Featured Folk Artist ::: Jane DesRosier of Gritty Arts Studio

(photo used by permission. © Jane DesRosier)

We are thrilled to welcome Jane DesRosier to the Cafe today! Jane has a well-established presence on Ebay and has recently launched her own website. When I think of Jane's creations, the word that comes to mind is "inspired." Jane's work has a deeply spiritual undergirding that comes through so clearly in her folk art paintings and dolls. Her work is simply mesmerizing. Without further ado...

(photo used by permission. © Jane DesRosier)

♥ when & how did folk art sweep you off your feet?

Gosh, that’s a hard one. When I say I paint folk art I am referring to a particular style of naïve painting with bold colors often outlined in black. I draw very much the same as I did when I was 12 yrs old. My style has developed and I have gained some techniques, but I’ve been painting the same faces a long time.

My father is a fabulous watercolor painter and he does very realistic looking marine art. I think that when I was young I felt like I could never paint as good as him or as realistic as him, so I went the other direction for a long time. Now, I find myself with more confidence and a desire to give realism a try…I want to mix the two somehow.

As far as the sweeping me off my feet thing is concerned…I have been pretty into painting since I started selling on ebay. I was so thrilled that people would buy what I painted, that it drove me forward. The more folks were interested in my art, the more I wanted to paint. I feel very blessed.

♥ what are your favorite mediums and/or tools to use?

I love wood, tin, canvas, acrylic paint, papers, clay, wax, charcoal, coffee, and rust. I wouldn’t want to be without my paintbrushes, big Liquitex knives, DeWalt power tool, plyers, wire-cutters and the computer.

♥what is your favorite time to create?

The morning. I love to drink a cup of coffee and work. After my second cup I am finally awake and am pleased to see I made something! There is something about that lucid sleep-state that is good for creating. Late night is good too…but I get kind of loopy.

(photo used by permission. © Jane DesRosier)

♥ any tips for beginning folk artists?

If you have the desire to create, pay attention to it. Just get moving. There is an incredible abundance of inspirational videos, books, classes, and magazines. These can be good resources but don’t forget to look within. Be inspired by others, but don’t try to copy them. Pray and ask for direction.

♥ what are your dreams for your folk art business?

I kind of want to move outside of ebay and have been heading in that direction for some time. Ebay has been a huge blessing in many ways and is a great opportunity for anyone to be able to sell something. Unfortunately, it seems like the second someone gets a good idea or a big sale, there are a handful of imitations up within 24 hrs and I am kind of tired of it. Other top-selling artists are feeling the pain as well but there doesn't seem to be much we can do about it. I guess it is like that anywhere in the world though. I have been fortunate to be able to sell some paintings and dolls directly from my website and that makes me very happy!

I suspect good things are going to happen, but I have no idea what they are. My hope is that I could make a living and glorify God with what I do. I know I can dream or set goals, but all too often my Father has different plans for me and I find my big ideas were nothing compared to His. I really just try to do this day by day.

I have so many ideas just waiting to manifest. I am a bit obsessed with art. Even when I am doing something else, in the back of my mind the wheels are turning and ideas are forming…I am usually thinking about making something before my eyes are open in the morning. That kind of inspiration must be God-given so He will most likely use it for something, huh? Lord help me if it goes away.

(photo used by permission. © Jane DesRosier)

♥ how do you manage family and your business?

Not very well. I always feel like I should be doing more. I deal with the same stresses other working women do who are married with children. It is a constant struggle to keep my priorities in order and manage my time well. My house is never very clean, I can’t seem to keep the flowers on the front porch alive, and my old dog hasn’t gone for a walk in a long time.

I even wanted to spend more time on these questions but figured I had already taken too long...=)

♥ how did you come up with the name for your business?

I just thought about what would describe my style and what I like...and the word "gritty" seemed to fit. For some reason I just love things that are aged, crackled, stained, broken-down, and rusty. I have always been resourceful and able to make-do with what is around me. I just started painting on whatever I could find.

