TINA GAGNON, COLOR PENCIL ARTIST

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 "Nature & Nostalgia – those are the subjects that I am, pardon the pun, drawn to. I am a hyper-realistic artist and the 'devil is in the details' – the more details, the better. The medium of colored pencil affords me the ability to hone in on that aspect. Nature has so many nuances to it that detail is imperative to capture the essence of a living being, whether it is flower or animal. Nostalgia also lends itself to detail. The more detail, the more the image will come alive for the viewer – evoking their own memories attached to that particular object in the drawing.  Patience, is the key to my art. Most pieces I spend about an hour per square inch. More complex pieces can be twice that time. It is not uncommon for a piece to have more than one hundred hours put into it." 

 "Art has always been an outlet and my saving grace. When I create, I do so intuitively; delving into the creative process I can get lost in the zone for hours." KayLynn Govoni is the sole owner and artist behind Seaside Arts by KayLynn. She is a calligrapher, muralist and illustrator. She has been exhibiting art since 1977. Her current style incorporates her love of color, patterns and finite details using acrylics, watercolors, pen and inks. Growing up on Cape Cod and living in Gloucester, MA since 1981 she is inspired by all things nature. Her art work cannot be compared to mass produced products as she designs every piece and makes each one, by hand, painting or drawing her varied details. No two pieces are exactly the same."

 Lauren Ciborowski is a Connecticut based Creative Therapist and  

the Program Coordinator of “Art for Healing” at Hartford HealthCare. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Art Therapy &  Psychology from Springfield College. Lauren’s life-long relationship   with art and wellness inspired her to create wildflower art space- an  online shop which features original pressed flower art, home goods,  and vintage art collections.  

"I have always cherished our natural surroundings. Connecting with the organic world never fails to have a  positive impact on my mental state, which is why I collect and incorporate land-based materials into my work. In my  experiences as a Creative Therapist and an Artist, I have always enjoyed incorporating nature sessions and artwork. As  a Creative Therapist, I often take my clients outdoors to gather found objects, using them as stimulus for collage,  sculpture, mobiles, etc. This practice of integrating both art and nature reminds us that all weed need is right in front of  us; we just have to take the time to look.  

My pressed flower illustrations signify beauty in simplicity, imperfection, and individuality. Not indifferent to people, no two flowers are the same, and not all flowers in my work are pressed to perfection. I believe that creating art  through natural elements provides a cathartic experience; it is an outlet for reconnecting with ourselves, processing our  realities, and accepting the ebb and flow of life itself. "