing your art showcased in the Carriage Barn.
This one’s easy! It was the night of December 1, 2023, at the annual “Off the Wall” Holiday Art Benefit. It’s a fun and fast-paced evening where patrons are invited to approach a wall of artwork when their name is drawn and grab their favorite piece right off the wall. I was asked to donate a painting to the event which was quite an honor. There were over 30 stunning paintings and photographs featuring distinct styles, vibrant colors, and subjects all up for the taking. Mine was a subtle apple still life in a classical style. It was nearing the end of the evening and over half of the paintings remained hanging including my little still life. I had resigned myself to the fact that I would be taking it home. Then, Hilary announced “Last call and final chance to grab an original work of art”. A woman emerged from the back of the room and walked through the crowd up to the wall. She reached out and put her hands on my painting. I was both stunned and delighted! At the very last minute, my painting had found a home. I have sold paintings through Carriage Barn Member Shows, Deck the Walls, and the wonderful Art in the Windows events, and it’s always exciting, but this was a moment I’ll never forget. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to donate to the Carriage Barn team who do so much to promote the arts in our community.
If you had the opportunity to create a painting for three specific individuals worldwide, who would be your top choices?
In no particular order, here are 3 people for whom I’d love to create a painting:
- My painting idol, the late Richard Schmid (1934 – 2021) is a legendary painter, art educator, and author of Alla Prima. He is the reason I am inspired to paint.
- Conservationist and animal lover, Dr. Jane Goodall turned 90 this year! She has selflessly dedicated her life to protecting animal welfare and the natural world. It’s impossible to express thanks for all she has done, but I wonder, would she like a landscape painting of her favorite forest in Tanzania?
- This one may seem quirky but, I’d be delighted to create a painting for my favorite actor, Anthony Hopkins. Anyone who can convincingly play a masterminded cannibal, a repressed English butler, a defiant father (the list goes on) and evoke such a range of emotions from his viewers—that’s an art! And what’s more, he’s a cat person so I’d paint his cat.
August Profiles
An Interview with Member, Mallory Wiedemann
*To see more of Mallory’s work, visit her website Here
What’s a metaphor to describe your creative process?
My creative process is like being a detective solving a mystery. I am always alert and observant, paying attention to the most subtle details and subconsciously on the lookout for inspiration in the world around me.
When something interesting catches my eye, I immediately add it to a list on my phone or take a photo, much like a detective documenting a new crime scene. I never want to lose that thought. It may not make sense now, but it could be the key to everything later on.
I then dive deep, obsessing over every detail and researching exhaustively. I pick apart what feels most relevant, following the leads that draw me in. Once I’m completely burnt out on research and planning, I start painting, testing my theories on canvas. Sometimes it works, often it doesn’t. I continuously ask myself ‘What if?’, mixing and remixing colors, adjusting compositions, and refining details. It’s like piecing together evidence until the painting feels right and the mystery is solved.
What are you working on now and what do you hope to work on next?
Currently, I am focused on creating a more cohesive body of work, drawing inspiration primarily from Cy Twombly and Richard Diebenkorn. This is still a relatively new venture for me, and I have so much learning and painting ahead. The excitement of creating something new every day fuels my passion, and I never want to stop.
Next, I aim to develop more loose and colorful compositions inspired by Joan Mitchell, Helen Frankenthaler, and Lee Krasner – with a touch of Yayoi Kusama. While my natural inclination is towards structured compositions, I aspire to create pieces that feel more free flowing yet equally captivating, with many layers to explore.
What personal attribute of your character has been the most essential in your work as an artist?
Tenacity, 1000%. No one has ever complained that I don’t try hard enough. Creating art has been a journey filled with challenges, setbacks, and constant learning. It has required a relentless drive to keep pushing forward, even when things aren’t going like I thought they might. My tenacity allows me to stay committed to my vision, to continuously experiment and refine my techniques, and to overcome the inevitable obstacles that arise along the way. This innate, strong-willed, persistence fuels my creativity and enables me to grow as an artist, always striving to bring my ideas to life and improve with each piece I create.
If you were to recommend a favorite event or class at the Carriage Barn to a friend, what would you suggest?
I am still so new to New Canaan, but last year, Deck the Walls was the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season.
