• Began painting in 1973
  Redlands, California
• Genre: Folk Art

• Society of Decorative Painters (SDP)
• Decorative Arts Collection (DAC)
• Professional Achievements

Professional Achievements:

• Master Decorative Artist, Society of Decorative Painters

• Started teaching in 1975-76
  at Cabin Craft, Redlands, CA
• Genre: Folk Art
• Medium: Oils
• Medium used today: Traditions Acrylic

Studio Location:

• 420 Marilyn Lane
  Redlands, California 92373
  909-335-1046
  909-335-1046*51 (fax)
  www.SusanAbdella.com
  sadezigns@aol.com 
• susanabdella@artapprenticeonline.com

When I’m teaching seminars, I am often asked if I studied art in school and my response is no.  I thought I had no artistic talent, for heaven’s sake! My talent lay in sewing, crocheting rugs, crewel work, and arranging flowers from our garden. But then I realized we all have artistic qualities, we simply need to nurture them.

Here is my story.

"A long time ago, my Dad gave me one of those big, old milk cans.  Somehow I came across a book or magazine which featured a typical Penn Dutch design including the pattern and I’m sure instructions.  So I spray painted the milk can black, bought some oil paint and brushes and proceeded to paint the design. Much too eager to finish this project, I glanced at the instructions, focused on the picture, and proceeded to paint or base in the design, strokes and all – oranges and yellows, all one value!  Can you imagine?  Then I stuck some giant orange plastic mums in it and placed the milk can so everyone was sure to see it.  I was extremely proud of that endeavor and even began thinking of myself as an artist.

Then after my first child was born, a neighbor friend asked if I would like to learn some ‘Tole painting’.  Another neighbor lady right around the corner was going to teach some classes in her home.  Oh boy was I excited!  After all I had the paints, the brushes, and the experience, right? And a few hours away from home would be good. So we met the next week, I remember it was a Tuesday.  There were 6 ‘students’ total, all mothers and housewives simply pursuing a little leisure activity. 

We paid $2.00 per morning, gathered once a week, and sat around the kitchen table in JoSonja Jansen’s home.  Any assumptions that I was an artist quickly vanished.   At that time of course we painted in oils; purchased brushes and paints at a local paint store, collected old, weathered lumber (the look was ‘in’ then) and thought we were in heaven when we discovered discarded cupboard doors.  We practiced on wax paper, took our own notes, and as far as photographs – well, there just weren’t any.  In fact in the very beginning we seldom knew what we were going to paint that morning!  The very first 5 day seminar I attended was taught by JoSonja and was held in the family room of a neighbor’s home. I’m thinking there were maybe 5 or 6 students.  It was about a year or so later when JoSonja began teaching at the local YWCA and the ‘kitchen group’ was moved. Attending the ‘Y’ class were a recently retired couple, Carl and Phyllis Gustafson who were there just for some recreation.  Realizing there was no source for paint supplies; the Gustafsson’s left retirement and founded Cabin Craft. 

I suppose the rest is history, JoSonja began teaching weekly classes and holding seminars at Cabin Craft, publishing, etc.  It wasn’t too long afterwards that I too began teaching weekly classes at Cabin Craft. As far as Certification goes, I was very happy and content with receiving my CDA in 1986.  Several years passed, and more or less as a test of my color knowledge, I submitted a tray in the Master Category.  Well it passed!  Great!  Amazingly, MDA was something I had never set my sight on.  Then I heard that David Jansen (the Jansen family was well established in Eureka by this time) was going after his MDA.  Well, I wasn’t going to let him get ahead of me, I mean after all!  But of course he did.  Anyhow, that little spark of rivalry got me going, and though it took 15 submissions, it was an achievement indeed to be proud of.  I don’t believe David even knows about this little story.

But since then, the whole world of art truly has opened its door for me.  My concern now is that I can’t possibly live long enough to accomplish all that I want to. P.S.  David was my paperboy in Redlands, and as one might expect, he was very good:  the paper always landed on the front porch. "

Favorite Quote:

“Love what you do. Believe in your instincts. And you'd better be able to pick yourself up and brush yourself off every day. While life is not always fair, it is manageable. It is a matter of attitude and confidence.” ~ Mario Andretti

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”~ Confucius

What meaning does the word ‘Art’ hold for me?

