Carol Wiebe

Jean Hicks fashions some spectacular hats, which are rather like balancing a sculpture on your head. In October 0f 2011, she will be teaching Creative Dimensional Felting at a venue that I certainly hope to check into one day soon, Hollyhock. Hollyhock describes itself as a “refuge for your soul.” Hollyhock features over 100 programs, and is located on Cortes Island, in British Columbia, Canada. The online catalogue lists everything that is available. Getting back to Jean ~ s

A particular paragraph in an article entitled Buffalo Township artist feeds the imagination and fools the eye (from TRIB Live News) delighted me: Spangler-Warren considers her naivete to be a strength. “Since I am self-taught, perhaps I just dive into a project with no preconceived notions or internal critic,” she says. As she learns more, she says, she hopes to maintain some measure of that “blissful innocence.” How many artists have you met who appreciate their own naivete?

I fell in love with the work of Roxanne Swentzell when I visited New Mexico a number of years ago. Her figures captured my heart. My initial reaction to them was incredulous laughter, so imagine my delight at finding a video about her. It is an amazing portrait. Her voice comes through in an absolutely authentic way, and fits her work superbly. This is a woman who builds a house and raises turkeys as graciously and consciously as she creates her sculptures. I come from a Pueb