An Interview with Member, Derek Freres
To see more of Derek’s work, visit his website
Describe your ideal workspace (both the physical and mental essentials)
I find teaching to be among the most mentally essential, invigorating and motivating activities. Teaching exposes me to ideas and questions I may never have considered and allows me to problem solve the creation of inspirations that are not my own. I find it hones my technical skills and the actual act of teaching – while exhausting in the moment – also propels me to move forward on projects I may have set aside. When it comes to my creations, I prefer to work in quiet without others around – they tend to step on things. I often use large amounts of space to support my workflow, I make what other people may have considered to be large messes (I do clean up after myself), and I am a notorious task focused creative often coming up with an idea and working 24 hours straight to bring that work to the next step. Thinking to create is much less effective for me than creating as a method of thinking.
July Profiles
An Interview with Member, Miggs Burroughs
How is a lenticular made and what do you enjoy about the process that is unique to that artform?
Wreath Title: ‘The Lure of Fishing’
June Profiles
An Interview with Member, Jennie Carr
*To see more of Carr’s work, visit her Instagram Here
How has the Carriage Barn been a special part of your journey as an artist?
I’ve been a happy member of the CB for just over a year now, and I have felt welcomed from the start. I’ve enjoyed exhibiting and selling my paintings and photographs in many shows alongside a group of talented regional artists. It’s a pleasure working with a gallery that is professionally run with such beautifully curated and well attended shows. I’ve participated in many of the events the CB hosts both on and off-site. My favorite to date was the Basquiat x Warhol exhibit at the Brant Foundation.
Many of my paintings promote Equality and Freedom for all, with an emphasis on women’s rights. I often incorporate humor in the message because I would prefer to strike up a conversation with someone than lecture them. I want to begin my response with the fact that I was both delighted and amused to have been asked to create the art for the CB restroom doors! I went with pieces based on 2 series I’ve been working on. A strong Surfer Girl welcomes the women, and a Salty Sailor greets the men!
*To see more of Curri’s work, visit her Instagram Here
How and why did you become involved with the Carriage Barn?
I am so grateful for the Carriage Barn! It has given me the opportunity to be more involved in the local artistic community both as an artist, art enthusiast and instructor (I even formed a good friendship in one of the first shows that I attended just by chatting about the art with her!)
Personally, I am currently working in a variety of mediums; oil, acrylic, ink, charcoal, and graphite. And I feel my background in drawing from life has benefited my painting immensely. I love drawing people and feel it is a genuine privilege to do so. Ideally, I strive to observe something essential about the sitter and their form and not just the physical attributes but also their humanity in general. May Profiles
An Interview with Member, Andrew Graham
*To see more of Graham’s photography, visit his website Here
1. The opportunity to explore art! I was a graphic artist for almost 40 years and my designs were under the scrutiny of many long before they even got to the client. To be free to make art for me is what I live for.An Interview with Member, Audrey Zinman
How did you come to be involved with the Carriage Barn?
Why did you choose decoupage as your artistic avenue?
April Profiles
An Interview with Member, Ariel Ling
*To see more of Ariel’s photography, visit her website Here
As the Spectrum, ‘Visual Rhythms’ approaches at the Carriage Barn, does music play any part in your creative process? What are you currently listening to and can you cite any music that has influenced your artwork or life as an artist?
I have always loved classical music, especially with my son Cary being trained as a pianist / cellist since he was 6. In the last ten years, I have listened to him playing a wide range of famous piano and cello repertoire from Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Impressionist to modern 20th century ages – from Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, to Chopin, Debussy, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, Grieg, and Gershwin, etc. A lot of times I was editing my photos while he was practicing his piano next door – the tempo and melody of his repertoire influenced the mood and the light I was trying to bring out from the photos. As a landscape photographer, I travel a lot with my family and in front of the exceptional natural beauty, Cary always chats with me how the scenery invokes which piece or part of music that he plays from etudes, sonatas to preludes, concertos and symphonies. For example, we heard the stormy rapid passage of famous Chopin’s Revolutionary Etudes in our head when I was capturing the roaring stormy waves crashing into the rugged coast of Iceland Vik black beach last June.
From the composition perspective, in the field of photography, compositions often capture the energy and harmony of nature through light and shutter speed. In the realm of music, compositions often mirror the ebb and flow of emotions through rhythm, dynamics, and melody. So, I have always been fascinated with how I can hear the symphony of time and movement from the colors, shapes, and textures of those natural images, being inspired and intrigued.
