Make Art Every Day!

2020 Artist Interview - The Givens Family

Added on February 22, 2020 by Meredith S. K. Boas.

For our seventh interview of the 2020 Delaware Fun-A-Day, we talk to five members of the Givens Family: Brian, Kim, Katie, Jon, and Laura about their combined 7 years of participation with us, creating works as a family, the power of art for children, and cosplay. Thanks, Givens Family!

Be sure to check out our Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for updates on the progress of our interviewees! And make sure you check your email (and this site) for important information on drop off, the event, and art pick up!

Left to Right: Brian, Katie, Kim, Laura (in front), Jon

Over the past 7 years we’ve had 5 members of the Givens Family participate in Delaware Fun-A-Day. It all started with Brian Givens, who in 2014 was the first Givens family member to participate with us. So Brian, this is your SIXTH year participating with us, how did you learn about Delaware Fun-A-Day? What drew you to our event?

Brian: I think I saw it mentioned on Facebook, perhaps by Carol Maurer. I had only recently started thinking of myself as an artist who could exhibit pieces in shows and Fun a day looked like a great opportunity to do that again. Also, I recognize the value in creating under constraints and I thought that the need to create art quickly and repeatedly would be fun and fruitful. I chose to draw the same object (that I designed and 3-D printed) every day for the month. I thought it would improve my drawing skill (though in the end I don’t think it made much difference).

Brian, how did you motivate or inspire other members of your family to participate in our event? Do you feel that over the years, it was your family that kept you coming back each year, or are you still the main motivator?

Brian: I think they all decided to participate because I dragged them to the shows every year! Also, I encouraged them to join every year and I think they saw that people from all kinds of backgrounds (including other kids) and using all sorts of media were participating in the shows.

In terms of motivation, I’m definitely self-motivated to continue participating. My initial impression that this sort of project would be fruitful and valuable to my growth as an artist has been born out every year. This holds true for Kim as well, she is enthusiastic about participating every year and has become a huge evangelist for Fun a Day, especially at her school.

Left to Right: Jon and Kim First Fun-A-Day Projects (2015)

Brian’s Second Fun-A-Day (2015)

We like to know how people are connected to Delaware Fun a Day - are the Givens Delaware residents, born and raised? What opportunities have Givens family members found by being in this exhibit?

Brian: All of the Givens are Delaware born and raised. In terms of opportunities from Fun A Day, I have found inspiration for further pieces from some of my Fun a day projects. One of the benefits of Fun a Day I didn’t anticipate was that it has led to discoveries that I have been able to carry into more work.

Kim: We have met so many amazing artists through this experience. They have introduced us to new art forms, encouraged us to continue and expand our own artistic endeavors, and become good friends.

Left to Right: Kim’s Fun-A-Day & Katie’s First Fun-A-Day (2016)

Brian’s (top) and Jon’s (bottom) Fun-A-Day (2016)

Participating members of the Givens Family have been: Brian, Kimberly, Jon, Katie, and Laura. What is the family dynamic? Who is who in relation to each other?

Our Family:

Brian - Father
Kim - Mother
Joe - older brother (we haven’t convinced him to participate yet), 22
Katie - older sister, 16
Jon - younger brother, 13
Laura - younger sister, 8

Can each of you describe your favorite memory from your Fun A Day experiences?

Brian: In terms of the creation process, I really enjoyed the unexpected results I got with my 2018 project, where I painted and sanded wood. I had developed that technique for a previous piece and at that time the results were totally different than how I had anticipated. When I dug into it with the multiple pieces for Fun a Day, I was pleasantly surprised again with the different results it let me achieve.
Kim: I look forward to seeing the art from the other artists. I walk from one exhibit to the next and am constantly impressed at the talent and imagination of the people living in our community. It inspires me to think about my own art and encourages me to take risks and push myself, knowing that in the end I will be surrounded by talented people who enjoy sharing their art as much as I enjoy sharing mine.
Jon: Deciding what weird things to put on the big snake picture (from 2016 project)
Katie: Using creative problem solving skills to figure out how to present my project.
Laura: Seeing one of my teachers at the show!

Left to Right: Laura & Katie Fun-A-Day (2018)

Left to Right: Brian & Jon Fun-A-Day (2018)

Kim’s Fun-A-Day (2018)

Kim, you also are participating in your SIXTH year of Delaware Fun a Day, but it looks like in 2017 you were the only Givens family member who participated that year, and your project was called “HappiNest”. Tell us about that year: What was your project about? And how was it being on your own that year? Do you feel like Fun-A-Day was more enjoyable with your family, or was it nice flying solo?

HappiNest was a series of fabric baskets that would nest together. I wanted to learn how changing the starting fabric dimensions would change the size of the final product. To add challenge to the project I was determined to use only scrap fabric. Making this project helped me to think about the transition from a 2D design to a 3D product, a skill I am still working on.

Working alone was okay. I had fun, as always. So far, our projects have been individual rather than collaborations, but I definitely enjoy having the family all participating. It is more fun to create together or even side-by-side, than it is to create alone.

Left to Right: Brian & Katie Fun-A-Day Project (2019)

Left to Right: Laura & Jon Fun-A-Day Project (2019)

Kim’s Fun-A-Day Project (2019)

Brian, you’ve shown the audience at Delaware Fun A Day that you have an incredible talent in woodworking. Can you explain the process of how your woodworking is implemented into not only your everyday life, but also some of the projects and art you have created over the years?

My interest in woodworking stemmed from helping my father with practical DIY projects around the house and continuing into my work on my own house as an adult. Over the last 10 years or so it has grown into an interest in fine woodworking. This is still utilitarian, as I am mostly building furniture such as a dining room table and benches. However, it has been fun to incorporate it into art pieces when the opportunity arises.

The Cherry board piece incorporates a flashing LED circuit, based on a 555 timer IC, that is essentially the same as the circuits used in the “dead bugs” in my 2015 Fun a day project. I wanted the LEDs to be concealed until the button is pressed and the cherry board to look like a solid piece of wood. I made a frame of cherry and glued a sheet of cherry veneer over the face to hide the holes for the LEDs but still let the light through.

This type of interaction between practical skills and art comes up a lot for me. I don’t consider myself a fine artist but I enjoy using any skills I have creatively. As I mentioned, another area I like exploring is electronics, such as in my 2015 Fun a day project or my recent collaborations with Anne Yoncha (https://anneyoncha.com/)

As a family of well-seasoned Delaware Fun-A-Day participants, what is your collective advice for our newcomers? Is there any piece of advice that you all can agree would be a top priority for other families or groups?

Brian: Some advice we discussed: Be yourself and pick a project that is manageable to do every day, so it doesn’t start to feel like a chore.

Kim: Just go for it. There is value in planning and thinking things through, but at some point you have to just jump in and enjoy the ride. There is no reaching perfection, but there is great value in the process.

What unique challenges do you think came up as a family participating in the same challenge? Do you think it was more or less difficult?

Brian: Generally we feel that it’s easier to participate as a family, since everyone can remind everyone else to keep working on the project and others provide more support to keep up when you don’t feel like working on it. However, it can feel intimidating sometimes as you are creating your art and you see the amazing things the others are making.

Brian, on a Facebook post you shared a few years ago, you were working on Voltron helmets for your children’s costumes. Since then, have you created any more cosplays for anyone in general? Any other television shows or movie influences that you’ve created in woodworking?

Brian: In terms of costumes, I have to give all the credit to my amazing mother Judy. She always sewed Halloween costumes for my brother, sister and me. Those costumes were amazing and most of them survive to this day, which certainly isn’t true of the plastic smock and facemask costumes most people wore in the 80s!

This tradition kind of set in my mind that of course we make our costumes. So Kim and I just continue to do that.

Kimberly, how important do you feel that exploration in the arts is to child development? Do you feel that the old adage “lead by example” has been a part of your experience with Fun-A-Day and having the younger Givens members participate?

Art is imperative to child development. It is where we learn to express ourselves, learn to problem-solve, deal with frustrations, communicate what is important to us, and learn that it is good to take chances and learn from them no matter what the outcome. As parents, we do try to lead by example, but we also learn from the example of our children. They are creative risk-takers and I am encouraged by their willingness to take on seemingly enormous tasks. Where I might have just seen the amount of work, time, and skill that a project would have taken and gone a different route, my kids will see the same project as a fun challenge and go on to accomplish it. They lead, support, and inspire us, and I hope we are able to do the same for them.

My parents were very creative. They shared their love of art with the family. My mom taught me to crochet, to bake making treats that were both delicious and visually interesting. My dad has helped me to learn new skills and techniques with machine sewing as he quilts and creates himself. He played the organ every Sunday when we were growing up, and instilled a love of music and self-expression through music in my sister and me. We learned to love the theater as children, to appreciate gifts that were hand-made especially for us, and to enjoy the art of making things together as a family. Those values have carried over into my adult life and I hope that they will continue in the lives of our children.

