A mixed bag: Day 3

We like to see a variety of mediums here at Art in the Wilds, as you can most likely tell by the artists we've already covered on the countdown. This next collection bridges gaps between mediums.

This year we have four glass artists attending who have found different ways to work their molten arts; Amy Hahn, Kalpana Lehman, Kathleen Schnell, and Dan Sullivan. Along with them, paper artist Lisa Arkus, stained glass artist Michelle Hoff, watercolorist Dawn Johnson, and mixed media artist Kim Keller.

Glassworks is no stranger to the Northeast. Who hasn't visited the Corning Museum of Glass, have their products in their home, or didn't binge Blown Away? If you haven't, that's a new collection to add to the 'to-do list'! While I would happily sit and watch any artist work, this is definitely a spectator sport.

Amy Hahn is a creator of glass mosaic 'paintings' so detailed you'll want to gaze at each piece for hours then come back for more. She uses her skills as a painter to work with the challenging material of stained glass to work magic. Each shard is a brush stroke that flows into a cohesive final product. This is art that has to be seen to be believed and then promptly added to the treasure collection!

Lisa Arkus is the ultimate caretaker of whimsical childhood. Using vintage paper, that is handmade, she creates images of 'paper dolls' in fantastical scenes that spark the imagination and tickle that little space of memory from when we were kids being told tales like Peter Cottontale, Stuart Little, and Winnie the Pooh. There is a story in every one of her pieces all wrapped in a single image. I have to now brag and say I have two of her pieces in my treasure collection already!

Kalpana Lehman is a multi-talented and beloved teacher in the world of arts. She has worked art shows over the years offering up mediums from painting, sewing, knitting, soaps, and more. All to arrive at the dare-devil world of glass blowing making eye-catching jewelry, each like a little drop of emotion or memory frozen in time. These treasures make fantastic gifts for anyone that adores some unique shine in their wardrobe!

Michelle Hoff uses a phrase to create her works that I personally love. 'Up-cycling'! Over 20 years as a professional in stained glass lend to the incredible precision detail in each mosaic piece. Now that she has, be still my tiny heart, incorporated a plasma cutter into her box of tools her recycled subjects can be reformed even more than her talent with glass already offered. This art is a feast for the eyes and the buffet is open this Saturday!

Kathleen Schnell is not only a longtime lover of the arts, but a longtime believer in education. Coming from a lineage of artistic minds, she began studying art at a young age and fell in love with stained glass. Over the years, discovering a branch love for fused glass, she has expanded her repertoire by learning new techniques as artists are always experimenting; a particularly daring practice for someone handling something over 1400°! With all of her dedication to her craft, she has a wonderful collection of fused glass art that captures soul in each piece.

Dawn Johnson is a master of her craft. Watercolor, ink, and painting in general can be temperamental yet I can sense a laser focus in every single drop of color that goes into her pieces. She creates intuitive and responsive art, building as she goes in vibrant waves of soul tingling brush strokes. You want a personal, inspirational, adore-it-every-day treasure in your home? You'll find it right in Dawn's tent!

Dan Sullivan's 'paintbrush' is a propane torch. I can't be the only one that imagines burning down half the forest attempting to do what he does, yet what comes out of his workshop is nothing short of delicate, beautiful, captivating ART. That's right, in the bold and italics, you have to see these in your hands with your eyeballs to fully appreciate the depth of is pieces. The glass doesn't just glitter and shine, it encapsulates a little chunk of a whole new world in each one!

Last, and of course not least, Kim Keller has the incredible talent to not only make something beautiful, but to lure in your other senses as well. Particularly, the temptation to touch this textured art created with various ingredients will keep you captivated for ages. As a resident and lover of Northwestern PA's vast amounts of nature, she expresses her love for the area in her works featuring birds, bees, flowers and the like. When you've amassed your collection of treasures from Art in the Wilds 2021, imagine the contentment of laying your hands on one of her fantastic sensory art!

We're closing in, barely a stone's throw from Saturday. Fingers and toes crossed for beautiful weather worthy of all this talent!