As I become more mature as an artist, I realize how little I truly know.  This realization just makes me more determined to learn as much as possible in my lifetime.  Most of us realize that we will not become overly wealthy pursuing this ‘art’ that we love so much.  Some artists certainly do make a decent living, but they are few.  Can’t tell you how many times ‘refocusing my goals’ or ‘changing careers’ has entered my mind  and come up for serious discussion between Doug ( my husband) and myself.  But the answer is always the same:  there is no replacement for what I do.  I love it-heart and soul!

There is nothing as challenging and rewarding as art!  Art is excitement, it is learning, it is history, it is experimenting, it is asking yourself ‘what if’, and the wonderful ‘happening’ when you weren’t afraid to experiment.  These things in my mind are unparalleled to anything else I can think of.  Even the down times are good, for without those periods of frustration there would be no challenge.  And what is life without challenge?

• I began painting in 1993;
• I started at a community college in Charleston.
• I first started out with Folk art as it was my first introduction to painting.

• Kanawha Decorative Artists Chapter of SDP
• Society of Decorative Painters
• Society of Dyers and Colorists

Professional Achievements:

• Graduated with Honors, Associate degree in Computer Science, West Virginia State College.
• Journeyman with a Diploma in Retail Merchandising from Trier, Germany
• Diploma in Word-processing and Accounting, Charleston West Virginia.
• Traditions Heritage Artist.

• My background in teaching computer courses for Blue Cross and Blue Shield was a great stepping stone for teaching painting.  I first began teaching art in 1997 at the Opinery Art studio in Charleston. The store was then owned by the late Terry Cordray CDA.
• With Terry’s encouragement, I first started teaching folk art to a group of eager students and it was quite successful, this gave me the confidence to continue on with teaching.
• I started teaching with acrylics.
• I presently teach exclusively with JansenArt Traditions acrylic resin.

Studio Location:

Gaby's Art Studio
HC 36, Box 395A
Charleston, WV 25306
304-925-2488
www.gabysartstudio.com
gabrielehunter@artapprenticeonline.com

Here is my story.

"Growing up as a youngster in Trier, Germany I recall that I was always doing something with my hands. This included knitting, crochet, needlepoint and cross stitch. As a teenager I was interested in music and started to learn to play the mandolin, which I worked at quite seriously for two or more years. As a young adult I met my husband in Germany and I moved to the United States in 1980 to make our new home here in Charleston West Virginia.

Learning to speak English was a priority for me and I enrolled in school to better my English skills. I enjoyed the school experience so much that I signed up for extended courses. In the mean time I worked full time for Blue Cross/Blue Shield while attending College in the evenings to complete my degree.  After graduation I picked up painting as a hobby and as I got more and more involved with it I knew I had discovered a new passion.

After my husband retired from his career, one year later I did so as well. All this extra time on my hands allowed me more time to study art and think about teaching more than I had been doing in the past. Teaching art opened so many new doors for me, I met many other artists and I began taking classes with visiting teachers and building my skills and artistic interests. My passion was soon growing into an obsession.

My husband encouraged me to open a Home Studio. So he and I set out to build onto our home, and after many months I was the proud owner of Gaby’s Art Studio.  I love my painting environment,  I have many large windows that allow natural light into the space, it is a huge room that I can mess up as often as I like when I am in the most creative of moods. The Studio has two large close circuit TV monitors for ease of teaching and the facility is bright and comfortable for the seminars that I host from time to time.

Attached to my studio is a favorite space for me, it is a small library that attaches the studio to the main house.  Here you will find me enjoying a cup of coffee while I search thought any one of my books. Art research books are another passion of mine and I have spent several years collecting and building this extensive library.

In the late 1990’s I began attending seminars with David Jansen MDA, I enjoyed his style of painting and teaching. In 2004 I was invited with six other artists from around the Country and Canada to co–author an education program. The Traditions Art Education Program. Since that time I have been heavily involved with developing this new program and traveling around the Country teaching it to new teachers.
This new venture, The Art Apprentice Online web site has been a wonderful experience for me as it combined my love for web design with my computer skills. This has been a labor of love; I hope you enjoy your visit to the site!"