Katie, we believe that Delaware Fun-A-Day brings out the best in our community, but also the best in each other. What are some of the creative ways you encouraged one another?

Katie:Watching Jack work on his projects has been inspiring.

Where can people see more works by the Givens Family?

You can come see us at Delaware Fun-A-Day this year, and in years to come. You might also find us in the future at Christina School District Art Shows and the Newark Arts Alliance.

Kim: kickeriki.tumblr.com

Brian: @givens_made on Instagram

2020 Artist Interview - Amy Machado

Added on February 15, 2020 by Meredith S. K. Boas.

For our sixth interview of the 2020 Delaware Fun-A-Day, we talk to participant Amy Machado about photography, creating work that makes YOU happy, embroidery, and the practice of constantly learning. Thanks, Amy!

We like to know how people are connected to Delaware Fun a Day - are you a resident, born and raised? What opportunities have you found being in the exhibit?

I was born and raised in Delaware with a short stint in Maryland where I went to Cecil College to study photography. Being able to participate in Delaware Fun-a-Day has forced me out of a slump where I only picked up my camera when I was paid to be. It has made me fall in love with photography again and has inspired me to find other ways to express my creativity such as painting and embroidery.

You’re one of several dedicated Cecil County artists that we have join us each year, so tell me, who influenced you to participate in Delaware Fun-A-Day, and who in turn have you influenced to participate?

Although I do slightly remember hearing chatter around Delaware Fun-a-Day at Cecil College, it was my co-worker at Apple, Helen Ounjian, that has participated for the past 6 years and really encouraged me to give it a try. In turn I’ve encourage a few others to participate over the years and or invite them to opening night in hopes that they want to join next year.

This is going to be your THIRD year participating! Can you describe your favorite past Fun-A-Day project?

My favorite project so far was actually my first. I did a series of photos that where monochromatic bright colors. For example; a bright shiny red apple on a red background and yellow paint dripping off a paint brush against a yellow backdrop. The following year I did a series of paintings and this year a friend motivated me to give embroidery a try and I had the grand idea to really step out of my comfort zone and create embroidered jewelry. I hope that it works out as well as it has in my head.

Professionally you’re a photographer and you focus on weddings, engagements, and portraits, but are people in fact your favorite photographic subject? In 2017 your Fun-A-Day project used block color photography centered on various objects, not specifically people, and I’m curious if Fun-A-Day is an outlet to break from the typical type of photography you do?

As much as I do really enjoy portraits and weddings when I have equally fun and creative subjects, I adore photography that shows texture and that is colorful. Still life photography allows me slow down and carry out my vision. That series of photos from 2017 though, inspired me to shoot a series of bright monochromatic portraits.

Do you find that focusing on other people’s happy moments and events through your craft, in turn, keeps you in a mental or emotional bubble of happiness?

Yes and no. Yes, because I do feed off of the energy and emotions of those around me so, if I am shooting someone that is energetic and funny I will naturally try to push them in to fun poses to showcase that personality. Whereas, if I have someone that maybe isn’t very comfortable in front of a camera I will stick to more traditional poses and try to get them to talk and relax or just understand that they are happy with that alone.

No, because speaking as someone who personally struggles with infertility, taking maternity and newborn photos can feel heartbreaking. The last few years have been difficult to remain my happy self for my clients that are expecting or new parents. It’s not just a bit of jealousy of what they have as it is a reminder of the emotional and physical toll that fertility treatments has on myself and my husband. However, I do consider it a privilege to capture those special moments for those who have had the same struggles and it is those moments that encourages us to keep trying.

You actually met your husband through photography. Is it helpful having a partner that is interested in the same artistic medium as you? Is he able to give you suggestions about the direction of your artistry, or pull you out of a creative funk?

Joe is a very creative person and at times it can be intimidating how often he thinks about his craft. He wears many hats as a writer, podcaster, videographer, graphic designer and gamer. While he doesn’t take many photos these days, anytime he picks up a camera he jokes that he is the better photographer in the family. Its his constant motivation to keep his material fresh and to learn that pulls me out of any creative slump.

I found your 2020 New Year’s resolution to be particularly relatable. You stated that you’re looking for “opportunities to be more creative” and you want to finish your “color series and have an exhibit”. What great goals! What are some ways, other than participating in Fun-A-Day that you plan to motivate yourself this year? Are you looking for groups to join, or organizational tools, or exhibit spaces to explore?

Well, my first goal is to FINALLY finish the portrait color series. I have spent so much time thinking about the last few images I want to capture. Now that I have a plan and models, I just need to finish getting the makeup and props. As far as exhibit space, I have not yet began exploring my options but I am welcome to any and all suggestions! Outside of photography, I am really enjoying embroidery. I find it to be relaxing and something I can still do while relaxing and binge watching something on Netflix.

Fiber art has been a little under-represented at Fun-A-Day in years past, which is why it’s really exciting to see that your 2020 project is going to be "Embroidered Jewelry”. It’s a break from your photographic work. What has drawn you to this new medium?

One of my friends, Felicia, who I encouraged to join this year, began doing embroidery while she was out of work tending to her injured ankle and she completely fell in love with it. I had personally never tried it before and after seeing her posts on instagram I took her advice I began with some simple designs. I looked to etsy and Pinterest to find inspiration for any new pieces and few jewelry designs caught my eye.

Before I knew it I was buying all the supplies I needed to make necklaces, earrings and bracelets. This will be way of of my comfort zone and my husband thinks I am crazy for not sticking to photography but I think its nice to explore different creative outlets. Having just started I can tell you this will in no way replace my love for photography and it certainly doesn’t come natural but, I’m enjoying it for now.

As a former college educator, do you find that your time as an instructor bolstered or hampered your creativity? Sometimes when educators are so dedicated and focused on helping others that it can take away from their creative energy toward their own projects. Do you feel there’s any truth in that statement?

I think whether you are teaching photography or if you are a paid photographer it is extremely easy to treat it as just a job and that may sometimes cause you to not want to shoot, edit, or even talk about it when you are exhausted. For me weddings can be so physically and mentally draining that I often need the next day to rest and get a massage. I love weddings, I love the energy, but its hours of carrying a lot of equipment around your neck and shoulders while standing or kneeling for 8-13 hours. It is also an adrenaline rush because you must always be super aware of your surroundings because you do not want to miss a single thing. However, the reward of seeing the newly weds gush over their photos and albums makes it all worth it.

Teaching on the other hand always made me appreciate photography more. Most of my students at Cecil College were simply just taking my class to get their art credit and had no interest in pursuing photography any further. However, watching my students shamelessly lay on the ground in the middle of the campus to get the perfect shot or framing their exhibit piece with pride always made me extremely proud to be a teacher and a photographer.

What are the top 3 pieces of advice you would give to our new-comers?

Have FUN!!!! Remember its FUN a day not STRESS a day! (I need to remember this myself from time to time)
If you aren’t sure what to do stick with what you know and love.
Get your friends to join in or help in some way, sometimes their input can be helpful if you are stuck.

Where can people see more of your work?

My website: www.photobyamy.com
Instagram: photographybyamy_de (strictly photography)
Instagram: Amy.lynn.84 (personal, but I post here more often)
And who knows maybe an Etsy shop if this project works out well.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I’m equally excited and terrified to try something new this year and I hope everyone enjoys it.

2020 Artist Interview - Adira Riben

Added on February 7, 2020 by Meredith S. K. Boas.

For our fifth interview of the 2020 Delaware Fun-A-Day, we talk to participant Adira Riben about creating with color, Jewish culture, the Holocaust, and uniting people of all faiths, nationalities and ethnicities. Thanks, Adira!

We like to know how people are connected to Delaware Fun a Day - are you a resident, born and raised? What opportunities have you found being in the exhibit?

Hi! I am from NJ (so not too far!). I came to Delaware in 2006-ish? to join AmeriCorps. It was a great experience. Yay, National Service! Anyway, in Delaware, I met many awesome people, including my (now) husband. Yay, Delaware!

The Fun-A-Day experience really helped me grow as an artist. That growth has led to opportunities to exhibit and sell my art. That is something that for many years, I only dreamed of doing.

This is going to be your FOURTH year participating! Can you describe your favorite past Fun-A-Day project?

Every year I’ve done something really different. Different media, different subject matter...I don’t have a favorite of my own. When it comes to other artists, every year I am blown away by the creativity!

Many of your illustrative works play with subtle hints of color in skin tones that one might not immediately think of, such as greens, purples, and blues. How does bringing these colorful hues to the forefront emphasize your subject matter?

That’s cool that you noticed that! It’s something I’m still experimenting with so I’m not really sure yet.

