Archive for the ‘Artist’ Category

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Artist Profile: Alice Backman & Alice’s Cottage

Wednesday, February 15th, 2012

Artist and designer Alice Backman has shared many of her designs over the years, with us at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop. Her beautiful artwork displays nicely on our hot pads, potholders, sachets, kitchen towels and small decorative pillows. This is due to the amazing silk screen application, that allows the images to feel realistic. Alice is also the proud owner of Alice’s Home and Cottage, located in Hagerstown, Maryland. With over 28 years experience, Alice and her staff are very pleased to offer quality customer service and pride themselves in their ability to handcraft all of these home accessories right here in the U.S.A.

                                                                  At the Kitchen Table

Alice gathers inspiration from many areas in her life, but it all began they say on a county kitchen table; in a 19th century styled summer kitchen, on a property she owned a while back. Now Alice’s Cottage facilities are much bigger, but they always remember where they once began. Alice claims her days as an artist or seamstress truly began though in the 1960’s, when her mother taught her how to sew. Everything from doll clothes to her own clothing, she somehow knew she would always have a needle and thread in her hand, and maybe a sewing machine too. She now lives with her husband in the North West region of Maryland, where she continues to be inspired by nature, her garden, cooking in the kitchen and other surroundings near her home.

Pictured here to the left are our Flour Sack Towels. These towels are soft, lint free, highly absorbent and quick drying; making them the perfect alternative to paper towels. A single 100% cotton flour sack towel, like one of these will save you money on disposable paper options. Feel confident that through the use of this towel in the kitchen, it’s an eco-friendly choice. Customers will find similarity in the designs offered on our Flour Sack Towels and therefore they will coordinate well with any existing Alice Backman products carried at Sturbridge; like Kitty Garden, Pineapple, Strawberry Basket and more recent, Pumpkin Patch. Click here to see all matching Alice’s Cottage hot pads, pot holders and sachets.

Decorative Floral Pillows

Another fairly new addition to our Alice Backman selection at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop includes our Sunflower Decor Pillow, pictured here to the left. Sometimes all you need is a little extra something to make a room feel cozy and comfortable. Our decorative pillows by designer Alice Backman will do just that. Displaying a carefully written postcard from days past and a large blooming sunflower, we know this toss pillow will look lovely on a small bench or in any room in need of some sunshine. The adorned orange stamps and bold green border are crowing touches that make this decor pillow truly unique.

~We hope that these fresh home designs by Alice Backman & Alice’s Cottage will inspire you to update your home and decorate this spring.

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Artist Profile: Ron Schmidt

Friday, February 10th, 2012

At Sturbridge Yankee Workshop we are proud to introduce to you, another great artist: Ron Schmidt. Ron is unlike our other artists, in that his specialty is photography. The subject of his photos are none other than man’s best friend. Ron has had an interest in being a photographer ever since his Uncle Ross gave him an old Yoshika camera one Christmas. His first photos were of his dog Nicki during a mini “wildlife exploration.” Ron went on to study at Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara, CA where he was able to gain the training and professional skills needed to pursue his career.

The Gift of a Camera

He began in New York City, assisting celebrity and high fashion photographers but he knew there was more he wanted to accomplish with his work; so in 1999, he transitioned into commercial photography. Ron continued working until he found his niche while making holiday greeting cards for his friends and family. His love for photography and dogs had finally materialized into something he and the people around him knew would be a success; something that only the little boy in suburban New Jersey could have dreamed of.

At Sturbridge, we offer a collection of Ron Schmidt prints as well as t-shirts that have high quality screen prints of his photos. Pictured to the left is our Labs in Canoe Print, which displays two happy labs in pursuit of their tennis ball. Ron captures the reflection in the water as well as the determination on the dogs’ faces. On a similar idea, we also have Ron’s clever Labs Fetch Print. Here are the same two labs excited to be in the back of a blue pick-up truck. They don’t know where they’re going but they are all ready for a game of fetch with their frisbee and ball. Details are seen in the grain of the winding road as well the rich colors used.

Both of these Ron Schmidt prints have a white mat border, which contrasts to the crisp black frame they are set in. They are also proudly made in the USA.