Favorite Quote:

‘The more you learn, the more you find out there is still to learn” anonymous

What meaning does the word ‘Art’ hold for me?

Art is a reflection and expression of oneself.  I feel that the artist can use the canvas to express their inner feelings. Personally, when I paint, depending on if it is technical or emotional, I can use my work to express my self. If I want to show a more serious side of me I would paint in a more technical manner and if I wish to show the more playful side of my personality I express myself in more whimsical styles.

If I had to state what appeals to me as art, I would say I am drawn to the classical styles because I see the artists has shown skill in their knowledge of techniques. I also search for art where the artists have left a part of themselves on the canvas. I admire the struggles of the Old Masters in perfecting their trade. To me their search for understanding their materials made their work important to me.

• I began painting as a young child, I was nine. I remember entering the weekly coloring contest offered by our local newspaper. I won 1st. place almost weekly and collected many volumes of the ‘Hardy Boys’ Books. They were awarded as the 1st. prize. I am not sure what was more motivating to me, the fact that I loved to color, to read or to win the 1st. place! At the age of eleven I was presented with a proposal to paint my first commission piece in exchange for all the art supplies I would need for setting up a studio at home. Naturally I accepted and the rest is history. Through word of mouth this lead to more commissions and as a young teenager I joined three other artists for my first ‘official’ public showing. At the time it was quite a big deal to me, as even the local ‘Mayor’ attended.
  
  

• That show boosted my artistic confidence and I experienced my first ‘stolen painting’. My grandparents convinced me that it was considered highly flattering for an artist to have a work stolen!  That sentiment was directed to build the confidence of a young artist. I continued on with commissions for several years after.
• I took art during high school in Trinidad, but found the curriculum anything but challenging. I am self taught and self directed. On my journey I have often encountered comparisons between self taught versus ‘schooled’. Whatever road we take for learning art, both will require our hard work, discipline and constant perseverance as we search for knowledge and the artist within.

• Society of Dyers and Colorists
• Society of Decorative Painters.
• Dogwood Decorative Artist Guild.

Professional Achievements:

• I have owned my own business, Country Carousel for 17 years. 
• 1997 - Certified Decorative Artist – SDP
• 2002 - Master Floral Still Life - SDP
• 2003 - Master Still Life – SDP
• 2004 – Traditions Heritage Artist – HA.  This position as one of the original Heritage Artists is one of the high points in my professional life.  This appointment has afforded me an opportunity to network with other artists who share this passion to teach.  It has allowed me to give back something I truly love. It has channeled my energy towards higher education and artistic growth.

• I first began teaching art at a shop in Kelowna, British Columbia, in 1986.
• The early classes I taught were based on the methodology of decorative painting. I knew the step by step method was a successful way for teaching basic skills and techniques to the new artist.
• I began teaching art using acrylics and then later introduced oils and watercolor painting to my schedule.
• I teach exclusively with the JansenArt Traditions multimedia paint system. This affords me every opportunity to explore oil, watercolor and acrylic techniques and methods quite freely.

Studio Location:

• Country Carousel Art Studio
  1021 Avondale Place,
  Kelowna, British Columbia,
  V1Z3J9
  (250) 769-1982
  
  www.neadeenmasters.com
  neadeenmasters@shaw.ca

• neadeenmasters@artapprenticeonline.com

Here is my story.

About me –There was never any doubt. My family knew I was going to be an artist when I grew up. My mother said she knew the moment I painted my crib that interesting shade of Umber!! I am passionate about painting; I’ve always been told I had a natural talent for it.  While girls my age were playing Nancy Sinatra records and painting their nails, I was working along with our ‘yard man’ helping him ‘paint’ my mothers flower beds with tropical colors. I remember asking my father to drag home an old fishing boat which had washed up on a nearby beach, the bottom rotted out like a hole in a donut. I saw the aesthetic potential and had it meticulously positioned in our garden, set it at just the right angle and proceeded to fill it with soil and plant flowers in it! I was just ten at the time.
Elementary and high school years were spent at a Catholic Convent and my mentors were an Irish Nun and my literature teacher. They both instilled in me a clear understanding that true success was from doing something I was passionate about.