I used to be the polar opposite when it came to using color in my work, and for me, it really did reflect the way I felt about life. In my art, I really struggled to use color. Almost all my work was gray - pencil or charcoal. Like a lot of people, I was really struggling with depression. It got so bad that for a while I stopped making art completely. Actually, I stopped doing a lot of things. Anyway, thank goodness, I was able to get help. It took lots of help and support and plain old time to get better. Eventually, I started to draw again. Just for myself at first. Color crept in slowly. I didn't feel confident using it, but I wanted to. I had started to see the world differently. It's not like I suddenly saw the good in everyone and everything. There's a lot of evil in this world. A lot of hate, and cruelty. But I accepted that even in this very imperfect there can still be beauty and hope.

Your 2019 Fun-A-Day “A Touch of Color”, seemed to morph over the course of the Maker’s Month. Your original project description was “drawing with sepia tone and adding a touch of color here or there”. Your final project ultimately came together as a collage of CD cases, on which was painted this beautiful central image of an unclothed woman of color who had her back to us and her arms in the air. She seems to be celebrating her body and embracing the earth. Tell us more about this project and some of the thoughts and feelings that went it this work. Who was your model?

So...I really struggled to focus that year. I knew I wanted to use CD cases again, because you can paint them and they are the 6” by 6” - the perfect size for Fun-A-Day! But, after I picked my theme, I realized I really love color, so my original concept went out the window. I was like, well what now? I kept trying different subjects. I thought maybe I’d do a bird a day, maybe a puppy a day, I almost did 28 grasshoppers.

Finally, I was so far behind I just decided to do some figure drawing to not think about it. I use an on-line resource called Croquis Cafe. It’s a really great source for reference photos for figure drawing. I started to paint Keira Lailani, and I loved how she owns every pose. Her confidence is contagious, and I loved it. So she was my inspiration. She was the central figure in the piece and everything really evolved around her. By the way, she’s actually a white lady and really pale with red hair, but like I said, I’m still experimenting with skin tones.

Please describe your 2020 project "We Are All Connected”. Will this be an exploration of cultural interconnectivity? Or possibly our connection as humans to nature and animals?

It’s all about people.

I was raised Jewish and from a young age we learn about the holocaust and hear the phrase, “never again.” It means that we need to be vigilant against injustice. For me, I always interpreted that to not only apply to my own people. Years ago there was a flood of Hatian immigrants taking boats to Florida. These refugees would be turned away at the coast after risking their lives. I was maybe 12 or 13 at the time and I asked my Rabbi, why we as Jews were not helping them. Doesn’t g-d and our history teach us that? He told the class that they are coming for economic opportunity not freedom. It struck a cord of anger in me.

That was over 20 years ago. Finally, there is now a movement among the Jewish people called Never Again. We are uniting as Jews to speak out against immigration policies that are cruel and inhumane. We are educating ourselves and others. We are using our voices to pray aloud in protest, and risking arrest in order to block detention centers. We have formed coalitions with other organizations including Doctors for Camp Closure, CASA of Maryland, Movimiento Cosecha and Bend the Arc.

So, my project is very personal in a sense, because after many years, I am rediscovering my Jewish identity. But obviously, it’s also about this movement uniting people of all faiths, nationalities and ethnicities.

The Jewish culture is so beautiful and unfortunately the last generation of Holocaust survivors (people who experienced the Holocaust first hand as children) are passing away. There has been a real push to capture their eye-witness accounts from that time before we are completely reliant upon history books for information. As an artist, particularly as a Jewish person, have you considered a project where you might shine a spotlight on this imminent reality?

Although I haven't considered that (I don't think of myself as skilled enough as a portrait artist). There is a very amazing artist named David Kassan who is doing just that. He does amazing portraits in oil paint and shares the portraits and stories of survivors. His website is https://www.davidkassan.com/

You seem to do a lot of portrait work. Do you use friends, family, co-workers? Sometimes artists seek out figure drawing or portrait classes. Have any classes or groups that you’re a part of?

I’m really shy to ask people to model for me, so I usually use reference photos that I’ve taken or from Croquis Cafe, though I have gone to portrait sessions at the Cecil County Arts Alliance. But for my Fun-A-Day this year, I really want to do portraits of people I know, my neighbors, co-workers, friends. So, hopefully, I’ll get lots of practice asking.

Having illustrated all manner of objects, animals, seasons, etc., and having used all sorts of color... you don’t appear to have a set “go to” subject or preferred color scheme. So I’m curious, if you had to live inside of one season for a year, what season would it be? Why? And if you could use only one color in your art for a year, what would it be? And why?

I love drawing chickens. But I also like vultures, frogs and toads. I like the colors and the poses. Also, it’s easier to fudge things than when I draw people. Like if I make the tail feathers too short, my model won’t be mad at me.

My favorite season, not surprisingly is fall. I love the changing colors of the leaves.

If I had to use only one color. Ugh! I would cheat and use lots of colors. Even if in the end I mixed all the colors so it looked like I only used brown (which happens to be my favorite color) I would cheat.

Do you see yourself more as a solo artist, working and creating in your own bubble? Or do you see yourself as a social artist, thriving off of human and animal interaction?

The making of art is very much a solo process for me, but my inspiration comes from my interactions with other people and the world in general.

Do you do any plein air painting or drawing? A lot of your work is so vibrant and alluring that I feel as though you must have been outside as you worked, and I’ve been transported there with you.

That’s so cool. I’ve done a little plein air drawing, but would love to do more. I often work from photos.

Where can people see more of your work?

I’m on Instagram @adirajennerart and I have a blog website where I list upcoming shows and events.

I also have shows coming up this summer, which I am very excited about. In May and June my work will be up at Dover Library and then in August I have a show at the Cecil County Arts Alliance followed by a show at the Gallery at the Elkton Library.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I’m super excited to see everyone’s work at the opening. I love this event. I'm sending a big "you can do it!" to all the artists, and a huge thank you to the volunteers and event organizers.

2020 Artist Interview - Helen Ounjian

Added on January 31, 2020 by Meredith S. K. Boas.

For our fourth interview of the 2020 Delaware Fun-A-Day, we talk to SIX TIME participant Helen Ounjian about powering through road blocks, the artistic spectrum, vegan ideas, and art prep before starting new projects. Thanks, Helen!

We like to know how people are connected to Delaware Fun a Day - are you a resident, born and raised? What opportunities have you found being in the exhibit?

I’ve lived in Delaware since I was 13…

My brother and some friends participated in Fun-a-Day some years ago (when it was on Market Street) and I was so excited to do it the following year, I ambitiously took on a painting project. Fun-a-Day was a way to connect with the Delaware art community hang out with some artsy friends and see new techniques that I’d be curious to try and be so enthralled with the amazing work that people pour so much dedication, time, sweat, (and tears?) that I am inspired to keep up with my own works.

This is going to be your SIXTH year participating! Can you describe your favorite past Fun-A-Day project?

My first Fun-a-Day project is probably my favorite: my theme was the “word of the day” as generated by a dictionary app. There were some pretty challenging words to paint such as withershins (a contrary direction) and meliorism (a doctrine that the world becomes better with human effort) but my favorites to illustrate were caprine (relating to goats) and flit (I painted a bee flitting from flower to flower).

Folks come to Delaware Fun-A-Day for hundreds of reasons. Sometimes it’s to create and stockpile new work, launch a brand or idea, start a movement, build friendships, make more family time, and so on. So tell me, as a veteran Fun-A-Day participant, what’s been your biggest motivation over the years?

Fun-a-Day has been my motivation to do the art that I like doing, it’s something I look forward to do at the end of my day. I love picking a theme and exploring the variations of what that can be, or using a technique that I want to refine. I did two photo exhibits with Fun-a-Day and those motivated me to explore composition, one year was digital patterns/mandalas where I played with color schemes. I think having a project such as this helps me get into a creative mindset and to make time to do the art.

Your 2019 Fun-A-Day “Cardigans” was much loved by other participants because it was so easily relatable. You casually wore a different cardigan each day, took a picture of yourself, and shared those images at the exhibit. From an organizer stand-point your project has been used as a great example of simply having fun each day in a way that can speak to artists and non-artists alike. We’re always striving to emphasize that Fun-A-Day is not “just” for “artists”. Where do you see yourself on the spectrum of artist and non-artist? Do you think such a spectrum exists?

I think there is something about being an artist and continuously challenging yourself to do the work, to constantly create, constantly think about improving the work and the technique, there are definitely times when I, and other artists, will look at a work and know that it is always a work in progress because there is a wanting to perfect it. And there artist who creates for the love of it, to make something enjoyable, without motive. I think I fall somewhere in the middle of these two.