How has an arts center like the Carriage Barn impacted your life personally?
As a proud member and an avid supporter of the Carriage Barn Center for over three years, I have seen the amazing growth journey of the Center from the increasing variety of art exhibits and art education programs across all age groups, the expansion to dynamic tenets of art world of music and performance, the unique combination of cuisines and wines with art and well-being.
The most impressive part is how Carriage Barn Center embraces and supports our local communities and artists. I love all the events the center hosts and sign up with friends and families whenever we can. I’ve made so many local artist friends and learnt so much from them and education programs. As an amateur photographer, I feel extremely fortunate to have this supportive platform to share my work, get feedback from the professionals and broaden my vision of the art world.
What are your top three tools that help with your artistic process?
I use a Nikon D850 full-frame camera for all my shots, Adobe Lightroom for light and color enhancement, and Topaz Lab photo app to sharpen the images if needed.
An Interview with Member, Lena Booth
Tell me about your relationship with the community of the Carriage Barn and how this has impacted you.Hobby: My favorite hobby (apart from Yoga) is Scuba Diving. My husband and I try to scuba at least 1x a year. We both got certified in Curacao, 20 years ago, and had amazing underwater experience. Swimming alongside untouched coral, tropical fish, sea turtles, manta rays etc is exhilarating. Such rare species of marine life below sea level is so enchanting. It’s like being an astronaut who is discovering new worlds, only under water.
Travel: My favorite place to travel to is a toss between Hawaii and Costa Rica. My 1st visit to Costa Rica was on my honeymoon. I instantly fell in love with it. The country is clean, the food is fresh, the beaches are beautiful, and the people are kind. As for Hawaii, I found Maui to be lovely, but my favorite island is Kauai. Nicknamed the Garden Isle, Kauai is more remote and naturally carries the sweet scent of flowers and fruit trees in bloom. The terrain is aligned by crystal waterfalls from the mountains. It’s so picturesque and dreamy!
Current obsession?
I’m currently obsessed with candles and crystals. That may sound strange to some, but I find a ceremonial aspect to lighting a candle. It’s an affordable luxury that makes me happy and more at peace. I have candles in almost every room in my house (using them with caution of course). I even have them in my kids’ rooms. I love the scents from the essential oils in the wax, and I especially like burning candles during the cold, winter months to self soothe.
Crystals on the other hand, are new to me, and I’m learning about their distinct benefits. Not only are they naturally beautiful, but each rock is unique providing their own healing properties when used correctly. For Example, Clear Quartz and Selenite are cleansing stones and aid with purification and detoxifying the body. Hematite is a grounding stone that promotes protection and safety while Jade (known as the Heaven Stone) invites good luck, prosperity, and instills harmony and peace.
March Profiles
An Interview with Member, Jim Fenzel
*To see more of Jim’s paintings, visit his website at Jim Fenzel Art
What drew you to paint as your medium of expression?
I have always loved to draw, and painting was a way to go bigger than a sheet of paper. My graduate degree is in architecture, and I enjoy bringing architectural pencil drawings to painted canvas. Years ago, I picked acrylic over oil; at the time, I was more intimidated by oil and did not know if my “painting phase” would last. Since then, I have stuck primarily with acrylic, though I use oil sticks on top of the acrylic paint in some pieces.
Describe your ideal workspace (both the physical and mental essentials):
My current workspace (the basement of our West Hartford home) is functional, but I’d love to elevate it literally and figuratively. A vast open space would be ideal, so despite the cliche, I’d choose an urban loft with high ceilings and large windows. I’d want to look down on the street but still feel intimacy with it, so something between the third and 5th floors in a walkable neighborhood featuring a mix of architecture. As in A Few Good Men, where Tom Cruise’s character “thinks better with his bat”, perhaps my most unique essential would be a spot where I could retrieve the passion of my childhood and throw a lacrosse ball against a brick wall. The repetition of that lifelong skill helps order my thoughts. Of course, very little work would get done without coffee. The espresso machine would sit in a nook (safe from flying lacrosse balls) with a bookshelf and comfortable leather chair.
