ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
CAROL VANDENBOSCH

Carol VandenBosch is a multi-talented artist whose creative journey spans various
mediums, including sewing, quilting, mosaics, and acrylic painting. Her artistic process
is deeply rooted in her upbringing, influenced by her rich cultural background and the
artistic pursuits of her mother.
In 2006 she became interested in mosaics and added this medium to her creative work.
Her colorful and lively mosaics include the use of a variety of glass, broken dishes and
bottles. The substrates used for her mosaics often add to the unique beauty of her
artwork.
More recently, she has been experimenting and learning about acrylic painting, using
resin, shattered glass, and cutting vase glass for her art projects. This has opened
whole new opportunities for her exploration of colors, textures and creativity.
Carol grew up in Winchester but was born in Margarita, Canal Zone. She lived there
until she was almost six years old and was influenced by the festivities and lively culture
she was exposed to in Panama, such as Carnival, which was similar to Mardi Gras. The
ladies in their traditional dresses, Miet piyera, costumes and parades with huge papier
mache characters stimulated her imagination as a young girl and tapped into her
curiosity about parades and colors. This foundational influence set the stage for her to
to explore various forms of artistic expression in her formative years.
Her mother had an artistic side to her and took classes in stained glass, ceramics and
china painting. She operated a ceramics studio at AEDC and was interested in sewing
and quilting. She was also a painter and notably was one of the founding members of
the FCAG/Franklin County Arts Guild. She credits her mother for influencing her own
creativity in various mediums including sewing at a young age, an experience that
introduced her to creating something from the beginning by selecting color, decorations,
buttons and trim that would complement the garment she was making.
Carol was a member of the 4-H Club in Franklin County from the age of 10 to 19 years
old. There she participated in sewing, baking, public speaking, raising chickens, forestry
judging and judging poultry. In 1962 she was awarded a trip to the National 4-H
Congress in Chicago.
When asked what inspires her to create mosaics, she says this, “When I started doing
Mosaic work in 2006, I found that to be more crafty than artistic. It was just a matter
of gluing pieces to your substrate and grouting. As I continued to do mosaics, I became
creative in the sense that I started doing patterns, creating my own patterns, using color
once again, and being a risk taker by trying things out that we're maybe not of the norm.
A book that I read on mosaics stated... that as you are on your search for materials for
your mosaics, you will also have your Keen eye looking for new things to glue things on.
Oh, how that was true! In shopping at Goodwill and yard sales, I would find frames,
chairs, tables, silver plated trays, as well as some unconventional items to put the
mosaics on. This proved to be exciting and gave me a bit more confidence in my
mosaic work. As far as my other art endeavors, the painting, the use of shattered glass,
the resin work.....all of these have been pretty cut and dried as far as being influenced
by anything.”
When asked what she hopes to communicate with her art she says, “The biggest
message in my art is recycling. So often people toss chipped dishes, chipped glasses.
They toss a lot of things. There's a lot of waste in our country. I am right there to get
those things. if they're in the dumpster, if they're at a Goodwill or if they're on the side of
the street, I  treasure my find. I am a pack rat. To take crumbles and scraps of items
that are normally thrown away and turn them into a piece of art that someone likes and
wants to buy, that is a mission accomplished!” Carol's belief in the value of turning
discarded items into art highlights her mission of reducing waste and promoting
recycling through her work.
Carol sells her work through the Artisan Depot Gallery in Cowan, TN. She also offers
mosaic classes which have been quite successful and have encouraged her students to
tap into their own creativity.
Defining success as an artist, Carol acknowledges the thrill of creating sellable work
while emphasizing that the joy derived from crafting art holds its own intrinsic value. Her story embodies a passion for creativity, sustainability, and the transformative power of art, making her an inspiring figure in her community.

