Current Gallery Artists

Ralph 'nunzi' Annunziata

‘. . as i ponder thePresence withIN abstracted exercises

& distinctive figurative explorations - i realize,

anatomical understanding for me is clarity & authenticity of existence -

awareness withIN understanding of the beauty IN every human,

their purpose in time & space,

& the abstraction ‘withIN’ - one word with many implications as to suggest the unexplainable or making no sense

yet somehow quite pleasing to the eye or aesthetic_an attraction to some-thing that is AWE inspiring -

for me, simplicity in the tools i engage & the mediums applied are paramount in my journey withIN each piece,

raw or primed in acrylic polymer pigment, glossGel, conteStick & ebonyPencil’ - Ralph

Ralph Annunziata *

Juanita Baldwin

Juanita is a Chilean artist based in Okemos, Michigan, who primarily uses oil and acrylic paints to create colorful, slightly abstracted landscapes. She enjoys both plein air painting, and creating works in her studio at home. Juanita has worked and taken classes with a number of artists here in the United States, and also in Chile and England. Although she enjoys photography as well, her main focus at the moment is her multimedia paintings. She says, “although her paintings are rather small, she pours her passion or art and creativity into every one of them”.

Juanita Baldwin *

Christine Beals

Christine Beals is a local artist who utilizes geometric designs, quilt patterns, and the beauty of nature as inspiration for her work. She meticulously maps out on a wooden board, carefully paints and embellishes it, and finally varnishes it to give it a protective coating. The finished product is very similar to examples of folk art, in that it features bold, clean lines and vibrant colors.

Christine Beals *

Laurén Brady

Laurén  Brady

Laurén Brady is a visual artist and educator living in Charlotte, Michigan. She holds an MFA in Studio Art from Michigan State University and a BS in Studio Art from Indiana Wesleyan University. Her paintings explore landscape, memory, and responding to current environments through expressive mark-making and bold use of color. Her work has been included in several solo, small group, and national juried exhibitions, including Customs House Museum and Cultural Center in Clarksville, Tennessee, Eastend Studio and Gallery in Marshall, Michigan, The Sarratt Gallery at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, Jackson Dinsdale Art Center at Hastings College, to name a few. Laurén has been awarded artist residencies with Golden Apple Studios, The Sable Project, and La Macina di San Cresci. Her work has been featured in CandyFloss Magazine and Studio Visit Magazine Volume 44, and she is a member of All She Makes, a curated directory for women creatives worldwide. Laurén teaches in the Foundations Area at Michigan State University.

Laurén  Brady *

Zoe Beaudry

"My practice uses the language of traditional painting to examine contemporary disturbances to the bounds of the self. Taking inspiration from bodily transformation, spiritual experience, and the increasingly ubiquitous use of online avatars, my current work interrogates what human beings are made of in 2018; are we flesh and blood or systems and ideas? As technology becomes an increasingly essential extension of our biological existence and the 'self" becomes an even more fluid concept, how can art continue to contribute to individual and collective consciousness?"

Zoe Beaudry

Bookend Candles

Bookend Candle Co is a one-woman business operating out of a home basement candle studio in Ypsilanti, MI. 

The candles are 100% soy without dyes or phthalates and with cotton wicks. Each candle has been lovingly hand-poured, and each fragrance has been personally curated and blended (so please allow for small inconsistencies!). All of the products are vegan and neither we nor any of our direct vendors test on animals.

Bookend Candles *

Metal can be hard and unrelenting, yet with fire, it becomes malleable and transformative. The journey the metal takes through multiple processes, intrigues me. Working with recyclable and scrap items often finds a presence in my practice. I enjoy working in the moment, letting intuition lead, using a number of different mediums and experimenting in color and texture, letting the materials guide me in the creative process. The ability to choose any material to create a piece of art that someone could wear is a huge invitation to a big world of possibilities.

I find that it is important to me that things are not thrown out, especially if I can give it a new place to live. Rocks, wood, tiles, broken vintage jewelry have all found a way into my art. My inquisitive need to see “what if” gives me a no boundaries approach to my art. Allowing the materials to direct the steps to the final piece is my favorite way to work. The desire not to limit what materials or processes are part of my practice, allows me to push into new areas of work, while letting the materials talk to me as I create.
My continued investigation of different forms of casting with crystals and stones in place provides an exciting direction for me to experiment with materials and processes. The anticipation of seeing the final piece and how wonderfully it survived the heat of casting is almost addicting. Working in larger scale for my work is part of the plan for this journey of manipulating metal.

Lori Brauer

Metal can be hard and unrelenting, yet with fire, it becomes malleable and transformative. The journey the metal takes through multiple processes, intrigues me. Working with recyclable and scrap items often finds a presence in my practice. I enjoy working in the moment, letting intuition lead, using a number of different mediums and experimenting in color and texture, letting the materials guide me in the creative process. The ability to choose any material to create a piece of art that someone could wear is a huge invitation to a big world of possibilities.

I find that it is important to me that things are not thrown out, especially if I can give it a new place to live. Rocks, wood, tiles, broken vintage jewelry have all found a way into my art. My inquisitive need to see “what if” gives me a no-boundaries approach to my art. Allowing the materials to direct the steps to the final piece is my favorite way to work. The desire not to limit what materials or processes are part of my practice, allows me to push into new areas of work while letting the materials talk to me as I create.

My continued investigation of different forms of casting with crystals and stones in place provides an exciting direction for me to experiment with materials and processes. The anticipation of seeing the final piece and how wonderfully it survived the heat of casting is almost addicting. Working in larger scale for my work is part of the plan for this journey of manipulating metal.

Lori Brauer *

Martha Brownscombe

 

Martha Brownscomb *

 

Sammie Burgett

Sammie is an artist, writer, and 500HR Certified Yoga Teacher. She began painting in 2017 to process emotions after a difficult miscarriage. She was creative at heart and amazed that she could capture feelings and moments in time without words. What began as an outlet for anxiety and pain quickly evolved into a passion for creation. Today, she works with oils and acrylics to explore themes of identity and emotion, reflected in her fluid abstract style.

When she's not painting, Sammie spends her free time writing, taking photos, and producing sound baths for her wellness blog, OM Alignment. She has two children and an incredible, supportive partner. Together, they reside in Lansing and enjoy all the beautiful sites of pure Michigan.