I tend to get my best ideas and breakthroughs by …
Exercise and music are essential to my creative process. We lived in Manhattan for a decade and experienced it as the quintessential walking city. My wife and I moved there with no kids and left when our fourth was two. In that decade, we put countless miles on the strollers, and as I walked, I found infinite scenes I wished to paint. I paint a lot of architecture and like seeing the same buildings in different seasons and times of day. The exercise itself–walking, biking, throwing a lacrosse ball–leads to ideas coming together.
I have no musical talent, which may make applying what I hear to a different medium easier. For instance, I have a piece for an upcoming show in Boston that addresses redlining and other de jure segregation practices. It is a weighty subject, but the painting is vibrant and seemingly lighthearted at first glance. As I walked and planned the painting, I was drawn to songs whose lyrics were sad, destructive, or tragic but whose tune was not. Some that come to mind are “Destroyer” by Dead Man Winter, “1-4’5” by You Won’t, and Cory Branan’s entire 2022 album When I Go I Ghost. These songs’ catchy tunes and upbeat energy belied haunting, heavy lyrics. Branan said, “I didn’t want to make a record that pondered itself; I wanted it to have motion, so I gave this record an overarching rule: The sadder the song, the more it had to move and groove.” The hope is to draw people in through composition and color; the painting does not “ponder itself,” but if the viewer is drawn to it, perhaps that leads to them asking: “What exactly am I looking at?”
What is the most rewarding and the hardest part of what you do?
The most rewarding part is in the studio when I’m in a groove, a zone. The hardest part is marketing and selling the paintings I’ve finished. Often, I’m full of ideas about how to discuss the work I’m currently doing, but once done, my mind shifts to the next project, and it’s difficult sometimes to recapture the passion that was present in the process.
Can you describe a meaningful experience or relationship you’ve formed through your membership at the Carriage Barn?
I live quite a distance from Carriage Barn (in West Hartford), and I have four kids (ages 6 to 15) whose sports and activities keep me driving around on evenings and weekends. Therefore, I have not taken advantage of as many Carriage Barn offerings as I wish. I loved attending the New Britain Museum of American Art outing organized by Kristin Edwards. I’ve connected with other artists via social media; hopefully, I can increase my involvement. It’s a special place with a great setting and dedicated people.
An Interview with Member, Heather J. Jones
>*To see more of Jim’s paintings, visit his website at http://www.heatherjjones.com
What personal attribute of your character has been the most essential in your work as an artist?
I’m a planner–in life and my creative process. Mapping out a plan for each painting is essential because realism is not about how much detail you choose to put in a piece, but what you choose to leave out–and that is where the challenge begins. When I go to sleep at night, the thing I like to think about is what my next “move” will be on the piece I’m currently working on. That said, watercolor is always full of surprises, which is one of the things that makes it most enjoyable. So, while I always have a plan for each piece, I’m not opposed to changing it along the way.
What are you working on now and what do you hope to work on next?
I’m working on a series of vintage motorcycles. These images are a time machine: they represent the exceptional design of a long-lost era while transporting one to a solitary place where there is nothing but open road–and that feeling that comes from hitting the gas. In addition, I’m in the planning stages of a series of square works of iconic mid-century cars in various settings, which will be painted in monochromatic palettes.
What’s a metaphor to describe your creative process?
It sounds strange, but I relate my materials and methods to cooking. My process, which is very unconventional for watercolor, involves layering graphite and straight-from-the-tube watercolor pigment–much like layers of a cake. The final stage of my process involves selectively applying thinned gouache to sharpen edges and saturate colors, which just makes everything pop . . . Like the sprinkles on top. When thinning my pigments with water, my desired consistencies are a range of dairy–from skim milk up to heavy cream, but never whipped cream!
What is something you have discovered this year that has been a game-changer?
I’ve long loathed using liquid mask. It is a necessity, however, to achieve realism given the abundance of tiny details in my work. Recently I’ve started leaving the mask on the paper until I’ve nearly finished working on an area–as opposed to removing it in the early stages. This new found “patience” of mine has really made using mask more efficient–and likeable.
If you were to recommend a favorite event or class at the Carriage Barn to a friend, what would you suggest?
I take so many classes at Carriage Barn–from yoga to monotype, but the one class I always recruit friends for is the wine tasting and floral arranging evening with Emily of Vine Floral. I learn a ton about both flowers and wine at these events. The barn buzzes with creativity while everyone works intensely on their arrangements, which makes for a fantastic night out.
