mixed media - Damascus Open Studios

Ammi is a Guest Artist at Studio #13

I started making egg ornaments 50 years ago. They are little dioramas inside a real eggshell. They are covered with cotton fabric and hardened with layers of glue and clear glitter. Inside, I create scenes from children’s books, nature, or whatever strikes my fancy. I love the whimsy! I love the nostalgia people feel when they see a diorama from a book they read as a child and knowing that my Ammi Eggs have adorned Christmas trees for over 50 years.

My felting adventures started 11 years ago when my daughter, Ellie, suggested I try my hand at something called felting. I took a class and was hooked! Taking raw wool and turning it into solid fabric is like magic! I love color. Once I started working with wool, I began making felted soaps and cat toys. Since I love color, dying silk scarves was a natural. So many ways to dye silk!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AmmisArt

Instagram: ammibrooks

Facebook: Ammi’s Art

Ron is the host of Studio #11

Experience leaves marks.

There are pressures we face in life, both externally and from that little voice in our head. My work reflects the impact of those stressors, producing texture and patina on ourselves while we strive to find balance and preserve our essence. My work represents the pursuit of contentment, knowing that these tensions are a permanent part of our journey.

I’ve been working with wood across many different forms for 35 years. I first turn wood on a lathe and carve it into shape with chisels. I turn the wood to 1/8 of an inch thick. Voids are created by hand using a high-speed carver. Black texture is added through stippling using a wire-tipped wood burner. In specific cases, I’ll add paint or metal leaf for additional color and character. Depending on the size and complexity, the time to complete a piece varies between 15 – 80 hours.

https://ronpurvisart.com

Instagram: ronpurvisart

Facebook: ronpurvisart