She hopes her work catches your eye—and tugs at your soul. Whether you're searching for inspiration or something soothing, she's honored to share her art with you.

Sammie Burgett *

Jodi Burton

Jodi Lynn is an illustrator from Detroit MI, whose whimsical drawings are inspired by science, pop culture, and nature.

Jodi Burton *

Mark Chatterley

"Everything is either moving toward or away from nothingness. Life, death, creation and destruction, this is the world I find myself in. I want my art to echo these thoughts. Everything in a state of flux, changing and reforming. A sense of decay along with life. Nothing is permanent and nothing stays the same. I also try to show thoughts and feelings of the human condition. Beauty in the malformed, acceptance of the inevitable. I am doing work of our time for our time, even though I look to the past, the dead, for inspiration."

Mark Chatterley

Deb Cholewicki

Deb is a self-taught sculptural fiber artist with a passion for creating (large) works that combine unusual “finds”—like a funky piece of driftwood or a gnarly, twisted piece of vine—with other natural plant materials including willow, natural vine, yucca, inflorescence, and philodendron. In recent years Deb has incorporated hand-spun/hand-dyed art yarns and copper into her work to create a visual fiber feast.Deb has taught sculptural weaving and basketry for more than 15 years and has been a teaching faculty member with the Visual Arts Department at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp for the past three years. Her work has been exhibited at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Art (UICA) in Grand Rapids, Ludington Area Center for the Arts, Lansing Art Gallery (City Streets Exhibit) and at the Ecumenical Center for Arts and Spirituality in DeWitt. In 2014, Deb was one of four Michigan artists featured in the documentary, “The Art of Art” which explored the creative process of each artist. For Deb, the “process” of creating one-of-a-kind works, and allowing the work to evolve naturally, is what motivates and excites her the most.

Deb Chloewicki *

Leslie Cieplechowicz

"As an artist, I seek beauty in decay. People’s gazes tend to pass over the abandoned, the ruined, the damaged, the dark, and the gritty. I create art that illuminates the splendor of the forgotten, giving a new vision to the old and showing the allure of the dingy gray day."

Leslie Cieplechowicz *

Carolyn Damstra

Nature, Michigan (especially the Sleeping Bear Dunes area), and the interplay of patterns, color and light are the inspirations for my acrylic paintings. Carolyn has a BFA in studio art and a MA in Art History from Michigan State University. Carolyn has shown extensively locally and regionally.

Carolyn Damstra *

Jim Davis

Inspired by African patterns, James creates sterling silver jewelry, which captures the concept of imagery through simple, classic lines. James works with primarily sterling silver and semi-precious stones, applying his own specialized techniques to his handcrafted jewelry. His work is both functional and beautiful. A Lansing resident, James' original artistic expression has matured through over two decades of craftsmanship.

Jim Davis *

Doug DeLind

Doug is a ceramic artist from Lansing, Michigan. He has a BFA in sculpture and an MFA in ceramics, which are both from Michigan State University. He has been a professional artist for about 35 years, and his work is shown through the United States and Canada. Doug is currently a ceramics professor at Michigan State University for the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities. He often creates totems and human figures in many sizes from clay and with Raku firing.

Doug DeLind *

Laura DeLind

Laura resides in Lansing, Michigan. She works mainly in linocut printmaking, since she loves the boldness of black and white design, as well as the shapes defined by pattern. “I love playing with balance and the interactions of positive and negative space. For me, the linocut is a perfect medium through which to explore these visual and conceptual challenges.” She has taught as a professor and Michigan State University, and she is an instructor at Ghost Ranch, in Abiquiu, New Mexico, where she offers week-long relief printmaking workshops.

Laura DeLind

Michele Detering

I am a painter and photographer residing in Lansing, Michigan. I work primarily in watercolor and digital photography. I have been drawing, painting and taking photos ever since I was young. In addition to art, I love to travel which greatly influences my art! I see my photography as a way to document my travels and capture moments in time that can transport a viewer to that place. With my watercolors, I like to paint what I can't capture with photography. The whimsical nature, colors, and abstraction of animals and the places I visit. Watercolor is traditionally a difficult medium to work with and control which is one of the reasons I like it. I enjoy the spontaneity of watercolor and working with the beautiful flow of the medium to create something that captures the essence of a place or being. It is my hope that through my art I can provide other people with the same sense of inspiration and happiness I receive from traveling and the beauty I find in the world around me!

Michele Detering *

Ruth Egnater

Ruth Egnater was born in Detroit, Mi. She has been creating art since her first memories. Currently working as a full time printmaker she has been accepted into exhibitions and competitions in the United States and abroad. Nearly all her prints showcase her passion for animals, nature, life’s precious moments both good and bad and often her sense of humor and whimsy. Ruth believes in practicing "Tsedakah", a hebrew word that encompasses the idea of giving back to the community or paying it forward. She rarely refuses to donate her time or art and volunteer for causes and groups she believes in.

Ruth Egnater *

Finch & Fleur

"I'm Jennifer Sweet, owner and illustrator of Finch & Fleur. In addition to being a business owner, I am also a wife and mother to our busy-bee toddler and one on the way. I paint, design, manage, store, and package all our products out of a small home studio by the Michigan lakeshore.

This business is about more than just the paper goods. It’s about building deeper relationships, celebrating life, and taking time to acknowledge real feelings and all people. It’s about spreading love, and connecting hearts."

Finch & Fleur *

Anna Flaherty

Anna is a graphic designer and artist. She grew up in LeMars, Iowa, and followed a nonlinear path from LeMars community high school to the US Army in Fort Benning, Georgia. From the Army, Anna moved to Washington state, where she went to college and received her BA from the University of Washington, Tacoma. After over ten years in Washington state, Anna moved with her husband and two children to Lansing, Michigan, in 2021. Anna enjoys spending her days traveling, working as a graphic designer, and painting in her spare time. 

Anna Flaherty *

Laura Gajewski

Fine artist Laura Gajewski earned her BFA in Drawing from Kendall College of Art and Design and an MLS in Art History from Fort Hays State University. Her mixed media work has appeared in solo and group exhibitions at regional and national venues. Oxford University Press and Kennedy Promotions have published Gajewski’s drawings. She has been an artist in Provincetown, MA, and Glen Arbor, MI. She is the recipient of a Distinguished Alumni award from Kendall College of Art and Design and an Applause Award from the Arts Council of Greater Lansing.

