FOLK ART

Motivated by my love of antiques and folk art, I began painting folk art portraits some 10 years ago. I was published with Sagebrush Fine Art, Penny Lane Publishers and Cass Framed Art. Although I still love painting, I have changed my medium to painting Belsnickles on chalkware. Belsnickles originate from Germany, and were adapted to America from the 1850 immigrants that came to America. Make sure you check out my website, thebelsnicklehaus.homestead.com In my spare time I love to cook and decorate my home, especially during the fall months and the holidays. Cooking is my passion and I hope you enjoy the wonderful recipes handed down to me from family members.

Sonja Milburn is American, is married, and is a doting mother. She spent the past decade working primarily in the Event Staging and Production industry, followed by a quick stint in the Medical Device Connectivity world. She has spent most of her career finding ways to improve communication and efficiency in business between Marketing, Sales, and Operations. Throughout her life she has been fortunate enough to live in various states across New England, the Province of Quebec, Florida, and now, Arizona. Currently she has immersed herself entirely into the world of motherhood, a land of discovery she deeply appreciates. She loves family time, reading books, fine dining, and dancing. She is also a self-proclaimed gourmet chef, baker of sumptuous sweets, occassionally paints folk art onto objects, and has been accused of being a car snob. Writing has been a passion since childhood.

Start your valuable collection of entertaining fine art Americana imagery from the historic photo documentary www.thesignsofthetimescollection.com Pieces of our history now sought after by art and photo collectors.Folk & Roadside art,signs,neon,graffiti,b/w period (1973-79),humor, corporate ads and culture .e:signsofthetimescollection@gmail.com Press Release January 5,2011 News Your Can Use about this Historic New Collection The Signs of the Times Collection's presents pieces of our cultural history,American folk art,consumer and corporate culture,advertising and vintage art including historic photo prints. Original fine art prints from the historic Collection are considered very desirable,and highly "collectible" in today's art world. Renowned fine art photographer,Billy Tucker, recently announced that limited edition,original "signed" photo prints are now available from the NEW historic one of a kind photo documentary Collection. The black and white period (1973-1979) are considered the most rare imagery. The entertaining and very "collectible" historic photos from American life & culture are invaluable and sought after by private art collectors,museums and galleries around the world. The Signs of the Times Collection is Now Available to Galleries,Museums,Publishers,Curators and Private Collectors Visit the main Collection website:com www.thesignsofthetimescollection.com SEE the Collection by Category & Subject matter:www.flickr.com/photos/signsofthetimes or at Online Art Gallery,ARTSPAN.com at: http://thesignsofthetimescollection.Artspan.com/Historic Fine Art Photo Documentary Collection 941 357 3954* E: signsofthetimescollection@gmail.com --------------------------------------------------

Judy Rawnsley is a well know folk artist who has won numerous awards for her work, including two first place awards in the World Exhibition in New Orleans, and a first and second place from the Carmel Clay Historic Society. Her work has been featured in publications and exhibited in the American Museum of Folk Art. She is the owner of Squirrel Hill Folk Art. She may be reached at sqhillfolkart@aol.com or squirrelhilldesigns@blogspot.com.

I've worked for newspapers & edited a music/art ezine. I've worked as a recording tech, and ran the indie label Low Frequency Records. I write sci-fi/fantasy, enjoy violent video games, caving and collect Howard Finster folk art.

Designer of over 100 theatrical productions, Rick St Dennis (Donald McAfee) is also the author of 4 books on decorative painting and contributor to at least a dozen national magazines on crafts and art. He has taught design at the college level as well as seminars and classes across the USA and Canada. He is one of a handful of designers to have designed TWO productions of AIDA, Verdi's massive Egyptian opera spectacle. Currently living in the quiet beach communuity of Seal Beach, California he writes restaurant reviews and theatre reviews between assignments for web designs, logos and creating art for local shows. Rick has appeared on such TV shows as Home Matters with Susan Powell, Aileen's Crafts and others. He was Crafts editor for Country Folk Art Magazine and sells his artwork nationally through galleries and shows. Among numerous awards he won a presidential commendation in 1976 for his contributions to the bicentennial year including the design of the west coast premier of William Grant Still's opera BAYOU LEGEND.

Linda Louie, is a life-long tea enthusiast, a student of tea culture, and the owner of Bana Tea Company, which specializes in Pu-erh tea. Linda studies with a renowned tea master in Hong Kong and has traveled extensively through the farms and villages of the Pu-erh tea regions of Yunnan China to study Pu-erh tea, the tribal cultures of the tea farmers and to find the finest Pu-erh teas. Linda has given tea lectures and GongFu tea demonstrations at special events, museums, Mt. San Antonio College and Pasadena City College. Bana Tea Company products can be also purchased at Pacific Asia Museum, Bowers Museum, and the Craft and Folk Art Museum.

Vince is a freelance writer, technology buff, music aficionado and folk art collector.

Karmen is a freelance artist and animator living in Maryland. She was done concept art for direct marketing as well as independent animation shorts and fine art paintings.

In addition to his role as Professor of English and Philosophy for 12 years, Tysick is an author, interfaith minister, and artist. His formal education includes an M.A. in Literary Theory and a B.A. in English and Fine Art Photography. His other studies include Spiritualism at the historic Morris Pratt Institute in Milwaukee, Kadampa Buddhism under the Ven. Geshe Kelsang Gyatso of Chicago, and Mortuary Science at Wayne State University in Detroit. Tysick collects religious and cultural artifacts. He contends, "my most cherished curios include several first and second class relics of Catholic Saints, a human phalange, paint chips from the room where Poe penned "The Raven," and soil that once surrounded the tomb of Marie LaVeau, Voodoo Queen."