I began drawing early in my life. It was my way of learning about the world around and within me. My mother’s side of the family greatly valued art. My grandmother was a poet. She included several of my early (age 9) drawings in her book of poetry, titled, “Come With Me’. My grandmother’s sister, Mathilda, was an early Impressionist artist whose paintings were shown in Paris. My mother suffered a severe nervous breakdown at the early age of 19, long before I was born. She used drawing and painting to heal herself. My dad’s side of the family did not express themselves through art but my dad always encouraged me to pursue what I love.

While many people say, they are not creative, I firmly believe that every baby is born with a “Creative Seed” deep within their hearts. You may love music or dance or making things with your hands or drawing or writing poetry. The Creative Seed is invisible. No one can see it, but it is there. You are the one who must nourish the Creative Seed within you and when you do, life opens up.  Every seed (apple, fig, strawberry, pine tree, etc.) needs four things to grow: 1) Sunshine, 2) nutritious soil, 3) air and 4) water. If I tell you to stand in the sun for 5 hours and eat dirt - you’ll know this is a joke - so I’ll employ a metaphor for these four things you must do to grow and blossom the Creative Seed within you. #1) Sunshine = Love yourself and others, #2) Nutritious Soil = Think Critically (get evidence for what you believe is going on) and Think Creatively (be open to the AHA! of learning from your mistakes), #3) Air = Breathe deep, relax and slow down several times a day. And #4) Water = Practice. Practice ten minutes every day whatever creativity you feel is in your heart. You may have great talent but it goes nowhere if you do not practice!

I taught Art and Special Education for 18 years in the Vista Unified School District to middle and high school students. Prior to this I taught drawing and painting to a wide variety of people from university students, teachers and therapists, to jail inmates, people in homeless shelters, people with developmental disabilities, people with AIDS, PTSD, cancer, people in recovery from drugs and alcohol. All people have a story and all people benefit from the opportunity to express their story creatively.

To check our Heather's Workshop go to the Attend a Workshop page

As a child, I cherished the moments spent with my grandmother, who introduced me to crafting. With no children my age around, I did what she did, and she crocheted. I was able to crochet before I could even read or write! The afghan I created during those extended stays with my grandmother, though a bit wonky as you would expect from a five-year-old, holds a special place in my heart. 

I can still remember hearing my grandmother on the phone tell my mom that I was "good at picking my colors." I remember the pride and joy of doing something that pleased my grandmother.
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I embarked on a self-learning journey, mastering more than just a granny square. I delved into the art of knitting and honed my sewing skills in my home economics class in junior high school. The memory of the blue velveteen shift dress I crafted still fills me with pride and accomplishment.

As a teen and young adult, I often sought solace in my hobbies. I always had a needle and thread at hand. It became my anchor, offering comfort amidst the chaos of family life, knowing that I could create something that was not only pretty to look at but useful.
While I could never get formal training in the arts, I kept crocheting, knitting, and learning other fiber arts. I used that time and practice as my meditation. It also helped increase my income, as I could occasionally sell some creations.

Over the years, I taught myself to do everything I could with a needle and thread. This included tatting, embroidery, or what they now call slow stitching, and jewelry making. I've made many custom wedding gowns and ice skating outfits for competitions. I've also designed swimsuits for many of the early breast cancer survivors to cover scars and help hide the fact of missing breasts.

After retirement, I joined The Artisan Depot Gallery in Cowan, TN. While I never considered myself an artist, I did know how to use Facebook to market and advertise our events and show dates. As a volunteer, I took on the role of PR person. I began attending the Wednesday Morning group we call Art Wednesday to gather information about events and things happening at the Gallery to post on Facebook. Everyone was so willing to share knowledge about their different art forms. I have learned so much from all these knowledgeable artist in these gatherings, which increased my confidence. Because of those Wednesday morning gatherings I've lost all fear of trying new things.

During the summer of 2020, I had my own scare of breast cancer. I had surgery, chemo, and a couple of hospital stays. Because of lockdown, I had to do all that alone since they would not allow anyone in the hospital or treatment center with me. It was a scary time. 

