GINA LEWIS
Our featured artist for March is Gina Lewis of GL Studios. Gina opened her Etsy shop in the summer of 2011 and began to work her shop in earnest in the latter part of the year so her shop is still in its infancy. She also joined Etsy Team Columbus in 2011. She volunteered at West Elm during the holidays and will help with planning the Eco-Chic Craftacular this year. Most recently, she became the creator and editor of ETC's public newsletter.
Gina is a self-taught artist but has learned a lot from her mom. She did take printing in high school where she learned how to develp plates, and run an offset lithography printing press. She also learned screened printing and photography (not only taking pictures but developing her own film). The moment that an image appears on paper is like magic to her.
When asked to categorize her art, she stated that she has a couple of different styles. When working on canvas, she tends to use lots of layers. Whereas, when she works on smaller surfaces like paper, she tends to keep things simple. She thinks her work is colorful and cheerful with a bit of whimsy. Others have told her that her work has a Folkart look.
Her inspiration comes first and foremost from children and their artwork but she is also inspired by nature and all things Scandanavian/Dutch. Whenever she needs a pick-me-up, she flips through her Danish home decor magazines.
Using rubbing alcohol in her work is her latest technique along with learning that it can be your wardrobe's best friend. As she likes to paint when the inspiration strikes, she often forgets to put on an apron and her clothes have suffered the consequences as acrylic paints don't come out of clothing easily. So her tip to our readers is to use rubbing alcohol! She has also found that it creates a lovely distressed look to her art when she layers her paint. However, she recommends that one should experiment with it to discover the effect wanted and how long the alcohol should be left on the painting.
At this time, Skipping Rock Farms Pop-up vintage store in Bexley is featuring some of her textiles and she has been contacted through Etsy by soem gift shops out West to carry her work. She would also like to explore wholesale and selling her work in more local venues although her goal at the present time is to expand her line of product. She will be teaching a Mother/Daughter Together Workshop at Skipping Rock in May(http://skippingrockfarm.com/ ), teaching moms and their daughters how to make memories together.
We are happy to have Gina join our team and appreciate all that she has already done to promote our team!
Contact info for Gina:
http://www..labelleavenue.com/
www.etsy.com/shop/GLStudios
www.facebook.com/labelleavenue
Written by 
Amy's (www.JewelrybyButterfly.com; http://www.etsy.com/shop/butterflyjewelry) White Pearl Necklace With Silver Links And Chain will be the June Birthstone project in the July 2012 issue of BeadStyle magazine. This modern pearl necklace is made of white pearls, silver links and chain. Pearls are 8mm round and necklace measures 42 inches long which can be made shorter or longer if needed. Necklace can be worn doubled or single around neck for two different striking looks. 
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