Laura Gajewski *

Greg Gallegos

Greg is the artist behind the breathtaking pieces that merge the skill of woodturning with elegance, form, and artistry. His passion was born in his high school wood shop class, and since then, he’s been turning and creating art for over 20 years. Every day he pushes himself to create new pieces that evoke feelings and display the true beauty of wood. He is known for using local, reclaimed wood and for utilizing every detail to his advantage. He often uses the natural imperfections of the wood as a focal point and loves to play with the movement of the wood. Keeping the tradition of woodturning, he has a new and fresh take on it, giving life to new ideas and impeccable designs. Most recently, he spoke on two-panel discussions at the 2022 AAW Symposium. He has been an active member of the AAW since 2009 and actively participates in many other woodturning groups and galleries. He continues to teach, demonstrate, participate in retreats and display his one-of-a-kind work.

Gregory Gallegos *

Trevor Grabill

Trevor Grabill is a woodcut printmaker, muralist, and teacher in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Their work focuses on finding and illuminating strangeness and magic in everyday life. They’ve spent most of their life in small cities around the Great Lakes region, and this area, with its intersection of beauty and neglect, is a constant inspiration for them.

Their work has been shown in galleries across the U.S., including solo shows in Kalamazoo, Michigan and Duluth, Minnesota, as well as a two-person show in Buffalo, New York. They’ve also taught at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts since 2014 and have given workshops in Saugatuck, Michigan; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Duluth, Minnesota; and Finland, Minnesota. Their murals are featured prominently at Kalamazoo’s Vine Neighborhood Association and Lansing, Michigan’s Elm Park, a part of Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center’s public art program, ArtPath.

Trevor Grabill *

Harsha Gullapalli

Harsha Gullapalli has an undergraduate degree in engineering from NIT, Calicut, and a graduate degree in filmmaking from DePaul University. Although not traditionally trained in photography, he has been using his iPhone to capture everyday moments around him to understand himself better.

Photography has always been a private endeavor to him and was shared with a small group of followers on Instagram. This decision was made to preserve photography's joy without being burdened by stylistic, societal, or monetary expectations.

Harsha Gullapalli *

Sue Hale

"Felt making is alchemy for me. I have been involved with fiber art in various forms for 35 years but nothing has intrigued me the way that felt making has. I am inspired by the versatility and resilience of felt, as it lends itself to the decorative and functional alike. I choose to work mainly in three dimensions and enjoy the sculptural aspects that can be achieved by using multiple resists. Exploring and pushing boundaries, using a medium that seems to have none, keeps me motivated - and I am continually excited by the endless possibilities that felt making presents."

Sue Hale *

Maia Hausler *

Born and raised in Michigan, Maia’s work is inspired by the natural beauty of her home state. Her vibrant watercolor and gouache illustrations are close studies of the natural world, with a particular emphasis on native Michigan plants and animals.

Maia received her AAS in Photographic Imaging from Lansing Community College. She then continued her studies at Western Michigan University, earning a BA in Fine Art and Environmental Studies. Maia continued her studies at the Marchutz School of Art in Aix-en-Provence, France, and received a certificate in Natural History Illustration from the University of Newcastle, Australia.

Maia’s work can be found in galleries and shops across the Great Lakes Region under her brand Wander & Gather, founded in 2015

Maia Hausler *

John Hay *

I started woodworking after my high school humanities teacher, J Q Adams, gave everyone the assignment, “ do something creative.”  I was self-taught until I met and apprenticed under Ray and Keith Dooer, violin makers in Battle Creek, MI. 

I have a wide variety of artistic interests:

Ping pong paddle manufacture, luthiery, puppetry performance, teaching, and, recently, leatherwork, to name a few.

I enjoy using unconventional tools and techniques to create extraordinary works of art.

John Hay *

Craig Hinshaw

Craig received a BS in Art Education and an MFA in Ceramics from the esteemed Cranbrook Academy of Art. His ceramic work has been exhibited statewide, and he has authored several publications on arts education. Craig is a passionate educator who has taught at the elementary and collegiate levels.

Craig’s wheel-thrown work is created to express his perception of current issues, which he feels compelled to address, somewhat like a painter's canvas. This body of work responds to wildlife's diminishing habitats.

Craig Hinshaw *

Daniel J. Hogan

Daniel J. Hogan is a Lansing cartoonist who works with inks and watercolors and makes digital art. His focus is creating whimsical, humorous illustrations that get a smile or a chuckle out of the viewer. His inspirations include the goofy creations of Dr. Seuss and Jim Henson, as well as the colorful work of Mary Blair.

Daniel J. Hogan*

Steph Joy Hogan

Steph Joy Hogan is an award-winning mixed-media painter from Lansing, Michigan.  She was voted Top Artist in the 2021 Lansing City Pulse Top of the Town contest (Top 3 in 2018, 2019, 2020), and her recognizably vibrant and whimsical artwork has been featured in several Michigan galleries and many exhibitions with Mid-Michigan Art Guild and Working Women Artists, of which she recently served as President. Her artwork has been featured on a billboard and a bus stop. Her commissioned mixed-media paintings can be found permanently in the Impression 5 Science Center, the Susan and Jack Davis Nature Pavilion and Gallery at Fenner Nature Center, and the beautiful new headquarters of The Davies Project.

Steph Joy Hogan*

Autumn Hopkins

I am a multifaceted artist and creator, born and raised in Lansing, MI. Growing up in an underprivileged and dysfunctional household, art became my place of expression and safety. This feeling and creative passion have been consistent throughout my life and have ultimately helped me through some traumatic experiences. I was allowed to attend Michigan State University and graduated with a BFA. While attending college, I lost my grandmother, who was a huge source of creative inspiration. Her passing pushed me to make a career out of art that she would've been proud of as a business owner of Aura Lee Gallery, named after her. Aura Lee Gallery features many designs and handcrafted pieces of art created solely by me. I want it to be a space of inclusion and accessibility both in the art and message. Though I am a business owner, my main passion is the act of creation because of its impacts and the effect it has on myself and others. My art varies from mixed media to jewelry to sculpture. I make art to feel and what I think makes art, wherever that may take me.