I used what I had learned about meditation and my strong faith in a God who cares to help me stay calm and focused during that time. My faith provided me with the strength and hope I needed to endure the treatments and the isolation, and planning new crafting projects gave me something else to focus on. 

I had always wanted to learn the skill of free-motion machine stitching. So, on the days I was too sick to get out of bed, I lay on my back staring at the ceiling and envisioned myself doing this art form. When I could sit up without being sick, I watched YouTube videos. I imagined myself doing what I saw them do in the videos.

When I was finally well enough to sit at a sewing machine, I practiced this new art form. It was amazing how easy it was to do after practicing all those hours in my imagination. Free-motion machine stitching is now my preferred art form. 

You can see some of my free-motion machine-stitched creations at the Artisan Depot Gallery. Lately, I've been busy making purses and vessels from paper and fabric, and I have some of my creations there. I hope to see you soon. 
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Please visit us at the Gallery on any Art Wednesday we're there from 10-12, or attend one of our workshops, it could be good for your mental health.

PS I just got my 41/2 year checkup and I'm still free of cancer and pretty healthy, so there is lots of hope not just for me but for all those that must deal with this dreaded and hateful disease. I'm doing my happy dance.

10 TIPS ON PROMOTING YOUR ART & BECOMING A SUCCESSFUL
ARTIST.
Promoting art and achieving success in sales involves a combination of
strategies, marketing techniques, and community engagement. Here are
some effective methods for artists to promote their work and enhance their
selling prospects:
1. Build an Online Presence

•  Create an Art Website: Promote your art.
•  Social Media: Utilize platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to

share your art and processes. Engage with followers and use relevant
hashtags to reach a wider audience.

•  Email Marketing: Build an email list and send regular newsletters about new

works and exhibitions.
2. Networking

•  Art Communities: Join local and online art communities to connect with other

artists and potential buyers. Collaborate on projects, attend workshops, or
participate in discussions.

•  Art Shows and Exhibitions: Attend galleries, fairs, and exhibitions to meet

potential buyers and other artists. Showcasing work at these events increases
visibility.
3. Engage with Your Audience

•  Storytelling: Share the story behind your creations. People often connect

more with art when they understand the artist's inspiration and processes.
4. Professional Development

•  Take workshops and courses to improve your artistic and business skills,

including marketing, branding, and finance.
5. Participate in Competitions and Awards

•  Entering art competitions can provide exposure and recognition, potentially

leading to sales opportunities and gallery representation.
6. Collect and Showcase Testimonials

•  Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews or testimonials that you can

display on your website or social media.
7. Attend Workshops and Artist Talks

•  Engage with audiences by attending or hosting art-related events. Sharing

your knowledge can position you as an authority in your field.
8. Love what you do!

•   Surround yourself with people that will support you and encourage your progress. Find that group! Join us at Art Wednesday!

My artistic journey has been a winding path that has taken me from my childhood home in Santa Fe, New Mexico to various locations across the country.

My wonderful and creative mother introduced me to sewing at a young age, teaching me how to use an antique treadle Singer sewing machine to make my own doll clothes. Money was stretched thin in our family, but my mother was quite crafty and made me a two story doll house from a card board box, filled with furniture and people. I loved it and it still brings precious memories when I think of it. As I grew older I discovered I enjoyed drawing, painting and creating things from discarded objects.
  
In my early 20’s I hopped on a bus and moved to San Jose, CA where I knew no one, but had decided I would become involved with the Rosicrucians, a metaphysical organization who were based there. I continued to paint and craft and a few years after became involved with the art community there. Getting accepted by my first gallery  gave me a boost and a sense of confidence in my creative abilities that I hadn’t had before. I enrolled at San Jose City College and explored many art mediums.