February 2024
An Interview with Member, Hooey Wilks
*To see the images of antiques toy skiers in the mountains as well as other photo based contemporary mixed media work by Hooey Wilks, visit her website at hooeymountain.com
Tell me about your background, and what led you to pursuing photography professionally?
This goes way back. From middle school through college, I had a very successful national craft business. I used my first big paycheck from that to buy an SLR camera. (I still have it.) In high school and college, I took many photography classes, but ultimately landed in the corporate world. While this may not have seemed like an important part of my creative journey, it taught me so much that has been vital to running my art business such as the importance of a business plan, budgeting skills, file management, web design etc.
As I approached my empty nesting years, I was determined to run my own business doing something creative. I also really wanted to somehow link it to my love of skiing. I enrolled in classes at FIT as I considered something in textiles. I was looking into surface design and was shooting images possibly to paint for that purpose. All the while I had been collecting antique toy skiers for years and started photographing them in CT. I quickly realized they needed a much bigger stage to really bring the photography concept to life. So, I packed them up and brought them with me out west skiing. Shortly after that I stopped shooting for surface design and focused entirely on the photography.
I love photography, spending time in the mountains and the joy of skiing. The world can always use more joy and happiness, so I am happy to be delivering that.
Your photography series of antique toy skiers on Mountain resorts plays with scale between the vast landscapes and small stature of the human figures. Tell me about the inspiration behind this choice. Where did the figures come from, and do you have names for them?
With these small figurines, the use of perspective, depth of field and framing, creates movement where none exists. It draws you in and makes you question what you are seeing. It is at that moment there is an unfolding of the art as you experience it that I think makes the skiers come alive. I never photoshop the toys into backgrounds. I am constantly exploring the landscape, examining the environment and the details that mimic what I am feeling, but often on a smaller scale. I can be seen laying in the snow usually just off a ski slope, hands freezing, placing the skiers in just the right place to get the shot.
My first two antique toy skiers came from an antique shop in New Canaan about 15-20 years ago as a gift for my husband. We were smitten and kept adding every year. We now have about 150 of them. They do not have names, but one of them I think of as my avatar. The red skier appears quite a bit in my images and on my Instagram account @hooeymountain. Sometimes I think of the Series as a diary of my best days. For each image, I remember exactly where I was, what the weather was like and who I was skiing with that day.
You’ve participated in a range of programs and exhibitions at the Carriage Barn — can you share what you value most about being a member?
I’m really enjoying the guided tours of art exhibits the most. I personally try to see new art at least twice a month and these organized trips help me make that happen. Having a small group guide really helps me understand the artists’ paths, techniques, and inspirations. I’ve also learned about so many more places to see art in this region than I realized existed!
What advice or encouragement would you give to others who are thinking about pursuing their creative interests?
Just start! If you can’t find the time to take a class, just get some materials and try it. YouTube videos are great for some basic knowledge in whatever medium you want to pursue. If you enjoy it you can prioritize the education piece later. We are so lucky to be near so many great places for art education. Don’t be intimidated by what others are doing. It can be just for you. There is no right way. Finally, at some point you need to decide if it is a hobby or a business. Again, there is no right answer, but slightly different approaches.
Who or what inspires you most as an artist and/or personally?
I’m inspired by people with creative talents and really inspired by those who run their own businesses (I love the “How I built this” podcast). I sell a lot of my work through decorators. These (typically) woman owned businesses are just oozing with talent. They work incredibly hard to bring functional solutions and beauty to spaces and I’ve been seeing that up close now since I started Hooey Mountain.
How do you feel having an arts center like the Carriage Barn and/or arts access is important for a community?
The first time you go public with your art is intimidating. Regional arts organizations like the Carriage Barn are a great welcoming space for all skill levels. Dipping your toe in the water that first time can be difficult for someone new to exhibiting, but it is great for immediate feedback. It’s also a great space to meet and interact with other artists and share ideas and resources.
Also, we live in a town that really values its athletes and I think it is great to also show the youth in this town that artists are valued too.
An Interview with Member, Lauren Van Roden
*To see more of Lauren’s paintings, visit her website at Lauren van Roden Designs
You have several creative pursuits from your artwork to your butter business. Anything else we don’t know about? Tell me about the most significant experience or influence that shaped these interests?