Autumn Hopkins *

Sunny House

 

Sunny House *

Jill M. Hubbard

What began as a creative outlet while I was in business school has turned into a small business in which I take so much pride.  In recent years, I've honed my leathercraft skills and focused on making unique and on-trend jewelry from vegetable-tanned leather.  For me, there's nothing like the smell and suppleness of a high-quality leather hide—it feels like Christmas morning every time I roll out a new hide and gets to dream up all the ways I might use it!  I love mixing rustic-looking leather with sparkly gemstones to create unique, show-stopping accessories.

After years of living and working in different cities and states across the Midwest, I eventually found my way back home to Detroit, where I was born and raised. Outside the city, I live with my husband, our two wonderfully rambunctious boys, and our sweet, shelter-rescued mutt.

Jill M. Hubbard *

Elizabeth Hungerman

My work combines plant pressings with pencil drawings, building off of nature.

My work draws on my time working with plant specimens at an herbarium. My job then was to help preserve the specimen for future study; however, this work inspired me to make pressings of my own, which I began to experiment with. These combinations of pressing and drawings are the most current form of this ongoing project.

Elizabeth Hungermann *

Andrea Jeris

"There are times when I see something that makes me go "OH!" It gets behind my eyeballs and it's like when you get a song stuck in your head that won't go away. Like when your cat or dog is hungry and wants to be fed and they sit and stare at you so you might as well feed them or you will go crazy. Well, I have to paint that image. I just do. I love to paint. But really, I have to paint. There is energy in all things in the universe. When you look at something long enough that it is looking back at you, you may see the glow of that energy. I want to put that glow into the paint so I can feel it again and again. I am a studio painter and I paint en plein air (outdoors), but I am a fair-weather painter so my time outdoors is precious to me. What a joy to connect to the earth, to be serenaded by birds, frogs, crickets, to be swept away by a river, to be uplifted by the trees, and to see the universe in the sky. With my paintings you can see what I see, stand where I stand, and maybe, just maybe, feel the wonder of what I feel."

Andrea Jeris *

Jamie John

Jamie John is a two-spirit Anishinaabe and Korean-American multi-disciplinary artist, living and working on their ancestral homeland of so-called Michigan. With very little connection to their Korean heritage and being raised alongside their adopted Mexican/Nahuatl family, much of their early life was full of cultural richness and contrasts. Growing up close to their Indigenous family and culture allowed them to grow up in ceremony, spend time with their elders, and live amongst the people of their tribal nation. After the passing away of Jamie’s grandfather, Raymond John, known to them as "Pa," they were enrolled in an arts and garden grieving class for children at the local library. Over the course of this class, the garden helped Jamie cultivate an intimate relationship with the land and showed them how art could be used to connect across cultures. Jamie graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy as an Interdisciplinary Arts major in 2019. and has since rejoined their tribal community as an Anishinaabemowin language learner, powwow dancer, and passionate defender of their ancestral lands and waters. Since then, Jamie has exhibited works at the Detroit Institute of the Arts, Dennos Museum, and the Great Lakes Children's Museum. In 2021 Jamie received the Full Circle Fellowship from the Sundance Institute for their work in film. The following year Jamie spent the spring at the Ma’s House residency on the Shinnecock reservation on Long Island, New York. Themes of kinships, reciprocity, ancestry and the historical present extend all throughout Jamie’s work.

Jamie John *

Mary Kernahan

My path to being a metalsmith has been nontraditional, and an all too true example of “life is what happens while you’re making other plans.” From my earliest metal working experiences in high school, I always intended to return to it as an artistic endeavor, but that goal remained unrealized until years later.  A single class led to a renewed fascination with metalwork, so eager to learn more, I began to pursue it in earnest by enrolling at a local studio. There I was immersed in all aspects of metalsmithing, laying the foundation for many further studies with private tutors and in numerous independent workshops, art centers, and master classes.

Mary Kernahan *

Corey Marie Kitley-Hassenger *

Corey Marie is an illustrator and maker from Lansing, Michigan. I started my career as a comic book artist, caricaturist, and illustrator, and in 2007, opened PAPERCUTS handmade, initially an online shop selling my self-published comic books and screen prints of my artwork. An unfortunate elbow fracture and other life events would lead me to change my focus from drawing to making. After learning some bookbinding techniques, I began hand-sewing PAPERCUTS’ very first Art Journals, which were a success. Not long after, I began creating the wire-bound version with repurposed hand-distressed book covers. Recycled Art Journals became PAPERCUTS’ signature product, and my main focus as a maker ever since!

Corey Marie Kitley-Hassenger *

Susan Kieffer

Susan is a Michigan native whose work is influenced by life-long memories of water, sky, and woods. Her jewelry features beach stones collected along the shores of the Great Lakes that imbue each piece with their unique energy. These stones are combined with semiprecious gems, freshwater pearls, and sterling to create adornments that are distinctive - both elegant and organic. Susan crafts her jewelry with the intention that the wearer feels empowered through a connection to the pure energy of nature and spirit. Each piece is a tangible, wearable reminder of Michigan’s treasure trove of natural gifts.

Susan Kieffer

Nicole Klotz

Nicole Klotz, the owner, and artist behind The Artifact House, believes in the importance of our living spaces and the items we bring into them. In a time when machines manufacture almost anything we buy in a store, Nicole believes in bringing back a sense of connection to other humans through her work. By bringing hand-crafted goods back into our living spaces, we carry a sense of joy and beauty into our daily lives and enrich the experiences we share with those we invite into our homes.

Nicole currently splits her studio time between her home studio and the community studio she is a part of in Grand Rapids, MI. She uses stoneware clay to handcraft her organic shapes and patterns. Through her subtle textures and colors, she hopes to communicate a calming sense of connection to the natural world around us.

Nicole Klotz *

Lorraine Kolasa

A Metro-Detroit native, Lorraine received her BFA from Eastern Michigan University, specializing in jewelry and metalsmithing.  In addition, fiber and needle crafts have been her hobby for almost as long as she can remember, and she continues to indulge in them outside of her art work.  She currently lives in Ann Arbor, MI, and is an active member of the Michigan Silversmiths Guild and the Great Lakes Lace Group. She is a resident artist of Ypsi Alloy Studios in Ypsilanti, MI.