I discovered a love for abstract art and silk screen printing or serigraphy. In 1985 I returned to my hometown of Santa Fe after 15 years and embarked on another creative path, painting Southwest style images on furniture and pottery lamps for Foreign Traders. Some of those pieces were sold to celebrities. That was a rewarding experience and opened the door for me to create my own line of Santo (religious icons) ornaments, prints and cards that I sold to shops in New Mexico and other areas of the country, including the Smithsonian Institute. 
​
In 2000 my husband Jim and I moved to Winchester, TN and I soon discovered the Franklin County Arts Guild and have been involved with them for two decades now. It has been wonderful to find a community of fellow artists who share my passion and have provided support through various activities and events all these years. I have worn many hats with this organization, including a stint as gallery coordinator but my favorite one is helping to promote our Guild and Artisan Depot Gallery’s talented local artists. The most important lesson I have learned in my creative path is how essential it is to network, find and support your art community.

We are a co-operative gallery featuring fine art & craft from regional artists. The Artisan Depot Gallery, a Franklin County Arts Guild project, is a place to discover and display art and a hub for education, enlightening our visitors and inspiring them about the World of Arts.
The Franklin County Arts Guild promotes artists and craftspeople through The Artisan Depot Gallery, scholarships, education, and community programs. Becoming a member gives you the invaluable opportunity to showcase your work in our Gallery. ​​

​Hi, my name is Denise Brislin and I’m a stained glass artist who dabbles in all forms of glass art, from mosaics, wind chimes, jewelry, suncatchers to large glass panels.
 
Someone recently asked me why my art is important. Well, I don’t consider my art work “important” in the literal sense of the word. But it is significant to me, for my wellbeing and survival. Thirty plus years ago I was at a crossroad in my life and was introduced to stained glass. It’s infinite beauty touched my core. It brought me to a peaceful place where I could explore, be insightful, create and be rejoiceful all at one time. It became cathartic. This was an amazing discovery for me!  My childhood did not cultivate creativity, it was quite the opposite. What an awakening to find out I can create something beautiful with glass!!!
 
I have maintained that you can never create an ugly piece of stained glass. It’s just impossible. The piece may have flaws but the glass is totally forgiving. The glass has a life and vitality of it’s own. It sparkles, shines, changes color with the changing of light. It casts colors and shapes beyond its framed boundaries to create its own image. It lives outside the shape you created. That totally pleases me. So, you see, you can never create an ugly piece.
 
My creations are just as unique as anyone else’s just by the pure perfection of the glass. I create what sparks me in that moment, a specific pattern or piece of glass speaks to me. Some artists are blessed with the gift to draw and make their own patterns. I’m not one of them but the glass itself makes each piece unique because no two are alike. You can use the same pattern over again with totally different results. Curves, textures, colors, arrangement, lighting all have an unparalleled effect on each piece you create. Again, you can’t make an ugly piece.
 
So why am I telling you all this…well, because anyone can learn to work with stained glass. I have a passion for teaching. I love to see the moment when someone becomes aware of new understanding and insight. They illuminate, a smile appears, a twinkle is born in their eyes and a sense of calm overcomes them. Then you see excitement, the concept of possibilities overtakes them and they’re off! Having the pleasure and privilege of witnessing that miracle is mind blowing for me. I have chased it my whole life, as a mother, a nurse and a teacher.
 
I have recently retired but I still love to teach and  believe in being a life-long learner. It’s true, you are never too old to learn something new. After 30+ years, each piece I create teaches me a new lesson. Sometimes a painful one, sometimes a reminder, but learning something new is exciting. Recently, I’ve become infatuated with fused glass. It’s staggering how melting glass can change your whole concept of glass works and talk about infinite possibilities! Which brings us to the rest of my story.
 
