Featured Artist:

Pamela Smith

Location:

Excelsior, Minnesota.

Just as the mythical Phoenix is given new life when enveloped in a burning flame, so is the copper jewelry of Phoenix Designs, created by artist Pamela Smith and springing to live with an array of stunning, naturally occurring colors.

The unique nature of Smith’s work has been perfected over the years.  “I’ve been making copper jewelry for over 18 years. The first pieces I produced we pretty ugly, but over time I improved.” she explained with a laugh. “You learn what works.”

“I love working with copper” Smith explained. “I love the heat aspect that creates such pretty colors…colors that are natural.”

Smith creates the basic form for her jewelry starting with copper and shaping it, either with a die cut or by hammering it to shape herself. When asked how she choose what shapes to make, Smith replied, “I like nature and so I just do what I like – picking shapes that are available. I am always looking for new shapes and also for what people ask me for. “

Smith’s favorite pieces are the leaves she makes. “Most of these are ones that I hammer and take all the way through the process myself,” said Smith.

Once the colors are how she likes them, Smith ads a layer of lacquer to protect the piece and prevent the colors from changing.

Her work not provides a challenge, but some nice rewards too, which Pamela pointed out by saying, “I just really enjoy making them. It is rewarding when customers come back year are year to a certain show and tell me about the number of compliments they have received. I love the feedback. It is good to make something the people actually can use and wear.”

Smith also enjoys playing the drums, something she I used to make and sell.

Smith’s closing thoughts encouraged others to try new things and have fun, saying, “Even if you haven’t taken a class just get the materials and play around and see what happens. Just keep things playful and have fun.”

You can view more of Pamela Smith’s work on Make It Minnesota by clicking here.

Featured Artist:

Gary Harbo

Location:

Eagan, Minnesota.

There is an alligator on the north shore of Minnesota…vacationing with his friends!

Ok, maybe not for real, but children’s author and illustrator Gary Harbo has creatively brought characters, such as Bart the Gator, to life on a variety of adventures, including an all out tour of northern Minnesota in his book, “The Northern Woods Adventure.”

Harbo started his career as an artist primarily drawing wildlife and portraits. He explains, “I love the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman, so I would draw scenes of my favorite animals and people.”

Harbo’s medium of choice for creating his illustrations is colored pencil. When asked what makes his illustrations stand out from the rest he replied, “Color and humor. There is lots of great artwork out there and I’m not conceited enough to think that mine is the best, but it is original and children are drawn to the art and storylines. I think that the Lord has blessed me with the ability to relate to kids and with a passion for drawing. I do the best that I can and leave the rest in His capable hands.”

Harbo picks the subject matter for his books based on things and places he loves. “I lived in Rapid City for 8 years and have a tremendous amount of memories from my experiences as a young man in that area. It was a joy to write and illustrate a story about the Black Hills. The same applies to The Northern Woods Adventure. My dad would take our family up on numerous vacations all across northern Minnesota, so I could not wait to put some of my memories into that book. Especially since I lost my dad to an accident 23 years ago. So for me it was a real treat to relive so many awesome memories.”

In addition to children’s stories, Harbo also has created the book, How to Draw 104 Cartoons with Gary Harbo, which has become his most popular work. “Almost everyone I meet, from Kindergarten to grandmothers, wish that they could draw more effectively. This books is a great tool to make that happen.” Harbo noted.

Harbo added that the most rewarding part of  his work is, “Watching children get into the story and watching eyes light up when young artists are able to create a character by following a few basic steps from my drawing book.”

Sharing his talent as an illustrator, Harbo also offers “How to Draw” classes to area groups and schools. Harbo especially enjoys working with children. “I love their natural desire to learn. I love their response to the a-hah moment; when they figure out that they can do something that they hadn’t done before.”

Harbo’s advise for all aspiring artists is, “Do not be critical in your first version of writing or artwork. There is no room for that thought process during the creative process. Wait until you are totally done with the first version and then take a deep breath and identify what you like about your work and things that are weak. Then come up with ways that you can improve it.”

Apart from being an illustrator and writer, Harbo enjoys a wide variety of actives, especially sports. “I was the high school quarterback and love to throw to my two youngest sons, Grant 12 and Gavin 10. I love running, basketball, snowboarding (I broke my collarbone in three places out in Colorado so I’m now a retired snowboarder), reading, and baseball.”  Harbo continued, “I especially love being a dad. I love to encourage my boys in everything they do. I think I picked that up from my dad.”

You can view Gary Harbo’s books on Make It Minnesota by clicking here.

If you are interested in learning more about his art lessons please visit the “Artist-in-Residence” page of his website or email him at gharbo@garyharbo.com

Featured Artist:

Rod Skramstad

Location:

Alexandria, Minnesota.

Meet Rod Skramstad, a Minnesota artist with a passion for working with wood and rekindling long lost art forms. Browse through his work and you will find yourself surrounded by truly one-of-a kind art.

So I prayed!

I spent hours searching the internet for “different” ideas of things I could do. The problem was that there was a lot of everything out there and I wanted to go in a direction that wasn’t “common”. At this point while still looking for the “big different”, I started painting with acrylics, something I hadn’t done since high school.

One day I came across a site selling lathart kits (craft stuff). I started researching lath art and found very little, but just enough to feel led. Finally a “lost art form” that I could jump into that not many people had ever heard of or had ever seen before, come up with my own designs, be my own expert and follow my own rules on how I wanted my pieces to look. So that is how I started with Lath Art.”

Skramstad branched out to other genres of artwork from there, seeking out “the obscure” or seemingly “lost art forms. “

The decoy carving was again something that struck me as being a bit different. Everyone carves ducks, but to make a working decoy that is lead weighted, using steel for fins, oil painted bodies and to be able to come up with a vintage or unique look seemed to be a good challenge.

Routed boxes, reclaimed frames, rustic carvings… I guess one thing seems to lead to another pretty quickly.”

Skramstad knows how to get the look he wants while saving materials. Skramstad explains, “I really like to “recycle” or use reclaimed material which seems to lend itself well to the primitives that I create. I try to create pieces that look like they have been hanging on the wall, or sitting on a shelf for 50-60 years. The use of rustic materials (materials that most people would look at as waste) seem to add to the charm or authenticity of what I am trying to achieve.”

Skramstad’s hard work is rewarded every time a piece comes together and he can share it with those around him. He loves it when people say, “I have never seen anything like that before,” whether it be for a good reason or not!

Skramstad goes on to say, “I am stoked when people ask if I will be coming to a certain show or when contact is made from a gift shop asking if I would show in their store or when people say they saw my stuff and Googled me on the internet…and when someone actually is willing to part with their hard earned cash for some of my work, well that’s just gravy. I give credit to my Lord for any positives coming my way!”

Skramstad likes to “change it up” to keep his artwork interesting and with a “new twist”. He is currently focusing on some fish themed pieces for some upcoming sportsman shows he may be attending.

Apart from being an artist, Skramstad enjoys a wide array of hobbies and activities.

He says, “Being a grandpa is probably my favorite thing. Traveling with my wife, motorcycling, doing outdoor stuff, snowmobiling, taking care of our place, pontooning on area lakes, trying to teach myself to play the guitar, and trying to cook (my wife never complains!).”

Closing comment from Skramstad? “I like to be creative. Good thing I’m “retired!”"