Creating art takes more than talent
and inspiration, it takes time and space.
Every artist’s space is as unique as the art they create. And that’s what makes the FREE Washington
County Open Studios tour unique, too.
You get to visit the artist and see them create in their studios across
Washington County.
Here, you can get a quick inside
look into one of our artists on this year’s tour. As well as an insight into their art process
and what you might see on our tour.
Sierra, can you describe your studio
for us?
“The inspiration for my
studio came when a friend was getting new windows in her house and she had a
bunch of beautiful 1930's windows to get rid of. I took them and stored them
for about 2 years before work began on my studio. The process has been going on
for about 5 years now!
I love the space. It has
great light and contains a "cob" earthen wall that I built myself
with the help of friends. Since my workers were a variety of folks, some who
knew what they were doing and some who didn't, my studio is "eclectic".
It has great light and a large working area, but I'm still working on getting
some of the problems with it solved. That will probably only take about 10 more
years!!!”
When you begin your work, Sierra, what
inspires you?
“I am inspired by all
kinds of things. Nature, dreams, visual images, weird things that I see or
experience, sarcasm, humor, politics, color, design. I never know when I'm
going to get an idea about art. Often times the final piece is a process that
comes out as I am working.”
Sierra, how did you find your way to
art?
“Graduating from Art
school at age 39, I was a late bloomer. I was interested in art as a younger
person and even began painting, but I was not encouraged to be creative when I
was growing up. As a result I did the traditional things, got married, and had
a child. After "tuning in, turning on, and dropping out" in the
sixties, I began to access more of my creativity. Finally, Art school became a
reality. It's hard to believe that was 26 years ago.”
What weird, different material or
technique do you use, Sierra, and does that inspires you?
“Using a variety of
materials is what I love. Constant discovery of "stuff" is my
passion. Found objects, yard debris, decorated papers, things found in hardware
stores, old things, dirt, rocks, rusty stuff, recycled things, photos, old
paper, just to name a few. A recent find was the paint chippings off a fishing
boat that was being repainted! Yum!!!”
Sierra, when people come to your
studio, what will they see you doing?
“When
visitors come to my studio I may be painting, embossing tin, working with found
objects, painting fabric or smearing mud on my earthen wall!! My studio is
another world for me, a haven, a place where I enter another dimension.”
See
Sierra’s studio and get inspired October 17 and 18 from 11am to 5pm during the
Washington County Open Studios tour.
FREE tour map and information online at www.washcoart.org
Where can I find more of Sierra’s art?
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