Lorraine Kolasa *

Ruth Koelewyn

Ruth Koelewyn holds a BFA from Syracuse University and an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art. Her work investigates the moments when distance, separation, and space are the necessary components for meaningful connection to others. By identifying those moments in everyday activities, such as looking out the window, her works aim to give the viewer new ways to use familiar experiences with intentionality toward the specific goal of new understanding and connection with the world. Her practice has included curatorial projects, collaborative projects, and her individual studio work. These practices have been supported by regional, national and international organizations such as the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Lackawanna County Department of Art and Culture, the Mondriaan Foundation, and the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts among others.

Ruth Koelewyn

Dace Koenigsknecht

I’ve created a wide array of functional and artistic metal pieces, finding pleasure in the process of creation – plan, sketch, fabricate, and deliver. The intellectual exercise and challenge is motivating, and the craftsmanship of handwork is very rewarding. I enjoy creating unique objects that are used or encourage interaction. I like abstraction because of the mental engagement required of the viewer. Their past and present experiences will ‘personalize’ what they see.

Dace Koenigsknecht

Jessica Kovan

Jessica currently lives in Beulah, MI. Her journey includes years of working in the field of philanthropy, a doctorate in education, directing a small environmental action group, and teaching at the college level. Jessica’s art is deeply influenced by a strong desire to connect her head with her heart and her passions with action. Through her work she tries to communicate the power of relationships at all different levels. “I love working in mixed media because of the meanings that can evolve out of the layering as well as the richness of color, patterns and texture that help to tell a story. Combined together they make my heart sing.

Jessica Kovan *

Little Flower Soap Co.

The Little Flower Soap Co.is a Michigan based small-batch, body care company established in 2010 by husband/wife team Holly & Justin Rutt. Their mission is to design products that become must-have, can’t live without favorites. Perfecting completely natural, healing recipes that smell amazing, really work and are cutely packaged. Little Flower Soaps are cold-processed in small batches using heirloom techniques perfected and polished with time. They use only the best essential oils, botanicals, and minerals including organic rosemary leaf, organic lavender flowers, organic cocoa butter, Shea butter and many more. Holly & Justin work joyfully from their small, Michigan studio.

Little Flower Soap Co.

Littlewings Designs

Littlewings Designs is a handcrafted lifestyle brand of playful and practical goods and accessories, dedicated to small production, artisan details, and timeless quality. Founded in 2010 by me, Elyse Marie Welcher, Littlewings Designs is the distillation of my style via the things I like to make and use every day; a combination of fun, useful, and built to last goods, all of which make life a little more comfortable, a little more playful, and always a bit more colorful.

Littlewings Designs

Sarah Lyons

Celebrating Place, Passion, and Nature through Unique Handmade Jewelry LettersToSarah Metalsmithing is internationally known for unique and original designs, nothing like what you'd find in a traditional jewelry store. I make jewelry that is simple, with a vintage-rustic flair and a little shine, to make you feel a little more earthy, cozy, connected, and proud. Because each piece is individually made by hand, each one is a bit different from the rest, united by design, but still as special and unique as it's wearer.

Sarah Lyons

Janet MacFarlane

I am a nature enthusiast and backyard naturalist. I enjoy capturing the beauty of the natural world and all of its incredible creatures, small and large, in the world around me. Most of my photos are taken in my backyard in Haslett. Just by slowing down and taking a closer look there is so much to see and discover. I seek to share the beauty and intricacies of life, as well as information. The intersection of art and science is a powerful force. Building awareness and changing perspectives is just one step. Through my photography, I seek to promote and foster a culture of habitat conservation and environmental consciousness. We can all enact change on a small scale as individuals. Together, we can make a difference.

Janet MacFarlane

Patricia McAtamney

Pat McAtamney developed an appreciation for painting and the outdoors from her father, an artist, and her mother, an avid gardener.  She pursued a graphic arts degree with a concentration in illustration and, for some time, created computer game packaging. However, her true inspiration has always been the outdoors, exploring fields, ponds, and gardens.  Her belief in the power of positivity and optimism is a crucial ingredient layered into every work she creates.

Pat has presented her work with the Grosse Pointe Artists Association and in exhibitions throughout Metro Detroit, including the Michigan Fine Arts Competition at Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center, the Emerging Artist Exhibit at the Northville Art House, and the Detroit Artist Market.

Patricia McAtamney *

 

Susan McHenry

Susan McHenry is a studio potter who lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with her husband, Mark Nepo, and their dog, Zuzu. She enjoys making functional pots for everyday use and believes pottery crafted by hand with thoughtfulness and care can elevate simple, everyday moments. Born and raised in upstate New York, Susan received her MFA in Writing and Literature from Bennington College in 1999. She teaches ceramics at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and is a regular contributor to Ceramics Monthly. Her work is represented in national and regional galleries, including the Charlie Cummings Gallery in Gainesville, FL, and Pewabic Pottery in Detroit, MI. She is a member of Artaxis, a peer-reviewed network of international contemporary artists in ceramics and sculpture.

Susan McHenry *

Nancy McRay

"Weaving is in my blood and is my primary mode of expression. I employ several different techniques, including Tapestry, Theo Moorman and Complex Multi Harness weaves to create imagery that communicates my intent. What I want to express most often is appreciation, a sense of awe, or a response to my environment. I weave in response to my world, in recognition of what I encounter, and in acknowledgment of what stands out."

Nancy McRay

Mark Mehaffey

Mark is a nationally recognized artist from Williamston. His artistic endeavors include teaching; writing and producing nationally recognized watercolor statements. His subject matter ranges from tight representational still life and landscape to a personal visual language. Texture and color are important elements in Mehaffey's creations. Mark’s book, Creative Watercolor Workshop, documents many of the activities he teaches in his water media workshops. Mark's work has appeared in many publications including Water Magic Magazine and Watercolor Magazine. Mark Mehaffey was honored to be an award winner in the Shanghai Zhujiajiao Watercolor Biennial 2010.

Mark Mehaffey

Candace Merkel

I am a mixed-media artist. One of my favorite mediums to work with is handmade paper. I have used handmade paper in several of my collages, along with found objects, text, etc.

Each year for the holiday season, I design & create molds for casting snowflake ornaments. B.F.A. Painting, Aquinas College; Eastern Michigan University, Ceramics & Sculpture;  Colorado Mountain College, Papermaking & mixed media drawing.

I became interested in handmade paper in the late 1970s. In 1980 I studied Papermaking at Summervail Art Workshop for Art & Critical studies. Handmade paper has been part of my creative work for many years.