I began selling my work at the age of eleven.  Private and business commissions paved the way to opening a small retail shop immediately after graduation.  My goal had been to attend the ‘Ringling school of Art’ in Sarasota Florida; but instead, an entrepreneurial spirit took me in another direction. By the time I was married I had already opened two studio-shops in two countries. Though small, they planted in me, the desire for a future career in art. 

After marriage and two children I also developed another interest, building reproduction primitive furniture. I learned a lot during that period, it gave me an opportunity to delve into woodworking and explore it as another art form.  Eventually I found a way to combine my painting with furniture and another business venture was soon growing. I continued this for several years until a very close encounter with moving blades sent me to hospital for stitches on both hands.  I retired the power tools to focus more on painting.  Regardless of the subject I emerged myself in it and learned through experimentation. I took commissioned work which allowed me to expand these skills.

I always seemed to be a little ahead of my time and my next venture confirmed this. It was the mid eighties. I invested several months in writing and creating the outline for a television series. It was a ‘Do it yourself’ styled series focusing on creativity and interior decorating. The proposal for the new show caught the eye of a local television producer and he sent it higher up the ‘food chain’ for consideration.  After many months of deliberation and discussion, it did not come to fruition; it was thought there was no demand for ‘do it yourself’ styled programming! If only we had hindsight!  I learned a lot from that experience too, and used my ‘business formula’ to open the first of its kind in our home town. A Home based business which focused on teaching weekly classes to women who loved anything creative AND enjoyed decorating their homes. Ten years later in the mid nineties the original concept of the home studio evolved again into a retail art shop at another location. The new location was anything but perfect and I called it the rose between many thorns. Despite the poor location, within two years we had a student roster of 700 students and were running 13 art classes per week. Country Carousel was a little bee-hive of fun and creative energy.
 
Teaching, staffing and running the little shop became a full time job for several individuals including myself, but even so, I began studying within the Certification Program from the Society of Decorative Painters.  This program is a self-directed educational program which propelled me in the direction of art education. I attended their annual painting conventions across the USA and after five and a half years of hectic retail, I decided to take the business back home to the quiet of a Home Studio setting. I have since passed three of the four Certification exams and am preparing for the final leg of this journey. I presently travel teach and hold seminars at my Studio several times a year.

As my endeavors have included a longtime interest in interior design, I’ve also attended trade and gift shows across Canada; freelanced as a ‘decorator’, painted small murals for a few restaurants and numerous private homes, and designed displays for offices and retail stores.  
In 2004 I was invited by David Jansen MDA to join himself and six other artists to develop and co-author an Educational Program for artists.  This has been an exciting journey for me and has allowed me to work with seven skilled artists on a very honorable project; it has allowed me to give back to the art community through education and has reinforced my original artistic goals.

Favorite Quote:

The men of experiment are like the ant; they only collect and use. But the bee . . . gathers its materials from the flowers of the garden and of the field, but transforms and digests it by a power of its own. - Leonardo da Vinci

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. - Mark Twain

What meaning does the word ‘Art’ hold for me?

For me, beauty does lie in the eye of the beholder, as a result, art must speak to me on several levels; on an emotional level it must touch my senses.  I want to feel uplifted, even in some small way. I have always been drawn to ‘academic’ art and I believe it is because I appreciate the expression of mastery. The intellectual side of my brain helps me understand art as a tangible expression of an abstract thought, meant to get a response from me. The rebel in me identifies with that. The emotional side of me is more traditional and stops short of accepting this way of reason. I am drawn to art that shows the artists understanding of the principles of art.

Though at times I may not appreciate art for the aesthetic appeal, I do consider the artist's intent, regardless of the emotion it raises in me. I consider it, but perhaps not embrace it.  As I get older I think I struggle less with this perspective, age must be making me mellow. More often, art for me is representational and will touch both my intellect and emotions at the same time.

• I began painting in 1977.