I was a lost sheep and Jesus found me. He took my wreck of a life and is making it beautiful. In some way, that is what I am trying to do when I paint on these found objects.

(photo used by permission. © Jane DesRosier)

♥ tell us about how you've 'met with' Jesus through your art.

That is actually a tough question…

Any success I have is because of God. I am nothing without him. Jesus said, 'I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

I have known for a long time that of myself I can do no good. It is only by God’s saving grace that I am alive and have been given a second chance (many of them).

I guess the way I have “met with” Jesus through my art is just by constantly asking for direction…Asking every move to make big or small and trying to be obedient to his promptings. This communication is what builds the relationship. It also builds my faith.

+++Super big thanks for having me over!

(slideshow used by permission. © Jane DesRosier)

We want you to be aware that Jane is doing a series of tutorials on youtube. Here is her introduction video...

Jane is also gearing up for some workshops. Needless to say, you'll want to keep up with her! So, here are links to all things Jane :::

♥ Gritty Arts Studio Blog ♥ Gritty Arts on Youtube
♥ Grittyjane on Ebay ♥ GrittyJane.com

We hope you've been encouraged and motivated through today's featured folk artist interview. Keep learning how to see the Master Artist at work in everything about you, whether it be through joy, pain or a mixture of the two.

wazzup???

hi, everyone! just wanted to check in with you. how are you? no, really. how are you? please let us know what's up with you. we'd love to rejoice with and/or pray for you. never hesitate to check in here. this is a place for refreshment, an oasis of sorts for the creative soul no matter where you are in journey to Truth. grace abounds here because we know the grace Giver.

so, what's new here? well, pam and i are excited to begin a new endeavor. we'll be highlighting folk artists who are also Jesus followers. i am so excited about our first featured artist, but you'll have to wait...to be unveiled soon!

if you have any ideas for a featured artist or would like to be one yourself, please email us or leave a comment. we're looking for folks grounded in their walk with Jesus. perfectly grounded? of course not, but definitely those who are holding on to the plow and bringing others along with them through their art.

hoping you have a super weekend of listening and growing.

What's Pam up to???

Well, I'm getting along with the painting, here are some new photos (near my front door at home) and today was the exciting moment of clarity...I know exactly where I am going now. Finally I'm moving smoothly in the direction that my heart is set on. It's so exciting. There is a similar feeling when you "discover" a truth in God's Word and it's so overwhelming that your heart pounds. We bow our knee and cry, "My Lord and my God". It is sometimes almost too much, this utter love of the Holy One. When I am writing a song or painting a picture I stop and ponder, play things out, turn all the stones over looking, looking, looking...until the aha moment. Then a smile, relief! My feet are on terrafirm once again.
As you read and study the Word of God you are moving spiritually in familiar territory, pleasant discoveries are just around each bend, sometimes painful truths that you must deal with in your life are found out, glaring truth...repent, undo, do over, be kinder, help, love...love...love. He is the King and Creator of LOVE. We are to be His image. If you are not reading the Word of God as you know you should be, dear sister in Christ I call you to move smoothly in the direction of the Saviour, set your heart on finishing the race in a way and manner pleasing to Him...
Love Out Loud!
This painting should be done soon.
Buckets of Blessings, Goblets of Joy, Baskets brimming with Glory, Pam
Tuesday: I was able to paint a little bit in between customers today, I got a start on some of the flowers. I sketched lightly with pencil-erasing on top of the dried coffee is a trick- can you see the rest of the flowers that are sketched? It took 2 days to complete the background. But I'm still working on it, looking for the day it is completed.
Photo #2

Monday:I've been working on a large canvas piece. I'm totally inspired by Mystele's homes and flowers. (Can you tell how much I love her art and her heart :) So, flipping it in my own little way I thought I'd take a photo as I go. But of course I thought of that after I put the second coat of coffee on. So picture in your mind a white canvas...that now looks like this:

Photo #1
The canvas is quite large and it's taking on a look of leather. There is a children's song called, He's Still Working On Me.