Candace Merkel *

Modern Makers

Modern Makers is a Grand Rapids, MI-based home and bath provisions company.

Speaking of Modern Makers, founder Larry Pardo says, “We are a brand curated by scent: this means our core collection of custom scents are available in every product in our line. We create home + bath provisions at accessible price points because we want folks from all walks of life to have the ability to enjoy high quality, vegan products every day. This is what motivates our brand every time we step into our studio. Since beginning our small business in 2019, we continue to innovate and deliver products with unmatched quality and value.”

Modern Makers *

Matt Mulford

Matt Mulford is a Lansing-based artist who works in numerous mediums, from pen and ink and scratchboard to watercolor and acrylic.  His love for nature comes through in almost everything he creates.  Wildlife, fantasy, comic, and landscape art are a few of his favorite genres to work in. Matt owns a small gallery and gift shop in Williamston called The Artisan Alcove.

Matt Mulford *

Anne Nolan

"I received a BFA and an MFA from Michigan State University. My emphasis was Graphic Design and Printmaking. I did my graduate work as a screen printer and some of this work contains snippets from prints done during graduate school and soon following. Reuse. Recycle. My current work uses acrylic paint and decorative papers on cradled board. The panels are free from framing and the paint goes around the edges. The designs are based on concepts or inspirations that I might pick up until a series leads me off on another tangent. I am a straight edge person until I try circles. I am a color and texture person and play with the patterns of the decorative papers and the stroke texture of the paint. Overlapping areas within the panel add depth and a sense of playfulness along with the feeling of dimension."

Anne Nolan

Paloma Núñez-Regueiro

Paloma Núñez-Regueiro is a printmaker living in Ann Arbor, Michigan; she is also a resident artist at Ypsi Alloy Studios. Her work is closely related to her experiences of living abroad– the impermanence, the precarious construction of one's present, and even less of the future. It's about starting over with whatever is at hand and the rootlessness of those who move from place to place. Amongst the subjects that interest her are human migration, social visibility, and the intrinsic relation of humans to the universe and our dislocated relationship with it.

Paloma Núñez-Regueiro *

Sarah Nussbaumer

I studied studio art at the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, earning a BFA in printmaking. I then earned my MFA in printmaking at Wayne State University. I worked in etching, lithography, silkscreen, and woodcut printing making. I have exhibited in many venues in Michigan, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

After working professionally as a graphic designer for many years, I have recently been very excited to work with clay. I am particularly interested in incising the clay when it is still soft. I use lino cutters and other repurposed items to work into the surface of each piece, revealing its story. My focus has been not so much on colors and glazes but on surface texture

Sarah Nussbaumer *

Richard O’Malley

An architect by trade, Richard received his Bachelor of Architecture, Cum Laude, from the University of Detroit. His work in architecture was the impetus for his interest in drawing and painting. His medium of choice turned to watercolor painting with a particular interest in felines. Residing in Okemos, he is known as the “catman” by many, his works are very popular with cat aficionados. Focusing on their beauty and grace, he has painted hundreds of feline portraits over the years. His painting technique blends representational and abstract modes enhancing his excitement of the media.

Richard O'Malley

Kelly O'Neill

Multi-media artist creating one-of-a-kind sculptures from recycled steel accented with ceramics and fused glass. Steel finishes include powder coating and a natural oxidized patina.

Recently, I have been exploring the manipulation of metal through fabrication machinery: Specifically, the bending and cutting of metal to form a more fluid and unique sculpture. Each shape contributes to the final form. The exploration of the positive and negative space, the composition, and the three-dimensional process results in something unique that usually surprises me. I am also exploring better integration of my ceramic and steel pieces: Building each piece with the other medium in mind.

Kelly O'Neill *

Ashley Pahl

Ashley Pahl is a nature-inspired artist based in East Lansing, Michigan. Painting professionally since 2019, she has been observing and capturing the natural world since her time studying plant geography at Michigan State University. A self-taught painter, Ashley's art education was more scientific in nature, based on field sketches and lab illustrations. Despite designing stationery for over a decade, Ashley never lost touch with her love for observing and documenting the natural world.

Now as a full-time watercolor artist, Ashley's paintings capture the unique landscapes and wildlife of Michigan. Her textured, loose, and dreamy watercolor paintings feature the rich and earthy color palette of the Great Lakes region. From her home studio space, Ashley handcrafts these paintings into keepsake ornaments, art prints, and paper goods.

Ashley Pahl *

 

Paige  *

Bonnie Palutke

"For me, life as an artist is rich beyond rewards-painting is complete abandonment & i am in 'my' world. My expertise is capturing the emotion from within, with total abandon in acrylics, gel, varnish & pencil in no particular order- but quickly- employing a very loose brush & speed of execution- a freshness embodied in my heart. my exploration of art consists quite simply of figurative applications, a love of urban and plein air landscapes through the guise of abstract expressionism" says Bonnie when speaking about her work.

Bonnie Palutke *

Pewabic was founded by Neighbors Mary Chase Perry, a successful china painter, and Horace Caulkins, a dental equipment supplier, and kiln manufacturer came together to build pottery in turn-of-the-century Detroit. Ultimately, it would outlast all the other tile and pottery producers of their time.
 
Pewabic is a National Historic Landmark pottery manufacturer founded in Detroit in 1903. Today it continues to be an architectural tile studio and educational space that remains a vibrant cultural destination attracting visitors from around the world.

Pewabic Pottery

Luzhen Qiu

My mini abstract drawings are mixed media collage with color pencil, pastel, ink, gouache, paper, birch bark, tread on yupo paper. The size of each one is 7”x7”. I deal with colors, forms, texture, spaces. I build up layers of colors by using brayer printing colors, then mapping the shapes from one to another. The process of my artwork may various for each drawing. Some of them I experiment media mixture affect, such as the mixture of ink, water, and alcohol. I want to show images with narrative ambiguity by juxtaposition of layers of shapes and the texture from shapes.

Luzhen Qiu

Jane Reiter

Jane is an artist, teacher and librarian residing in Lansing, Michigan, since 2000. Her undergraduate and graduate degrees focused on weaving and textile design. As a mixed media collage artist, Jane enjoys combining various materials, text, fabric, paper, and fiber. She uses stitching, drawing and painting along with color, texture, and pattern to create vibrant, lively works. As a teaching artist, she loves to impart a spirit of play, discovery and experimentation in students. As a librarian, Jane often reuses books and incorporates words into her art.