I have always identified as being a creative person and had a strong interest in the arts. My maternal grandmother, Hildegarde van Roijen was an artist in Washington DC and has always been my most significant inspiration looking back. She was a wild and out there artist who consistently thought outside the box and was very social. She entertained often and was always the most interesting person at the dinner party. 🙂 I remember her taking me into her studio on several occasions and teaching me to draw with charcoal and pencil and she ignited a love for art in me at a very early age. She would take me to museums and teach me about various artists. Today, I have several pieces of her artwork in my home, sketches, prints, sculpture and paintings. They are incredibly inspirational to me. Over the last few years I have had some very difficult life events, in particular losing my father, who I was very close to. Art and creativity served as an incredible outlet to me in this difficult time. I would sit in my office at night and paint and lose myself in the colors and shapes and it was very cathartic. It was almost mediative; I could quiet my mind and my hands would do the work. As a mom of two little girls and a teacher during the day it can be hard to find time for yourself and painting and Butter than Ever became my personal outlets and filled my bucket so to speak. I thrive off of the joy that my art and my butter bring to others, and it has been incredibly fulfilling to me.
As a family member of the Carriage Barn, your young children have also participated in classes and activities here. What have they enjoyed most and why is this important to you as a family?
I see creativity in both of my daughters, Lucy 8 and Caroline 5. They love to draw, sculpt, act, sing and perform. The Carriage Barn has been an incredible resource for us by giving them the opportunity to attend performances, visit the exhibitions and attend the After School Adventures program. The girls have learned so much about various artists and have had an opportunity to create multi-sensory art projects with other kids their age. They look forward to Art Adventures each week and I can’t think of a better way to continue to foster their creativity.
When times get busy, what keeps you motivated as a creative? Do you have a favorite artist who inspires you?
When times get busy, I have a tendency to get stressed and overwhelmed. Carving out time to be creative has always served as a way to decompress and hit pause. I walk through my house and see my grandmother’s art and its a good reminder of the creativity that exists within me. It can be hard but I try to commit to doing something creative each week, drawing, painting, listening to music, singing with my kids and my husband in the car or working on my needlepoint. When it comes to holidays, I always try to push myself to create at least one creative gift. A few years ago it was my mother’s birthday, and I couldn’t figure out what to get for her and I knew I wanted to do something creative for her. I was out shopping and came across a ceramic hippo. My mother’s favorite animal is a hippo. I looked at it and said to myself, I can do something with that. My mother is lovingly referred to as “Buttons” a nickname she was given when she was a little girl. I immediately went to Michaels and purchased some colorful buttons and got out the hot glue gun and started gluing various sizes of colorful buttons onto the hippo. The result was a fabulous ceramic hippo covered in buttons on its back and under its feet like it was floating on buttons. It is one of the silliest pieces I have ever done but it came straight from my brain and manifested in a fabulous end result. I still laugh when I go to my mother’s house and see it on the counter.
What advice or encouragement would you offer to others who are thinking about exploring or pursuing their creative interests?
My words of advice are this… creativity allows your brain to exercise in a different way, a way that can be very rewarding to not only you but to those around you. Take risks, experiment, don’t be afraid to try something bold. Half the battle is getting up the courage to try and once you pick up that paintbrush or pen you may surprise yourself. Creativity is in you, it just needs a vehicle to come out.
What kind of impact does an arts center like the Carriage Barn and/or arts access have on a community? How has this been impactful in your own life?
We are so lucky to have the Carriage Barn right here in our backyards. I am always telling people I meet about how much it has to offer for adults and kids. The events help to bring people in our community together and highlight the magnitude of talent we have in this town. I am constantly so impressed with the caliber of artists that display their artwork within the cozy barn walls. No need to go to New York! We have plenty of culture right here in our own backyard! I feel so lucky to be amongst such amazingly creative and talented artists and to be able to give my children the opportunity to be exposed to incredible masterpieces. As a teacher I know how important multisensory learning is and there is no better way to tap into the senses than through art and creativity. I encourage all families of young kids to come by the Carriage barn and walk through the exhibits or attend one of the events or classes. There is just so much you can gain from stepping through the doors of the Carriage Barn. It is a warm and welcoming place and an incredible resource to have in our special little town.