CHAIRish 2012: Artist Spotlight, Janet Skinner

Whooo? Whoooo? Who is our latest artist spotlight?  Why, it's Janet Skinner, who had our young, sweet children in mind when creating this one-of-a-kind owl bench!

 

Janet originally heard about CHAIRish through the Herron Alumni Association, who has been an invaluable partner to The Villages! 

 

She states:

 

"Since learning my husband I will be new grandparents this coming January, I have been paying close attention to children’s room designs. I have seen so many adorable designs with owls I just could not resist the temptation to create some whimsical owls for the bench I had selected to paint...my hope is that it will bless its new environment with smiles for years to come!"

 

 

 

Janet started painting as a hobby when she was a young adult. At 35 years of age she enrolled at IUPUI Herron School of Art and Design and received a B. F. A. in Painting in 2001.  She now works from her second story studio space, Skinner Fine Art, at the Creative Arts and Event Center, 2 West Main St., Greenfield, IN. She works primarily in oil, watercolor and pastel in a contemporary-impressionist style.

 

We think Janet's owl bench is precious.  Do you know someone that would love this bench, too?

 

 

 

CHAIRish 2012: Artist Spotlight, Ashten Houpt

 Another of our fantastic artists, Ashten Houpt, has created another unique masterpiece for us this year.  This "Zebra Chair", which is wood burned and has two zebra heads on the back, is quite a work of art.  It was a little tricky getting the chair to Ashten's studio, as you can see below, but she made it work.  (Thanks for your dedication, Ashten!)

 

She said she wanted the challenge of creating a zebra stripe that wasn't a traditional black and white.  We think these beginning pictures below look awesome - you will be awed by the final product!

 

 

 



Ashten also did the popular "Giraffe Chair" back in 2009, which also featured two giraffe heads on the back.  Both chairs are nostalgic for Ashten, who remembers being a child and experiencing the joy of seeing these beautiful, exotic animals at the zoo.  Her "Giraffe Chair" went for a whopping $550!   

 

 

Do you think the Zebra Chair could do the same?  Use the comments section below to tell us how much you love the Zebra Chair and your best guess at what it might raise for The Villages!

Ashten Houpt is a senior at Herron School of Art and Design, studying in the Integrative Studio Practice program and mainly focusing in Book Arts and Printmaking.  She has always had an interest in art and has been taking classes at Herron since she was in 7th grade.  She will graduate this year and hopes to attend graduate school to continue her studies in Book Arts and eventually enter academia as a professor.
 



CHAIRish 2012: Artist Spotlight, Ann King

 

Ann King has been creating chairs for CHAIRish since 2008 and this year she is donating "A Little Extra Love" for our fundraiser.  She is a resident of Zionsville and has chosen a koala to be featured on this stool to represent the time she spent living in Australia.  She shared with us that she was inspired by a poem written by her daughter.  Her creative philosophy reads:

 

"I try to represent the positive and negative pull in everything I create.  One of my writings states: 'To dwell on what happened in the past or on what might have been -- brings bitterness and despair.  Dwell on what might be -- for hope and purpose.'  I let the viewer choose which he or she sees highlighted in the work."

 

 



The saying reads: "Even though you have all the love you could ever want from me,
here's a little extra love to keep you company."

Ann has been involved with helping abused and neglected children in a variety of ways since
1981. She understands that there are many causes to care about in Central Indiana but feels that  many of the problems have been caused by the person needing help.  Children have not caused themselves to be abused or neglected and it is our job to step in and offer our assistance the best way that we can.

Ann's has studied at the Indianapolis Art Center with Paul Sweany, Jean Vietor and Sandy Ezell, among many others.  She has also participated in workshops with national artists such as Judi Wagner and Joan Rothmeral, as well as local artists, such as Rob O'Dell and Henry Bell.  Her artwork has been accepted in the National Abstract Show, Midwest Exhibit, and Indianapolis Art Center, among others places.  She has received several Honorable Mentions and Best of Show in Metalsmithing.

Tell us what you think of Ann's stool.  Isn't it adorable?  Do you know someone who would love to see that in their home?