Little Things Artist Spotlight

For each show we like to feature a few works here. These are from our show Little Things, in the gallery Feb-Mar 2022.

Leah De Nola

How does your artwork relate to the theme of the show?

Nathaniel, the painting’s subject, was a great spirit in a small body.

What is the most important artist tool that you use in your practice?

My favorite tool is a soft, soluble pencil.

What was the first artwork you created that really mattered to you?

First creative effort, remembered, was writing a story about a young girl who rescues an injured horse.

Do you have any upcoming projects that you would like to share?

I’m working on some dimly lit interiors.

Kelly Hughes

I thought it would be interesting to have a big view of a little thing.  Looking through my collection of work, I found this painting of a Stargazer Lily which was done on a large piece of watercolor paper from a close-up photo. I liked how the tips of the stamens (which are usually very tiny) are a prominent feature.  The small dots on the petals are also very visible.

I was a creative kid. I enjoyed drawing, painting, and making crafts with glitter since I was very young.  As an early adolescent this slowed down a bit.  I remember getting a giant pad of watercolor paper, a backing board, and a set of tube paints as a Christmas gift one year.  They sat on the shelf until years later when I struggled with some emotional issues as a freshman in college.  When I was on spring break, I decided to get out the watercolor materials and finally make something.  I painted the imagery from the lyrics in the Beatles classic “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”  It’s my first framed watercolor, hanging proudly in my mom’s living room.  She tried to send a photo of it to Sir Paul McCartney, but sadly it came back undeliverable 🙂

I would say that my most important tool is mindfulness practice.  This helps get me into the creative state where the ideas flow and I’m enjoying the process. Watercolor is a very experiential medium- you can’t fully control how things turn out. Of course I do have my favorite watercolor brush, or the stick that I sometimes use to create ink drawings. But for me the physical tools can vary with the idea or vision.  Ultimately what’s most important is how to get into that peaceful creative state.

 

Mehran Ghaffari

My piece as “little thing” is my reward in next world: A little farm. I don’t wish to share my paradise with anyone, so if I get rewarded, I would love one very special farm with many animals.

What was the first artwork you created that really mattered to you?

My first piece which was very important for me was a head with clay. I was in eighth grade and did not know I could create any art; through just a simple head my confidence grew.

What is the most important artist tool that you use in your practice?

The most important material is clay, and tools are my hands.

I am an architect and love my job, and so happy creating artwork, it is a blessing.