Please describe your 2020 project "Half" wherein you plan to draw “An illustration of half objects or phrases”. This makes me think of the Shel Silverstein story of “The Missing Piece”. Is there some self-reflection in this year’s project? Are you feeling a little less than whole?

That is a deep question! :)

I picked this theme as a nod to things that still have a wholeness, even if they might be considered less than whole, being half of something still has value.

I noticed that you’re vegan, and you naturally have fun posting healthy and yummy looking recipes. Is there a possibility of seeing a future “Vegan Recipe A Day” or “Veggie A Day” project?

I think we just picked my theme for next year! I like both ideas: I could pick a vegetable to celebrate each day and a recipe to go with it.

Having been a vegan myself now for over two years, I’ve come to realize that some folks are a vegan and an artist, and some folks are vegan artists. Which do you see yourself as? Do you feel that your veganness has influenced the types of art tools and products that you use to make your art?

I’m a vegan and an artist. There’s definitely art in cooking and in finding healthy vegan alternatives to non-vegan foods but I have not delved too deep into being a vegan artist as far as cruelty-free art products.

In 2018, you completed a small circular canvas each day. You also moved that month, and although you completed all 31 days, you stated it was a lot to juggle. Was that your most hectic participation year? And as a well-seasoned Delaware Fun-A-Day participant, is there any piece of advice that you believe would be a top priority for any new-comers?

2018 was a challenging year for my Fun-a-Day project. Luckily, I labeled all my art supply boxes well enough so I was able to put together a project while unpacking my life. That was probably my least favorite project, I feel like I didn’t spend the time I wanted to on each mini-canvas.

Where can people see more of your work?

Instagram… I’m not great at posting my work throughout the year… but I also paint at church. I have paintings hanging at The Barn Vineyard Church in Landenberg, PA.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I am so grateful for the Fun-a-Day project and I look forward to all the hard work everyone - participants and organizers - do for this project every year.

If this is your first year, power through the roadblocks, you will find your inspiration along the way. The Fun-A-Day project really is a community where we can share the best and worst experiences going through the project and encourage each other to keep up with the art - even beyond Maker’s Month. Dedicating time to do the Fun-a-Day project is so important, make sure you carve out the time everyday to work on your art. If you can build it into your routine, that helps too. I know the first couple days might be really easy at first, if you keep up the momentum through the month, you won’t even notice how fast the time flies, and you will have created 29 new works.

2020 Artist Interview - Diane Keesee

Added on January 22, 2020 by Meredith S. K. Boas.

For our third interview of the 2020 Delaware Fun-A-Day, we talk to nature lover and mixologist Diane Keesee about travel and nature as art inspirations, stepping outside of your comfort zone, and where to get a great cocktail! Thanks, Diane!

We like to know how people are connected to Delaware Fun a Day - are you a resident, born and raised? What opportunities have you found being in the exhibit?

I am originally from Washington State, but my father worked for the DuPont Company during a time when families were transferred around the country every few years – we landed in Delaware twice and the second time stuck. I love the beauty and the history of this area; from the old dry stacked stone walls that line the fields along the Brandywine to the marshes and beaches in lower Delaware. While I currently live just across the line in Pennsylvania, I feel like the boundaries are pretty amorphous and I identify more with Delaware.

When I first heard about Fun a Day, I was working 50 to 60 hours a week in the hospitality industry and felt like I had no time for art. Fun a Day showed me that a few minutes were enough for a small piece and that was enough to sustain my creative needs. I love being able to meet the artists and seeing all the wonderful work that is created as part of Fun a Day makes me realize how many amazingly talented artists are part of our community and how lucky we are to have this project to bring everyone together.

This is going to be your FOURTH year participating! Can you describe your favorite past Fun-A-Day project?

I think my favorite project was the last one, Coffee and a View (aka Where my Heart Lies). I love pastels and it gave me a chance to expand my knowledge of the medium while working on my drawing and “seeing” skills. Being in the Caribbean, one of my happy places, helped cement this project as a favorite.

We love the description you have on your Instagram @dtksilk, which states “Nature lover, gardener, artist, seeker of peace, beauty, and breathtaking views”. So tell us, how did you discover that nature was your happy place as an artist?

My parents always encouraged us to be outdoors as much as possible and took us to some pretty amazing places when we were young. My origins and family roots are in the Pacific Northwest and we didn’t have to go very far to find spectacular views. My favorite places were any location on Mount Rainier and tide pools along the shore of Puget Sound. Anytime I am upset, I have found that a walk in the woods will calm me and clear my head.

Over the years, your projects have been “Drawing A Day”, “Flower A Day”, and “Coffee & A view”. Each of these projects has a sense of serenity and peacefulness about them, so tell me, how has your enjoyment and comfort working on these projects increased with each year?

After the first year, A Drawing a Day, I tried to step out of my comfort zone and work in mediums I am not used to using, so I don’t think I would describe the process as comfortable. Enjoyable and gratifying – yes! I think everyone should challenge themselves, otherwise, how do we grow?

Please describe your 2020 project "Things that can hurt you". Has there been a recent pain that has entered your life and taken you in this direction?

“Things That Can Hurt You” started as a joke. I was working on a pastel of poison ivy for someone who gets it every time they work in the garden and in the process my morbid sense of curiosity led me to look up other toxic plants and then began thinking of common household items that put us at risk. Some of the items are pretty subtle, so it will be interesting to see how the viewer interprets what the threat might be. I just saw an ad for a book called “ABC Death.” It’s an alphabet book of animals that can kill you, especially if you make poor life choices. Maybe this is becoming a subconscious theme in today’s world.

Your first Fun-A-Day with us was in 2017, and your grand-daughter Lauren Wilson began participating with us in 2018. Do you think that seeing your work in the exhibit directly influenced her to participate in this event? And how have you inspired each other’s projects in the years since?

Lauren is a very talented artist and I am always in awe with each new piece she creates. She is in a great art program at school and I hope she is able to continue when she goes to college next year. I encouraged her to participate in 2018 and this year she texted me to tell me she had signed up and asked if I would do it too. I can’t wait to see her project.

As a well-seasoned Delaware Fun-A-Day participant, what advice did you give your grand-daughter when she began participating? Is there any piece of advice that you believe would be a top priority for any new-comers to take a hold of?

Lauren’s first year was only my second, so I was still pretty new to Fun a Day and just encouraged her to join in the fun. Now, to any newcomers, I would say keep it simple, especially the first time and DON’T PROCRASTINATE!!!

Now for a non-art-related question! Tell us about your interests outside of nature and art making… you make fascinating posts about Wine, Whiskey, Cocktails, etc… are you an alcohol curator? A mixologist? Shed some light on this fun topic!

I started in hospitality as a bartender – just a second job for a little extra cash. I found I liked it a lot. Making cocktails, mixology, is like cooking – flavors blend and enhance each other to make something better than the individual elements. I enjoyed creating specialty cocktails for events and cocktail lists, and teaching mixology.

As my hospitality career evolved towards the management side, the work/life balance got way out of kilter. Now I do promotional tastings on the weekends and have time for backpacking, gardening and ART!

I will be giving two lectures/tastings this year at Mount Cuba – the first is on gin (juniper is a native plant) and the second will be on infusing alcohol with native fruits and herbs.

Have you ever thought about pairing your art with different alcohols? For example, you may be interested in drawing the bottles, or using the color schemes from different labels, using the actual alcohol in your paints, etc. Have you thought of “pairing” the two?

I do use alcohol (though not the drinking kind) to “paint” with pastels. Alcohol spreads the pigment around and leaves more of the grit or tooth of the paper available for more layers. I also mix alcohol and water with dyes when I am “painting” on silk. Maybe one of my future Fun a Day projects will be dyed silk pieces.

Where can people see more of your work?

Right now, I have a pastel at Girard Craft and Cork in Wilmington. I am working on a website, but for now, my on-line presence is on Instagram and my dtksilk facebook page. I try to participate every year in the Rehoboth Art League Outdoor Show with my silk scarves and pillows and in February, will have two pastels in a group show at Gallery 222 in Malvern.

Anything else you’d like to share?

Just that I am grateful for all of the work you do for Fun a Day so the rest of us have an outlet for our creative projects. I hope to be able to challenge myself and encourage others to stretch beyond their comfort zones.

2020 Artist Interview - Sarah Dressler

Added on January 13, 2020 by Meredith S. K. Boas.

For our second interview of the 2020 Delaware Fun-A-Day, we talk to mixed media artist and educator Sarah Dressler about fantasy art, calligraphy and dollmaking, artist conventions and festivals, and where to take art classes and workshops! Thanks, Sarah!

We like to know how people are connected to Delaware Fun a Day - are you a resident, born and raised? What opportunities have you found being in the exhibit?