I am a regular working man. With the assistance of my wife we together care for our son in Ohio's capital city. Raised in a lower income family I have been taught to put family and friends first along with the responsibilities that come with maintaining those relationships. Art is a strong focus in my life from a very young age. I believe self expression to be critical in maintaining and developing a progressive and never stagnant culture.

art... the meaning of life... I am a guild member of MRACG, BRMAA, and SAAG. Currently my interests are glass fusing, digital altered photographs, and woodcarving in bass wood. My complaint is there is never enough time in a day to enjoy it all! I love sharing my learned skills either here as a purchased download, or in group workshops locally.

I'm a southern folk artist, outsider artist. I love to paint and carve. I live in the country, where I get a lot of my inspiration. I raise chickens and turkeys, and have found both to be amusing pets.

Travis is a traveling fact bug constantly soaking up info on anything interesting and not. He's a musician storyteller, that loves folk tales, & old music and food.

Jennifer has a BA in Music Performance and English. She loves classical music, freak folk, poetry, and the idea of infinite imagination.

Irish by extraction. Midwesterner by birth. Wannabe Classicist. Gaelic Enthusiast. Vagabond Storyteller. Folk Music Fiend. No fixed abode.

Born in Thua-Thien Hue, Vietnam, Educate, Baccalaureate I/II (68)... Migrated to The US 1969 Educate, BA (math SDSU); MSEE (Engineer, SDSU) .... Vietnam Veteran, Medic, Medical Corp. USAID, South Vietnam.... Founder/CEO of IAS LAb, Vitro Sciences Lab ... Retired now to full writer of Poetry (haiku, Vietnamese and Free forms) novel and song, lyrics, Awarded poet, Inventor and Electronic Designer, Pioneer in PC CP/M systems. I teach and practice Vovinam Kungfu (The 5 nation Martial Art style) and Zen daily.

Jemima Boncales spent much of her twenties in the company of rowdy musicians, actors and actresses, choreographers, philosophers and political activists. Her childhood years were spent in the Philippines listening to folk tales and stories of ghosts, tree spirits, and the Old Testament. Her idyllic childhood was followed by teenage years as an immigrant adjusting in the American South, hanging out with rebels and rednecks alike, while secretly obsessively playing classical music in the piano. With a mind full of stories and melodies and visions of disparate worlds, from third world poverty into a historic American elegance setting, the artist approaches art like a musician who uses color and paint to write a melody, creating shows that connects various elements of a disconnected world.

Robert Conlon's mother dragged him to his first piano lesson at the age of 8. He has been playing and writing music ever since. He is passionate about the role creativity plays within our redemptive inwardness. A combination of classical-inspired piano, folk-influenced guitar, and poetic lyrics woven into simple melodies and uncluttered parts define his musical style. In addition to his music projects, he is a Professor of Art at Siena Heights University.

Hannah currently works as a Children's Bookseller and is making it her mission to get adults reading the brilliant teen fiction that is available. She is also interested in Modern American fiction, British history and reading the words of the fabulously witty. She is happiest when listening to folk music and knitting.

My earliest memory is that of me watching Barney at my foster mothers home in some town near Cleveland, Ohio. I was born one of several children to my birth woman who managed to have a different kid with every man on the block. Drugs and neglagence landed my siblings and me in several differnt fosterhomes. At five we were adopted into a whole new lifestyle. We were all black or mixed children being adoped by an entire white family. At the time I never noticed once that we were differnt colors I was so happy. My new family came with a mom and a dad and four sisers and one brother. when you added my 3 younger brothers and my little sister and me we had ten children total, black and white, living in one house at one time. I got lucky. I look back and think about how i might have turned out if I had stayed in that town. I have always loved animals and have had several. Music is a passion, in particullar, jazz, broadway and folk music. I would like to work with film, and produce and direct social and cultural documentaries I want to travel the world.

I was born into a mixed race family brought up on hip-hop and 80's music. Oddly I'm an Indie Folk musician currently with a local band Nice Purse from Minneapolis MN. Laid back but not naive.

Jeremy Holt lives in the wilds of Cherokee National Forest. He loves outsider architecture, dumpster diving, whitewater river guiding, art, science, nature, his girlfriend, and his son.

Michele Edsall, a.k.a. Nunpuns, is a self-taught, folk artist born and raised in rural Florida. Her paintings currently hang in private collections across the US in homes of buyers with good taste and a great sense of humor.

Research professional and singer-songwriter, John Wilson is well-versed in foreign policy, technology and politics from working in the government and non-profit sectors. He is also a musician and lyric-writer of alternative folk/country music.

I was born in San Diego and raised to love music. I'm mostly interested in the indie scene which for me includes rock, punk, electronic, experimental, folk, and trip-hop. I am a self taught programmer/hacker. I play many instuments including the guitar, drums, and piano.

born n raised in New England, traveled the country, took up acoustic guitar, love Max Creek and all folk-style playing... became a carpenter, lived at Zendik Farm for ten years, love those people... I read voraciously... I love philosophy, sociology, psychology, physics,

Female Professional Musician. Main instrument is drum set. Can play jazz and other styles; Cajun, Irish, Country, Blues, Oldies. I also am an accomlished folk fiddler and rhythm guitarist.

Robert Workmon has written for print and broadcast. He long been fascinated by the convergence of art, politics and the search for answers to life's big questions, such as "When will we have flying cars?" and "How will I know what lane I'm driving in?"

Adrienne is a woman with diverse interests ranging from folk music to medieval history. She is an experienced communications professional with over 20 years of writing experience in the academic, corporate and publishing venues.