Let's Get Busy!!!!

My name is Ava Potterfield. 

I am a musician, I teach private music lessons, I am a song writer and performer, as well as a photographer.  I am a wife, mother, and grandmother.  I served as a member and as an officer in the Quincy, IL Chapter of The Illinois Music Teachers Association as their Secretary and as their President.  I am an artist in the beginning of forming an artistic identity.  

I first became interested in art as a young child with coloring books, drawing and art in school.  I took an art class in college that reacquainted me with working with my hands to create.  While I enjoyed it … art was not my focus and was left by the wayside as I pursued other things.  Then two years ago … at the age of 47 … I felt art surging through me and demanding to be let out.  My husband, Doug, and I purchased supplies and began our art journey together. 

Right now I sketch, paint and sculpt in our living room at home.  We are working on creating a space that can be dedicated to art and creativity.  It will be a room dedicated to crochet, making jewelry, quilting and sewing as well as sculpting, sketching, painting and music.

I work with polymer clay, watercolor, pencil, charcoal and acrylics.  If I had to choose a favorite right now … I would have to choose watercolor.  That surprises me … previously I would have sworn that charcoal was my favorite.

What inspires me the most is nature.  I have always been in love with nature and the beauty it has to offer us.  I enjoy taking photos that inspire me to sketch or paint. 

My favorite piece that I have created is an acrylic piece that I painted of a sunflower.  I am currently working on a charcoal drawing of an artifact as well as a sketch and a watercolor.  The first piece of artwork that I sold was a pencil and charcoal drawing of the Union Covered Bridge in Paris, Missouri.  I was thrilled!

The most indispensable item in my art studio right now would be a bit unusual.  It would be my Manhasset music stand.  It holds my art work and raises, lowers, swivels, leans forward, leans back and offers so many different angles to look at my work as I go.

The best piece of advice I’ve been given is this … “If you’re not making mistakes, you are not making progress.” – John Irvine, Quincy, IL.    It’s okay to experiment.  It’s okay to make mistakes.  It’s okay for things to turn out differently than we had planned.  This takes all of the pressure off and allows things to be fun.

I look forward to many more projects and adding new mediums to work with.  Creating art makes me happy.

Ava

Additional Blogs:

A Day In The Life of Ava Jane ... https://adayinthelifewithavajane.blogspot.com/

Luna Delight ...  https://lundadelight.blogspot.com/

Music For You and Fun For Me ...  https://musicforyouandfunforme.blogspot.com/
Facebook Page:
The Cusious Art Whip ... https://www.facebook.com/The-Curious-Art-Whip-646177288884424/
Plexus Supplements:

For your Plexus Supplement needs email me at ajplexus@gmail.com

This is a new blog that is going to feature interviews with various artists that I come in contact with or seek out.  My name is Ava and right now I am based in Hannibal, Missouri and will be featuring local artists as well as non-local artists. 

Of course art work includes paintings and sketches as well as other forms of artwork in the medium of your choice.  Art work for this blog also includes things that you make with your hands.  This could be pottery, ceramics, clay, jewelry, quilting, sewing, crochet, knitting, paper quilling, origami, instruments, wood working ... you are beginning to see the picture.  Things that are hand made. 

If you would like to be included or know someone who you would like to be included let me know and it just might lead to an article for the blog. 

Thank you so much!
Ava Potterfield