I was born & raised in Delaware County, PA, but I’ve lived in Delaware since 1995. I’ve made friends and I’ve used some of my first Fun a Day projects to help get into a gallery.

This is going to be your FOURTH year participating! Can you describe your favorite past Fun-A-Day project?

Each of the 3 projects I’ve done in the past have called on different skill sets and I enjoyed them all. My first year I focused on a word a day; some of the pieces were calligraphy only, some were a combination of illustration and calligraphy and some were word art blending the two. The second theme was collective animal nouns like “army of ants” or “troop of kangaroos.” It was a lot of researching the collective nouns and choosing which ones inspired the illustrations and the lettering.

My last project sort of got away from me, I made a new pattern for felt animals each day. In the end I think I made over 100 hand sewn creatures, as I didn’t allow the day’s project to be done until I produced a finished feltie that I was reasonably pleased with. If I have to choose one, I think the collective animal nouns it was the most amusing.

As a mixed media artist, doing everything from calligraphy to doll-making, what do you find to be your most rewarding medium? Is there a medium where you feel you can be your most expressive?

Mixed media describes my body of work more than most of my individual pieces. I like working in a lot of different materials and using a variety of different techniques. Making art dolls often brings together many of my skills, especially when I opt to make them part of a more complicated set piece. I think I’m most expressive when making art dolls, but they take several days to make so they don’t lend themselves to creating one a day. Recently a lot of my time has been on fiber arts and teaching, but I’m really looking forward to working with ink and paint for the month of February.

To a casual observer, and fan of your work, it seems you are most inspired by Celtic and possibly Anglo-Saxon cultures. Do you feel this to be true? Tell us about some of your favorite cultures to work with artistically.

My mother was born & raised in Scotland and never gave up her British citizenship, so I think the connection to those cultures comes very naturally. I’ve done a lot of calligraphy and painting in modern and historical styles from all over Europe and the Middle East. I really enjoy working in the style of medieval books of hours, it’s fun to challenge myself to learn about the materials and techniques that were perfected by our artistic ancestors.

There is something fun about mixing modern texts with the style of a 15th century Dutch artist. Many of my art dolls are inspired by mythology and fairytales. Looking at historical masterworks of calligraphy and illumination and stories which have been told for centuries give me a different way of looking at the modern world we live in. Some of my work is just intuitive creations of the moment, some are serious reflections on the human condition and some are just whimsical.

The current zeitgeist seems to be getting darker and darker and I occasionally explore the dark side but more often I seem to be trying to bring color and whimsy to my work and hope to brighten the bits of the world that can view my work.

Please describe your 2020 project "Intuitive Abstracts".

This time last year a friend of mine came back from a sabbatical and shared some work she was exposed to, in a workshop in Arizona, that she thought resonated with much of my work. The words that seemed to connect the workshop & some of my work were “intuitive” and “abstract” so I’m using them as a jumping off point. I’ve been exploring loosening up my more formal training and the formality of much of my calligraphic work. The pieces I’ve done in this new method starts with a series of quick bold swashes of color followed by filling in all of the remaining white space with a series of lines, simple shapes and more complicated patterns as inspired by the space being filled in.

As a well-seasoned Delaware Fun-A-Day participant, what advice can you give our newcomers? Is there any piece of advice that you believe would be a top priority for rookies to take a hold of?

Plan a project you know you can finish, and manage your time. The first year I finished several pieces really close to midnight and it was stressful. The next two years I spent some time before the first making day and planned out my month. I made a calendar of the daily projects with the easiest ones on days I knew would be busy. If a day comes that you just can’t finish don’t panic, keep going and on a less busy day you can get caught up.

We know you participate in a lot of fantasy themed events, such as FairieCon in Baltimore. Tell us more about this event from the artist perspective. Do you have other favorite events you’d like to tell us about?

FaerieCon and New York Faerie Festival are very dear to my artist’s heart. They can be expensive to participate in when you take in the cost of the vending space and travel/accommodation & food expenses. But, it’s been worth it to be surrounded by people who share a love of the fantastic. There is a community of artists and patrons who regularly participate in fantasy festivals and conventions. Beyond the artistic inspiration of being around other artists who share inspiration in mythology, fairy tales & fantasy it is inspiring to watch the patrons and the level of creativity that they pour into their attire.

Faerie festivals are not like most “cosplay” gatherings in that few people are playing a specific character, they generally create their own character or just let their imaginations soar and create garments and makeup that create very individual statements. Some patrons have several outfits for each day. Events like this fill my artistic soul with inspiration and energy to keep pushing myself to try new things. The discussions with other artists and with patrons give me a clearer insight as to how my work is received by people beyond my friends and family. These events are both inspiring and energizing.

But, I also like to participate in art festivals with a broader range of patrons; like Arts Fest at Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center. Arts Fest juries artists from all over the world and the setting is stunning, through their affiliation with the Smithsonian the sculpture park is a combination of “forest bathing” and visiting a gallery.

Have those events influenced your art, and steered you in the fantasy direction, or did those events simply give your innate art preference a spotlight?

My first art dolls were faeries and mermaids, after my son urged me to make something less “girly” so I branched out to goblins, trolls & dragons. While many of them were received by local audiences with amusement they were not finding homes. So I started to seek out an audience that my work resonated with more precisely. While I searched for events where I thought my work would resonate well I have also learned a lot from doing these shows.

Some things that I thought would be a big hit turned out to be largely ignored while some things I did as a whim and thought I’d just put it out and see what people thought and they sold out with some very enthusiastic patrons. If something is a hit I will continue to explore making variations on that theme, if it failed to get a response but I think it was good I may make tweaks and alter it, or make variations that I think will improve it, if upon deliberation I don’t have faith that it was the right direction to go in artistically I will put it aside and I might revisit it later or just move on to other themes or materials and techniques.

Throughout the year you regularly teach art related workshops. Would you like to tell us more about the places you teach at and perhaps what we can expect to learn from you at those locations in 2020?

Most of my teaching takes place in The Art Studio/Absolom Jones and for the County libraries, but I also teach workshops for The Newark Arts Alliance, The Palette & The Page, in Elkton, MD, and for the Center for the Creative Arts, in Yorklyn, DE. I’ve been teaching kids mixed media classes and camps for The Art Studio for over a decade, but I also teach a variety of workshops for teens/adults as well. Among the workshops I’ve taught in the last few years I’ve taught mandalas, bookbinding, monoprints, indigo dyeing, ice dying, nuno felting, and a variety of other techniques. In the fall of 2019 I have tested my motto “semper Gumbi” - “always be flexible” as I am now teaching all ages, the Creative Art Saturday program is a drop in art event that I lead at The Art Studio monthly, it’s aimed at ages 6 and up, but frequently I get to test my mettle and adapt the project on the fly for preschoolers and toddlers; I also had the privilege of teaching a 10 week fiber arts class at The Art Studio in conjunction with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute where most of my students were retired.

In March 2020 I will be teaching nuno felting for Sarafina Fiber Arts. Nuno felting is a fascinating process where super fine wool fibers are merged with fine silk to create a new blended fabric. At the moment dying silk and felting it occupies a lot of my artistic time and energy. The process of making a scarf takes 3-5 hours so it doesn’t lend itself to Fun-A-Day but I am glad that I’m finding places to share the process and the beauty of the finished results with people through teaching.

Anything else you’d like to share?

You never know where your inspiration and fascinations will come from. When I was in highschool I split my time between the visual & performing arts areas in school. The teacher who influenced & inspired me the most to be creative & to push myself to try new things, as well as teaching me the connections between history and the world we live in, was not my visual art teacher but my choir director David Hall. He introduced me to medieval music and art, decades later I found the Society for Creative Anachronisms (SCA) which is an international recreation group that focuses on Europe from the fall of the Roman Empire to the Elizabethan age.

When I found the SCA I was a stay at home mom doing wedding flowers on the side and suddenly I found an outlet for some of my creative impulses. In the SCA I discovered the “scribal arts” of calligraphy & illumination, and I return to making art regularly. I honed my calligraphy skills and refined my eye for details and my miniature painting skills. Within the SCA I also started teaching art workshops and spinning out from there I branched out into a wider variety of artistic expressions using those skills and I also started teaching more and more art forms to a wider range of people, but it all goes back to being inspired in high school.

Where can people see more of your work?

I am a member artist at The Palette & The Page in Elkton, MD where you can see some of my dolls, some of my calligraphy & painting as well as some of my ice dyed and my nuno felted silk scarves. There are a variety of my pieces in the members shop in the Newark Arts Alliance. I also have an Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/toadstoolsntreestump/ with a range of my work, including a few of my art dolls and other items.

2020 Artist Interview - Katherine LeCocq

Added on January 6, 2020 by Meredith S. K. Boas.