A Man’s Best Friend

The Schmidt family dog’s name is Sam and he surely provides inspiration to the comical and realistic photos taken by Ron. They say he is a laid back dog with a gentle soul and adds to the family dynamic; which also includes Ron’s wife, Amy and their children Rory and Tess. Ron’s company, Loose Leashes, launched in 2005 from the interest received with his four legged photography. The unusual circumstances and unlikely expressions that are captured in his photos are delightfully refreshing. He features a human like quality not always seen in are canine friends.

To the left we see Fluke, on our Fluke T-Shirt. This pit bull is sporting a traditional sailor hat and fouled anchor tattoo with stars. The image is set against a black t-shirt. Other Ron Schmidt t-shirts include our Labs in Canoe T-Shirt and Labs Fetch T-Shirt, which match the prints mentioned above. All our t-shirts are 100% preshrunk cotton, with a European fit (tapered sides); sizes run 1/2 size smaller than a traditional shirt. They are packaged for gift giving and also made in the USA.

~The Schmidt family and Loose Leashes are very committed to animal welfare issues and a portion of all of their personal sales are donated to causes that support animal rights. Thank you Ron Schmidt for allowing us to share your passion with all of us dog lovers at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop.

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~Local Artist, Judith Hardenbrook

Monday, February 6th, 2012

Here at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop, we are proud to support many local artists. One of those artists is Judith Hardenbrook, who lives and works in Kennebunk, ME. Kennebunk is about 40 minutes south from Portland and boasts a quaint New England charm along the seacoast. The beauty of this region of Maine has inspired many artists like Judy to ’set up shop’ literally and own their own gallery and gift store. Unlike other tourist heavy coastal regions of Maine that flourish in the summer, the Kennebunk area thrives year round, providing an excellent source for inspiration and community.

Hardenbrook Studio

In 1987 Judy Hardenbrook founded Hardenbrook Studio with her original work focusing on painted furniture and wall treatments. Over the next few years Judy and her talented staff began working on decorative framed imagery. The framed imagery, covering themes of travel and animals to florals and shells, proved to be a huge success. Today, Hardenbrook Studio offers other items such as single-pane prints, canvas prints, vintage inspired prints and decorative magnet boards. The studio’s slogan states that it “creates delicately detailed pieces that merge traditional elements with a fresh and fashionable twist.” Judy’s designs are influenced not only by her current surroundings, but also through her world travel, love for antiques and love for design itself.

Presently, Hardenbrook Studio has their artwork displayed in numerous tiny shops across North America and worldwide. Many of Judy’s personal designs have been translated to stationary, fine china and even fabric pieces. Seen above and to the left is our collection of Lorraine Garden Prints. Judy features a theme of vegetables, displayed in a vintage style. With your choice of asparagus, beet, bell pepper, carrot, chili pepper, or tomato (or artichoke and pea not shown here), you can decorate with them individually or arrange together for a bountiful wall arrangement in your country kitchen. Offering a similar theme to our Garden Prints is our collection of Fruit Prints. Presenting a choice of strawberries, blueberries, cherries or raspberries. These two brightly colored print groupings, both feature beautiful French manuscript of the name of each fruit or vegetable; a clear influence from Judy’s love for France and Paris in particular. All are framed in studio box frames and made of course, right here in Maine.

A Leading Force in Decorative Arts

She has been referred to as a leading force in the decorative arts community, by many in her field and locals alike. Judy is of course well known throughout the U.S., but stays true to her roots by having her presence known throughout the Kennebunk area. An example of this is at the White Barn Inn, in their Wine Room. Here, Judy has painted a large, breathtaking mural of a rural countryside scene in Tuscany. Any who choose to visit this private room perhaps for a celebratory occasion, can witness her attention to detail and love for the land in this specially commissioned piece of art; surrounded by a romantic setting.

Pictured here to the left is our Canvas Leaf Print, another Hardenbrook Studio design. So realistic and vividly rendered, this attractive collage of tamarack, red maple and white pine is printed on canvas with a distressed look. As with her other prints, this too is displayed in a wood box frame. There is no doubt, that this design was inspired by the beautiful fall foliage we witness each year here in Maine.

~Thank you Judy and Hardenbrook Studio for sharing your exquisite talents with Sturbridge Yankee Workshop.

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