He's still working on me,
To make me what I ought to be.
It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,
The sun and moon and Jupiter and Mars.
How loving and patient He must be,
Cuz He's still working on me.

Buckets Of Blessings, Pam

Interviews...

This is an idea Mystele had, she and I will be interviewing other artists out there in the blogosphere. Interviews and we will highlight that artist and her work for the day.
This is gonna be FUN :) You are all going to LOVE who we have first up... COMING SOON.
Pam

Interview with An Artist...

What are your favorite tools to work with?
Pam: Good, expensive Brushes (I've only got a few...the rest are cheapies :) and I love to paint with watercolor and coffee.
Mystele: charcoal, doll house detail brushes, and filbert brushes.

What are you reading now?
Pam: Life Management for Busy Women by Elizabeth George
Mystele: reading? what's that? oh, yeah, i remember...well, i've been working on a book called "that's my son" for about 2 months now! it's NOT a long book. oh, well.

What are you working on now?
Pam: I'm working on a greeting card for Legacy Card Company. I also have a new Oz pic in mind..."Trespassers Will Be Melted".
Mystele: bringing a sketch to life of three hip little angels.

How long have you been drawing?
Pam: Since I could hold a pencil or crayon.
Mystele: started drawing again in 2006 to sketch out original patterns for my folk art dolls. i began drawing for painting in 2008.

What music inspires you?
Pam: I love Fernando Ortega. If his CDs cost $500, I'd save up for one.
Mystele: everything from opera to folk.

What is your favorite scripture?
Pam: Joshua 1:9 Because of my husbands illness there are days I've been very afraid.
Mystele: Deut. 30:11-20, and, no, i don't have them memorized...yet.

What church do you attend and what do you do there?
Pam: A Bible church. I'm the kid's choir director and I have a crochet class with the older girls. I also teach Sunday School to the older girls 10 and up. I LOVE them. My husband teaches at church sometimes and he also teaches the high school and college kids on Wed. nights.
Mystele: the church my husband "grew up" in and where he serves as the junior high youth pastor. i love to encourage, come along side other people making their way Home, through music.

Why does Faith Folk Cafe exist?
Pam: I could not find a place like this in blogworld so I'm in the process of creating it. It's what I wished was there. Walls don't stop me, I go through them. I am pretty fearless, although I can't deal with angry/crazy people. I just shut down. I want a Christian friendly site that is here to glorify God and a place to fellowship with his people. It is evolving as we go. I wanted Mystele because I loved what she'd write to people, so positive and she has such a good testimony. Always giving glory to the Lord. I'm so glad she joined me.
Mystele: to encourage christians and seekers with the redemptive love that we've received from God, both through spiritual and creative avenues. i'm so glad the Lord brought the two of us together!

Anything else you'd like to add Pam. No, but thanks for asking Pam. You're welcome Pam. Now, say goodbye to your invisible friends. Goodbye invisible friends! Until we meet again. Keep Painting and please leave comments. WE LOVE them and it shows us that you are out there.

My Friend Mystele...

I am collecting some of Mystele's work, it was decision I made when I saw it on ebay. I put in a bid and my husband kept watch and bid for the fun of it. We now have a small, but serious collection. Not all of the pieces are included and I'm sad that my photography skills are not what they should be...
Click here on the word blog and find her on ebay...I don't know why I'm telling you this because I want all of her work. If I could tell you how happy her piece with the 4 little girls makes me you'd be reading for an hour or more. And she can sing...my favorite on her CD, yes, she has a CD, is her song, Say The Word! She also writes scripture on old library book cards and attaches them to the back of the painting. COOL!
Buckets of Blessings and Joy,
Pam