For our first interview of the 2020 Delaware Fun-A-Day, we talk to new co-lead Katherine (Katie) LeCocq about arts advocacy, positivity public art displays, Barrel of Makers, and working with gold leaf! Thanks, Katie!

We like to know how people are connected to Delaware Fun a Day - are you a resident, born and raised? What opportunities have you found being in the exhibit?

I’m not even from this coast, actually. I grew up in Seattle Washington and came over here for college. The Delaware Fun-A-Day was the first thing I learned about Wilmington before moving here in 2016. When I mentioned my impending move to an acquaintance, she told me about participating in the Fun-A-Day when it was hosted at the Oddity Bar. I got to participate for the 2017 show and have been going strong ever since! Each time I meet someone I wouldn’t have encountered otherwise, gaining friendships and inspiration to create more. I have also gained a better understanding of my own limitations, more precisely, how I was limiting myself. The number of pieces seemed daunting and unattainable. But I accomplished the goals each time and walked away with a body of work that I used after the Fun-A-Day shows, expanding on my initial focus of the challenge.

This is going to be your FOURTH year participating! Can you describe your favorite past Fun-A-Day project?

My favorite one thus far would be my second Fun-A-Day, “Fox Love”. I was particularly proud of how I dealt with the odd number of days in the month. The first day I fitted all the parts as a whole and created an abstract pattern with gold leaf, weaving all the subsequent parts together for the final product. Then each day I painted foxes with watercolor and ink. I was quite pleased with the finished piece and ended up framing it and displaying it in several juried shows in the region. The other projects were more individual. While I was able to use them after the show by either framing them, donating some to various 6x6 fundraisers, or incorporating them into other works, neither of them ended as cohesively as “Fox Love”.

This is your first year as a Fun-A-Day co-lead. What made you want to step up from participant to fellow organizer?

I look forward to the event each year, and adore the openness of the event. There is such a sense of delight and pride that shines from the participants at that opening party - I find it intoxicating. It is a big job getting all the parts to fit together to pull off an event of this scale, and I found out the organizer, Meredith, had done the whole thing by herself last year. She did an amazing job, but nobody should have to volunteer all that work by themselves. I am passionate about the mission and so I wanted to help share the burdens this year.

Why do you believe that Arts Advocacy is so vital and important to our growth as a society? Aside from making art, do you have any advice on how others can bolster our collective efforts for more and more arts representation?

Every person has their own point of view and aesthetic. I treasure each of these voices and think they should be celebrated. I think artistic and creative expression is the product of a personal journey and I laud those with the courage to display the fruits of that journey in front of others. That heroism gives each viewer permission to confront their own personal journey and discover ways it intersects with other people. Art at its best forces us to see the world differently and often question our preconceptions of the world and our part in it. There are ugly things and beautiful things within each human being and recognizing both are essential to growth. The arts in its various forms offer a venue where that process can happen. It becomes not only a vehicle of growth for the individual, but a pathway for connecting with those around us.

Get out there and connect. Be bold. Allow both yourself and others their ugliness. Learn from it and turn it into beauty. Don’t take everything too seriously either. Art isn’t as stuffy as some would like you to think. If something strikes you funny go ahead and laugh. Humor is an amazing unifying force. Oh yeah, and buy local art.

Elaborate on your experiences in the arts community and the non-profit community. We want to hear more about your passion and involvement.

I had the incredible fortune to get involved with the non-profit group Barrel of Makers, which is a maker group that meets at the Route 9 Library and Innovation Center in New Castle, Delaware. It’s this crazy group of individuals with a wide range of skills and knowledge who get together to pool those talents for creating both community projects and helping each other out with personal projects. Each member enriches each other’s creative process by teaching each other in an organic and open way. I would encourage anyone interested to go check out Maker Monday (Monday nights 6-8pm in the Maker Lab). The space has gobs of tools and materials unusual for the traditional library, like sewing machines, a laser cutter, 3D printers, and a video and sound editing suite.

Although what I make tends to be more traditional, I think I gravitate towards the less traditional arts community. I have had the pleasure of participating in some group shows and pop up galleries in Philadelphia, Wilmington and Newark. I have this desire to work on a mural, but always hear about opportunities too late to participate. But I’m open to any ideas for showing visual art. If anyone wants to collaborate on something or knows of an opportunity, I’m all ears. I’ve got way more ideas than time to realize them, but I’m addicted and just can’t get enough.

I’m also very passionate about providing kids the space and opportunity to explore their own artistic expression. I discovered that I am not very good at teaching. Skill has to meet passion on that front, and it is not a skill of mine. I greatly admire those who have it though. I work at a Serviam Girls Academy, a small private tuition free middle school as executive assistant. Serviam is tuition free because it exclusively educates under-resourced young women in the area. Here I get to use my passion for children’s education without having to be a teacher.

There are so many wonderful arts organizations in Delaware and surrounding areas. What are some groups or organizations you would recommend that our participants get involved in?

There are many, and most of them I haven’t tried yet! I wish there were more hours in the day. I have gone to Newark Arts Alliance for the figure drawing open studios and DCAD for their figure drawing marathon. I understand there is a figure drawing open studio at The Contemporary which I haven’t attended yet. But I’m usually at the Route 9 Library with Barrel of Makers.

This year at the 2020 Fun-A-Day exhibit you are setting up art displays throughout the exhibit space which will have free art for anyone to take. On the back of each piece will be positive thoughts and messages. This is a movement you’ve been doing all year long at various locations throughout the state. Tell us more about this positivity project.

I found myself frustrated by a pervasive negative attitude people display, but I feel as though I don’t have the right to complain about anything I have the power to change. So I decided to try and change it. Everyone needs a little nudge now and again to be their best selves. I took commonly found paper and repurposed it to create Colors of Love. I started with paint samples and carved some stamps. I stamped my designs on the paper slips and added one of 14 quotes that promote positivity. The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary let me present it at their outdoor Earth Day celebration in Rodney Square last spring. I also presented it at a pop up show at the Chris White Gallery in Wilmington, The Delaware River Fest in Philadelphia, and taught a class at the Route 9 Library for a Peace Week presentation. All together I have had the honor of giving away nearly five hundred Colors of Love in 2019.

The idea is quite simple - take one that attracts you, read the quote and keep it with you for as long as you need the inspiration. Pass it on to someone else who could use the inspiration once you no longer do.

I noticed that your past projects, have somehow connected with one another over the years. In 2017 your project was titled “Heart of Gold”, in 2018 there was “Fox Love” where you used gold leaf depicting winter foxes, and in 2019 your project was “Bones of Winter”. Am I going crazy, or is this in fact a yearly progression of ideas and interests on your part?

I think you give me too much credit. There is no long term overarching throughline, and no master plan. I just did what I was into at the time. For “Heart of Gold,” I’d just moved to Wilmington and in an effort to explore my new home I was examining the wild flowers of the area. They are subtle markers that I feel give different areas a grounding and a sense of identity or place. For “Fox Love,” I just think foxes are cute. I’m a ginger and have an affinity for fellow red-headed creatures. “Bones of Winter” really just happened because it was February and that is what I was seeing around me. I love trees and was drawn to examining the structure of them exposed without leaves. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest were most of the forests are evergreens. Though I’ve been on this coast for quite some time, I never get tired of seeing those stark branches reaching and strainting ever upwards.

Again in 2020, like in 2019, we find ourselves with a wintery Maker’s Month. Last year your project titled “Bones of Winter” was a daily watercolor and ink illustration of naked treetops over winter skies. Looking at your project, I really felt the stark beauty of winter. Do you think this will again influence your 2020 project?

Spoilers! Nope, you’ll have to wait and see it on March 6th at the opening party.

It seems to be a favorite of yours, so how tricky or not tricky is working with gold leaf? This is an artistic medium that I think a lot of folks are interested in exploring, but there are certain perceptions about cost and ease of use. Can you shed more light on this?

Using gold leaf is definitely an exercise in fortitude in the face of frustration. But I love how it looks in the end. It’s a technique that can’t be replicated. Nothing looks quite the same as metal leaf. It can be quite expensive if you use real gold. But I am not a millionaire and use imitation gold leaf made with an alloy of zinc and copper. It’s a super affordable option. The process to apply it is the same for any metal leaf. You have to coat the areas you wish the leaf to be with an adhesive, then apply the metal leaf. It is pounded to be thinner than tissue paper and breaks and crumples easily. It is incredibly light and floats on the smallest air current. It is totally worth all the irritation getting it on the art though.

Where can people see more of your work?

I don’t have anything scheduled until January 2021 where I will be showing at the Dover Public Library. I am seeking opportunities however, and am open to taking Colors of Love anywhere that wants it.

2019 Artist Interview - Melanie McKay

Added on February 13, 2019 by Meredith Boas.

