"Every Artist dips his brush in his own soul and paints his own truth into his work" --Henry Ward

This quote speaks so strongly to me. I think it would to every artist. There are many types of "artists" and we all put a piece of our soul into the finished piece. This was so brought home to me again as I read the post from Joyful Paws' blog on the courage it takes to be in the public eye.
Ok, I have to admit that I am prejudiced because the author of this blog is my daughter, Barbara Techel, and she spreads inspiration and hope to so many. She is an author with her own brand of artistry. Her blog this week inspired me to share her thoughts on artists and their courage. With her permission I will quote her on her thoughts.
"Artists can't please everyone. There are always going to be critics and while constructive criticism is helpful
and needed, in this day and age with the internet and hiding behind computers some people can say some pretty nasty things." In writing, painting, basket making, clothes painting and designing, or whatever the art is, the artist puts him or herself out there for the whole world to judge.
I remember after I had taken an oil painting class for about two years with a very talented, wonderful artist who then became my friend, I painted a picture for my daughter outside of the class structure. How nervous I was to forward a copy of that picture to my teacher friend. I was literally laying my heart and soul out there for her critique. I believe every artist goes through those times. We all want to make a difference in this world no matter where our talent lies and in doing so we open our deepest self to the thoughts of others.
"There will always be critics and many have stomped out the spirit of a writer, actor, or artist which is incredibly sad.  Art, like life, is not perfect. But it is in the creating that I believe we are here for" says Barbara. ( To find out more about Barbara's work visit
www.joyfulpaws.com. Her books can be found at Seranya Studios Art Boutique or through Amazon.)
Although I have dabbled with art in very many different forms over my lifetime, I never felt that I could say that I was an artist. That negative doubt would always creep in and make me hesitate to acknowledge that maybe I could be an artist. Finally in my "golden years" I no longer hesitate when asked. Is it that finally I owned the title and proudly said yes, I am an artist even when inside I still hesitate just a bit?
My greatest joy has always been "in the learning" of a new art. The insatiable quest for more knowledge and expertise on new things. Perhaps that is an "art form" in itself.
To experience this joy of learning, check with www.seranyastudios.com on the classes the different artists hold to explain and teach their art.
Share with us how you felt the first time you put one of your pieces "out there" or for that matter anytime you put a piece of your soul out there.

Stay tuned.

This week artheartstrings would just like to say, have a very blessed Easter.
Celebrate the joy of the risen Christ with those you love.

We will return next week.

Stay tuned.

New exciting Basket Bash

Just found out that our featured artist Kathy Plahmer, will be holding a basket bash on Thursday
evenings from 5:30 to 9:00 P.M. from April 24th to June 12th.  She will have one basket project per month.  For April 24th it will be a Beaded Shapes basket for $30.00 plus the cost of the beads, a remote control basket (at the studio) for $35.00. In May there will be a wall basket for $25.00 .
June will bring a surprise basket.  It will also be a time for a drop in weave with others, or weave a basket that she has offered before.
Come join in the fun.
This will be held at Seranya Studios Art Boutique at 307 E. Mill Street, Plymouth, WI.

Love of Baskets

As I was reviewing this bio  thought that biographies are nice, but they fall so far short of all that the artist portrays. One doesn't see the sparkle in their eye when they talk about their art, or the willingness to share with others the knowledge of their art. Kathy loves to teach and share her experiences and all that she has learned on her journey to be the amazing basket maker she is.  There is one class scheduled for April 22, 2014 from 10AM to 3PM if you could join us to share this experience you can contact her at kabob@excel.net or contact the studio, Seranya Studio Art Boutique (www.seranyastudios.com) or leave a comment on this post and I will be sure to get the information to you.
In Kathy's own words her love for baskets started in an attic! In 1995 while cleaning out her grandfather's attic she found several black-ash, sweet grass and pine needle baskets tucked among the piles of boxes and crates. While some were in terrible shape, most were in excellent condition revealing a lot about the weaver's techniques. She said later she learned that all of the baskets were made by her great grandmother Clara. Clara had lived and worked during most of her adult life on the Lac du Flambeau reservation in northern Wisconsin.  Kathy thought WOW, what a find both artistically and emotionally.
In her own words she indicated that as soon as I was able, I took a local class in beginning basket weaving and from then on I was absolutely hooked. Seeking out classes and workshops over several years I was able to participate in many workshops with nationally acclaimed weavers. Soon people were asking if I would teach them how to make a basket, another beginning. Since my retirement from education I have focused on exploring new techniques from different cultures and life styles. I am excited about harvesting and using natural materials to embellish my basket designs, dragging my husband with me as we look for deer sheds, horsetail grass and downed birch trees. With all the guidance I have gained from others, I know I am developing a style of my own both in design and materials.
I am looking forward to being at Seranya Studios Art Boutique as a contributing artist and an instructor. 
Hopefully, I will be able to pass on some of Clara's and my ardor for baskets.
Stay tuned.

When is it time?

We are going to put the biographies aside for just one week.  There will be more next week, I promise.
I have been struggling with when to know the right time to put a piece of art that you have diligently been working on for months into "File 13", or better known as "the trash". Do any of you have that right brain/left brain tug of war going on? The struggle between throwing it away now, or trying one more thing to make something out of a project gone terribly wrong?
Oh the grandeur of the project when I first envisioned it. When I tried to take what was in my heart and head,and make my hands manipulate the gourd into this masterpiece. Well, I made the first attempt. Then after looking at it for about a month, I decided that it didn't quite measure up to what I had in mind and perhaps something else would be better. Perhaps if I cut the top off, removed the weaving and repainted it? After several more weeks of feeling confident that NOW I was on the right track, I forged ahead to make it better than my first piece ever could dream of becoming.
After staring at the "new and improved" version for about another three weeks, it too fell short. Should I?  Should I not? Maybe just throw it away and stop agonizing about it?  No, maybe if I cut it this way or that way, it will be perfect. Back to (almost) square one. After this third adjustment it now makes me laugh and maybe that was what it was supposed to do all along. I can not find the courage to stop thinking about it and just throw it away.  What do you think?
Share your stories of your struggles, and maybe we can all smile together about those challenges that we as artists face every day. Would love to hear your thoughts.

Stay tuned.