Jane Reiter *

Revisions Design

Revisions is a Designer/Maker studio located in the heart of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Most of their inspiration comes from finding beauty in old objects of years gone by. Through a series of revisions, they're able to take something once discarded and breath new life into it to be appreciated in a different way.

Revisions Designs

Young-Shill Roberts

Ms. Roberts is an artist who has lived in the Lansing area for 40 years. She is a member of the Mid-Michigan Art Guild and Working Women’s Artist Group. She has displayed works at Delta Township Library, LCC, several galleries in the Greater Lansing area, the Orchid Art competition, at which she won first place. Her works consist of beautiful emotionally filled watercolors, etchings, acrylics and oil paintings. Many of her works are inspired by the beauty of nature, color, and everyday life. Being one who never limits herself she also creates extraordinary portraits as well as abstracts.

Young-Shill Roberts *

Anne Rogers

Michigan native, Ann Arbor-based fused glass artist Anne Rogers, has been working with glass for 15 years. With a lifelong interest in art, she has worked with many mediums, but her passion was formed upon discovering glass. Anne’s creative evolution includes welding, which allows her to customize pieces. Her use of color and shape allows everyday items, such as trees and birds, to take on a contemporary flair. She continues to improve her techniques and style, allowing the properties of glass to shape the final piece. Her love and passion for nature inspire many of her creations. Her works are crafted with attention to detail, producing an excellent final product.

 

Anne Rogers *

Susan Rosemurgy

Susan is a Michigan-based illustrator, author, and art teacher. She teaches at Calumet High School—the northernmost high school in the state of Michigan, located in the Upper Peninsula. She loves family, students, running, reading, knitting, skiing, and shoveling snow.

“My books occupy that space between people and art and story, connecting people to an idea, a person, a place, or a memory. I wish to spark the imagination in my readers and create a meaningful connection through words and pictures. Art communicates the human experience. My book art is about designing projects that utilize dialogue and storytelling. My books are small and specific, with large ideas and universal appeal. Think: Beatrix Potter meets Roz Chast and collaborates with kids, teens, and adults."

Susan Rosemurgy *

Jenny Schu

Jenny is a local artist residing in Lansing, who is originally from Fenton, MI. She obtained her Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree from the University of Michigan School of Art and Design in 2004, concentrating in Fibers. Jenny’s signature artwork features dramatic beadwork designs, robust color pallets, and beauty found in nature. Jenny strives to produce unique jewelry pieces that are not only inspiring, but are functional for everyday use.

Jenny Schu *

Ranae Selmeyer

Simply put, I paint because I have no other choice. There is a drive that will not be ignored and it is what I was made to do. Edward Hopper said it best: “If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint” My current project is based on the statement “You should smile more” a statement that has been dictated to every female in this country. But we are more than a pretty face and we should not have to diminish our complexity to make another feel more comfortable. There is power in women who are not afraid to speak out and don’t feel the need to shrink to fit the space arbitrarily allotted to them. Be bold, be confident and above all be truthful to who you are. These are the ideas I speak through my portrait work.

Ranae Selmeyer

Ellen Shook

“We began Bevel Design 3 years ago to fill the need to work creatively and make things people enjoy using. Bev had a long and successful career as a faux finisher and fine art painter. Ellen had a remarkable job in promoting fine printing papers and art papers. We are passionate about color, texture, fabrics, textiles, patterns, and design. We thoroughly enjoy what we do and are delighted when people see our products and marvel at the quality, the design, the uniqueness, and of course, the buttons. We have exhibited at craft and art fairs in MI and enjoy having established a brand that people will follow now. We both reside in Saugatuck, MI, with our respective husbands and are fortunate to be surrounded by a creative community that nurtures art and design. We are pleased to now have a presence in Lansing. - Ellen Shook and Bev Daitch”

Ellen Shook*

Sloe Gin Fiz

Nicole Ray is an artist and illustrator living in southeast Michigan. She grew up on the East Coast and received a BFA in Illustration from the School of Visual Arts in New York and a BA in History from Trinity College in Hartford, CT. Her illustrative work consists mainly of graphite and pen and ink drawings enhanced with digital color.

Nicole has a line of prints and paper products offered under “Sloe Gin Fizz” at select retail locations and various indie art shows. She is also available for freelance, commissions, and wholesale opportunities — Feel free to drop her a line!

Nicole and her mister live in a log house on a lake with a border collie and a growing network of critter friends.

Slow Gin Fiz*

Kathe Smith

Working in clay has been my passion from a very early age. From sandbox and mud creations to legitimate clay work in high school, college and beyond, I have followed a path toward works of art that are aesthetically appealing yet functional. I enjoy the challenge of using different clay bodies, glazes, and glaze techniques and firing processes. Each phase in creating a piece of pottery holds its own particular intrigue. I am rarely disappointed in the results because each aspect of the process leads to new exploration and perhaps a different end result. That is the excitement for me.

Kathe Smith *

Michael Maurer Smith

Michael received a Master’s degree in Studio Art from Michigan State University. Michael’s acrylic works delight viewers with his vibrant, colorful and geometric forms consisting mostly of shapes and lines. Says the artist, “Although my painting is non-representational my sensibility is that of the landscapist. My use of texture, color and shape is influenced by the woods and shoreline of Michigan and the mountains and desert of the American southwest. Likewise, I am influenced by the revelations of modern astronomy.”

Michael Maurer Smith

Pooh Stevenson

Pooh Stevenson is a photographer specializing in fine art photography, portrait work, and other natural light styles images. She lives on an organic farm in Owosso with her husband, dogs, and cats. She is also a long-time member of the folk music community in Mid-Michigan. She had two grown daughters.

Pooh Stevenson *

Lynne Tan

Lynne resides in St. Joseph, Michigan, where she has been working with porcelain for over ten years. Lynne says “My life is put on hold when I play with clay. It is the one activity that engages me so totally my thoughts are simply unable to wander. I dream a shape, and I have to make it… I begin most of my pieces on the potters' wheel, and then find new ways to subtly reshape them into more fluid and organic forms that fit and flow quietly with each other. Beauty for me lies in undecorated simplicity.

