What defines an artist? There are as many answers to that question as there are artists. For that, I am profoundly grateful. The richness and amazing variety of art challenges, relaxes, focuses, and inspires. The terms "art' and "artist" do not belong exclusively to those who have galleries or whose work is displayed in museums. Professional and amateur, the Austin area is alive with a thriving artistic community.
Of this or any artistic community, the question arises what feeds the creative spirit? For one Austin artist, the answer is gatherings of like-minded people. EJ Brown is a warm and personable mixed media artist who has an affinity for metals. With her biological father a self-taught graphic artist, she's been an artist from birth, always doodling and experimenting. She describes herself as "curious about everything." EJ thrives in an atmosphere where she can do what she wants, be creative, all with a structure that encourages her to complete her vision.
EJ enjoys attending workshops and artistic retreats. If she can't find a group, she will form one. A recent, quite successful group she started was the Art on Windsor group of mixed media artists. She's currently taking sketching classes, a class called Urban Sketching.
Her advice for first time workshop attendees is to take every class/session available by artists one has read about. It's inevitable that some classes or teachers won't quite work out for all participants. It happens. Stick with it, EJ recommends, and return the next year, signing up for those classes from teachers one admires and who presents a good class experience. She recommends Art Unraveled and Adorn Me (http://artunraveled.com/) as two good artistic retreats.
So what artists inspire EJ? Metal Smith’s Keith Lo Bue, (http://keithlobue.blogspot.com) and Michael DeMeng (http://www.wix.com/demeng/michael-demeng) Richard Salley (http://www.rsalley.com/home.html) , mixed media artist, Beckah Krahula, (http://beckahkrahula.com/carolduvall.html) jewelry artist, Susan Lenart Kazmer (http://susanlenartkazmer.net/)
Sketcher, Water colorist, Jules Buck Jones (http://www.julesbuckjones.com/) are only a few whose work recharges EJ's artistic vision.
EJ's work is wonderful and creative which matches her personality. She uplifts those around her.
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