• Society of Decorative Painters (SDP)

Professional Achievements:

• I became a Master Decorative Artist in 1996. This was awarded to me from the Society of Decorative Painters.
• For 13 years I was an owner of an Art Store and Studio.
• I have authored three painting ‘how to’ books.
• Cover of the Year Artist for “The Decorative Painter Magazine July 2002
• Appointed “Art Director” for the 1985 San Diego SDP Convention.
• I painted a commissioned 100’ x 30’ Mural for the City of Oceanside, CA in June 2002.

• I started teaching in 1982 at an art store in Southern California
• Folk Art was very popular in the 1980’s.
• I started teaching using acrylics.
• Today Acrylics is my media of choice, mainly because of the superiority of the Traditions Paints.

Studio Location:

• Sue Pruett
  1055 Eliot Street
  Oceanside, CA 92057
  760-433-7837 (phone and fax)
  www.suepruett.com
  suepruett@sbcglobal.net

• suepruett@artapprenticeonline.com

Here is my story.

"When I first started painting I didn't’t set out to become an artist, instead my goal was only to paint pretty things like my sister was painting and sending to me as Christmas gifts.  I never would have imagined that nearly 30 years later I would still be painting or that being an artist would become a career.  Becoming an artist has been the result of twenty years of studying to understand how to take a two dimensional surface and make it look three dimensional. 

My first teacher, Judy Duarte, was a huge inspiration and mentor to me; I put her on a pedestal and wanted to be just like her when I grew up.  I was a young woman of twenty one, newly married, full time job, and going to college at night to become a secretary.  Still thirty years later Judy is one of my closest friends and if it wasn’t for her I’m not sure if I would still be painting today. 

I was so fascinated by painting that I quit college, because it was getting in the way of my painting classes.  Through my relationship with Judy, I was asked to teach at an art store in Southern California’s Orange County in 1981.  I can remember how terrified I was at the thought of teaching because I was always the slowest student, and my teacher had to fix my mistakes.  When I saw how excited my students got during that first class it made me realize that teaching was more fun than it was scary, and because of the student’s excitement teaching now became my passion.
In 1988 I tried for my Certification test from “The Society of Decorative Painters”.  My score was so low it devastated me and gave me the drive to become an ‘artist’ instead of only a painter.   I did pass the ‘Certification Test’ the following year but this was just the beginning of an eight year journey to become a “Master Decorative Artist”.  To accomplish this I would have to pass three more tests based on my technical skills, color, realism and dimensional knowledge.   I owe a lot to the Certification program for forcing me to learn and strive for excellence. 

Through my quest I took a color seminar from David Jansen in 1993, and now thirteen years later I am working for David as the Traditions Education Coordinator.  I now have a wonderful job where I work with seven other accomplished artists and collectively we have written a comprehensive education program for teachers to teach their students about art and painting. 

Favorite Quote:

• The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection – Michelangelo
•  If people knew how hard I worked to get my mastery, it wouldn’t seem so wonderful at all – Michelangelo

What meaning does the word ‘Art’ hold for me?

To me the word ‘Art’ is a huge umbrella and ‘Life’ is everything under the umbrella.  Our personal ‘book of life’ is our artistic journey through life.  Everything I see through my eyes, touch with my hands, taste with my mouth, hear with my ears, and smell with my nose can be artistic just depending on one’s perception of art.

No matter what direction my life would have taken me I would still be considering myself an artist in one facet or another.  I could be a chef putting together colors and flavors of food to impress my customers, or a ‘Decorator’ working with color, mood, harmony, line of design, creating peace and tranquility.  This feeling I have gives me peace within myself because I feel I have found one word that describes everything in my life; ‘Art’. Art gives us a way to be creative and express ourselves.

• I always liked to color and draw as a child.  When I was in 4th grade we would print poems on large papers to hang on the walls of our classroom.  My teacher would always ask me to decorate them and I think it was during that time that I decided to be an artist when I grew up.   During Junior High and High School I took every art class the schools offered.  I always submitted designs for the advertising of our school plays and musicals and had several of mine picked for silkscreen reproduction.  I loved stage design and doing the scenery for the school musicals.  To this day whenever I go to a professional live play and see great scenery I want to immediately go sign up as a volunteer with their crew.  I attribute my love of this to a high school teacher who had actually designed sets for Hollywood productions and provided us with great training.
• My first formal art classes could be considered my drawing classes in junior high and that is still a great love of mine.
• I continued my art studies in the College of Fine Art at the University.