I belong to an extraordinary gallery full of marvelous artists and teachers in Cowan TN. We believe in the importance of preserving and introducing art for our community and schools through learning, community shows and events. Together we developed a plan to introduce fused glass classes into our gallery. Graciously, a glass kiln was purchased and set up in our kitchen. And since I was the catalyst for this endeavor, I began to study anything about fusing I could find. My learning curve was steep but it’s starting to level off towards soft rolling hills, which I like. As soon as my base confidence becomes more concrete I’ll begin teaching fused glass in addition to stained glass classes in the gallery.
 
Community outreach through classes provides a pathway to create new artists, cultivates a love of art and community bonding, especially for the younglings. Plus, I get to witness that miracle of enlightenment. So stayed tuned, more classes are heading your way. Learn a new craft, sharpen your skills, or just come to meet or be with friends…it’s all good.
 
In closing, through the gallery, I’ve found a wealth of friendship and inspiration. I’m very blessed to have found such a beautiful outlet for creativity I didn’t know existed until my later years in life. I’m also extremely grateful to have endless support and encouragement from my husband and family……To all, I thank you……

Mary Ann Morrison asked this question and we answered.
6/25/2024 04:37:25 pmI love the link to the Community Shows, and sent it to a friend. Could we have an explanation of the vision behind the titles or, as I told her, she could interpret however she wants.

I wish I could click on a link to send all of Intake Dates for the Community Shows to my Calendar. That would be very helpful for everyone, I think. I have no idea how that would even be done.

Also, could someone explain in the Workshop Section about Gel Prints, for what "variety of purposes" they are used?
​
​Pat answered

Thanks for the feedback, Mary. The themes for the Community Shows are guidelines, to open doors to your creativity. This month, the theme was "Things to Ride On," if you look at our Community Show page, you'll see that the possibilities for interpretation are endless and all different. It all depends on your chosen medium and your unique perspective on the subject. Even if it's an imaginary thing, you can ride on. Art is all about seeing things from your point of view and bringing that creation to life through your artwork.

I understand that our website builder doesn't have the feature to directly add the Community Calendar dates to your personal calendar. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, but some things still require doing things the old-fashioned way, one at a time. However, you can take a screenshot of all the shows, print that out, and post it on your refrigerator. I hope this workaround is helpful and makes the process a bit easier for you.

Denise Miller's Gel Print class will not only provide you with ideas on how to use Gel Prints but also inspire you with her unique approach, that is part of her class. Denise and Nancy Wallace will be presenting many of their gel prints in the Members Show starting July 5th at the Artisan Gallery in Cowan, TN. This is a great opportunity to see how they have used their unique ideas to create stunning gel prints and help generate ideas for you and others interested in this art form.
Hope this has been helpful.

 ​How can creative arts therapy promote healing? Creative arts therapy is used in treatment for a variety of conditions spanning mental health, cancer, stroke and more. The idea behind creative arts therapy is that artistic expression can help people to feel better and motivated to recover and address clinical needs such as reducing anxiety and blood pressure.
The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine says making or even just seeing art can impact the brain. Whether it’s part of a creative arts therapy exercise, or something you experience in your everyday life, art can help:

• Increase serotonin levels.
• Increase blood flow to the part of the brain associated with pleasure.
• Foster new ways of thinking.
• Imagine a more hopeful future.

How is creative arts therapy used for mental health? In the 1940s, healthcare providers noticed that people with mental illness would express themselves through art. This observation inspired the use of creative arts therapy as a healing technique for conditions including anxiety, depression, mood disorders, schizophrenia and dementia.
Creative arts therapy is used to help treat mental health conditions because it can improve focus, assist with processing emotions, improve communication and increase self-esteem.

 2024-2025 slate of officers just elected on June 19.  Officers are:
Pippa Browne President
Mary Ann Morrison, Vice President
Margie Gallagher, Secretary
Denise Miller, Treasurer
Pat Richards Bishop & Frances Perea, Public Relations
Board and Gallery meetings are on the third Wednesday of each month 9-10 am ​unless otherwise stated. Zoom meet link is provided by Pippa Brown.