Falling Leaves Art Tour falls into the Augusta Library

The gray, soggy weather didn't prevent a steady stream of art lovers from stopping at the Augusta Public Library, which was host to four artists on the Falling Leaves Art Tour.

The library was full of art and people on Saturday, October 5, for the Falling Leaves Art Tour. (This was a rare moment when the crowds thinned enough to show a large section of the library's new set-up as an art gallery.)

 

THE ARTISTS:

 

 

Judy Dorf of Jazzy Jewels by Judy

 



Judy Dorf poses with some of her jewelry.



Lovers of jewelry—especially jewelry that’s unique, vintage, and handcrafted—adore Jazzy Jewels by Judy. Artist Judy Dorf uses genuine stones, shells, and vintage pieces to create original necklace and bracelet sets.

Judy began creating her jewelry eight years ago, when her mother talked her into making necklaces. Although she doubted she’d have enough time for a new hobby, she was quickly hooked, and she’s made thousands of necklaces and bracelets since then. She’s especially passionate about vintage jewelry. “I love vintage!” she said. “I use it to create new masterpieces. I’m inspired by years of travelling and having an eye for creative stand-out pieces of jewelry.”

Although the art Judy creates is beautiful in and of itself, she especially loves the happiness it brings to her customers. “The biggest appreciation I have for what I do is when someone just loves their new jewelry piece,” she explained.

People interested in viewing or purchasing Judy’s jewelry—or in having her repair jewelry they already own—can call her at (715) 286-2063 (home) or (715) 533-8386 (cell). They can also write to her at jdorf@centurytel.net.

 

Katie Kaufman of ArtByKatieK

 

 



Katie Kaufman poses with one of her favorite paintings.
 



     Katie M. Kaufman was raised on a small farm outside Fairchild, WI. Art has always been a major part of her life; even as a five-year-old, she was drawing birds and creating bird books. She’s worked with many different media over the years, but she prefers to work with oils; she also often incorporates small found objects into her pieces. She describes her art as “surreal/dreamscape with some impressionism.”

Katie’s paintings are especially notable for their intensely colorful compositions. “A late artist mentor of mine once told me he thought too many artists are afraid of color,” she explained. “That always stuck with me and made me feel OK about my bold use of color.”

Her art, which is heavily inspired by nature, is also inspired by her grandmother.   “My grandma Gagnon was a crafter,” she said. “I feel close to her spirit when I paint.”

Anyone interested in viewing Katie’s work can see images of it at her Facebook page, www.facebook.com/artbykatiek and find her shop on Etsy.com. They can also contact her at artbykatiek@hotmail.com or call her at (715) 597-2151.

 

Ann Preston of Live Wire



Ann Preston works on one of her beautiful wire sculpture trees.
 



Live Wire is an ideal name for Ann Preston’s beautiful, intricate artwork. Her sculpted wire trees really do give the impression of being live bonsai trees at first glance. Their verisimilitude is no accident, though; as a child, her grandmother taught her the names and characteristics of Wisconsin hardwoods, and she’s been inspired by a wide variety of tree species since then. “My tree sculptures depict trees that have spoken to me in my travels,” she explained. “I place them on bases that reflect their natural environment: rock, driftwood, and occasionally glass.”

Ann currently lives in the Green Bay/Door County area where, in addition to being a mother and grandmother, she’s also a teacher, tutor, and small business owner as well as a sculptor. Anyone interested in viewing or purchasing her work, commissioning a piece, or attending one of her art classes can go to livewiretrees.blogspot.com, write to her at alpreston@hotmail.com, or call her at (608) 475-2546.

Kris Crowe of Out of My Gourd



Kris Crowe poses with some of her gourd art.
 

     Kris Crowe knows how to take a humble squash and Cinderella it into a beautiful piece of art. The gorgeous bowls and flowers she creates from ordinary gourds attract a great deal of admiration whenever she puts up her display at the Falling Leaves Art Tour. The beauty of her work has its price—her husband complained that listening to her drill gourds is like living in a dentist’s office—but the diverse array of art she’s produced has rendered his sacrifice more than worthwhile.

Fortunately for him, Kris also works in the much quieter medium of watercolor. She’s a member of the Chippewa Valley Watercolor Artists, who meet at the Beaver Creek Reserve from 9:00 a.m. to noon on the first Wednesday of each month. She also notes that any aspiring artist is welcome to attend an informal gathering of artists who meet at the Augusta Community and Senior Center on Tuesday afternoons at 3:00 p.m. during the fall, winter, and spring.

Kris has recently begun painting on Yupo, a non-absorbent plastic medium, and she’s willing to teach anyone interested techniques for working with it.

While Kris—or more specifically, her compost pile—has only grown four gourds, she’s created many intricate and unique pieces from gourds she’s obtained elsewhere. If you would like more information about Kris’s art, you can write to her at kriscrowe@aol.com.