• Utah Guild of Heritage Artists
• Heart of Utah Decorative Painters
• Western Colorado Decorative Artists
• Society of Decorative Painters

• I began teaching painting classes using Oil Paints in 1978.    
• The first classes I taught were organized by the mother of a friend and I taught around her kitchen table in the Walker Lane area of Salt Lake City, Utah. 
• I have taught painting classes for Annette’s Tole Treasures, Utah Craft and Novelty, Provo Craft, Granite School District Division of Continuing Education, and Roberts Arts as well as in my own home studio.  I have taught many seminars in various Painting shops and for painting chapters throughout the western United States.  This past September I taught at the Raindrop Chapter's convention in Portland, Oregon, and look forward to special events in Las Vegas and Tampa in 2008.
• I began teaching with oils and taught the students stroke work for borders and we painted flowers, fruit and birds.
• I have taught with watercolor paints and acrylics most recently.

Studio Location:

• Donna Richards’s dba Paint One Too is my official business name.
  I have a small home studio in Salt Lake City, Utah in which I can accommodate 8 painters very comfortably and 10 if we are a bit crowded.  I sell the JansenArt Traditions line of paints, mediums and brushes and carry various DVD’s and pattern packets. Some of these items are also available on my website.
  www.paint1too.com

  Email addresses:
  donnarichards@paint1too.com
  paint1too@aol.com

• donnarichards@artapprenticeonline.com 
  

Here is my story.

"As an artist I love to draw and I love to teach others to create works of art.  When I became acquainted with Tole painting in the late 1970’s I discovered a way to teach those who desired to paint yet had no formal art training. This was immediately a positive attraction for me.  I had listened to others saying “oh I wish I could paint like you do” for so long and didn’t see anyway I could possibly teach someone to paint who had not studied art.  It seemed like it would be an overwhelming if not impossible task. Because of my association with decorative painting I have had the satisfaction of helping hundreds of individuals learn to paint, develop skills and gain confidence in their various artistic endeavors. 

I have loved to teach drawing classes for older children and also adult classes which have sometimes been based on Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards.  I have taught various forms of art and painting classes since 1978.  I have donated paintings for various fund raising auctions and sales, including the Primary Children’s Hospital’s annual fund raiser “Festival of Trees”.  I love to paint for my own enjoyment although I enjoy the challenge of commissioned work.  I have been commissioned to paint furniture pieces, paint on the walls of homes including many bedrooms and play rooms for children.  I have done faux finishing and painting on walls in several offices. I also did faux finishing in the penthouse home of a local publisher and have helped friends with projects in their homes.   

I designed and painted stage scenery for a children’s performing group for several years and have also taught the “Art Start” program in elementary schools.    Over the years I have had the fun of painting store windows for the Christmas holidays and designing and painting scenery for elementary school productions and church road shows.  I recently did some restoration painting work in the marvelous Temple located on historic Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah and I very much consider this an honor.  I also still enjoy being a student and love to experience the many different ways we can accomplish works of art.

 
I am active in the Society of Decorative Painters and attend several conventions each year.  I have served as Vice President/ President Elect, President, Past President and Retreat Committee Chairman for the Utah Guild of Heritage Artists and currently serve as the Newsletter Editor for the Western Colorado Decorative Artists in 2007."

Favorite Quote:

 “He who works with his hands is a laborer.  He who works with his hands and his head is an Artisan.  He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an Artist.” ~ J.V. Smith

“It's on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way. So we must dig and delve unceasingly.” ~ Claude Monet

What meaning does the word ‘Art’ hold for me?

Art is creative expression.  The fact that one creates any work of art by any means displays to me an inner need or desire to let a part of themselves out without using words.  It might be as simple as needing or wanting to say, “I like this” or “Look what I can do.”   Creative expression is challenging, it requires study and experimentation, and it is raised to higher levels with observation and insight.  It can and should involve the development of skill, and in the end express itself in a tangible form to be appreciated, critiqued, hated, or loved by all who will come into contact with it.