For our fifth interview of the 2019 Delaware Fun-A-Day, we talk to Melanie McKay a.k.a. Magical Mel Mel about Valentine’s Day, creating art you love, arts in education, and the power of color! Thanks, Melanie!

We like to know how people are connected to Delaware Fun a Day - are you a resident, born and raised? What opportunities have you found being in the exhibit?

A few years back, while I was attending Cecil College, one of my best friends (and now organizer of fun-a-day) Meredith, told me that she was going to participate in a local art show called Fun-A-Day and asked if I wanted to participate as well. It sounded like a really fun idea and a great way to get back into creating art, so I signed right up! I’m originally from North East Maryland and now live in West Chester Pennsylvania, but still love to participate in the Fun-A-Day art show!

This is going to be your THIRD year participating! Can you describe your favorite past Fun-A-Day project?

When it comes to my Fun-A-Day projects, I like to create art based on themes that are close to my heart. I love both of my previous projects for the same reason… the subject matter was of someone I really love! <3 The 1st year I participated in Fun-A-Day, my project was called “Nappy the Cat”. The entire project was based around my cat! What’s not to love about that!?

Last year, my project was also very special to me because my baby nephew was the center of the project! I called it “Happy-Birth-Day”. The maker month last year just so happened to fall on the month of his very 1st birthday, so I decided to make a photo album documenting him growing up until his 1st birthday party at the end of the month! It was really cool to see how much he grew by the time I was putting the finishing touches on my project for the show!

As an educator that works with elementary students, what art projects or activities have you had students do during your years of being an educator?

There are 2 things you should know about me: I love the arts and I love little kids! Being an elementary school teacher has been the best of both worlds! Over the years I am proud to say that I have incorporated the arts into many of my lessons! As teachers, it’s our job to teach our classes certain curriculum, and generally it doesn’t require the arts.

Sometimes I try to find creative ways to sneak art projects into lessons that typically wouldn’t have an art component. For example, back when I was student teaching, I snuck in an art project into an Earth Day lesson. I taught all about the importance of recycling, then had the class write a persuasive essay to a friend, family member, or school staff member persuading them to begin recycling based off of all the information they learned through the lesson. Then, right at the end, I snuck in an art project where the students all got to make their own planet earth out of paper plates, tissue paper, and markers. They got to decorate them however they wanted.

I think it’s very important to include the arts into lessons taught in school! It’s because of that belief that I am known to find creative ways to sneaking the arts into my lessons, like with the Earth Day lesson. I have also been known to bring my trombone into school and perform Disney concerts for my students. They get such a kick out of little things like that!

Please describe your 2019 project "Happy-Valentine's-Day".

Since the maker month this year was February, I decided it would be fun to have a Valentine’s Day themed project this time around. I have done photography for the most part in my previous 2 shows, so decided to change things up this year and incorporate different kinds of art as well… to really push myself and showcase all the different types of art I can make.

I have recently taken up sewing lessons and a major part of my project this year is little sewn valentine hearts. I have also tried beading for the first time for this project and am eager to showcase some beaded valentine hearts this year! Of course photography is my go-to medium, so you can look forward to seeing Valentine’s Day themed photos as well! Apart from those main pieces to the project, you can also look forward to seeing decorations made out of conversation hearts and other heart themed 2D and 3D items!

As a seasoned Delaware Fun-A-Day participant, what advice can you give our newcomers? Is there any piece of advice that you believe would be a top priority for rookies to take a hold of?

To be very honest here, I myself am still learning a lot when it comes to managing the maker month for Fun-A-Day. I would say what has been most helpful to keeping me on track with creating my projects over the years is to start off with a clear vision of what you want to make and how you want the finished product to look. Sometimes I get a little too ambitious with my ideas and have to scale way down to make the project more obtainable in the end. Starting with a clear vision can help avoid this process. Also sticking to concepts that can be done quickly can also help you keep the project moving, because remember… you’re creating a new piece of art every day for an entire month! It has to keep moving!

We’d like to take a trip back in time with this next question. Back in 2013, you did your first Delaware Fun a Day project (which was on Market Street). In the space, the artists had complete freedom and creativity to use the space, which was being renovated at the time. Can you explain your experience that year and why it was special?

My experiences with the past 2 times that I participated in Fun-A-Day have been very different from each other. I remember the first year that I participated when I was back in college. The space we were given to host the big show was an old apartment right across from the DCAD art school. Having the show there was cool because us artists were literally allowed to display our projects however we wanted, and when I say “however we wanted” I really mean we could do ANYTHING we pleased! I remember some people painted the walls by their displays to showcase their projects better. I remember people straight up hanging their projects on the walls with nails, since the walls were all going to be fixed up after the show anyhow.

I myself displayed my “Nappy the Cat” project in a window. I hung mini clotheslines across a window frame and hung my photographs of Nappy on them. I used tacks to hang them up (which is definitely not allowed anymore in these new venues!!). I also was allowed to bring in my own table to display the rest of my photographs and sculptures on. At the time, each artist had their very own space to display their work. Now that we have more participants, we have to share tables and wall space with other artists, so we have to keep that in mind when planning how to display our work.

Your prior two Delaware Fun a Day projects have involved things that you hold dear and close to your heart. With one being your wonderful cat Nappy and the other spotlighting your nephew, can you tell us why you center your work around family and loved ones?

When it came to planning out my 2 prior projects showcasing my cat Nappy and baby nephew I thought about how I wanted to capture them as they are in everyday life. That inspired me to take the photographic approach when creating my pieces. With both of those projects, I would go to my subjects with my camera and take pictures of them living their daily lives. I also tried to keep each photo shoot very short keeping in mind that babies and cats don’t quite grasp the concept of sitting still and posing for pictures!

I chose to aim towards capturing both Nappy and baby Hadley in their natural environments because I wanted these shoots to be very personal to them and show each of them in the places they love, doing things they enjoy, and with the people they love. The best advice I could give about doing a project showcasing loved ones is to capture the essence of them in your projects, because it makes for a more authentic and overall fun piece!

We know you are fascinated with color, you've expressed this through your personality and work. What challenges do you think doing an exhibit based around Valentine's Day is going to create in regards to working with all the colors and not the traditional holiday colors?

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m the rainbow queen! We all associate Valentine’s Day with the colors red and pink, so I kept that in mind for some of my pieces. However, again, I love color so decided not to limit myself strictly to those classic Valentine’s Day colors for my project. I branched out and incorporated pastel colors as well, trying to keep things dainty and frilly. You will see that I used lots of pastel pinks, purples, and blues together, as well as a lot of pearls and crystal-like gems. I also tried to include the pastel colors of conversation hearts to my project. When it came to the photo shoots, I let the couples participating choose what they wanted to wear, as I was giving them the finished products at the end of the show. Overall though, I tried to stick to a pastel color scheme to keep the overall project more dainty and frilly like old school valentines.

Where can people see more of your work?

Well, to be honest, I primarily participate in the Fun-A-Day show simply for fun! I typically don’t sell my artwork after the shows, instead I give my projects to family members and friends, or keep pieces to display in my own home. I am not really into social media either, so it can be a little hard to keep up with me and my work. You will see more from me next year at Fun-A-Day and can also see more of my sewing when I wear my handmade Vanelopee Von Schweetz costume in the Cecil Con Cosplay Contest at Cecil College this April!

2019 Artist Interview - Mary Targonski

Added on February 7, 2019 by Meredith Boas.

For our fourth interview of the 2019 Delaware Fun-A-Day, we talk to Mary Targonski about photography, exhibiting in Delaware, and some art galleries you HAVE to check out. Thanks, Mary!

We like to know how people are connected to Delaware - are you a resident, born and raised? What opportunities have you found here?

I moved to Delaware for work in my mid- twenties – I have lived here ever since – almost 40 years!

I have had no formal art education but I have seen and learned from so many great art shows through the different venues – The Delaware Contemporary, Delaware Art Museum, the Wilmington govt buildings, Brandywine and Philadelphia Art Museums, some of the local galleries like Colourworks and others that have come and gone such as the Susan Issacs gallery. Art on the Town has been a favorite too.

This is your THIRD year participating in DEFAD. Can you describe your favorite past Fun-A-Day project?

SO MANY awesome artists and projects – it is impossible to pick a favorite but I will mention the one artist who made me cry last year, Yasmin Pedroza-Ocasio. Her theme was: I Love, Adore and Hate a Day – it was the drawing of a Bull and Matador. The Bull was dying but standing bravely and strongly. WAH – I am tearing up now!

This year's project involves digital illustration. This is different from the many works and mediums you've shown at exhibits before, so what made you excited to work on this craft for the exhibit?