Lynne Tan

Meg Tang

I grew up enchanted by the delicate jewelry housed in my mother's jewelry box. She would take each piece out and let me hold it and inspect it while she told me the story of how they came to her. I can still remember the way her hands looked as she gently tucked each piece in it's place. I knew from a very young age the items in that box were special, treasures that connected her to people and to time.
I studied art throughout my childhood and I made my first piece of jewelry when I was in high school. I was hooked. The concepts came easily to me and I showed an aptitude for metal work. For years after, I wished for a career that could be as fulfilling as my jewelry-making hobby. I began to enroll in more serious jewelry making workshops and classes. Then, in 2003 after moving back to my hometown of Kalamazoo, I fulfilled that wish and became a jeweler full time.

Marissa Tawney Thaler

Marissa Tawney Thaler of Lansing holds a BFA from Kendall College of Art and Design, where she studied Art Education and Illustration. After college, she worked as an elementary art teacher, using school breaks to cultivate her personal work.

In the fall of 2018, Marissa left teaching to pursue a career as a freelance illustrator. Since then, she has developed the origami-inspired series “Drawing Folded Paper” and illustrated two children’s books, Get that GRIT! and The Itchy Secret.

Marissa’s work, often narrative in nature, uses primarily drawing media to achieve a “bittersweet aesthetic.” She aims to find the lighthearted side of struggles and moments of connection in everyday happenings

Marissa Tawney Thaler *

Bruce Thayer

My work is a form of social commentary in which both images and words interplay. The images are drawn from current events and the irony of life situations. I use and change common expressions to suggest other meanings. I work with watercolor on paper with found graphics and found rubber stamps in the watercolors. Collograph and dry point on plexiglass are printing techniques I use to create my prints.

Bruce Thayer

Ilene Curts-Thayer

I am a contemporary still-life painter. I use traditional oil painting techniques by stretching and priming my canvases and layering oil paint. My pieces have an organization of color and order that predominates the presentation of the still life. I have a realist approach to the objects themselves but use them freely throughout the composition to compose my painting.

Ilene Curts-Thayer

Paul VerBurg

Paul VerBurg is a full-time artist and painter, trained in drawing and painting at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (BFA), and Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, California. A recent transplant to Okemos, Michigan, he is looking forward to participating in the art community there and getting the feel of the new environment. "The light here is not the dramatic, brash waves that beat down on you. I find it softer, more livable."

Paul's earlier, more traditional work has been seen in several national shows, such as The Eiteljorg Museum, The Autry Museum of Western Heritage, the Wichita Art Museum, The Museum of Northern Arizona, and the Desert Caballeros Western Art Museum), as well as galleries from coast to coast. His work has been featured in Southwest Art Magazine, Art of the West, Western Horseman Magazine, and many other publications.

Paul VerBurg *

Whistling Frog Tile

Whistling Frog Tile company was created in 1993 by Rick Pruckler. He specializes in creating handmade gift tile and architectural installations. Other artists soon joined in with their own unique styles: Susan Cassabon created a softly stylized line of florals and Tonya Lutz explored exuberant narratives with her 'Birds & Cats' line. Everything is done by hand, one at a time. Our tiles begin with the sculpting of original designs, which are cast into individually crafted molds. Clay impressions are made and fired in our kilns using custom glaze formulas.

Whistling Frog Tile

Kate Wilcox-Leigh

"You could describe my jewelry as classic with an edge. I use an array of metals and materials including sterling and fine silver, gold, iron as well as leather and various fibers. I apply traditional hand fabrication techniques like cutting, forming, joining and stone setting processes along with fiber techniques to my materials of choice. You will see earrings, pendants bracelets and rings that can be enjoyed casually everyday; along with jewelry that is perfect for that special occasion."

Kate Wilcox-Leigh *

Megan Williams

Meg Williams has been experimenting with fiber arts since she was a small child learning from her grandmother. Her passion now lies in cyanotypes, natural dyes, woven, handspun, and textile manipulation techniques.  These skills can be seen in the unique personal and home accessories that she sells through her business Adventure Textiles. 

Williams is an active member in the Midwest fiber community, which includes teaching at the annual Michigan Fiber Festival and Meijer Gardens and serving a full term as president of the Woodland Weavers and Spinners guild. Creating and nurturing the fiber arts community is a guiding star in Williams’ fiber arts career

Meg Williams  - Adventure Textiles*

Jim Wolnosky

"My work is best described as abstract expressionism, as I love to dabble in non-ordinary reality. Working mostly in wood, metal, and stone, I design & produce contemporary studio furniture, sculpture, & mobiles. The work I produce references that of Henry Moore, Joan Miro & the great jazz artists of the 50s & 60's." "It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing." - Duke Ellington

Jim Wolnosky *

Worthwhile Paper Co.

We handcraft goods that bring happiness, cultivate deep relationships and inspire uplifting energy.

Our thoughtfully-crafted products are designed and handmade in Ypsilanti, Michigan using eco-friendly materials and processes. We aim to nourish your love for the Earth, foster the connections in your circle and inspire the path of discovery within.

Worthwhile Paper

Stephanie Yaklin

Yaklin currently works out of Detroit, Michigan. She is a designer and printmaker and makes modern objects out of paper. She adores design that is inked, stamped, pressed, sketched, cut and folded. She started making books in 2014 with test prints from a screen-printing class in college. She taught herself different binding techniques from YouTube videos. Learning the binding came naturally to her because she was the one who would make everyone’s friendship bracelets growing up. Her block print designs are inspired by Native American beadwork, African American quilt patterns, and mosaics.

Stephanie Yaklin

Ai Yamamoto

"I am inspired by traditional patterns in Japanese crafts that have been carefully preserved within its culture for centuries. Textile design portrays unique social and cultural characteristics. I am fascinated by finding points of similarity between Japanese social habits and the designs in Japanese crafts. Being a small island nation with areas are high population density has imposed a complex system of acceptable social interactions on Japanese people. People follow strict social manners in order to avoid interfering with others. I find that this kind of behavior and mindset relates to the well-defined and repetitive designs in Japanese crafts. They are often condensed and detail oriented. Also, Japanese daily life tends to be stressful and city oriented, nature is a common theme in crafts as a way to remind people of the more peaceful natural environment. I draw slip decoration on my pottery with the traditional Japanese design and hope it creates a cheerful moment for users."

Ai Yamamoto *