Originally posted on Cindy Hierl's Art from Nature:
I saw this view last summer while we were visiting Gettysburg National Park. The fence and the clouds are what first inspired me. The buildings are the Abraham Trostle Farm. The 9th Massachusetts artillery battery made a stand around the Trostle Farm on July 2, 1863. There is a hole that you can see even in my painting where a Confederate artillery shell went through the bricks of the lower top part of the left most building, a barn. I started this pastel painting with several photographs and some great memories. I’m happy with the results. Gettysburg National…
Author: robinchladdesigns
I have been doodling, coloring, drawing, cutting, sculpting, painting, sewing, writing and everything in between since I could hold a crayon in my hand.
My first art projects were filling up a big, fat coloring book of bridal dresses. I boldly ventured into new territory with paint-by-number sets. I graduated to luxurious and decadent velvet (paint-by-number) sets. Eventually, I mastered the art of Spirogragh.
Originally from upstate New York I have lived in Tucson, Arizona since 1986. Back then I was a single mom and found myself in the job market. I went to Pima Community College for training. Instead of diving into my academics I kept hanging around the pottery studio. Some people lived there and if I didn’t have two little girls at home I would have ended up living there as well. Joking aside, I fell in love with clay and all its possibilities. Being in a position to care for my kids, in 1989 I created a very marketable, creative, and functional item. It was a simple concept that took me into new heights of the craft world and I became an entrepreneur. Creating and selling became my passion. I had achieved success for many years. I loved being my own boss and living the artist’s dream. Life moved real fast and before I knew it my girls were all grown up, moving out, getting married and having kids of there own. Hey, wait a minute… I am a Gramma at 40? No sweat, I handled it gracefully.
Fast forward to the present: I have been on a journey led by God.
I took a sabbatical for the last 6 years learning new people skills in real estate, retail and care giving to the elderly. But my natural instincts kept leading me back to what my soul cannot deny. New visions, new risks, and a stronger faith has lead me to this point. Have I arrived? It’s like my life is all mapped out and a red arrow points to You Are Here! But the road keeps going and I have learned to listen to that still small voice. My days are filled with a little bit of art, a little bit of caring for my grandchildren, care giving to the elderly and volunteering at Sunday school.
I am currently working on sculpting with clay in a tile mosaic setting, like my Seed Pod series or House of Fruit Trios. Some of my pieces are a mixture of individual 3-D tiles, shadow box shrines, and ornaments. The work that’s being created is inspirational, whimsical, and contemporary. Even though life can be very serious and intense I hope to achieve simply bringing joy or even a smile to someone’s face though my creations.
I am also designing and developing my%2
Flower Box
Mum’s the Word! Ceramic Flower Shadow Box. 5.5″ x 5.5″ x 2.5 D. Now here is a flower that will last a life time. Bright and bold each petal is placed one by one, hand sculpted, glazed and kiln fired. Spruce up your home or decorate your patio with some flower power wall hangings. These can be custom ordered.
Mosaic tile Rug
Take a Ride on My Magic Carpet! A fantastic accent for your garden entry or patio entry. Take a class this spring with me at Tucson Clay Co-op and learn the secrets to designing a magical garden/patio by adorning it with the mosaics you make.
Classes, Clay Parties and Art shows.
Did you know I will be teaching a mosaic tile class at the Tucson Clay Co-op beginning January 10 from 6-8 p.m. for 8 weeks? I think the class is filled already but if anyone is interested you may be put on a waiting list. You can go to http://www.tucsonclaycoop.com for more information. And did you also know that I am the instructor for the Mobil Clay Parties offered by Tucson Clay Co-op. We offer the clay classes and pottery decorating at your home, senior living facilities, or corporate parties. We make it very convenient for those who can’t…
Secret Door Candelabra
This unique shrine- like ceramic candelabra is a one of a kind piece, hand – built from a high fire clay and kiln fired multiple times. Whimsically inspired from the southwest desert colors and foliage. This extraordinary art piece could be handsomely placed on a dresser or buffet. Adorned with white lilies, orange trumpet flowers and a heart where love grows, and low relief cacti climbing up the side it gives a calming glow. The lamp offers a place to hide a key or a note from a long lost lover. It measures 11 3/4″ w x 11″ H x…
Ringing in the New Year
It will soon be 2013. I am looking back and counting all my blessings but also looking forward to diving into the new year with hopes and dreams, ideas and plans. As I always do each January, I make a list of things I would like to accomplish. I strive to meet all my goals but I am only human and always fall short of the list of goals. I think I have made great strides in 2012. I have managed to juggle several care-giving jobs and build my craft and grow my business. I have had my moments of…
Holiday Open Studio Dec. 9
You’re Invited! Holiday Open Studio December 9th 2012 Sunday from 11- 5. 556 E. Calle Arizona (off of 1st and Limberlost) Please come and enjoy a festive open studio sale in a garden setting. There will be ceramic gifts, wall pieces, ornaments and unique one- of- a-kind collector items for sale. A special 10% discount is offered on most work. Plus deeply discounted loose mosaic tile. Also, I will be featuring guest baker, Candace O’neill. She will be offering gourmet cupcakes and cookies packaged for gift giving! Her stuff is so yummy! Bring your friends! Remember to buy local and…
Best in Show Ribbon!
The St Phillips Show on Sunday was beautiful. Not only was the weather perfect but it was well attended, in a pretty venue and everyone was in high spirits. I have always done well at this one- day show and Sunday proved to hold up my expectations. It was awesome. Not only because it’s the best one-day show I have ever done but that many of my friends purposely came to see me and hang out with me. That’s what made it special. To be encouraged and supported is an important thing but it also took a lot of the…
Working best under pressure…Frog Tea Tile
As I prepare for my upcoming show this week, I heard that familiar voice , “I work best under pressure” or ” I can accomplish much when I have a deadline”. That has always ended up being a false statement for me because when I have a deadline even though I visualize my self being organized and relaxed and calm, I rarely am. Actually, I add more and more to my list when preparing for a craft show. Because I never really know what or how much I am going to sell, I am terrible about making a…
Originally posted on Robin Chlad Designs:
I am so excited about this coming season. Fall! It’s finally here and I am busy making inventory as fast as I can. I spent the summer building stock and all of that went into galleries: Tucson Botanical Gardens Gift Shop, Tucson Museum of Art Gift Shop and Mas Y Mas. (More about the galleries later), I am producing more art pieces and my creativity is exploding. I have been planning my booth design, making mental notes of the items I will need to maximize the space. I look forward to being in the atmosphere of artists ready to put a smile on their faces and sell. To an…
Robin Chlad Designs 