I have always been attracted to doing “art” but felt that I did not draw well, which is why I started in photography –LOL - which was a technical struggle all its own. Recently, I have been dabbling with Illustrator and I thought that this would be a good impetus to practice. It does not work the way I think at all - but I like the look! Although -- because of my early February Schedule, I have been leaning on good old Photoshop to get it done.

In past exhibits, you have shown a range of work that would be part of a theme or a story that is told through the elements of the art. Can you guide us on your thought process for creating these stories and how you come to understand them during the creation of your art?

Well there is not often a conscious thought process – I find it difficult to think ahead, because making art is an extremely right brain process for me.

For instance, when I am photographing, I use a small mirrorless camera that fits in my hand and allows me to shoot more or less spontaneously. When I see something that attracts me visually, I can think quickly of how to adjust the technical aspects and then shoot quickly from many angles or just once if that is all I got.

Some days I am seeing photographs every minute – other times although my day maybe filled with beautiful moments and light, I am not called to try and make an image. It just won’t be what I want.

It is later when I am in post processing and looking at images created in a span of time do I start to see similarities and themes that may tell me something.

Interestingly I also notice this in my students work. Looking at a semester long series of photographs – a style or attraction to certain design elements or way of organizing visual information seems to happen. Could be the color red, triangle shapes, fractals, strong centers. It is fascinating.

The Choreographer Twala Tharp wrote a great book that describes this: “The Creative Habit – Learn it and Use it For Life.” I think I may want to re-read it.

As a seasoned Delaware Fun-A-Day participant, what advice can you give our newcomers?

Fun-a Day for me, could be described as an art gym. It is a great venue to practice a new medium or develop a theme for another art show.

Pick your parameters – try to organize your materials and space. And don’t worry about every day being a masterpiece - - stay amused and you could be amazed at what the muse delivers.

We heard you are an educator at multiple institutions. Currently, where are you teaching and what classes do you offer?

I am currently teaching at Cecil College and Cab Calloway Summer Camp. I teach Basic Photography as an art elective at Cecil. Cab Calloway is a range of camps for younger and older kids. We offer Basic, Portrait, Photoshop Techniques. We are not offering it this summer but we did a build your own Big Shot digital camera camp that was lots of fun for me because it included dissecting already broken lenses and cameras. For more info: https://cabsummer.org

We have been seeing your work at many exhibits around the area and beyond. So, we have to ask, what are your top 5 favorite exhibits that you've been a part of?

Ooooo – A question that is making me think! My Artistic AHDH gives me too many ideas and once I have made it – I kind of forget about it because something else is pushing it out of the way.

BUT OK here goes:

1 & 2 Colourworks Gallery on Superfine Lane Shows. It is a gallery that is dedicated to showing Photography and I have seen some really wonderful exhibits there through the years. I started to work with them curating shows featuring some of the excellent work of our Cecil College students and faculty.

Curating could sometimes be described as being a nagging art mommy - - so I finally thought, why not direct some that energy to motivating myself? So, I started to include some of my work. It was satisfying to see it on the walls – plus the openings are fun parties and they serve sushi.

3. Science and Art at the Henry Gallery at Penn State Great Valley: I was asked to participate in this exhibit by an artist that I admire, Gina Bosworth. There were different mediums that loosely represented different branches of science, Physics, Meteorology, Psychology, Biology, and Horticulture. My science was Entomology. Everyone’s work was imaginative and worked well together. It took me way longer than I wanted to decide what science and what work and there was some panic because of the Caliber of artists, but in the end, I was happy with how my work meshed.

4. Milburn Stone Gallery – speaking of some panic – this show was an installation type exhibition that featured a mix of photographic images and scientific glass. This was my first solo show in a very long time and I wanted to use the space itself as part of the vibe. It was a different way of thinking for me. I wanted it to be minimalistic, spare and empty without feeling like it was lacking. t was somewhat industrial but also about the thin veil and working out grief.

5. Rehobeth Art League Photography Group Show: Mostly because the caliber of work that explored the many dimensions of the medium in beautiful and technically adept ways and I have admired the juror’s work, Adilia Fish for many years.

We can see the expansive albums and portfolios that you have developed over the years in photography. What elements/skills of photography have you been able to carry over into other disciplines and use to your benefit?

Knowing that - - Practice Makes Perfect - - and there is always something new to learn and struggle with – it is part of the process-- not what defines your self-esteem.

Enjoying the Pleasure and Zen of not just looking but also seeing. I can almost always be happy when I am feeling/doing this.

Anything else you'd like to share?

If you can – see this show multiple times with different people. One of my favorite things is to split up and look as much as you can and then gather back and discuss with each other your favorite things while looking at that particular work. You are always going to get some cool and different perspectives and catch some obvious things that you missed. Kids and non- artists can make this activity especially interesting.

It is also a unique opportunity to buy and support local artwork. I gave Tina Marabito’s - Vegetable Prints as Christmas gifts.

My daughter bought me two embroidery hoop pieces by Courtney Messina for Mother’s Day that I love!

Where can people see more of your work?

I will be curating and participating in a Photography Exhibit for the Wilmington June Art on the Town at Colourworks on Superfine lane. http://www.colourworks.com

2019 Artist Interview - Tegan Clark

Added on January 23, 2019 by Meredith S. K. Boas.

For our third interview of the 2019 Delaware Fun-A-Day, we talk to Tegan Clark about her FIVE YEARS as a DEFAD participant, fantastical and macabre inspiration, book suggestions, and Arty Authors. Thanks, Tegan!

We like to know how people are connected to Delaware - are you a resident, born and raised? What opportunities have you found here?

My family and I moved to Delaware when I was six so having spent the majority of my life here Delaware is definitely home. I attended Cab Calloway, School of the Arts, and pursued visual arts in both middle school and high school. I’ve found our state’s art scene to be very welcoming, and I’ve participated in several local art shows.

Are you an artist by trade or do you have a profession that informs your art?

Unfortunately I’m not a professional artist although that’s the dream! My job is more administrative so I try to incorporate at least one creative activity into each day. It’s how I satisfy my artistic urges in my day-to-day life.

This is going to be your FIFTH year participating! Can you describe your favorite past Fun-A-Day project?

It’s hard to choose a favorite so it’s a tie between 2017’s “Fairytales and Fantastic Creatures” and last year’s theme “The Art of Horror.” The Fairytales and Creatures theme was inspired by my interest in cryptozoology. I had a lot of fun researching the folklore of different cultures and then painting my own interpretation of each mythic creature. Last year’s theme was the first time I utilized a different medium for my fun-a-day project. I traded watercolor painting for multimedia.

Last year you did multi-media vignettes in a display you named "Art of Horror". What was it about the horror theme that intrigued you? Which character, if they were alive and in person, do you think would have appreciated having their portrait done the most?

I just love horror films. I love how diverse of a genre it is because it encompasses everything from the mundane fears of our everyday lives, such as a fear of the dark, to the darkest dimensions of our minds, the stuff nightmares are made of. From the unstoppable killer to the monsters of the abyss, horror films offer something to scare each of us. I really enjoyed trying to capture the feel of each film.

Please describe your 2019 project "Arty Authors". Are you a very literary person? Any good books suggestions for us?

I can’t think of a more likely candidate for a portrait then Prince Prospero, the selfish and decadent villain of the 1964 film adaption of Edgar Allen Poe’s “Masque of the Red Death.” He locks himself away in his castle and reveals in depraved parties as the plague ravages the peasants in his countryside. Interestingly enough, Prospero was portrayed by horror icon Vincent Price, who was an avid art collector. He even donated pieces from his own collection to establish the Vincent Price Art Museum.

“Arty Authors” is going to feature portraits of some of some of my favorite authors. I’m going to incorporate a motif in each portrait that I feels best represents their lives and their work.

To me there is nothing quite like a good book. My parents installed in me a love of literature early on. Some of my fondest memories of childhood include my mom reading the works of L. Frank Baum and Laura Ingallas Wilder to me every night. That love of the written word inspired me to major in English in college.

If you are in need of a good book to lose yourself in I highly recommend “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” by John Berendt. Part travelogue, part true crime novel, it’s a real page turner. Another I like is “The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon” by Stephen King. It’s incredibly suspenseful, and he really makes you care about the young heroine as she struggles to find her way after becoming lost in the woods.

Can you list a few of your favorite authors?

Stephen King: He redefined the written horror genre and remains its “King.”
Oscar Wilde: His wit is untouchable and his fairytales are lovely.
Erik Larson: His true crime novels are well researched and he does a fantastic job at capturing the era he’s writing about.
Bill Byrson: Jovial and folksy, reading his books is like catching up with an old friend.
L. Frank Baum: There is no place like the wonderful world of Oz.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I’m so excited to be part of such an awesome group of artists. I look forward to participating in fun-a-day every year and it’s always so awesome to see the creativity out there.

Where can people see more of your work?